Buying an Unused Bike - What to look for?

[Drew Carey]

Hello All

As you may have seen we are buying a second SV, for Lily.

We are due to buy and collect on Sunday. The bike is an 05 that has only done 650 miles.

The bike has not been used for about a year. In February, the owner took the bike to a garage, got the battery changed and the fluids were all replaced. She started it the other day and it worked first time.

My question is......is there anything that I should check before handing the cash over. I am expecting the chain to probably need some attention, which isn't a problem, but I'm worried bout things such as rust in the fuel tank etc. Is this likely and what else should I look for?

Cheers Drew

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

My question is......is there anything that I should check before handing the cash over. I am expecting the chain to probably need some attention, which isn't a problem, but I'm worried bout things such as rust in the fuel tank etc. Is this likely and what else should I look for?

Cheers Drew

If it was stored with a full tank of fuel, it is unlikely that there will be rust in the tank - so that is a question to ask.

Also might be worth checking when the 600 mile service was done. If it was done before the bike was laid up, all good - otherwise there may be contaminates in the oil that has settled in the sump and may still be hanging around despite the recent oil change. Solved by a another change of oil / filter in a few miles.

Check the tyres carefully for a flat spot / cracks where it has been standing on the tyres for an extended period. (or was it on stands?)

Check everything moves smoothly, look for evidence of suspension / brakes / steering / wheels etc. seizing.

Apart from that, probably depends on where the bike was stored. If stored indoors, switches etc. should be good, else check those to.

Mice nesting in the airbox?

[Drew Carey]

Cheers for the response Mike. It has only ever been used in the dry (so she claims), stored in a garage. It was serviced before being laid up so hopefully it should all be fine.

[Drew Carey]

Quick question.......I very much doubt that it was stored with a full tank (the poor girl really didn't have much of a clue about anything on the phone), so, is there anyway I can tell if there would be rust in the tank etc?

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Quick question.......I very much doubt that it was stored with a full tank (the poor girl really didn't have much of a clue about anything on the phone), so, is there anyway I can tell if there would be rust in the tank etc?

i doubt if the will be

I bought a 54 plate with 950 miles and have had no problems whatsoever. So far its turned out to be a really good buy, like new, just a bit older and £2k cheaper.

Guy bought it for his wife, she was scared of it, so he ended up riding it occasionally to keep it used.

Out of interest, how much is it?

Its going to be 3 years old so I wouldn't worry about rust.

Originally Posted by Miles

Its going to be 3 years old so I wouldn't worry about rust.

Its A suzuki, Be very afraid of rust!! LOL

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by Miles

I bought a 54 plate with 950 miles and have had no problems whatsoever. So far its turned out to be a really good buy, like new, just a bit older and £2k cheaper.

Guy bought it for his wife, she was scared of it, so he ended up riding it occasionally to keep it used.

Out of interest, how much is it?

Its going to be 3 years old so I wouldn't worry about rust.

We are paying £2700 for it. We wanted Lily to have the option of doing restricted licence if she is not comfortable on the big bike. This has the restrictor already in and has been lowered also. If she does pass full licence, then can just take the restrictor out.

Originally Posted by neio79

Its A suzuki, Be very afraid of rust!! LOL

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by neio79

Its A suzuki, Be very afraid of rust!! LOL

Tongue in cheek aside, I guess there will be little risk this early on?