Looking to buy a bike
12-19-2006, 10:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Alameda, CA
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Looking to buy a bike
I'm planning to buy a bike, but I don't have my M1 yet. I need to wait until Jan before I can take the MSF class. I've found this EX500 with low miles and a pretty good price. I don't have any experience with bikes and I don't know what to look for when looking at a used one. So what should I do? Should I bring it to a shop for an inspection?
12-20-2006, 07:47 AM
#5
Things to look for:
-clean electrical contacts
-front forks aren't leaking and no pits on the forks
-straight chassis (if you're going in a straight line it doesn't pull in any other direction)
-gears do not stick
-clutch does not slip
-fairings are not scratched (if they are or have been changed, the bike has been down, make sure there's no unknown/unaddressed problems from that such as scratched engine casings, you can also see the end of the handle bars to see if they're scratched)
-levers are not too stiff (cables may be on the verge of snapping)
-bike idles smoothly and accelerate smoothly, no flat spots (carbs may need to be cleaned or rebuilt)
-no overheating issues
-does not over-smoke when it's cold
-check if center stand is still there (I think EX500s had center stands)
-not too many weird noises coming from the engine
-no gunk in the gas tank (rust or rust-preventing liner)
Other than that, it's a pretty solid bike. They are usually trashed around a lot but hold up really well. If 2 or more of these things show up, I say take it to a shop and have them do a once over for you. I've bought one lemon in my life and it was a EX250 and boy did that suck. I did everything except check the gas tank and that screwed me in the long run. Fuel lines got clogged and the carb went kaput. Lesson learned.
I'm no gear nazi but it's your skin on the line. You'll want full leathers if you're going over 20mph. Hand me downs are fine but not for helmets.
-clean electrical contacts
-front forks aren't leaking and no pits on the forks
-straight chassis (if you're going in a straight line it doesn't pull in any other direction)
-gears do not stick
-clutch does not slip
-fairings are not scratched (if they are or have been changed, the bike has been down, make sure there's no unknown/unaddressed problems from that such as scratched engine casings, you can also see the end of the handle bars to see if they're scratched)
-levers are not too stiff (cables may be on the verge of snapping)
-bike idles smoothly and accelerate smoothly, no flat spots (carbs may need to be cleaned or rebuilt)
-no overheating issues
-does not over-smoke when it's cold
-check if center stand is still there (I think EX500s had center stands)
-not too many weird noises coming from the engine
-no gunk in the gas tank (rust or rust-preventing liner)
Other than that, it's a pretty solid bike. They are usually trashed around a lot but hold up really well. If 2 or more of these things show up, I say take it to a shop and have them do a once over for you. I've bought one lemon in my life and it was a EX250 and boy did that suck. I did everything except check the gas tank and that screwed me in the long run. Fuel lines got clogged and the carb went kaput. Lesson learned.
I'm no gear nazi but it's your skin on the line. You'll want full leathers if you're going over 20mph. Hand me downs are fine but not for helmets.
12-20-2006, 12:58 PM
#6
Registered User
errr you're not going to find many bikes for under $2k that is in good condition.
Personally I would not trust my life to an old bike but that's just me...haha
I do have a shift red 04 R1 for sale in mint, low miles, clean title but it won't be anywhere near that price.
rick
Personally I would not trust my life to an old bike but that's just me...haha
I do have a shift red 04 R1 for sale in mint, low miles, clean title but it won't be anywhere near that price.
rick
