Used Motorcycle Inspection Tips

Buying a used motorcycle is a great way to save money! However, if you don’t choose your model carefully you can easily end up spending hundreds of dollars more than you needed to on repairs and maintenance fees. To avoid this, simply check out our handy used motorcycle inspection tips below to ensure you’re walking away with a quality used model.

What To Inspect 

Aside from checking for obvious wear and tear on the outside of the bike, there are a number of other components to check during your inspection as well

• Inspect the tire tread and make note of any excessive or uneven wear.
• Inspect engine fluids for signs of debris, discoloration, or condensation and leaking in the tubing.
• Be sure to give leather implements a thorough once over to ensure they aren’t worn out or in need of replacement.
• Inspect the body, undercarriage, and important metal implants—such as your fork, fenders, and chain—for signs of rust.

Set Up a Test Ride

In order to truly see what sort of condition a used motorcycle is in, we strongly encourage you to set up a test ride with your model. This will allow you to see if the engine has any trouble starting up or idling, if the brakes are wearing out, and if the model is compatible with your riding style. However, if your dealership is unable to offer you a test drive we recommend at least starting your model up before deciding to drive it off the lot.

To shop used motorcycles that are still in great condition, we recommend stopping by Moto Boutique here in Columbus, OH. We offer an enormous range of quality used bikes for sale—as well as a number of other helpful motorcycle parts and accessories—and we always look forward to serving those nearby in Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio.