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Difference between revisions of "Used Motorcycle Evaluation"
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* And if you're still thinking of using a used helmet, realize that helmet fit is one of the most important criteria in selecting a helmet, and it's highly unlikely that a used helmet will fit you as well as one you get from a shop, where you actually get to try different sizes and brands. (Shapes vary subtly by manufacturer; some manufacturers' helmets will fit you better than others.) And if that isn't enough, helmets tend to break in as the padded liner conforms to the unique shape of the wearer's head. You have a different-shaped head than the seller. Get your head its very own new helmet. | * And if you're still thinking of using a used helmet, realize that helmet fit is one of the most important criteria in selecting a helmet, and it's highly unlikely that a used helmet will fit you as well as one you get from a shop, where you actually get to try different sizes and brands. (Shapes vary subtly by manufacturer; some manufacturers' helmets will fit you better than others.) And if that isn't enough, helmets tend to break in as the padded liner conforms to the unique shape of the wearer's head. You have a different-shaped head than the seller. Get your head its very own new helmet. | ||
== | ==Titles and Paperwork== | ||
* Make sure that the VIN number on the bike matches the VIN on the title. To do this, you'll need to make sure that the seller has the title on hand when you go to see the bike. If (s)he doesn't, make sure you check this before you hand over the money. The VIN is usually marked near the steering head of the bike, one one of the frame spars, or on the steering head itself. If the VIN is damaged or appears to have been altered, the bike might be stolen -- write down the VIN, and see if the DMV or the police can verify that the bike has not been reported stolen and is registered to the same person trying to sell it. | * Make sure that the VIN number on the bike matches the VIN on the title. To do this, you'll need to make sure that the seller has the title on hand when you go to see the bike. If (s)he doesn't, make sure you check this before you hand over the money. The VIN is usually marked near the steering head of the bike, one one of the frame spars, or on the steering head itself. If the VIN is damaged or appears to have been altered, the bike might be stolen -- write down the VIN, and see if the DMV or the police can verify that the bike has not been reported stolen and is registered to the same person trying to sell it. | ||
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* Call the local DMV or police department, give them the VIN, and have them check the vehicle's title status. Depending on what your DMV will disclose, you may be able to get the vehicle's whole title history: a record of each time the bike changed hands, including the date and current mileage at each point. Or if it's stolen. You may also be able to find out if this is the original owner or the fourth person to own the thing. If you're dealing with the original owner, all you need to worry about is how honest he is and how well you can inspect the bike. When you're dealing with subsequent owners, you have no way of questioning them to determine what they did to it, why they sold it, etc. Buying a used bike is always something of a gamble, but you'll tend to make better choices the more information you have. Maybe buying from the second, third, or fourth owners is OK with you -- maybe you don't trust your bike inspection skills quite so much and would prefer to buy a bike that hasn't gone through so many hands. Maybe you'll even decide that you'd feel more comfortable buying a new bike. That's fine. It's your money, so the decision is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with. (See the section on QUIZZING THE SELLER, above, for more questions to ask the seller.) | * Call the local DMV or police department, give them the VIN, and have them check the vehicle's title status. Depending on what your DMV will disclose, you may be able to get the vehicle's whole title history: a record of each time the bike changed hands, including the date and current mileage at each point. Or if it's stolen. You may also be able to find out if this is the original owner or the fourth person to own the thing. If you're dealing with the original owner, all you need to worry about is how honest he is and how well you can inspect the bike. When you're dealing with subsequent owners, you have no way of questioning them to determine what they did to it, why they sold it, etc. Buying a used bike is always something of a gamble, but you'll tend to make better choices the more information you have. Maybe buying from the second, third, or fourth owners is OK with you -- maybe you don't trust your bike inspection skills quite so much and would prefer to buy a bike that hasn't gone through so many hands. Maybe you'll even decide that you'd feel more comfortable buying a new bike. That's fine. It's your money, so the decision is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with. (See the section on QUIZZING THE SELLER, above, for more questions to ask the seller.) | ||
* The seller may very well insist on keeping the license plate if, for example, it needs to be turned in to officially cancel the insurance on the bike. This is not an unreasonable request. | * The seller may very well insist on keeping the license plate if, for example, it needs to be turned in to officially cancel the insurance on the bike. This is not an unreasonable request. | ||
* Laws vary a bit from country to country -- for example, in some countries, liens are not listed on the title. (Canada is one example.) Check with the government's motor vehicle registration authority, your bank, your insurance agent, etc., to find out how to do a search for existing liens. This may cost extra money, and you may just want to have the seller certify (on the bill of sale, perhaps, but definitely in writing) that the bike is free and clear of liens. | * Laws vary a bit from country to country -- for example, in some countries, liens are not listed on the title. (Canada is one example.) Check with the government's motor vehicle registration authority, your bank, your insurance agent, etc., to find out how to do a search for existing liens. This may cost extra money, and you may just want to have the seller certify (on the bill of sale, perhaps, but definitely in writing) that the bike is free and clear of liens. | ||
==TEST RIDE== | ==TEST RIDE== | ||