Buying Used Bikes

[HotImportGirl]

I hoping you guys could tell me what to look out for. My first bike was brand new but I dont think Im ready for a new sportbike because I havent ridden in a couple of years. So I was thinking about an older R6- maybe 2002-2005. Im not so much worried about scraped fairings because itll be custom painted but what else can I look for to make sure I dont buy a total POS? Help!

[cheshirecat79]

- Look for something with less than 10k miles (in general)
- Look for busted/leaking front fork seals (sign of stunting)
- Look for rashed fairings, scrapes on the frame, bent frame sliders
- Look for an owner that you feel you can trust

That's about it. You're going to have to take the prior owner's word on how well the bike has been treated. Most sportbikes will be run hard... that's just the nature of the beast. However, usually the younger the rider the more prone they are to stunting the bike, bouncing the tach off the rev limiter, and skipping recommended maintenance and fluid change intervals.

You mentioned that you have some motorcycle experience- I hope you are comfortable riding on an r6. They aren't slow or forgiving bikes.

[HotImportGirl]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

- Look for something with less than 10k miles (in general)
- Look for busted/leaking front fork seals (sign of stunting)
- Look for rashed fairings, scrapes on the frame, bent frame sliders
- Look for an owner that you feel you can trust

That's about it. You're going to have to take the prior owner's word on how well the bike has been treated. Most sportbikes will be run hard... that's just the nature of the beast. However, usually the younger the rider the more prone they are to stunting the bike, bouncing the tach off the rev limiter, and skipping recommended maintenance and fluid change intervals.

You mentioned that you have some motorcycle experience- I hope you are comfortable riding on an r6. They aren't slow or forgiving bikes.

I had a yzf600r, a notch below the R6... but I only had it for maybe two years... sold it with like 8k on the odo, i think.

[kutnupe14]

Originally Posted by HotImportGirl

I had a yzf600r, a notch below the R6... but I only had it for maybe two years... sold it with like 8k on the odo, i think.

R6, is an awesome bike, like previously stated, buy from someone you trust. You can also check out dealerships, as that winter's approaching, a number of people who "thought" they wanted a bike, will begin to sell them off... their loss, is your gain...

[Nforce1]

Originally Posted by HotImportGirl

I hoping you guys could tell me what to look out for. My first bike was brand new but I dont think Im ready for a new sportbike because I havent ridden in a couple of years. So I was thinking about an older R6- maybe 2002-2005. Im not so much worried about scraped fairings because itll be custom painted but what else can I look for to make sure I dont buy a total POS? Help!

YOUR STILL ALIVE?!?!

[HotImportGirl]

Originally Posted by Nforce1

YOUR STILL ALIVE?!?!

Yes, sorry to disappoint you.

[Jason333]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

- Look for something with less than 10k miles (in general)
- Look for busted/leaking front fork seals (sign of stunting)
- Look for rashed fairings, scrapes on the frame, bent frame sliders
- Look for an owner that you feel you can trust

That's about it. You're going to have to take the prior owner's word on how well the bike has been treated. Most sportbikes will be run hard... that's just the nature of the beast. However, usually the younger the rider the more prone they are to stunting the bike, bouncing the tach off the rev limiter, and skipping recommended maintenance and fluid change intervals.

You mentioned that you have some motorcycle experience- I hope you are comfortable riding on an r6. They aren't slow or forgiving bikes.

I agree with everything except the mileage part. I have a track R1 with 44k ROUGH miles. Oil changed every 1-5k miles and runs like a top.

[Swifty]

Originally Posted by Jason333

I agree with everything except the mileage part. I have a track R1 with 44k ROUGH miles. Oil changed every 1-5k miles and runs like a top.

I think this will always be an argument with bike riders.

[cheshirecat79]

Originally Posted by Jason333

I agree with everything except the mileage part. I have a track R1 with 44k ROUGH miles. Oil changed every 1-5k miles and runs like a top.

I'm not saying high mileage bikes are a bad buy. I purchased mine with 7k on the odometer and it has over 20 now and it runs fine.

However when advising people concerning "good" used bikes, the less miles the better in my opinion.

A bike that is run hard and not maintained properly with low mileage will not be as mechanically sound as a bike with higher mileage and proper maintenance, however.

[bassholic]

worry about miles if you plan on reselling the bike after you have it

[xedes]

Look for stock head gasket to make sure the motor hasn't been taken apart or modified.

[blasian]

Originally Posted by Jason333

I agree with everything except the mileage part. I have a track R1 with 44k ROUGH miles. Oil changed every 1-5k miles and runs like a top.

GD liar