There is no shame in buying a second hand bike over a new bike, rather it is the most smartest decision. But you need to prove yourself how smart deal you can make out of it. Buying second hand bikes is not an easy task like visiting a showroom and purchasing a brand new model without thinking about the condition of the bike. Here, you need to evaluate and check each and every factor like:
- Fair market price
- Vehicle history
- Vehicle condition
- Vehicle loan
- Vehicle Insurance
How to check used bike condition?
As a buyer or a seller, you need to behave more responsibly. A buyer will definitely want to check second hand bike condition before purchasing it, but a seller should also get it checked by professionals and prepare a proper report to the prospective buyer, so that, the trust factor prevails in the buyer seller relationship. So, what questions should be asked to know the exact condition of a used bike.
- How much km is good for a used bike?
- What parts of bike needs to be checked to know the used bike condition?
- How to check battery health of bike?
- How to check second hand bike engine?
- How to check bike tyre condition?
- Why do you need to check second hand bike condition?
Let’s learn the details of these questions:
How much km is good for a used bike?
It completely depends upon the bike model, year of purchase and its maintenance. For some bikes 200K Kms is not much and for some even 50K Kms is too much. If someone rides high or uses it too much, 30K-40K Kms is sufficient, but for someone who does not ride high, 100K Kms is perfect.
If you are seller, you will know how you have used your motorcycle for the last few years and you will easily be able to identify how mechanically sound is your bike after all those Kms ride. So, you can decide your bike sell time accordingly. If you a buyer, do not trust on the Odometer reading of a used bike. You never know whether there has been any breach with the Kms shown on Odometer nor you can identify how much Kms is good for a used bike. It is always better to consult a professional bike mechanic who has a proper knowledge of all these factors and will provide you with the exact report. After that you can check used bike price easily with OBV.
What parts of bike needs to be checked to know the used bike condition?
A bike may seem like a small vehicle as compared to any four-wheeler. But it has a miniature version of almost all parts. All parts are in compressed version to make a motorcycle perfect a long ride. When it comes to checking the used bike condition, that means a professional person or ECO technician will check all the parts of a bike thoroughly and create a comprehensive report stating the actual condition of a second hand bike.
- Fuel tank
- Odometer
- Mirrors
- Riser
- Turn Signal
- Headlight
- Triple Clamp
- Front Fender
- Front Suspension
- Wheel Rim
- Brake Disc
- Tire
- Brake Caliper
- Radiator
- Engine
- Frame
- Rear Brake Lever
- Shift Lever
- Footpeg
- Chain
- Swingarm
- Final Drive Sprocket
- Exhaust/Muffler
- Footpeg
- Turn Signals
- Tail Light
- Rear Fender
- Seat
- Shock Absorber
- Battery
- Airbox
There are a few more small parts in a bike that also needs to be checked. Among these 31 parts, you may feel some are too small and almost negligible, but still, it will matter when it comes to bearing the repair cost.
They will check all these parts, but there are 3 main parts of a bike, which are considered to be the most important ones and the real condition of a bike can be easily determined from those three – battery, engine and tyres.
How to check battery health of bike?
The easiest way to check battery health of a bike is to charge the battery for certain period of time and then try to start the bike. There is a simple mechanism like divide the capacity of the battery (AH) by the power of the charger, then you will get the exact time period for how long you need to charge the battery. If the battery has capacity of 8AH and the charger is 2amp, then you need to charge for 4 hours.
Then try to start the battery, if it starts then it is fine, just leaver for overnight. If not starting, the battery of the bike may need repair or jumpstart. After overnight rest if the battery does start smoothly, then the battery health is good. If it starts very slowly, the battery is bad. If it does not start at all, the battery is dead.
It is always advisable to get these checked by some professional mechanics as they will be able to give you more valuable insights.
How to check second hand bike engine?
It is always advisable to check second hand bike engine in the morning. This is because, when the bike is remain in a cold stagnant condition for last 5-7 hours and then you are starting the engine, it will be easier for you to judge the real condition of the engine. This cold starting will let you know whether there is some abnormal sound in the bike engine or not, otherwise in a heated engine those abnormal sounds will hide behind the normal sounds of other parts.
Second thing that you need to notice on how to check second hand bike engine is the engine of a four stroke bike should not produce any smoke. If it does, that means the bike engine health is bad.
Thirdly, you must notice the oil leaks on the entire engine.
Fourthly, check the level of engine oils.
Fifthly, when you are riding a bike, just check there should be any unusual vibration in the engine.
These are all manual checking steps but it is always better to trust on a mechanic to check the engine condition before buying a second hand bike.
How to check bike tyre condition?
When you ride on a bike, the most reliable part of a bike will be the wheels or more specifically the tyres. So, if you don’t know how to check bike tyre condition, you can end up purchasing a wrong vehicle. The first way to check a tyre will be through penny test. Just take a coin and insert it in the groose of the tyre. If you can see more part of the coin, the sooner you need to replace the tyre.
Second thing you need to check is the punctures and cracks. If the tyre has been repaired many times and have cracks on it, then it’s time to change it.
Third, if the condition of the tyre is irregular like the centre of the tyre is worn out whereas the side are in good condition, even then you need to replace it.
Fourth, if the tyre is worn out from one side and the other side is in good condition, the wheel alignment is not good.
Fifth, check the tyre pressure.
Though these may sound simpler, yet it is always advisable to consult with a professional to get more insights.
Why do you need to check second hand bike condition?
Checking the condition of second hand bikes are essential for both the buyers as well as sellers.
For sellers:
If you know the actual condition of a bike with a certified report, it will be easier for you to take the decision whether this is the right time to sell the bike or not. Secondly, you will know ho much bike maintenance is going to charge you in future. Thirdly, you will be able to quote a fair market value for your bike. Fourthly, buyer will trust you more and will be able to build a healthy relationship with the buyer.
For buyers:
If you get to know the real condition of a bike, it will obviously help you to take the decision whether you should purchase it or not. Secondly, it will assist you to find is it the right bike for you or not. Thirdly, you will know how much you need to spend on it after its purchase, so that you can negotiate on the price of the bike based on the repair spent. Fourthly, you will be finding how much you have to spend on the maintenance of the bike in future.
Hopefully, this article has given you a detailed insight about why to check and how to check second hand bike condition before buying or selling any motorcycle. So, from next time, do not take a chance. Get the bike checked with ECO Inspection service and be confident with your purchase or sell.
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