How To Buy A Used Motorcycle!

How to buy a used motorcycle off of Craigslist!

There's lots of useful info in the description, as well as a 'Step-by-Step buying process list' pinned in the comments below. Please read this first pinned comment below for a thorough insight into the process of buying a used motorcycle.

I recently (Mar. 2017) paid off my Harley Iron 883, and have been interested in getting a new bike. I've wanted a sport bike since I first moved to Orlando like 10 years ago, so I figured why not start looking into them.

As I receive TONS of questions on the channel regarding buying motorcycles, I figured why not document the process of me buying a used motorcycle. Who knows, maybe it'll help as a general 'guide' for some.

If you're wanting to buy a used bike, here's some useful links to articles giving lots of tips and advice in buying a used motorcycle. Please read through them, as there's a wealth of knowledge out there!

►Useful Links:

Thanks as always for watching all. I hope this guide might help a few of you out there if you're thinking about purchasing a used motorcycle. Pay close attention to the inspection steps so you know you're buying a good product, and you should be golden.

As always, ride safe out there, and stay vigilant. Deuces!

- Blockhead


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BIKES:
2013 Harley-Davidson Iron 883
2014 Yamaha YZF-R6

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BEER?
Lots of people say the channel has helped them in some way, be it the "How To" videos (mostly,) or other random videos. People are always saying they'd love to buy me a beer. I love beer. If you're one of those people, feel free to add to the beer fund!

Note: Beer fund might be used towards motorcycle fund as well! (parts / maintenance / etc!)

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► SOCIAL:

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► Mailing Address!

Blockhead Moto
PO Box 18
Windermere, FL 34786

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[BlockheadMoto]

Detailed Step Process for Buying a Used Motorcycle!

► 01. Decide what kind of bike you want! Cruiser, sport bike, dirt bike? What're you wanting to use it for?

► 02. Finances! What's your budget / what can you afford? Are you paying it off or getting a loan for it? Don't forget to factor in insurance and maintenance! Also, factor in the cost of gear (helmet / gloves / boots /etc) if this is going to be your first bike!

► 03. Do research, research, and more research!

► 04. Go find the bike, sit on it, look at it, see if it's a good fit (research!)

► 05. If it's a good fit, time to get serious!

► 06. Find a salesperson, ask lots of questions (more research!)

► 07. Start looking up used bikes (CycleTrader / Craigslist / etc.)


► 08. Pick out a used bike to go check out and get in touch with the
seller. A few things to look out for in the listings:

- They should list the make, model, mileage, and year at minimum.
- If there's NOT a lot of pictures, they're probably trying to hide something, like body damage, dents, scratches, etc.
- If the price is MUCH lower than other listings, be careful, it might be a scam. Ever heard the quote, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Regardless, it might be worth a shot in contacting them, just don't ever send money! Money should only be handed over in person with the bike there as well.

► 09. After getting in contact with the seller, ask lots of questions!

- What's the condition of the bike? (Ask even if it says it in the listing!)
- Has maintenance been kept up with / when was it last serviced?
- Is there anything wrong with the bike? (leaks / brakes / tires / etc.)
- Why are you getting rid of it? (gives good insight!)
- Has it been inspected for pre-sale? If not, ask if they're ok w/ you having it inspected if possible. If they're not, something might be up with it. Be wary.
- If all answers seem ok and you're interested in looking at the bike, ask if they have the title. Ask if it's a clean title (not a 'salvage' title. Unless you're ok w/ getting a salvage vehicle, up to you!)

TIP: Don't haggle price on the phone, that works better in person when you've got the other comparable listings printed out that are cheaper!

► 10. If everything seems fine, set up a time to meet and check out the bike! Let the seller know that you'd like to hear it from a cold start, and not to warm it up (you can say please if you want, haha.)

► 11. IMPORTANT STEP HERE: Go checkout the bike. When going to checkout the bike, there are many things you should request, ask, and look for.

TIP: I like to buy used bikes that are nearly stock. Why? B/c I know things are on it as they came from the factory! Also, this allows me to make whatever changes I want to the bike, instead of modifications having already been done, and me possibly having to go back and correct them. Just my personal preference!

- Check the VIN, make sure the numbers aren’t re-stamped and that its' not a stolen bike! Match the VIN on the title and registration to the bike.

- Examine the bike COLD. Tell the seller to leave the bike cold before getting there. It's VERY easy to hide starting and running problems on a warmed up bike. Feel engine and exhaust pipes to make sure that bike is cold!

- Examine the bar ends, levers, and footpegs for damage. Usually if they are damaged, the bike has been down. Look for rash, and look at the levers (levers 'curl' when they hit pavement.) As Lemmy at RevZilla says in his article, "If the seller cops to it, he may be an honest fellow who had a tipover and did his best to fix the bike. If it goes unmentioned, though, it could mean the seller is dishonest, or perhaps the bike suffered at the hands of a previous owner."

- See how hard the bike was ridden: Check the tires. Track tires probably won't have 'chicken strips' (bits of unused tire on the edges, google it!)

- Check the fork lock and ignition lock. If either one is busted, there's a chance it might have been previously stolen.

- Check the electrical components: Front lights, Blinkers, indicator lights, switches, brake lights, etc. Also check the wiring. Has any been spliced or cut, and if so, was it soldered back together or did they use electric tape? There's a right and wrong way to do wiring!

► 12. If everything checks out (that's awesome!) ask the seller if you can take it for a test ride. The answer is usually no, unless they have cash in hand. If you can't, ask THEM to test ride it for you! I've had both dealerships and private sellers do this for me. You need to see it run and ride.

Things to pay attention to on a test ride:
- Take it through the gears. How does it handle upshifting and downshifting?

- Does it stay straight or pull to one side?

- Any shuddering through any of the gears or hard to shift into certain gears?

- How's the clutch feel?

- Use both front and rear brakes.

- Beep the horn (b/c it's always fun, and it needs to work!)

- Ride around for a bit and then stop, leave the bike running in neutral. Check the bike for leaks (oil / coolant / etc.)

► 13. All still looking good? Great! Now it's haggling time!

- Start talking prices. If their price is high, talk about how other similar bikes (try to find ones around the same year and mileage) are going for 'X' amount of dollars, and ask if they'd be willing to work with you. This is where those other listings that you printed out earlier come in handy.

- If they ARE NOT willing to come down on price and there's other listings out there listed for less, feel free to say "Thank you, I'll be in touch, " and walk away. Stick to your budget!

- If they ARE willing to work with you on price, work with them in coming to an agreed upon price, shake hands, and say "Thank you!" Express your excitement! You've almost got a new 'used' bike! 'New' to you I mean, ha.

► 14. Payment time!

- If you have cash on you, most people won't turn down cash. Start filling out the Title and a Bill of Sale (one for each of you, ) and complete the transaction.

- If you don't have cash on you but plan to go to the bank, ask how they'd like to be paid. Cashiers check's are a popular method, as they have to have the receivers name on them and only they can cash it. Thus if you lose it or it's stolen, you can call your bank and cancel it, vs cash or a money order (if lost or stolen, ) you're SOL.

► 15. After payment

- Make sure everything on the Title is filled out correctly. People at the DMV are sticklers sometimes.

- Fill out 2 'Bill of Sales, ' one for each of you.

► 16. Transporting the bike home! This is the exciting part.

- Check your local laws if you have a 'grace period' between the time you've purchased a new vehicle and when you have to have it registered. In Florida, I thought we had 30 days (so I was told, ) but turns out that wasn't true, and I got pulled over for it. My mistake!

- If your state does have a grace period and you'd like to ride if home, and you're comfortable with that, feel free! However, I'd recommend finding an alternate means of hauling it home. Nothing like taking a brand new bike you've never ridden on before straight onto an interstate. It's a weird feeling! But to each their own.


► 17. You've got the bike home, CONGRATS! Now what?

- TTT! Tax, Title, and Tag! You need to go to the DMV and have the Title transferred over to your name, pay the Tax on 'whatever price' you and the seller agreed to put on the Title, and pay for your registration and a new tag. The DMV should give you a new tag and registration on the spot. The reissued Title should come in the mail a few weeks later.

► 18. Insurance!

- Some states don't require it, some do. I highly recommend it, at least 'liability.' As previously posted in the steps above, you should have factored this into your initial budget. Call some insurance companies and get some quotes! (Dairyland is one of the biggest in the US.) Or if you already have an insurance provider, see what their rates are, and add the bike to your policy.

► 19. Maintenance!

- Did the seller say anything needed to be taken care of, or did anything come back on the inspection? I know it'll be tempting to start modifying the bike or wanting to throw an exhaust on it or something, but that maintenance needs to be taken care of first thing. Chain? Clean, lube, and adjust it! When was the oil and filter last changed? Battery? Sprockets? Take care of those things first off so you're starting from a solid platform.

► 20. Gear up and RIDE! Take pictures of it, send it to your friends showing off your new pride and joy! Start learning the bike. Don't rush it or push things too much. Ride within your limits and slowly ease into the bike.

► 21. Did the vid help you out? Feel free to donate to the Blockhead Beer fund! :D

► 22. Hit the subscribe button if you're not already subbed!

► 23. Ride safe, and stay vigilant!

[elarr]

10:22 - Any time you end up riding while on the clock = best day at work ever.

[davidcollicott]

Another thing to look into when buying a new/used bike, is to check with various insurance companies to see how much insurance is for that particular bike. When i bought my used motorcycle it was from a dealership, and they had an insurance company in house and got me an even better deal on insurance than what I got a quote for. They also got me a deal on a new helmet.

[Bromon]

"They're all like that" lol, always golden seeing a salesman try to get one off on someone who knows a thing or two about what they're buying.

[MushisCow]

Nice!! First video I see with someone talking about buying used bikes and actually having footage to support the process! perfectly executed video, the informative steps definitely justifies the lengthy video! Rock on Blockhead! Such a useful video!

[SpiffySauce]

Just bought a used harley 883 last Sunday, can't ride until after this semester finishes so this Saturday. I can't wait. It needs a little fixing after the previous owner had different tastes than me. But got a gnarly price on it. Got a go pro and everything to document my riding from beginner to wherever it takes me. Love your channel too man.

[AUTOTKHCL]

definitely some good points for a lot of people not familiar with the process!
Around my area I always watch for cheap after market parts well. 9/10 times its a young kid that tossed cheap crap on it and beat the hell out of it

[einnor]

New subscriber here, so proud I did! You sir pretty much covered everything a 54 yr old old fart who wanted to get back in a saddle after 38 years.
BTW I try not skip commercials and thank you so much. More power to your channel.

[Bear-cmvl]

Don't forget; in most situations, a salesperson can tell you anything they think will sell you a motor vehicle with no repercussions, including flat out lying. In my area, the sales contract has a section which all modifications and additions to the contract must be spelled out in writing and must be signed off by an "authorized dealer representative" to be binding (the salesperson is rarely "authorized"). I'm not saying that many or most will steer you wrong, or that their information isn't good, just that you have to cover your tailfeathers. Good riding!

[chrismoody]

Blockhead as a lifetime rider, I watch tons and tons of bike vids. I got say you do a real good job on your vids.

As for my bike buying experience, I would never listen to anything a salesman has to say. Plus you are vastly overpaying compared to buying from an individual seller. I about fell over hearing the dealer price on the 07 R6. When I bought my ZX6 as a 4 year old bike it had 4900 miles from an 30 something adult and I gave $4600. And by the way the ZX6 636 is the best. 😎

[matttuna]

I bought my First Bike a Few weeks ago for $4500
Its a 2011 Harley sportster xl1200n (nightster) brought it over to my friend who works on bikes, it had a bent fork but other then replacing the fork $120 in total $4620 all together and have not had any problems what so ever thanks to your tips! got a good deal and a killer looking bike! Learned how to ride from your vids and buy a bike lol.

[mohamedalhamad]

i really like your vids. I think you are one of the best motovloggers in youtube. KEEP IT UP

[mlee]

Nice video, this is why bikes are not cheap, it never stops because it’s a hobby.

[purplepenguin]

Been looking for a used bike (private seller), but I can't afford anything. I really envy people who can do that.

[wyomoto]

Man this video makes me miss Florida. “We have 3 Harley dealers in Orlando” Man I rode 3.5 hours south to get sold out of the website lights last weekend. This weekend I’m riding 3.5 hours west to get a sold out wireless headset interface module lol

[edgufler]

Sharpie paint the Handlebars ..  that's a new one on me.. Nice video BlockHead. Smart buying tips in this video.

[philparkerus]

Excellent video and great tips! I'm planning to buy a used bike in just a couple of months and really appreciate the guidance. Take it easy.

[c_wonder]

I just bought my first bike from a tow yard. Hard to say no cuz I got it for $700. Had no keys, had been sitting for 3 years, had a small dent on the gas tank, the name was still in a banks, didn’t even know if it started. Basically bought a piece of metal with okay paint on it. DMV had just under $1000 in back fees and the bank told me it was mine if I paid it off. Took some time but was well worth it, got a 2014 Vulcan 900 custom with only 2300 miles for less than $2000 total and she runs smoooth.

[codymarcotte]

As a vermonter its funny for him to call a 30min drive to get to a motorcycle dealership a hike. Closest ones to me are all an hour or more away 😂

[Dylanrudlaff]

Just found your channel from the tutorial videos I’m taking my msf course soon so that helped a lot also I’m from Tallahassee so we’re both in Florida. Subscribed awesome channel