What To Look For When Buying a Used Motorcycle

In this video, we go over all aspects of what to look for when buying a used motorcycle, with particular emphasis on items unique to the Goldwing. We also talk about pre-visit screening, liability for test rides, and dealing with dealers. Make sure you get the best bike possible by following our steps!

0:00 Intro
1:06 What to Ask Before You Go See It
3:51 First Impressions
4:14 Inspection Items
11:40 Test Rides pro/con
14:02 Add To My List!

#Goldwing #UsedChecklist #PreBuyInspection

[travelingman]

Bought a Gl1100I
37, 000 miles
Changed fluids all of them.
Tires, got on the road everything works.
Hammers sweetly at 90 mph
TRAC forks, air shocks front and back.
Yes original.
Ride on folks.

[Ruleofplus]

I buy one to five Goldwing's a year and to summarize your info Scott - If the bike looks good than it's probably good. I look at mileage and if it's 100k or less I ignore the mileage. If you can see maintenance records that's OK but if the bike has lots of chrome and is clean it's probably been over maintained or very well maintained. I never ask for records as I know what to look for. You can never buy a bike with a bent frame that is Junk title and can not be retitled. Salvage is fine and this is where you get the best deals. You would not believe the minor damages that will tag a bike as salvage, normally a broken mirror is it ( $50 repair) Most damage is superficial, again if its even close to frame damage the insurance companies junk the title. I almost never test ride but do start the engine as all Goldwing sound the same. Forget the minor switches, wind screen and all the piddlie stuff as that is easy to fix and it gives you leverage. you are buying a bike that is USED so it's not going to be new. If there is damage know what parts will cost and here again leverage. If I followed all the things you mentioned on this video I would have never purchased the 100 or so bike I have purchased over the years. If you are so worried about scratches and dings - buy a new bike is my advice. Belly pans are a bad idea as this is a fire danger - I see many burnt GLs at the insurance junkyards.
If the owner lets you test ride that's great but most won't

[rustybucket]

I got 2 Goldwings '83 and '82 for $300 (get these junks out of my yard deal) and after looking into it, the 2 were close in age so I took the 2 and made 1. All the good went into 1 and I've run that for the last 7 years. No plastics, nothing fancy but it's a good bike and I love Goldwings because of it. Also I know how it works so I can do all my own maintenance

[Scablands_Scavenger]

Never thought I would be even considering buying a Goldwing... but have lately been wanting to go farther away from home. Riding comfort and ability to carry camping gear, plus the ridiculous value you get with a used one of these has me very interested.

[cyndibrandel]

My last Goldwing is a 1985, GL1200. It cost me 1900. Had 19000 miles. Was in like new condition, but sat since 98. Fuel was bad and carbs were gum up. Work them and did the maintenance thing with it. Now I am ridding a museum bike and people always ask me about it. They are out there and just take time to find one.

[richardahola]

Most everything you talked about didn't apply to my first Wing. An '80 that sat outside behind a barn in upstate NY. Fairing fell of on the trailer on the way home. Took me a month to get it running (had never seen a gold Wing before) An $800 bike and I rode it for 12 years. Bought a 1200 a few years ago. Not running when bought. Dealer said fuel pump. It needed a fuel relay. Still riding this one. Maybe I'll buy a good one some time.

[paulfuess]

Just bought a wing with a trailer.I rode it home six hours over the Rockies at night. I rode it up the street to check the brakes hooked the trailer and left. Beyond the list I look at the guys yard and garage.if it's tidy he probably kept the bike up too.

[Bellboy]

Another thing to watch out for, especially on the 1500, is the LCD screen. If it has a half moon shaped dark place on it, you will need a new LCD screen. This is a common problem on the 1500 and is usually caused by sitting out in the sun with the screen not protected.

[dannyhughes]

In a couple of days I'm picking up an '84 GL1200 basket case...but for $350. I am an old mechanic and love a challenge. I should be able to get it running for $150 in parts. I'm excited!!!

[Art]

If the Goldwing is a 1200 check the stator! I found out the hard way, 3 stators later i put a car alternator on it

[vangoodwin]

Scott I do enjoy your videos, please do not take this as criticism! Too many "bike" owners do not understand OIL. On a Goldwing our oil performs three extremely vital functions; Lubricate the engines moving parts we all know, but Goldwings shifter and transmission are using the same fluid. Wear on "engine oil" in a Goldwing is three times faster then any other bike. My preference is Amzoil, mostly because all my bikes are high mileage and OLD.
Suspension on any bike is critical to good handling! Forks holding air and fluid under pressure, checking for leaks and air bleeding off front and rear depending on the bike and year. Triple tree alignment! I triple stick every bike brought to me for inspection. Wheels and tires; air pressure and straightness of alignment are easy checks on used bikes with a straight edge or string.
Wiring; pulling the seat and access panels to check for correct wiring gauge and routing. Any add ons are they wired freely to the battery or fuse bank? Do those extras work are they necessary for you?
Another utuber Identified in a video one carb wasn't functioning??? And he continues to ride the bike and "brag" how durable his Honda is. This kind of damage to an engine is not repairable with simply fixing the fuel delivery system. Uneven engine wear and out of balance punishment on the crank shaft destroys a whole block if ridden hard or over a long period. Metal filings found in the engine oil should be tested for; size, possible source and importance.
Buying any vehicle even with good maintenance records is a gamble. I only ride old bikes so these are the risks I have taken.
I do not like owners to start and run bikes if they've been in storage a long time. Here's my horror story.
I rode over to look at an 04 HD Road King. Stored for seven years I never started it but planned a thorough going over and fluid changes before starting. I planned and did pick it up the next day with a trailer. I cleaned the tank and change fuel filter and screen, changed all three oils and a lot of rubber pieces before my first ride three days later. The engine seized two miles from my shop.
My first call was to the seller, I asked if they started and rode the bike one last time. It turns out he went for a "glory ride". Putting that old engine oil through the engine and that varnish through the fuel system, clogged and gummed my jets and floats in the carb while destroying my valve guides and seals throughout the engine.
After a complete rebuild and getting a grand back from what I had paid, I'll never ride over to look at a bike unless I can get a friend to haul it home immediately. Gas turns to gummy varnish and rust forms inside of tanks within a year. Engine oil separates and isn't effective after sitting for certain lengths of time and all sediments are the first picked up in pumps! Transmissions have valve bodies with tight tolerances and require fluid pressure to aid shifting and running bikes. We must all remember motorcycles all operate under high RPMs! Every component requires lubrication.
Good luck to all, you are in my prayers
Hoka Hey

[JohnCunningham-syug]

Nice video lots of good tips. I have owned many all Japanese brands 5 Harleys a Triumph. All bought second hand except MX bikes.
I have my Eye on a GL 1800 come next season yes the best road sofa hands down. 😊

[JohnSmith-uysv]

The tires. When I got my 94 1500 i almost 2 years ago, the guys says, the tires look like new and they did. Never giving it a thought about checking the date of manufacturer on each tire. Rear was 7 years old and the front was 10. They were both so hard and dry rotted that I had to use a hand grinder to cut them off. That was a few weeks later and found out about the dates. My windshield was all yellow and he tells me it will clean up and the rear brake did not work. $1000 and 2 months of working on it my own, I got it in top shape ever since. People will lie through their teeth about the slightest details and problems. As the old law enforcement saying goes, "trust no one, suspect everyone." I was just stupid and desperate for the cheapest goldwing on facebook yard sales in my area.

[upcyclegarage]

my first gen parts are here for Christmas

[timbarnett]

I bought 88' Goldwing, with collector item plates, being first year with reverse gear, for $1800 with 90, 000 miles. but even with high mileage motor will still complete the side standing quarter coin on running engine trick! I've rode almost 3000 non-issue miles now an love it. (Only issue has been me! Not remembering too put reverse gear lever make into riding position, depressing gear shift too first gear an not moving into first gear." Oh yeah, I have to put reverse lever down, stupid"! There was a issue with right side front plastic cover pin snapped off, pulling side cover out instead of back toward rear. Easy fix! Owners maintenance records were better than mine, that was a first. Accessories list was impressive too with rear progressive shocks, etc..

[wildberj]

Hello Scott, pull the dip stick and look at the oil not just the level also the condition of the oil. Feel that the oil is smooth and not gritty. Lastly smell the oil, you may smell gas, coolant, or a burnt smell, or all of the above. Ask the owner what oil is in it. JASO motorcycle oil is best for the Goldwing. And Lastly when considering buying a motorcycle, go Goldwing or go home. Thanks for the video.

[kalaharimine]

Good check list, but didnt you forget about the kitchen sink and the loo?

[tommylogan]

I just got a 89 gl1500. Everything works but needs alternator, waterpump, seat recovered. It was not loved but it fired right up. Only paid 1k for it and it only has 55k miles on it with new fairly new tires. Date code only 3 years old.

[halfbakedDIY]

Great job on the video and the what to look fors. Thank you

[XKLIX]

I would never buy a bike without a test drive..But i se your point.