Arrange a meeting and have a look at the bike. Thourghly inspect the bike, start it up and make sure it runs good, check for leaks, look for signs of abuse.
If the seller tries anything strange like trying to make you pay a deposit to see the bike, walk away immediately.
This seller is giving off multiple warning signs of being crooked.
aaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
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jmillheiser
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 2515
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2005 5:27 pm
- Sex: Male
- Location: Cheyenne, WY
Because I am new the the whole riding thing, I know nothing about Bikes & no one I know rides. So I wouldn't know what to look for!!Thourghly inspect the bike, start it up and make sure it runs good, check for leaks, look for signs of abuse.
There would be a really cool signature thingy here if I could figure out how to make one.
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Bachstrad37
- Legendary 300
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:40 am
- Sex: Male
- Location: Duluth, MN
This is where a little homework before you go shopping helps.
If you're not inquisitive about that mechanical makeup of bikes, you're gonna likely bite the bullet a few times by over paying for it. It's difficult to explain what's bad and what's normal wear and tear without some background.
From reading his response, he's eager to get rid of it. There's no verifying that he's got lots of people wanting to buy it like he claims. Best advice is to arrange a meeting with him. You can ask him all kinds of questions beforehand, but it won't help unless you get a live look at the bike.
Here's some clues on whether it's been abused:
1. Scrapes on the end of the end of the handlebars, footpegs, turn signals. These are generally a sign of the bike being dropped. Look at ALL these spots as replacing one part is cheap, but several parts can be spendy. Older/smaller bikes tend to be used by beginners or those that like to flog their ride...in short - abused.
2. Look up on the internet for what a factory bike LOOKS like when brand new. In fact, look at SEVERAL pictures throughout the internet to get a comparison. If the bike has several aftermarket parts, how they're applied will affect its performance. If it's all stock, that CAN be a good sign.
3. Look at the tires. The rubber shouldn't be cracked. If it's dry-rot (small cracks all over) and the rubber is stiff, they'll need to be replaced. Add $300+ CA for some replacements.
4. Oil leaks. Oil drips downward when there's a leak. Look at the bottom portion of the engine and FEEL for the grease. Non leaking bikes will have just dirt on the engine, and not oil mixed in with the dirt. Rub your fingers together after you scrape the dirt off the bottom of the engine. It should feel gritty and not slimy/grit.
5. Start it up. Let it idle for a couple of minutes. It should back fire while it sits and warms up. After a couple of minutes of idling, give it a rev - again, back firing are clues of possible issues. It should rev smooth and the pitch gets higher as you throttle it without any hic ups.
6. Ask where he stores the bike. If it's left outside, the weather can really break down all the bike's rubber parts from tires to sparkplug wires. Replacing rubber is a pain in the ARSE and can be expensive.
I have several other checks, but my fingers are sore from typing.
Can't say $1200 is good/bad deal without seeing the bike myself. Buying used is a real crap shoot. But if you check the above advice and along with digging into mechanical type books and studying it, it's a good investment for the future.
Personally, his response to you doesn't lead me to have high confidence on this bike. He doesn't really describe anything specific about the bike. His use of text show eagerness to just get rid of it. And the gas tank needs painting? WTF!?!
If you're not inquisitive about that mechanical makeup of bikes, you're gonna likely bite the bullet a few times by over paying for it. It's difficult to explain what's bad and what's normal wear and tear without some background.
From reading his response, he's eager to get rid of it. There's no verifying that he's got lots of people wanting to buy it like he claims. Best advice is to arrange a meeting with him. You can ask him all kinds of questions beforehand, but it won't help unless you get a live look at the bike.
Here's some clues on whether it's been abused:
1. Scrapes on the end of the end of the handlebars, footpegs, turn signals. These are generally a sign of the bike being dropped. Look at ALL these spots as replacing one part is cheap, but several parts can be spendy. Older/smaller bikes tend to be used by beginners or those that like to flog their ride...in short - abused.
2. Look up on the internet for what a factory bike LOOKS like when brand new. In fact, look at SEVERAL pictures throughout the internet to get a comparison. If the bike has several aftermarket parts, how they're applied will affect its performance. If it's all stock, that CAN be a good sign.
3. Look at the tires. The rubber shouldn't be cracked. If it's dry-rot (small cracks all over) and the rubber is stiff, they'll need to be replaced. Add $300+ CA for some replacements.
4. Oil leaks. Oil drips downward when there's a leak. Look at the bottom portion of the engine and FEEL for the grease. Non leaking bikes will have just dirt on the engine, and not oil mixed in with the dirt. Rub your fingers together after you scrape the dirt off the bottom of the engine. It should feel gritty and not slimy/grit.
5. Start it up. Let it idle for a couple of minutes. It should back fire while it sits and warms up. After a couple of minutes of idling, give it a rev - again, back firing are clues of possible issues. It should rev smooth and the pitch gets higher as you throttle it without any hic ups.
6. Ask where he stores the bike. If it's left outside, the weather can really break down all the bike's rubber parts from tires to sparkplug wires. Replacing rubber is a pain in the ARSE and can be expensive.
I have several other checks, but my fingers are sore from typing.
Can't say $1200 is good/bad deal without seeing the bike myself. Buying used is a real crap shoot. But if you check the above advice and along with digging into mechanical type books and studying it, it's a good investment for the future.
Personally, his response to you doesn't lead me to have high confidence on this bike. He doesn't really describe anything specific about the bike. His use of text show eagerness to just get rid of it. And the gas tank needs painting? WTF!?!
2003 VN1500P Kawasaki Mean Streak
2009 Yamaha Nytro FX
2009 Yamaha Nytro FX
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camthepyro
- Legendary 1000
- Posts: 1478
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:14 am
- Sex: Male
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
I have an '82 nighthawk 450, so it's pretty much the same bike. I like mine alot, very reliable (it still started after I hit a car head-on). I bought mine for $900 (us), and it was a little dinged up in places. If it's in good condition, and he's gone to paint it, I say go for it, seems like a decent deal.
Member of DWPOMD and RATUBBAW
'80 Suzuki GS 450
'00 Kawasaki ZR7 ( Sold 09/08 )
'82 Honda Nighthawk 450 ( Sold 02/07 )
[url=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=10838]My bloggy thingy[/url]
'80 Suzuki GS 450
'00 Kawasaki ZR7 ( Sold 09/08 )
'82 Honda Nighthawk 450 ( Sold 02/07 )
[url=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=10838]My bloggy thingy[/url]
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TechTMW
- Legendary 2000
- Posts: 2045
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 12:43 pm
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 10
- My Motorcycle: 2005 BMW R1200GS
- Location: Alexandria VA
The most important information you need is right here...
It's always a bad idea to buy something in a hurry. There are plenty of motorcycles out there. Take your time and do it right.http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/school-SectionTwo.htm wrote: My BEST piece of advice (so far) I can offer you about buying a used motorcycle: Would be to bring a certified motorcycle mechanic with you to inspect the bike you want to buy. Read that line over again. It will cost you something (from a case of beer and up), but it is really really worth it, even if you yourself do mechanics already he/she will point out things to you that because of your excited condition would not have noticed. Also, they have a good chance of knowing the repair history of this type of bike/model and can even give you a good idea of what it is REALLY worth. By using a certified motorcycle mechanic to check out my 1982 XJ650R Seca I saved $560 and he even negotiated with the seller with me as well on the price! (asking $1400, I bought it for $840).
“People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)
- Soren Kierkegaard (19th century Danish philosopher)
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camthepyro
- Legendary 1000
- Posts: 1478
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:14 am
- Sex: Male
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Take a look here http://www.hondanighthawks.net/
