Bikes: what to look for? What to watch out for?

[ElektrikheadX]

So I got to thinking the other day... since we have some true bike advocates on this board who seem to know (or think they know) alot about the bike scene, why not pick their brains.

Say you're going to get a used bike.. What are you looking for? What kinds of things could be broken? What should you replace? etc. Things like brake lines and other various things that someone who's never purchased a bike before wouldn't know to look at. How far would you go back (year wise) when getting a bike? Mileage?

Thats all I can think of for now.

[dark240]

fairings... they may look good, but checked for broken tabs and that they are well secured in place... sometimes those screws back out too and sometimes some dont even have the backing beind them to hold a screw.

Look for rubber shit coated on the top of the tail on he inside... the amount of shit of there will be a good determinant of how badly the bike was treated in a since (everybody forgets to clean that shit off there)... If all they did was burnouts on their bike they probly didn't treat it nice..

Fork seals, look for oil leaking out of them

obvious signs of droppage....

brake rotors ... like a car, run your finger up and down them and feel for ridges... not a huge deal, but just shows the brakes have been worn

tire wear... how far down the sides of the tire the rider took there bike.. if they didn't do alot of turns it will be worn almost all in the center..... a lot of twisties, more worn on teh shoulder of the tire.


ummm i cant think of anything else

[nitrox28]

It really depends on what type of bike you're looking for. Different brands have different problems. If you're thinking of a first bike, buy a piecof crap you can (and will) lay down a time or two.

[Teh Ric]

tire wear... how far down the sides of the tire the rider took there bike.. if they didn't do alot of turns it will be worn almost all in the center..... a lot of twisties, more worn on teh shoulder of the tire.


Offtopic: I saw a race bike on a trailer the other day, that had triangle shaped tires it had been doing so much cornering. :eek:

[dark240]

yeah its nuts... take a look at most drag bikes... the shoulders of the tire haven't touched the pavement and the centers are bald as can be...

[deacon nealis]

learn to ride first...the bike is secondary to the rider...i learned to ride on an 89 fatboy then had a vw powered trike and finally my dream bike (yeah its aiming low) a 2001 gsxr 600...ive stunted and raced the bike...if you are going to buy the bike to show off for the ladies like a prick then get a cheap bike thats beat to shit...if you are going to buy a bike to race then get a cheap bike thats beat to shit...cover yourself in leather from head to toe and go out on a track day (ie putnam park...shitty condition but learn in the worst atmosphere possible) or a very secluded open road with a few turns...and try to drag your knees...a few bikes to suggest would be...cbr f3 96-99 gsxr 600...

the comment about the tire guts under the fairing are very very true...check under the skin for oil and any leaks in the headers...look at the pads and the brake lines for any fraying...if replaced with stainless steel lines make sure there is pressure...some fools do the shit themsleves and jack it up without knowing it...

and finally dont die...and dont dress in huge pants and have neon hair like some of the other assholes in the bike videos...

chris