Buyers guide to buying a used bike?

[.::F[L]Y::.]

There doesnt seem to be a thread on this topic. Apart from myself i know there are others looking for some tips on what to look out for when buying a used bike.

Perhaps a check list style of things or tips that would be handy in assisting in this matter.

[Zdster]

There is a good list on netrider in the noob forum.

[rawr]

Could you link or quote please?

[Zdster]

http://www.netrider.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4379

[rawr]

Thanks :thumbsup:

[Nax]

im pretty sure this section will fail when every thread for help inevitably just becomes a free link to netrider -_-

[Feverpitched]

No, I'm pretty sure this section will fail due to the amount of ignorant and immature posts, just like Nerd Rider.

[nvmee]

Theres plenty of things to name to look out for CBR

Carbies
Leaks
Rotors
Brake Pads
Head bearings
Tyres, if a noob rides like a grandma or is a hoon you WILL know
Forks

[nvmee]

I could probably name much more but cant think of them atm

If you ride it, then you WILL know which one is in good condition or not. Alot of people compliment on how my bike runs and revs, thats because i clean the carbies every 6 months/ and service the bike like its a religion

[.::F[L]Y::.]

^^ do you do the servicing yourself?

[nvmee]

yeh i do everything myself, if not i know someone who gives me a hand :D

[na-118]

do it yourself man, bike mechanics are rorts

[Blue]

^^^^ can attest to that - damn they charge out the ass

[nvmee]

majority of the bike is plug and play almost. good thign with a carby is that you rip the thing apart, clean it and put everything back together and it runs like a gem. non of the fuel injected computer stuff

[snappy_]

anyone know where i can get my fork seals replaced and how much?

mine busted after i hit a pot hole.

[nvmee]

Mcas =p fork seals + oil cost 50 dollars? well mine did anywais.

[.::F[L]Y::.]

nvmee- do you have lika workshop manual or somesort?

[nvmee]

i just sold my bike man.......after years on it. Sold it for 5.5, then looked at bike sales and saw allof them went for 6k +

my bikes still on there if u wana take a peek on how well it is. its gona be sad to see it go tomorrow

[.::F[L]Y::.]

got a link to it?

yea, i have noticed the price of CBR250RR's going up in price since its coming closer to summer.

[Feverpitched]

Yep. From the look of things today, squid is definitely back in season.

[nvmee]

i sold mine for cheap ! 5.5k compared to the mark of 6k+

and yeh its gona be squid season big time...

[na-118]

theres no need for a workshop manual. it's really easy to do minor service and shit, just need the tools, bike stand and spare time and the parts

[Henessaayyy]

main things to check;

brakes (sit on the bike and roll it abit and slam on the front brakes for a fraction of a second, dont hold them in or the bike may slide and you could drop it)
forks (hold the front brake on and rock the bike - feel if the shocks bottom out)
electricals (lights/indicators/horn/dashlights/clusterlights/tailights.. etc etc)
frame/subframe (check if its straight, get some speed and ride without hands on the handlebars)
throttle (sticky throttle or laggy?? usually means carbies need tuning)

really important one...
make sure it starts!!!
if it doesnt start with the ignition, clutch start it.. if it wont clutch start.. then the spark plugs are fried!

thats all i can really note for now...

[na-118]

how would you know if the spark plugs are fried? it could be spark leads, starter, battery could of been gg'd. what if regs ****ed too,

[Henessaayyy]

how would you know if the spark plugs are fried? it could be spark leads, starter, battery could of been gg'd. what if regs ****ed too,


well even if the leads are fried, its still involved with the spark plugs, and then it wont start... you can see if the battery is gone by looking at dash/headlights ... even if battery is gone, when you clutch start it, it'll still kick over.. reg ? same thing.. clutch start it'll kick over..

im merely trying to help people who are after a check list when buying a bike... if you could add some info, im sure people would be greatful... :thumbsup:

[lam.666]

sprockets and chain? check condition, rust/play, and broken teeth cost you about $200+ just for replacement if you do it yourself

[na-118]

depends what sprockets and chain you get too, chains you can get up to 200 or so, and as for sprockets you can get performance once with more teeth on it, can't do nothing on the cbr front one though

[.::F[L]Y::.]

woeful, prices of cbr's have jumped up LOL

[Feverpitched]

and as for sprockets you can get performance once with more teeth on it, can't do nothing on the cbr front one though

Why can't you do 'nothing' with the front sprocket?
Do you know anything about gear ratios?

[nvmee]

u can do that in a carby? :S

[na-118]

you only can get more dteeth on the rear sporcket not the front one dont know why though

[lam.666]

you could probably get a custom one done for the cbr if no aftermarket ones exist, but i think were talking bikes in general though nothing specific, most ppl learning won't bother about gear ratios and stuff cos later on they'll just get a bigger bike

[Feverpitched]

I'm pretty certain you can go lower on the front of a CBR. And if not, one for a Baby Hornet would fit.

Gear ratios - it's got nothing to do with getting bigger bikes. It's about determining the right ratio for the use of your current bike.