Articles

Buying a secondhand off-road bike

The biggest problem when buying an off-road as opposed to buying a road bike, is the likelihood of heavy wear and tear. Think about it; bikes thrashed around a competitive race course will have taken a pounding.

Mind you, you might be looking at a MX bike which has rarely left the garage (maybe the owner didn't want to compete), or indeed a trials bike which most probably hasn't been thrashed at all, although it might have been smacked against a tree and something knocked askew.

So, you have to look at an off-road bike with an open mind and start from the premise that it has been abused and despite how shiny it looks, it could be hiding major problems.

Also, if the bike has been used for competitions, or fun, and has not been registered, it could be more difficult to check it's background. And, of course, always be suspicious when offered a too good a deal; don't end up buying a stolen bike.

Right, so first things first. If you're offered a bike, or respond to an advertisement, try to find out a little bit about the seller first. If he's a racer himself, he'll be enthusiastic and maybe give you a bit of background about the machine, and won't mind you calling around his house to take a look. If he's nicked it, then he won't know much about the bike and will most probably want to meet somewhere dodgy and insist you bring cash. Be on your guard - don't get lumbered with a stolen bike; it could cost you a visit from the police and a confiscated bike, with no compensation.

And if it looks new and it's costing you a fair bit, it might be worth getting a HP check done, just in case the seller is still paying off the installments.

So, let's assume it's not stolen, nor on HP and that if it is registered, all the paperwork is intact. And if there is no official documentation, ask them for a receipt from their original purchase. Most people do, and should, keep receipts as it's a way of helping insurance claims. So don't be afraid to ask for anything that might help prove the bike's status, including it's age and original specification.

Also, are you dealing with a private seller, or trader? When telephoning, remember to say I've rung about the bike. If he say's which bike, he's most probably a trader. If so, then more caution is needed.

Okay, so the paperwork looks right and you've confirmed the asking price. Take a quick deckers first at the bike's general condition. Does your first impression say yes, looks the business? Or does it say hang on a minute, it doesn't look quite right. First impressions are important, so make sure you listen to your gut instincts.

And if the seller is jabbering on about the economy, or the weather, politely ask him to hang on a minute while you give his bike the once over. And don't ignore your first impressions about him either. Where does he keep the bike, a garage, or his front room. Does he look like someone who would care for his bike, or someone that would use a sledgehammer to fix it? So, back to the bike, look for superficial damage. Does it mean that some major damage might be lurking underneath.

Once your first impressions are in, take a detailed look at the bike. Check the forks and the head bearings; if there's play in the bearings, it's trouble. Then, how smoothly do the handlebars move through their turning arc. If not smooth, then again, it could be trouble.

Next, check the bearings out in the back wheel and the swing arm. Any play there could again be a sign of trouble. Move onto the rear shocks and check them out by pushing the back end down and see how the shocks handle it. They should resume their natural position smoothly and concisely. If not, they could be shot.

When it comes to the engine, take your time, as this is where a number of gremlins could lurk. See if you can start it from cold; not the owner. If they have warmed the engine up to make it behave better, try and let it go cold again. While it's running, does it sound sweet, or are there a few knocks, bangs, or tapping sounds? How does the oil look - as it should, or discoloured?

Check out the exhaust for any bad dents, or bits missing, or whether it's the right exhaust for that bike.

And finally, have a good play with the controls, making sure all the levers work as well as they should and any light and indicator controls do as they are bid.

It may be that the bike has a few problems, many do, but it all comes down to whether you can fix them and what impact they have on the asking price.

All in all, make sure you are comfortable with the purchase and that everything adds up. If it doesn't walk away and have a think about it.

< Back to articles

^ Subject to additional premium

^^ Subject to status

Bennetts is a trading name of BISL Limited. Registered Head Office. Pegasus House, Bakewell Road,
Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YS. Registered in England No. 3231094.