What questions should I ask when buying a used motorcycle?
Sarah Duran
Published Apr 13, 2026
Buying a Used Motorcycle: The 10 Most Important Questions to Ask
- 1) Comparable Sales/The Market.
- 2) Vehicle History Report.
- 3) Miles (And How They Were Accumulated)
- 4) Tires (and Footpegs)
- 5) Oil and Other Fluids.
- 6) Maintenance Records.
- 7) The Paperwork.
- 8) Consistency of Parts.
How do I buy a motorcycle that is financed?
Tell the representative that you are interested in buying the motorcycle. Ask whether the lender will take the payoff amount from you and send the title directly to you, or to your bank if you are financing the cycle. Some lenders will do this while others will only send the title to the owner currently on the loan.
What to check on a motorcycle before buying?
Inspection Checklist for Buying a Used Motorcycle
- Overall Appearance. A clean bike is usually a happy bike.
- Exhaust. Let’s check out the exhaust first.
- Frame. As long as you’re down there checking on the exhaust, you might as well give the frame the once-over.
- Clutch.
- Brakes.
- Suspension.
- Chain and Sprocket.
- Tires & Wheels.
Is buying a motorcycle a bad financial decision?
There’s nothing wrong with financing a bike, as long as you recognize the cost of financing, compare that cost to the time and surety it’s buying for you, and determine that the exchange is worth it to you.
How many miles do motorcycle last?
For small sports bikes, 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side. For larger bikes, 50,000 miles and up is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles!
Is 30000 miles high for a motorcycle?
For smaller sports bikes, a mileage above 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side, while larger motorcycles are considered high mileage after the 50,000-mile point.
Is 30000 km alot for a motorcycle?
If you were to look at the bikes as being old or the Km you wouldnt want to go over, I’d say between 30K to 40K. This is due to their resale value. It’ll drop heaps after about 30K or 40K on the clock(depending on the type/model of the bike). I think that bikes would easily last 100K if it’s been looked after.
What I Wish I Knew Before buying a motorcycle?
Tips for How to Buy a Used Motorcycle
- BRING A FRIEND. Don’t go on your purchase journey alone.
- INSPECT THE BIKE. And we mean it!
- CHECK THE VIN (VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER).
- MAKE SURE IT’S NOT STOLEN.
- NO LIENS!
- WRITE UP A BILL OF SALE.
- BEWARE OF “AS IS” DISCLOSURES.
- REMEMBER YOU CAN’T ALWAYS TEST RIDE.
Will buying a motorcycle save me money?
Do motorcycles save money? When compared to cars, the answer is yes. There are many benefits to riding a motorcycle instead of a car. With a motorcycle, you can save money on gas, insurance, maintenance, and many more costs that can ring up quite a bill with cars.
What is the best second hand motorcycle to buy?
Top 10 used bikes of 2019
- 1 Honda CBR125R 2004 to present day.
- 2 Yamaha YBR125 2005 to present day.
- 3 Honda VFR800i 1998 to 2013.
- 4 Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird From 1996 to 2007.
- 5 BMW R1200GS LC From 2013 to present day.
- 6 Suzuki GSX-R600 Best bet is a 2006 model onwards.
- 7 Kawasaki Z1000SX From 2010 to present day.
Is owning a motorcycle worth it?
The cost of owning a motorcycle may be less than the cost of owning a car, but when it comes to protection from serious injury or death, a car is the definite winner between the two. In 2006, there were 35 times more deaths from motorcycle accidents than from car accidents.
Is it cheaper to commute on motorcycle?
Commuting via public transportation, on foot or by bicycle can be quicker, cheaper and more reliable than using a car. Buying a new motorcycle is substantially less expensive than buying a new car. Entry-level 250 cc new motorcycles start around the $4,000 mark.
Is it hard to maintain a motorcycle?
Motorcycles are easier to maintain than cars no matter the amount of mechanical experience. Motorcycles are much smaller and require less maintenance, have less parts to care for, have easier accessibility, and are much easier to do DIY projects on compared to cars.
Is 3000 miles a lot on a motorcycle?
Motorcycles with more than 40,000 miles are considered to be high-mileage bikes, but if it has been well maintained, the mileage could still make it a good purchase. Anything above 25,000 miles on a sports bike is considered high.
How to buy a new motorcycle from our anonymous dealer?
How to buy a new motorcycle from a dealer. An anonymous dealer tells us insider tips on buying a new motorcycle from a dealership. “Unless you’re working inside a dealership, there’s a bunch of things you may not like,” said our secret dealer.
How do you find out what you can afford for a motorcycle?
To determine what you can afford, first make a monthly budget. Determine what your cash assets are. Write down your total post-tax income and then your expenses. Subtract your expenses from your income and the remainder (minus a portion as a safety margin), is what you can afford each month.
What should I ask before buying a motorcycle?
Ask the owner lots of detailed questions. Although many owners/dealers will not permit this, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a test ride on the motorcycle. Only ask for this if you’re an experienced rider with a current motorcycle insurance policy that will cover damages in case of a mishap. Ask to see any maintenance logs or receipts.
Are there fees to buy a new motorcycle?
Every motorcycle has fees, taxes, and tags you must anticipate before your purchase. This is where the dealer wants to play, but it’s also where you can make some gains. Along with fees are incentives/rebates from the manufacturers. For 2015 models, however, you won’t have much room.