Whether you’re a thrifty enthusiast looking for a hidden gem or an excited amateur in search of a starter bike, purchasing your first used motorcycle is an exciting adventure to embark on. Of course, to make the most of your purchase process, there are a few things you need to know about purchasing your first used motorcycle.
Figure Out Your Needs
Do you plan to drive around primarily in a big city or do you plan to take your bike off-road? From cruisers to duel-sports, you have to do your research to find out what kind of motorcycle best fits into your lifestyle before just showing up to meet a buyer with a handful of cash and a few unrealistic expectations. Purchasing your first used motorcycle is a big deal, so it’s important to know what kind you will choose in order to not only protect your financial interests, but also preserve your safety and individual expectations.
Establish a Budget
Purchasing your first used motorcycle can be pricey, similar to buying a car. However, a lot of people don’t stop to consider all the additional costs that can incur. Helmets, protective gear, and other necessary costs can all add up. Once you take into account these additions, you can start determining your bike’s base price range. Unless you are opting specifically for a vintage or classic motorcycle, you should keep your search limited to bikes that are no more than 10 years old. You want to maintain the price advantage of purchasing a used motorcycle, but you also need to take into account potential maintenance requirements and part availability should you need to do any work on it in the future. What you spend is ultimately up to you and the seller; however, you will get what you pay for, so be wary when purchasing your first used motorcycle.
Keep an Eye Out for Hidden Gems
When purchasing your first used motorcycle, always avoid totaled or salvaged bikes. This is a big rule for beginners, as it will almost always cost more than expected. However, if you know anything at all about basic mechanics, you may be able to negotiate a great price for a great bike because it needs to have simple parts like brake pads, sprockets, grips, or gaskets replaced. Finding that hidden gem is not always easy, but knowing the basics will help you find the bike of your dreams for a price that you can’t beat; and it will prevent you from being taken advantage of by a persuasive seller.
The bottom line is: know your stuff and don’t let your excitement cause you to jump into buying a bike that isn’t right for you. Purchasing your first used motorcycle should be absolutely amazing, and it can be so long as you take the time to really think about what you want and need, plan a realistic budget that doesn’t leave you trapped, and look past the cosmetic stuff to find a bike you can really fall in love with.
When you need quality replacement gaskets for your vintage bike, call Gasket King at 817.562.8178, shop online today or complete the online contact form to send us a question or learn more.
