Used, Not Abused
A used motorcycle is not as bad as it sounds and, of course, an abused one is a nightmare you should avoid. Here is how you can make out the difference
AYamaha YZF-R3 was one oF the options FoR the next step in my journey as a motorcyclist. however, astronomical pricing (of the brand-new one) kept it well out of my reach for longer than expected until my mentor for all things mechanical, sheri Bhathena of motex Garage, suggested that i go for a used one. it hit me like cold water on a sunday morning. why had i not considered this? it made perfect sense and, after a few bank transfers, i bought one of the R3s from his stable for a price that was almost half of what it was worth when it was brand-new in 2016. taking into account the fact that such phenomenal luck is hard to come by, we have put together a manual of sorts to help you when you wander into the uncharted territory of second-hand machinery. when buying a used motorcycle, it is always best to seek the advice of an experienced professional. i drew heavily on the expertise of editor aspi Bhathena to bring you this manuscript and right away we arrive at the first bit of wisdom. if you intend to use the motorcycle regularly, then limit your search to the ones that are registered in the same state. Buying a motorcycle registered in a different state entails a lot of expenditure in the form of paperwork and what not. so, unless you are an affluent collector or are getting the deal of the century or even inheriting an amazing piece of machinery, walk the other way.
as i mentioned earlier, buying from a reliable source is best. this includes motorcyclists who take good care of their machines and honest mechanics or brokers. the next best thing is to browse through the classified adverts and the vast expanse of the internet. of course, that does not always go according to plan. i presume you have heard enough about the shortcomings of online shopping to agree with us when we say, ‘inspecting, riding, and negotiating is better than clicking, waiting, and regretting’.
Beauty may be skin-deep but it is worth going over with a magnifying glass just the same. in most cases, a dead motorcycle is not worth the effort and expense of repair. so, if it does not start, think of an excuse and leave. if it does crank over, we begin with the aesthetics. motorcycles that wear their original paintwork (even if somewhat shabby) are more trustworthy than the ones that have been repainted/ wrapped because sometimes it is used to mask the after-effects of a mishap/crash. Look carefully in between the bodywork and panel joints to spot evidence of such deceit. also, if the tail-pipe has oil residue, it usually indicates significant engine damage and, therefore, an alarming repair bill.
if you thought getting this far was difficult, we are just getting started. the engine in a used motorcycle needs a thorough once over and it begins with checking the oil level. assuming the motorcycle is still parked upright on a level surface, check the engine oil level and colour using either the dipstick or the small window in the crankcase cover. a low level indicates that the oil is either being consumed by the engine or it is leaking out from somewhere. the first case could be expensive to fix while the latter may be solved by simply replacing an oil seal. so, make sure you run a finger over the drain bolt and look for oil stains along other seals on the engine. engine oil is light golden in colour when brand-new, so anything beyond a light brown is a tell-tale sign of poor maintenance/neglect.
each motorcycle has a characteristic engine noise, so it helps to be familiar with the sound of the motorcycle you are considering; when it was new, of course. some noises can be rectified with a service. For example, valve clatter can be reduced to normal levels by adjusting the clearances. however, deep, rhythmic thuds from deep inside the innards are indicative of more serious problems such as bearing failure at the connecting rod. it is best to leave such a motorcycle alone because the repair is both labour- and cost-intensive.