Buying a modern classic

If you’ve got your heart, mind and wallet set on a modern classic, where do you go to buy one? The internet has broadened our reach, but the basics are much the same

CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

Choose the machine you want to buy. Read CMM to narrow your choice down, then learn as much as you can about that bike. Go see one in the flesh at a dealer, and try and get a ride on a good one, so you know what it feels like.

TAKE A MATE

Often a knowledgeable mate can calm you down and make you see faults you may not if you’ve fallen for the bike.

LIGHT IS RIGHT

Difficult in Winter, but try and see the bike in daylight or a well-lit garage.

WORD OF MOUTH

Tell people you’re after bikes. Post stuff online, as you never know what you will get or what you’re offered.

HPI CHECK

Go to www.hpicheck.com and check the details of the bike. It costs from £9.99.

CLASSIFIEDS

Often overlooked now, but magazines like Classic Motorcycle Mechanics carry free classified adverts for readers. Check local papers and local web page/selling forums.

CALL

Spotted a bike you like? Then ring the owner for more info. Build a rapport with the seller, make a mental picture of the person selling and get more information on the bike. Make a list of questions before you call and write down the answers.

HOW TO SEARCH

We all know it’s ‘GSX-R’, but some people type in ‘gsxr’ to help search for bikes hidden on ebay by bad speller sellers, try www.fatfingers.co.uk. Always save your search. If you are looking for lots of bikes to compare, you can then pull up the results as and when you require them.

EBAY/WEBSITES

Look at the ads with lots of pictures – it shows the seller cares for the bike. Examine the words for honesty when it comes to damage/issues. Again, contact the owner. This often can be done through the site itself: be polite!

PROJECTS

Ask yourself: Why didn’t the current owner finish it themselves? Was it parts problems? Dodgy frame/chassis numbers or a new baby to pay for? Ask the relevant questions!

SEARCH ENGINES

Be realistic as to search stances. T nk about uel money spent travelling for money saved on the bike.

DEALER OR PRIVATE

Ask about ‘the bike’ in case it’s a dealer purporting to be a private seller, as he/she will say ‘Which one?’

PATIENCE:=

Online especially, don’t buy the first thing you see. Watch LOTS of bikes and see what the going rate is

FILTERS

Use the filters on the left side of the screen for age, price, miles, etc., but don’t narrow things down too much. With that in mind, use ‘Newly Listed’ or ‘Ending Soonest’, as this is where you make your killing.

CONTACT

If the seller doesn’t list a contact number, ask for it. You want some contact.

PRICE

Have a price you’re willing to go to in your mind and don’t over-bid or over-pay.