Five essential tips to keep in mind when buying a pre-owned bike
- While a new motorcycle is a relatively easy purchase, a preowned bike requires a few extra steps. Here are five essential tips to remember when buying a preowned bike.
Buying a motorcycle is a special feeling. It can be the key to freedom or the answer to a bad commute. India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world and retail sales in FY2024 stood at 1.75 crore. So there is an abundance of motorcycles and scooters to choose from - new and used. While a new motorcycle is a relatively easy purchase, a preowned bike requires a few extra steps. Here are five essential tips to remember when buying a preowned bike.
What’s Your Purpose
Before you begin your search for a used motorcycle, it's important to understand which kind of bike serves your purpose. You have sportbikes, cruisers, adventure tourers, street naked, and more to choose from. Do you plan to just commute or ride over long distances? Do you plan to hit the track or is comfort and fuel efficiency your priority? These are some of the questions you will have to ask yourself before you narrow down on the preferred bike. There are exceptions, of course, like buying that dream motorcycle which you've always wanted. You should buy that no matter the purpose.
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2. Search
Once you've narrowed down on the motorcycle of your choice, it's time to search and inspect for the right bike. Try to search in your local circle if there is a used bike for sale or look for classifieds or deals online. You can go to the several used bike dealers in your respective city or opt for preowned two-wheeler sellers like Droom, Olx, DriveX and more. Don't be in a haste to buy any pre-owned bike. Look for multiple options before narrowing down to which one suits your budget and purpose.
3. Inspect & Test Ride
Take a test ride of the motorcycle you've narrowed down and see if all the components are in working order. This includes the engine, suspension, brakes, electricals, instrument cluster and more. Signs of rusting are a red flag, and so is a sagging suspension coil. Ask an experienced friend or a trusted mechanic to tag along for the right advice. Alternatively, you can ask the brand's service centre to provide you with a detailed inspection report for a small fee, which will give you a clear idea of the strengths and shortcomings of the used bike.
Make it a point to go through the service records and ownership details, especially if the bike has changed hands multiple times. Check if any pending fines need to be paid off by the current owner. Organised pre-owned bike dealers do take away some of these hassles by providing diagnosis and a warranty. However, it does come at a premium.
4. Negotiate
A thorough inspection will leave you in a better space to negotiate on the pre-owned bike. It's better to spend some time, money and effort now than live with an unreliable bike. The last thing you want is additional expenses after you've completed the deal. If the current tyres are at the end of their life, that's an immediate expense after purchase. You can negotiate and bring the price down. You can also do the same with other components based on their life.
Remember to be reasonable when making an offer. Check the market value for a pre-owned bike and then compare if the bike you are looking to purchase fits within your expectations. If the bike is in good condition and you make a lowball offer, you may end up losing on a strong deal. Approach it with the intention that everybody involved wins.
5. Invest In Riding Gear
We can't say this enough but buying a bike, new or used, is just one part of the purchase. When you allocate the budget for your next motorcycle, you also need to factor in the cost of riding gear involved. Any helmet can last up to five years, which is when its ability to absorb impacts is the strongest. So, if your helmet is old, it's time to invest in a new one. Look out for helmets that have DOT or ECE rating, along with the ISI mark, to ensure you get something safe for your head. We advise upgrading to a riding jacket, pants and boots, to ensure maximum protection.
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