Researching and purchasing a used motorbike

¶ … buying a motorbike.

Motorbikes have always appealed to me. I am an inveterate cyclist feeling free only when on my bike, but lately it entered my head that motorbikes are cool and sporty and they may be a big plus for getting the new job that I want plus -- if they can be used fro advertising for procuring girlfriends, why can they not be used for procuring boys. Superman turns into superwoman on motorbike, and so my dram plan (ignoring issues of inability to ride one and safety concerns) is to get the latest super-duper motorbike out there on the market and let the reviewer of this essay pay for it.

How does one get a motorbike?

One can always steal, but my intent is to play it honest and buy, therefore my first steps were to do some Internet research and this being a major ticket item I turned to Google Search and typed in 'buying a motorbike' and 'buying your first motorbike'

The first site that I was led to advised me that before buying this motorbike, I had to ask myself various questions. The included the searching question of whether I was an experienced rider ('Of course not! But so what. 'I'll learn whilst driving'). I can of course always go to a riding school. I might append that to my list of big-ticket items for my coming birthday.

Next question: How do I intend to ride -- wild or timid? More likely timid, until I'll end up riding wild. Or dead.

Question three: how much should I spend: the sites advised me that motorbike prices range from under $5,000 to $25,000 for a new bike. I can afford a used bike, so a used bike it will be.

Finally I was advised to consider my body type, ensuring that I can place both feet on the floor when I sit on it, and if this were my first bike, which it is, I should veer from considering a high-performance bike. At least, initially.

All said and done, the analysis of this and similar sites -- and there were many -- led me to consider buying a standard or traditional bike, particularly since my commute is not long and I do not intend to spend many hours and miles in the saddle. Just enough to get my new job and procure my new boyfriend. On second thoughts, intending to bike through country roads, I will also look for a dual-purpose bike that is a standard bike with extra ground clearance and knobby tires (*Popular Mechanics. How to buy a motorbike)

Style selection

The mass of books and articles in magazines devoted to motorbikes were overwhelming. I decided, therefore, to do some cursory online research amongst the heap of websites that I saw, simply selecting the first few that appealed to me and seemed to cover the essential aspects that I was looking for. These involved understanding the lingo of the ads when describing the bikes, knowing the characteristics of the bike, and knowing precisely the qualities that I should look for.

As regards books, I too, had in mind something that would give me an overall review of the kind of bike that was best suited for my needs, style, model and all as well as advising me thought the steps of procuring such a bike. The simpler the book and the more succinct and concise with plenty of glossy pictures the better. I dislike small print particularly when I wish to be entertained or make an important purchase. Here, I just wished to be informed of the salient facts in a simple, informative, caring manner.

The books that I picked up essentially led me to categorize the procedure as falling into 4 steps:

1. I had to decide how I wished to pay for it: done

2. I had to decide whether to buy the motorbike from a dealer or privately

3. I was informed that I had to pay: (a) state registration fee (b) license plate fee (c) title fee and (d) insurance on the bike at time of purchase. This was exactly as buying a car. For a cheap bike, therefore, all of the above may well exceed more than the price of the bike itself

4. When selecting the motorbike there were essentially two things that I would need to consider: (a) that the motorbike be within my skill-set and price range and (b) that a 125 cc machine (or a 50 cc moped) would be best for me. I was also advised to ascertain that all lights and brakes, as well as turn signals, horn and at least one rearview mirror were working well.

Miscellaneous Advice

Other advice included the following: to make myself aware of the vehicle code specifications demanded by the state or province. I had to particularly check that all were up to standards considering that I was looking into purchasing a second-hand bike. . I had to be certain that my motorcycle had an adequate muffler, which was properly maintained

As regards brand selection, I was advised to stay away from lesser-known models and to go for the common brand that was in the category I was aiming for. Incidentally, I was told to aware of the moniker 'custom' since that could mean that the bike possesses numerous modifications from aftermarket windshield to a spray-paint job

Shopping.

As detailed in an earlier section, I had already uprooted 3 different places to turn to for my purchase: Craig's list, the garage / personal sale, and the listing in the newspapers.

For comparison-shopping, I turned to online used motorcycle stores and to drive-in lots where dealers were likewise haggling used bikes.

The used online sites (e.g. * Buy a used motorcycle) allowed me to tap in make, price and my area. The advantage of the online site was that I could trust its owners not to deceive me, far better than trusting buying a used bike from any of the private individuals mentioned sources such as newspaper listings and Craig's list. The website even listed some bikes from as little as $1,000, but these generally seemed old -- to trace back to the early 1980s. I did not want to drive a dinosaur. There was one, a 2004-used Honda whose price was only $750. It was described as super clean and very nice.

I visited other used car lots too, but what I liked about the website was that they were professional and could advise me. Best of all, I could procure a bike from the comfort of my home within the space of 15 minutes. On the other hand, I missed the face-to-face repartee that I could have with the storekeeper and the actual sensation of rubbing my hand over the bike, tapping its parts, feeling its metal, preferably going on a joy ride, or a least a bit of a ride as means of testing it before buying it. Most importantly, I was advised to first straddle it so that I could gauge its comfort level and measure its height against my own. The website, then, although having its advantages, would be impractical in the long run.

Craig's list, too, would entail going from place to place in all manners of nooks of the country. My prioritized list was, therefore as follows: (a) to investigate used car and bike lots and stores in the region close to me getting thereby some better idea of what I wanted. (b) To peruse the ads of the local papers and always when calling to specify all required details of the bike that I was looking into as well as its height and build. (c) If unable to find in my region to follow up ads viewed on Craig's list

Description of ideal

This is my ideal bike: The frame should be in good shape with no sign of wear or tear, and that I would not need to pay for motorbike parts or repairs some time in the future. The wheel should be correctly aligned, as well as the center or side stand.

The bike itself should run smoothly with no resultant leakage and all electrics should be functioning well as ought. The bearings, spokes and true-ness should be checked and shown to be functioning well on both wheels as well as the suspension that should be flexible. The front suspension should be correctly aligned with the yokes and the rear suspension should be leak-free and lack signs of seizure.

Battery level and tries should be checked too, as well as tread depth. General performance such as steering and smooth gear changing should be superb.

Finally, documentation for the bike should be up to level too with the MOT being issued in the last year and the bike should come with a V5 logbook. (* the motorbike buying checklist for used bikes)

To get my ideal bike, I would need to take someone along who was a professional on the subject.

Compare other places

Before making any final decision, I also looked into buying a bike from a dealer but was told to be careful when it came to the financing since I may be paying huge interest in the long run and that, with dealers, I would be paying taxes at time of purchase. This was something I wished to avoid.

However, I was told that I might have to pay taxes when buying from a private seller, too, although if the bike were used and particularly cheap this may not necessarily be the case.

I was also warned to stay away from auction sites.

Consumer / Family review

In passing, I saw the "The complete Motorcycle Guide: A consumer Review" by Jim Bennet that may be something that I may wish to purchase. I also came across a site called "the review center" (reviewcentre.com) that directed me to motorbike categories and showcased participant's opinions on their particular buys. These were, however, subjective and I may not find them too reliable. I think I would prefer the book

MotorcycleUSA.com that styled itself as "the industry leader in motorcycle reviews" also seemed to be more objective, but they connected their reviews to news and it was too newsy and cluttered for me to read. In all, I preferred the book.

Conclusion

I am well on the way to getting the bike of my life all expenses paid. My research -- online, offline and all around, has made me aware of the style, brand, characteristics and requirements of the bike that I should look for as well as accessories that I need to put into motion and procure to ensure possession of this bike. I may likely look into the cheaper models first procured from private individuals whilst reading books on the subject and taking along a professional for the final appraisal. Watch me go for that bike. First the motorcycle, then the boyfriend, and then the job. Courtesy of the bike.