Anyway to Spot Bike Has Been Involved in Accident?

[happytom]

The bike I might be going to purchase now, I spotted some suspicious points:

 

- The bike is repainted to a very ugly color (black matte), which is totally not suitable for this model.

 

- It got a batman logo in the front. Nothing about this, but just doesn't make me feel good about the previous owner.

 

- No side mirrors? I suspect accident before, then the bikeshop just take the photos without installing the side mirrors first? Or does doing a sprayjob require the side mirrors to be removed?

 

- Price is pretty cheap. Market price 6k+, this bike selling 4.8k. But I did some googling around, this bike shop got a reputation of selling away their bikes and accessories and servicing cheaper in the market though.

 

Any old bird care to justify this? Am I thinking too much? This is my first time getting bike after recently gotten my 2b license.

[imjustin]

Look at the steering column...u know the metal tabs that prevent the handlebars from being turned more then their full lock? Inspect it. If a bike has gone down (either self skid or buang at any speed) chances are that area has been dented or shows signs of damages. (Because the handlebar 'slams' against its full lock position when it hits the road) sorry but I can't think of any other way to describe this.

 

But since this is your first bike, pls pls pls get an experienced rider to go with you to inspect the bike. Someone you trust and knows a thing or 2 about bikes. Based on your description of the bike you're eyeing, I'd be very wary. 4.8k is a lot of money for a first motorcycle, don't blow it. Good luck.

[justforme]

taking mirror out sometimes is just for the shop to be able to place more bikes closer together as mirror will always block the other bike beside it.

 

the most obvious is to check for scratches, dents.

 

next is check for wheel alignment meaning you hold the handlebar straight is the wheel pointing straight too?

 

try do some knocking on the fuel tank. it should sound loud and clear like hitting a metal and any part of the tank should sound the same. if there is petrol inside it will sound more dull but u should still hear metal sound. if you knock and some part does not give out metal sound instead sound like hitting a concrete wall it means the tank has been repaired before. this is very likely that the bike had accident before.

 

this is all i know for now. if you still feel it's too cheap to be true, go a few shop and check around. good luck

[zalk]

Get a friend go with you. Don't worry too much about cosmetics they can be fixed for really cheap compared to a serious engine issue. Get your friend to take the bike for a spin, make sure the gear change is ok, no funny wobbling in the steering etc. No weird noises when u rev the engine. That kinda stuff.

[teambhp]

Get a friend go with you. Don't worry too much about cosmetics they can be fixed for really cheap compared to a serious engine issue. Get your friend to take the bike for a spin, make sure the gear change is ok, no funny wobbling in the steering etc. No weird noises when u rev the engine. That kinda stuff.

But the problem is that shops usually dun allow test rides

[flyingcow]

why not just ask the bike shop whether the bike's been in accident before? get them to guarantee no accident and also include warranty..

 

otherwise use the guide at http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/129346-lt-Info-gt-Used-Bike-Sale-Section-FAQ-on-Bike-Purchases to check

[haoKR]

what ride is that?

talk in a friendly way,some do let u test it. but if he reply in a bad/rude way. just walk off

[superspeed123]

Maybe can tell us what bike you are buying ?? So those riding the same bike can better advise you on you purchase.cheers.

[teambhp]

what ride is that?

talk in a friendly way,some do let u test it. but if he reply in a bad/rude way. just walk off

I would say 99 per cent dun allow test ride. Never met any rude ones though.

[teambhp]

What I dun understand is how can anyone buy a 2nd hand bike if a basic test ride in Carpark is not even allowed.

[Johnwongtw]

I wouldn't buy a bike that doesn't allow test ride. How to test wheel bearings, change gears etc? Unless shop give full warranty for 6mths that they will repair/replace any faulty parts FOC. Which I dun think any shop will do for 2nd hand bikes.

[haoKR]

I wouldn't buy a bike that doesn't allow test ride. How to test wheel bearings, change gears etc? Unless shop give full warranty for 6mths that they will repair/replace any faulty parts FOC. Which I dun think any shop will do for 2nd hand bikes.

 

some will have 1 month warranty, but i will think its still bullsh1t to me.

when u go back and claim it, they will say its wear and tear problem so not under warranty. heard such cases before.

[haoKR]

I would say 99 per cent dun allow test ride. Never met any rude ones though.

 

i was at Alexandra few years ago. friendly staff let me go to the open carpark to test it, but he rode there then let me test there, then he rode back.

maybe i told him thats my friend back,idk

[teambhp]

Even direct sellers in this forum dun allow test ride. Come on lah...I buying a class 2 bike for more than 10k,yet I cannot get a feel of the bike before buying? Moreover I only ask for a few round in the carpark. No way would I wanna get into trouble by riding into a main road

[teambhp]

I wouldn't buy a bike that doesn't allow test ride. How to test wheel bearings, change gears etc? Unless shop give full warranty for 6mths that they will repair/replace any faulty parts FOC. Which I dun think any shop will do for 2nd hand bikes.

I fully agree with u