Caution buying used bikes

[teambhp]

End of the day, seller decide if wanna let test ride

 

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[aimnfire]

actually there is another way.

read somewhere in here.

 

let the seller give you a ride

 

engine should be easy to start or else something is not right

 

glance at the speedo meter when pillion. if the rider open throttle the meter light become brighter, possible of coil/magneto issues

 

engine sound when idling should not be louder than exhaust sound, listen for knocking sound

 

once done, park on cement floor not tar. chat with seller for a few minutes and observe is there any oil dripping on the concrete floor

 

well those are taught to me by someone and also some pointers i read

[aimnfire]

this thread is very informative. i'd like to share my own bike buying experience.

 

i needed a bike to replace my s4 (coe 31/12/15 non renewable) so i started bike shopping in january this year. i was damn shocked to find out all these prices. ridiculous depreciation amounts. especially from riders who wanna sell you their "beloved bike" and charges you an unjustifiable high price. at any rate, i took my time and found a carb fazer 1000. this model, bike shops selling at 9.5k coe 2024. reasonable depreciation for a renewed-coe bike.

 

i managed to find a direct owner selling this model and bargained the price down to 7k. luckily for me, cos after buying it (engine was good condition) the electricals were horrible. in the few months that i have had the bike, i replaced the wire harness complete set, thermostat, thermostat housing, magneto, stator coil, starter relay, rear brake pads, front brake lines, and a few more stuff here and there. and mind you, these are all repairs, not modifications.

 

i've spent like 1.8k on the repairs, and it's still cheaper than the 9.5k the shop was offering. and i can sleep at night knowing the bike has a new harness, magneto, stator coil, etc etc. confirm plus chop the electricals can last until 2024.

 

i guess the learning points are these. even u test ride a bike, the hidden problems (electrical for me) cannot be easily detected. to overcome the depreciation problem, all riders need to act collectively and dont agree to buy overpriced used bikes.

 

ride safe everyone.

 

yes to buy use bike especially private transaction, better to have a few k in hand just in case issues like this crop up

[mechwira]

allowing a potential buyer, who is uninsured, to test ride your bike even in carpark, is illegal. if a tp rides in and catches you doing so, both seller and potential buyer will be in trouble. tp wont let it go just coz its a 'test ride'. there have been cases before of uninsured/unlicensed ppl 'testing' a friend's bike/car in carpark grounds and then caught by tp. no chance.

 

there is of course nothing illegal about a seller starting the bike and allowing the potential buyer to test throttle and other stuff without actually riding the bike. even taking the buyer as a pillion is fine. i allowed it when i was selling.

[calebike]

let me share about my bike selling experience, maybe it would shed some light on the issue of test rides. Normally, i would not allow buyers to test ride my sale bikes, i can pillion them on a ride around the area, but i did not want to get into any financial issue should any drops or accidents happen. Similarly, when i shop for bikes, i would conduct my usual checks without a test ride.

 

so once i was selling my Super 4, i was like heck, it is such an old bike, why not let the buyer ride around the carpark. so a young punk buyer came along, started throttling and listening to the engine like he knew what he was doing. I was fine with that, listen to your hearts content. then he started red lining the bike in neutral . nevermind, just go for the testride in the carpark. he started locking the rear wheels to, test the brakes and trying to wheelie. . no more test rides for any of my bikes.

 

best part, he promised to get my bike, just give him a few days to sell of his SP (ya, a just passed 2a). disappeared off the face of this earth.

[honda5583]

let me share about my bike selling experience, maybe it would shed some light on the issue of test rides. Normally, i would not allow buyers to test ride my sale bikes, i can pillion them on a ride around the area, but i did not want to get into any financial issue should any drops or accidents happen. Similarly, when i shop for bikes, i would conduct my usual checks without a test ride.

 

so once i was selling my Super 4, i was like heck, it is such an old bike, why not let the buyer ride around the carpark. so a young punk buyer came along, started throttling and listening to the engine like he knew what he was doing. I was fine with that, listen to your hearts content. then he started red lining the bike in neutral . nevermind, just go for the testride in the carpark. he started locking the rear wheels to, test the brakes and trying to wheelie. . no more test rides for any of my bikes.

 

best part, he promised to get my bike, just give him a few days to sell of his SP (ya, a just passed 2a). disappeared off the face of this earth.

 

Agree that pillion is fine.

Apart from financial and legal issues for test riding the bike, it can be dangerous for a person who just passed a 2A license.

He/she may not be able to handle the power and weight of the bike.

[teambhp]

It seems like majority would not allow test rides

 

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[honda5583]

Test ride and nothing happens is ok.

What if buyer knock someone down or bang onto a new car, who is going to responsible for the damage?

Bear in mind that the bike is registered to the seller.

 

I would rather not sell my bike if buyer die die wanna test ride.

Frankly speaking, test ride may not know the minor problems of the bike.

Only the seller will know what are the problems. Whether the seller wanna be honest and tell the seller is a separate issue.

 

I am not surprise that the so call "young punk buyer" is in this forum as well.

If you are, be responsible and let sellers know why u are not buying that bike.

MIA is an irresponsible attitude.

Edited November 11, 2015 by honda5583

[teambhp]

Ok.we have views from the sellers perspective. Put yourself in buyers shoes, how many of u will really buy an expensive bike if no test ride allowed? No quarrels, just constructive views for discussion

 

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[mechwira]

if i want to buy a bike and i simply MUST test ride first....

 

I will got to shop. not private seller. i dont want to be caught riding uninsured either.

 

if i want to buy from private seller, i will ask him start bike, i will test throttle, stationary brakes, etc etc. i might also ask him bring to my mechanic and pay for the inspection out of my own pocket.

[honda5583]

Ok.we have views from the sellers perspective. Put yourself in buyers shoes, how many of u will really buy an expensive bike if no test ride allowed? No quarrels, just constructive views for discussion

 

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The following steps are good enough for me:

- Visual inspection

- Start and listen from engine

- Ask seller to pillion me

 

In fact, visual inspection and listening from engine can know many things about the bike.

Pillion is to make sure no funny sound that comes from bike.

[teambhp]

The following steps are good enough for me:

- Visual inspection

- Start and listen from engine

- Ask seller to pillion me

 

In fact, visual inspection and listening from engine can know many things about the bike.

Pillion is to make sure no funny sound that comes from bike.

Not many of us can listen to engine n conclude engine is good

 

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[calebike]

Not many of us can listen to engine n conclude engine is good

 

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Thats where what i do can help. if skeptical about engine, bring to mechanic for a run through. i mainly do that for bigger bikes that i buy.

Otherwise, on engine listen to sound, pillion. Pillion rideout is to ensure that gear box and gear changes are problem free. Suspension is problem free (visual inspection helps in this case too). i believe stationary test can help for eg, cone bearing, brakes.

[Orleng]

Not many of us can listen to engine n conclude engine is good

 

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If one cannot listen to an engine and conclude it is good, one is also not likely to be able to pick up if the bike has any "hidden problems", from a test ride.

 

Knowing what an engine should sound like for a particular bike model, knowing about each engine/manufacturer's quirks, come from experience or from the internet. Same goes for being able to pick out whether a bike is problematic after test riding it. If someone can tell the bike is about to break down or has "hidden problems" from a test ride, they should also be able to tell that the engine sounds unusual or pick up cues from a pillioned test ride. Keyword : should.

 

If a person really can't tell, then just arrange to have it brought to a trusted mechanic like the other bros above have mentioned, and arrange to have it looked over.

 

On top of that, any reasonable and mature rider buying a CL2A or CL2 bike would understand the consequences of being caught riding without proper insurance coverage. They will also likely understand why such personal test rides aren't always available. If unhappy with the situation or unable to arrange for a shop to check out the bike, we can always walk away from the deal. Those who insist on flouting the law, can you really trust them to be responsible and bear responsibility if there are any untoward results of an accident/damage during the test ride? They might apply the same heck-care attitude should anything go wrong and just walk off.

 

If the bike is that expensive, the buyer can afford the price of a mechanic evaluating the bike.

[teambhp]

Looks like a mechanic evaluation is the way to go

 

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[honda5583]

If one cannot listen to an engine and conclude it is good, one is also not likely to be able to pick up if the bike has any "hidden problems", from a test ride.

 

Knowing what an engine should sound like for a particular bike model, knowing about each engine/manufacturer's quirks, come from experience or from the internet. Same goes for being able to pick out whether a bike is problematic after test riding it. If someone can tell the bike is about to break down or has "hidden problems" from a test ride, they should also be able to tell that the engine sounds unusual or pick up cues from a pillioned test ride. Keyword : should.

 

If a person really can't tell, then just arrange to have it brought to a trusted mechanic like the other bros above have mentioned, and arrange to have it looked over.

 

On top of that, any reasonable and mature rider buying a CL2A or CL2 bike would understand the consequences of being caught riding without proper insurance coverage. They will also likely understand why such personal test rides aren't always available. If unhappy with the situation or unable to arrange for a shop to check out the bike, we can always walk away from the deal. Those who insist on flouting the law, can you really trust them to be responsible and bear responsibility if there are any untoward results of an accident/damage during the test ride? They might apply the same heck-care attitude should anything go wrong and just walk off.

 

If the bike is that expensive, the buyer can afford the price of a mechanic evaluating the bike.

 

Well said.

[honda5583]

Looks like a mechanic evaluation is the way to go

 

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As long the bike has no sign of old leak, fork leak, fuel leak and engine knocking sound it should be fine.

Buying a second hand bike is like buying 4D. It is all about luck.

Even the seller also cannot assure u all the parts can last you for 6 months.

A good seller will show proof what is being done to the bike. (ie: receipts of servicing and repair records)

[calebike]

If one cannot listen to an engine and conclude it is good, one is also not likely to be able to pick up if the bike has any "hidden problems", from a test ride.

 

Knowing what an engine should sound like for a particular bike model, knowing about each engine/manufacturer's quirks, come from experience or from the internet. Same goes for being able to pick out whether a bike is problematic after test riding it. If someone can tell the bike is about to break down or has "hidden problems" from a test ride, they should also be able to tell that the engine sounds unusual or pick up cues from a pillioned test ride. Keyword : should.

 

If a person really can't tell, then just arrange to have it brought to a trusted mechanic like the other bros above have mentioned, and arrange to have it looked over.

 

On top of that, any reasonable and mature rider buying a CL2A or CL2 bike would understand the consequences of being caught riding without proper insurance coverage. They will also likely understand why such personal test rides aren't always available. If unhappy with the situation or unable to arrange for a shop to check out the bike, we can always walk away from the deal. Those who insist on flouting the law, can you really trust them to be responsible and bear responsibility if there are any untoward results of an accident/damage during the test ride? They might apply the same heck-care attitude should anything go wrong and just walk off.

 

If the bike is that expensive, the buyer can afford the price of a mechanic evaluating the bike.

 

quote for the truth now that you mentioned it. Disclaimer (from my buying and selling experiences). most the time when a class 2 buyer views, he does not even ask for a test ride, and most even ask for permission to even mount the bike. while 'the others' tend to come for a joy ride. red lining the bike, e braking, cornering to try to scrape helmet...

[guangwei]

quote for the truth now that you mentioned it. Disclaimer (from my buying and selling experiences). most the time when a class 2 buyer views, he does not even ask for a test ride, and most even ask for permission to even mount the bike. while 'the others' tend to come for a joy ride. red lining the bike, e braking, cornering to try to scrape helmet...

 

plus 1 for you, experienced it before. wheelie on my r6 without my even consulting me first on his test ride on a 70km/h road.. then say consider first, and no news ever since.. =.=

 

in contrast, this threadstarter seems to have an obnoxious hate for used bike direct seller, even tho he just joined a year ago. properly sent by some shity ah beng black shop to win customers back as the internet online market are taking their business off.

as a cl2 rider who clocked 100k km over the last 4 years and met countless kakis, most of his comments makes barely any sense to me.

/facepalm.

of course i do met bad 2nd hand seller before, but he certainly exaggerates it until he looks stupid. lol

the worst seller i met is definitely a profit driven shopkeeper by the way.

 

this guy even goes around and spam flame sellers that their bikes are too expensive and at the same time describe how bad a direct owner owned bike can be here on this thread.

Edited November 11, 2015 by guangwei

[guangwei]

Dear Readers

 

There are many bikes on sales in this forum. Some are from direct owners and some are from bikeshops.

 

I would like to caution about buying from direct owners. Some of the questions you should think about are

 

1) Owner has changed a lot of parts on the bike, added accesssories etc. Some even overhauled the engine and claim that bike is in good condtion. Think about it! Why would anyone in the world spend money to repair the bike, then sell it off to you?

 

2) All bikes have wear and tear items. The older the bike, the more problematic it is. Yet there are sellers claiming that the bike is in prefect condtion. How is that possible? Even new bikes are not prefect.

 

3) Assuming you find a really good offer. Seller dilligently maintain bike. Outlook is good. Wear and tear parts replaced and there are receipts to prove. You want to buy from him/her. Please think again. Outlook can be done nicely. Parts can be replaced by a good seller. One word of caution though....Internal leaks within the engine that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

 

For example, if the bike has excessive oil consumption problem, you will not know it till you have clocked up some mileage. By the time you know, it is too late. How about coolant seeping into the combustion chamber slowly? It will be months later before the bike will give out smoke. Do you have recourse? Anwer is NO.

 

Therefore, please buy with care and ride safe.

 

All your argument values why direct owned sellers are worse sellers are applicable to you shopkeepers as well. Seems like your just referring to your black shop owner boss.

[teambhp]

plus 1 for you, experienced it before. wheelie on my r6 without my even consulting me first on his test ride on a 70km/h road.. then say consider first, and no news ever since.. =.=

 

in contrast, this threadstarter seems to have an obnoxious hate for used bike direct seller, even tho he just joined a year ago. properly sent by some shity ah beng black shop to win customers back as the internet online market are taking their business off.

as a cl2 rider who clocked 100k km over the last 4 years and met countless kakis, most of his comments makes barely any sense to me.

/facepalm.

of course i do met bad 2nd hand seller before, but he certainly exaggerates it until he looks stupid. lol

the worst seller i met is definitely a profit driven shopkeeper by the way.

 

this guy even goes around and spam flame sellers that their bikes are too expensive and at the same time describe how bad a direct owner owned bike can be here on this thread.

No problem with direct sellers. I only dislike those who take advantage of high bike COE to make money out of fellow riders.

 

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[guangwei]

No problem with direct sellers. I only dislike those who take advantage of high bike COE to make money out of fellow riders.

 

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bikeshops does it even worse.

[calebike]

No problem with direct sellers. I only dislike those who take advantage of high bike COE to make money out of fellow riders.

 

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no such advantage. you can see overpriced bikes being stuck for a long time.

[ciscube]

I can understand that most sellers will take advantage of the high Coe, but pls don't sell it at the same price as the shop lah..

[teambhp]

All your argument values why direct owned sellers are worse sellers are applicable to you shopkeepers as well. Seems like your just referring to your black shop owner boss.

Your r6 on sales very long. You should know better than me.

 

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