If you’re on the lookout for a new motorcycle on a budget, it can be difficult to know where you should start. There are a lot of sellers out there that might not be the most trustworthy, and it’s easy to get burned when you’re trying to find a new bike. There are a few key things that you can look out for when you’re trying to buy a motorcycle on a budget. Let this article be your guide when navigating the frustrating landscape of vehicle purchasing. You want to ensure you’re getting the best bike you can get for your money. Nobody wants to walk away from a transaction feeling like they’ve been tricked in any way. Here are the key things to be aware of.
Think About Safety Records
Traveling on two wheels can be dangerous. The NHTSA reported in 2018 that 857 pedal bicyclists died in accidents. Staying safe should always be at the top of your priority list when you’re looking to buy a new bike. If the bike is quite new, then the warranty should be transferable with the title. In a perfect world, this would mean that you’d also get notified of any safety recalls. This doesn’t always happen though, so you need to take a bit of initiative. Make sure that you talk to whoever is selling the bike, ask them about the bike’s weak points, and make a note of anything that sticks out to you in terms of safety.
Asking about safety recalls is a great way to assess if the previous owner ever took the time to pay attention to them. Make sure that you can get the VIN from them, and if they’re hesitant to provide you with it, then you should be cautious about proceeding. Refusing to give the VIN to you is, unfortunately, a classic sign that they’re trying to hide something from you.
Take a Look Under the Seat
Untrustworthy sellers will do their best to hide things from you. You need to get good at being able to find these hidden things to make sure that your hard-earned money isn’t being conned from you. An MIC owner survey revealed that 71% of motorcycle buyers are employed, while retired people make up 24% of the remaining buyers. If you’re reading this article, then chances are you fall into one of these two demographics, and you do not want to pay through the nose for a garbage bike.
One of the best ways to see if the seller is hiding anything is to pop the seat and take a look underneath. If everything looks normal under there, then great! But if you see a bunch of loose leads and an old headlight, then it’s probably best to steer clear of this purchase.
Give it a Test Ride
The best way to assess the quality of the bike is to hop on it and go for a test ride. Make sure you do it safely, though. If you do get into any trouble on the test ride, then make sure you remember everything that was said before and after, as, according to NOLO, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is calculated from the date of the injury, and in most states, it tends to be around three years, but this can vary from state to state. If you have an enjoyable and safe test ride and everything feels great, then you can close on the sale and enjoy your new bike!
Bike Buying Made Easy
Buying a new motorcycle can be stressful. We hope that this guide has offered you at least a few tips on how to find a bike that is within your budget, safe, and is going to make you happy. Good luck on your bike hunt, and happy shopping!