As with a plethora of other large purchases and investments, there are certainly many advantages in choosing to invest in a used item instead of a brand-new one.
The problems come, however, when people fail to conduct a thorough inspection prior to committing to the deal, especially when it comes to cars and motorbikes. In a valiant attempt to help you avoid financially damaging pitfalls, here is how to spot a dodgy deal when out shopping for a used scooter.
Always Check the Bike Over When the Engine is Cold
One common mistake unsuspecting motorcyclists make when looking at used bikes is that they only ever see the bike when it is switched on and running.
Naturally, you should always take any potential bike for a test drive, but before you do, you should take a look at the bike when it has not been turned over for a good few hours. When you arrange a viewing, you should politely ask the seller to leave the bike turned off overnight, and this way, they will not be able to mask any potential issues by running the engine.
Use a Reputable Supplier
Although this next point will be perhaps fairly obvious to many, it is important to check that you are aware of the many dangers and risks associated with purchasing a used bike from a private seller on free advertising site such as eBay or Gumtree.
Instead, consult a prominent motorcycle and scooter supplier, such as bmgscooters.com, who will not only guide you through the entire process, but will also help you match with the exact style, specification, and model of bike that is best for you.
Open the Seat
As you will already be aware, the seat on any scooter or motorbike, whether manually powered or electrically powered, will open to reveal not only a safe and waterproof storage area, but also some of the inner workings of the mechanisms inside the bike.
When surveying a potential new purchase, especially with an older bike that looks as if it has been ridden hard and over long distances, be sure to pop the seat and pay close attention to the wires. If you see any evidence of hanging and frayed wires, or moreover, wires that look as if they have been hastily repaired, then this is a huge proverbial red flag.
Specifically Focus on Key Components
After you have conducted a thorough inspection of the aesthetics of the bike and studied the paintwork, it is then time to examine some of the fundamental components.
In particular, pay close attention to the bar ends, footpegs, and levers and see that they are straight and intact. If, for whatever reason, any lever has curled in on itself at one or both ends, this is a probable sign that the bike has been involved in a collision. Furthermore, if the seller fails to mention, or even worse, denies it when asked, that the bike has been in a crash when it clearly has, then you should leave the sale there and then.