How to Choose A Preowned Motorcycle

You want a new bike, but you are on a tight budget. The more you shop, the more you're considering a used bike. At Taboo Harley-Davidson, we offer pre-owned bikes that you can trust to give you miles and miles of riding pleasure. Here are a few tips when considering a used motorcycle, and for more information, come see us in Alexandria, Louisiana, also serving Lafayette and Natchitoches, Louisiana, as well as Natchez, Mississippi.

Things to Consider When Looking at a Used Motorcycle

There are three basic things you should look for in a used motorcycle: 

1. Has the motorcycle been wrecked? Is there any damage that makes you suspect it's been wrecked?
2. Are there any leaks anywhere on the bike?
3. Does the bike look like it has been well-maintained?

Once you've done an exterior inspection of the bike, you can decide if a bike is safe and in good shape. There are a few areas that truly show the age of the bike. Look at the bar ends, the foot-pegs, and the levers of the bike. If these are damaged, there's a good chance the bike has been laid down. 

Look at the levers. These will "curl" when the bike has been laid over. Also, if the levers appear to be shortened, then it's possible the bike has been in an accident. 

Determine How Well the Bike Was Maintained

First, look at the tires. Tires that have long, flat grooves in the tires have likely been used in lots of burnouts. Next, look at the hero blobs; if these are worn down or gone, the bike could have been used at the track or experienced an accident. 

Look for other areas of the bike for damage. Ask about the miles on the motorcycle. For some engines and motorcycle bodies, having 10,000 miles on a bike is akin to 30,000 miles on a car or truck. Find out how many owners have used the bike. If one owner used a bike for 15,000 miles, it is more likely that they took good care of the bike including proper maintenance. 

Just How "Used" Is the Motorcycle?

You may choose a used bike because it has low miles, but if that bike has been sitting for some time, you may face some negative issues. Tires on a bike such as this could be dry rotting; seals in the motor could draw up and leak. If the bike was ridden regularly and maintained properly, mileage doesn't matter as much. You want a bike that has been used often and serviced regularly, not one with low miles and rare usage.

Taboo Harley-Davidson in Alexandria, Louisiana, serves customers from Lafayette to Natchitoches in Louisiana and into Natchez, Mississippi. For more information on our inventory of used bikes, contact our dealership.