You’re ready to get out on the road, hit high speeds, and take corners, but first you just need to find the right bike. Buying online makes it easy to compare listings, narrow down your selection, and pick out the perfect motorcycle for you. However, you still have to look out for motorcycle scams and misleading listings when you’re shopping online. To help you take precautions, Cycle Trader is sharing more on the six biggest red flags when buying a bike online.
1. Unknown Seller
When you’re shopping the online market for your motorcycle, you want to choose from listings from reputable sellers. While you may have more confidence buying from a dealer versus a private seller, you still have to be careful. Sites like CycleInsider provide dealership reviews from previous shoppers that will give you a better idea of their buying experience. You should probably stay away from unknown sellers that won’t give you more basic details like their contact information, location, or if they’ve sold bikes in the past. The seller should be able to provide their identity, keep up communication, and be willing to meet in person.
2. Low Asking Price
You may think you’ve found a hidden gem on the market when you see a bike with a really low asking price, but this should be another red flag. If the listing has been on the marketplace for some time, this could be another indication something is wrong with the motorcycle. Some motorcycles may have a lower listing price, but many will require you to make repairs or replacement parts in the near future, which won’t make the final sale price worth it. Some of these tips for safe transactions when you sell a motorcycle apply for buyers too, like when it comes to negotiating a price. There might be a lower initial asking price, but when it comes to negotiating, the seller might try to pressure you into buying at a higher cost.
3. Misleading Listing
Stay away from motorcycle listings that are misleading or don’t include all the details you need when buying. The seller shouldn’t shy away from including info on the bike’s specs, including the make and model, year, mileage, history, any damage, and a firm price, without hidden fees. The photos and videos should match the bike when you inspect it in person. For example, if you’re shopping for Honda motorcycles, the bike should be the exact model you’re after. If you discover any flaws to the bike that affect its performance, cosmetics, or value, you should avoid buying.
4. Motorcycle Damage
One of the most obvious red flags you’ll encounter when buying a motorcycle is how much damage the bike has taken on from riding over the years. Start by taking a close look at the bike’s condition during an inspection. Here’s a quick list for what to look for when buying:
Check for rust, scratches, dents, or chipped, worn, or oxidized paint
See if there’s a corroded chain or teeth of the chain, and worn or damaged sprockets
Inspect for bent or warped levers, bar ends, foot pegs
Look out for leaks, especially from the engine or transmission, which are indicators of bigger problems
The bike wiring should be intact, with nothing frayed
There shouldn’t be any exhaust smoke when the bike runs
Listen out for irregular noises when the bike runs
Run a vehicle diagnostic, see if there are any hidden issues with the bike
5. High Mileage
While the answer can vary when it comes to “how many miles is a lot for a motorcycle,” you might want to steer clear of certain bike models with an excessive amount of mileage. Heavy mileage can depend on the type of bike, and how it was used, such as for a daily commute on smooth roads, or rough conditions off-road. With more mileage on a motorcycle running on its original factory-made parts, you might run into performance problems and have to make repairs and do more maintenance. Keep this in mind as you look at listings, and keep a record of the odometer reading, because an attractive bike on the market could turn into a project requiring ongoing upkeep that costs money, time, and effort.
6. No Vehicle History Report
It’s an immediate red flag when there’s paperwork missing from a seller. While there’s a lot to keep track of, you want the seller to be transparent, organized, and provide all the details of the bike’s history and previous ownership if you’re buying used. Here’s some paperwork and details to check when buying:
VIN number, checking to make sure this hasn’t been re-stamped in the event of a theft
Records of previous owner and titles
Records of road incidents and damage with the motorcycle
Records of repair work, and replacement parts
Service history, and documents proving service is up to date
When it comes to ownership, make sure you’re not buying a bike with a salvage title. This is when a damaged bike that’s been deemed totaled by an insurance company is resold to someone else. The bike might still have damage, so follow up on its history report.
Shopping online makes buying so much easier with your dream bike just a click away. But before you commit, look for red flags that could cause problems during the purchasing process. And if you’re looking for new and used motorcycles or bike trailers for sale, check out all the listings on the nation’s leading marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
