What should I consider when buying a second hand bike?
Try not to blow your entire budget on the bike itself. Think about setting aside around roughly 10 per cent of the bike’s value for potential maintenance costs. A second-hand bike bought from a private seller won’t come with a warranty, so if it develops a fault you’ll need to cover the cost of repair.
Can you buy a bike from someone else?
Chances are you’ll find a similar bike from a better seller at some point in the near future. If this is the case, be patient and try to keep your cool. Making rash decisions based on desires to buy a bike from someone dodgy can spell disaster.
What to ask for when buying a bike?
An original purchase receipt is a great thing to ask for. Each frame holds a unique identification number: ask for a picture of it. These can be checked against numbers on the national database to find out whether a bike is stolen. If you have doubts, don’t purchase. Is the seller reliable?
Is it good to look at bike listings?
Bicycles can bring a lot of emotion out of people, and listings often contain people’s pride and joy, so it is common to see lengthy and detailed descriptions – these are good and should inform you well as a buyer.
Try not to blow your entire budget on the bike itself. Think about setting aside around roughly 10 per cent of the bike’s value for potential maintenance costs. A second-hand bike bought from a private seller won’t come with a warranty, so if it develops a fault you’ll need to cover the cost of repair.
Can you sell a motorcycle and still ride it?
You may think you’re safe if this is your state’s law, but the seller can simply call the DMV and report the motorcycle is sold which means the motorcycle isn’t technically registered anymore. Don’t rely heavily on the fact that plates go with the motorcycle; you should still get it registered under your name as soon as possible.
Is it possible to collect a bike in person?
Collection in person isn’t always possible and if you do go the postage route, be careful. The bike needs to be well packed and travel with a reputable firm to prevent damage in transit. We also recommend insuring the bike for its full value in case it gets damaged in transit or goes missing.
What to look for when buying a bike?
Before you commit to buying, be sure you find out the general condition of the bike, including any parts that are broken or may need work. Many owners keep receipts from maintenance work or parts, just like they would do with a car’s service history. How long have you owned the bike?
You may think you’re safe if this is your state’s law, but the seller can simply call the DMV and report the motorcycle is sold which means the motorcycle isn’t technically registered anymore. Don’t rely heavily on the fact that plates go with the motorcycle; you should still get it registered under your name as soon as possible.
Where is the best place to buy a bike?
On classified websites you may not have this luxury, so take extra care. Buying from a reputable bike shop reduces the risk of a dodgy seller, especially if you’ve already got a relationship with a shop and are on good terms. Make sure postage costs are discussed before agreeing to buy the bike.
Collection in person isn’t always possible and if you do go the postage route, be careful. The bike needs to be well packed and travel with a reputable firm to prevent damage in transit. We also recommend insuring the bike for its full value in case it gets damaged in transit or goes missing.