[Tango]

Hey,

I start my weekend MSF course this weekend, and so I’ve been looking around for bikes over the past little while. I’m currently looking at a used Ninja 650R and I was looking for some advice when it comes to buying used.

I know nothing about bikes mechanically but from what I’ve read it seems the very first maintenance at 1000km is very important. I have inquired as to whether I can see the maintenance records and the dealer told me he “can try and get them” which to me means he doesn’t have them. The bike is relatively new, 4000km and I am not really sure what to look for in terms of whether it was taken care of or driven really hard.

Any advide would really be appreciated.

[ilnam]

Here’s a motorcycle evaluation guide that seems rather thorough:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

I read it through last week when I was shopping around for a motorcycle.

Yeah, the initial break-in period and subsequent 1st maintenance does seem critical although who really knows if the original owner followed the recommended guidelines. Personally, I’m pretty anal about things like that, and would follow the manufacturers break-in and maintenance schedule if I bought new; but it’s something I’ve accepted to forfeit, to an extent, when buying used. One of the bikes I went to look at from a private seller had maintenance records and seemed to care about his motorcycle a lot. That was very alluring; however, I ended up buying a different bike from a woman who didn’t seem as detail-oriented, but it was a better deal and I figured the engine is durable enough even if the recommended break-in isn’t exactly followed.

[Tango]

So I went and saw the bike at lunch today. It seems like it’s in really good shape, but there is a minor scratch on the lower right fairing almost at the bottom right where it turns inward toward the middle of the bike. Other then that it looks like it’s in great condition. It does have a tank protector on it, not really sure why those are useful to be honest. He started it up and it sounds really good.

I did inquire again as to getting records of service and he almost seemed hesistant to even ask the guy who traded it in (it was traded in for a Yamaza ZR1?). He said that most people with a new bike will take care of it, because its got that “new” feeling to it, which I can relate to. I’m just really hesitant and not sure what to do. He also mentioned he would be able to “work with me” on the price, almost seemed like he was desperate to get rid of it, maybe because its the end of the season here in Ontario.

[Andrew]

The tank protector is to stop the tank paint getting chipped by bags or jackets etc. My Ninja had a couple of small chips on it when I bout it 2 weeks ago and I think I put the 3rd one on there from my leather jacket. I’ll be putting a protector on.

My bike was bought privately from a guy who does all his own work so there are no service records at all with mine. The bike was in such good shape that I bought it anyway. He had recently changed the oil and adjusted the valves. I had a guy at work who also does his own stuff to look it over for me. He said it was a nice bike that had been looked after so I was happy with that.

[Matt]

The tank protector protects the tank paint from being scratched up by your jacket zipper. My 20 year old VF500 didn’t have a tank protector and it had small chunks taken out of the tank right there from decades of wear. If you like your bike looking and feeling new, the $20 a tank protector costs is probably worth it. I keep meaning to put one on my bike and never do.

At 4000km, I wouldn’t be hugely worried about the bike. It is just about ready for its second trip to the shop. If it didn’t get the first trip, it may still be okay. IF you decide to buy it, have them include (for free) the full 5000km inspection plus a valve-check (if it isn’t part of the inspection already).

When looking at the scratch, also look at the bar ends and lever ends, do they look ground/scratched? Do you think this bike went down, was dropped at a stop, or just rubbed a curb?

If you think it went down at speed have them include a frame-alignment check as part of the condition of sale – if it whent down hard enough to damage the frame, there’ll be plety of other banged up bits…

If it frame is straight, nothing appears busted, and you can get the service done all for a good price. Sounds like a good deal. The other thing is ask about a 30 day warranty. Most shops seem to include them for any non-“as is” bike. As long as you pick up the bike soon and can get a fair amount of riding in, 30 days will be long enough for you to know if something is messed up.

We may only have 30 days worth of good riding left in Ontario this season

—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Tango]

Thanks for the heads up on the tank protector, makes sense.

After we looked at the scratch he did make a point of showing me the tips of the foot rests and the bars to show me they were clean and had not been grinded into the pavement. To me the bike doesn’t look like it went down at all, but then again I don’t really have a lot of experience looking at bikes. The rest of it looks pretty clean, and I would doubt the frame is bent. That small scratch, maybe about an inch long is honestly the only nick on the whole bike, no stone chips or anything.

The bike does come with a 30 day warranty that covers it completely. Matt do you have an email address that I can discuss things with you in a little more detail, plus you are from Ottawa as well so it would be nice to have a local to chat with, if thats okay.

[ilnam]

I read the other day that this site used to have private messages. I’m eager for Ben to get that going again…

[CBennett]

I think id do it actually if its in good shape for a good price!

[Rab]

Andrew said:

“My bike was bought privately from a guy who does all his own work so there are no service records at all with mine “.

Every service involves at very least an oil and filter change, and often other item (air filter, plugs, etc.) replacement too.

Anyone who does their own service work should keep all receipts to serve as the service record (as should those who have it done at a dealer).

If there is no “service history”, then you should assume that there was no service done.

A verbal “service history”, like a verbal contract, is as worthless as a politician’s promise.

[Matt]

You can drop me a line at: matthew (period) krull (at) gmail (you know the rest).
I know that’ll stop the spam bots… now I just hope none of you sign me up for more news letters

—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Author]

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