Checklist | Buying A Used Motorcycle

Check the oil (shouldn't look like chocolate milk or be pitch black) and coolant (if applicable). Check the brake fluid—it should be translucent, not dark brown.

Test every single light—blinkers, high beams, brake light (using both the hand and foot controls), and the horn. 4. The Test Ride buying a used motorcycle checklist

A 10-year-old bike with a flawless, non-factory paint job often suggests it was dropped and the fairings were replaced. Check the oil (shouldn't look like chocolate milk

Does the clutch slip? Does the bike "click" into gear smoothly, or is it clunky? Does the bike "click" into gear smoothly, or is it clunky

On a safe, flat road, loosen your grip slightly to see if the bike pulls to one side (could indicate a bent frame).

Buying a used motorcycle can be a steal or a headache. To make sure you’re getting a reliable machine and not someone else's project, follow this checklist: 1. The Pre-Meeting Paperwork