125 motorcycles buying guide.
Things you should think about and consider when buying a used 125
motorbike.
Although the same rules and guidance applies to buying any motorcycle,
this site is geared up and optimized for 125 motorcycles, so we will be talking
about buying a used 125cc motorbike.
If you're thinking of adding to your bike collection, you probably know
precisely what type of motorcycle you are looking for, but if you are a newbie
to motorcycles, the many different types of bikes may have your head in a
twist. The first thing to think about when purchasing a used motorcycle is to
choose what type of 125 motorcycles are the correct one’s for you.
At this stage of the game, you should not only be thinking about the
type of bike but also the features and size. Chatting to friends, browsing
through pictures on the internet, and looking through old magazines with
reviews can be a good idea too. If you opt to buy a motorcycle from a private
company or dealer, be sure to see as many dealers as you can and sit on their
motorcycles. If the bike seems to be too big and unmanageable, or if it is just
uncomfortable, it more than likely is not going to be the right motorcycle for
you. The traders should really not mind, and you will find most of the good
salesmen out there will be happy to answer all your questions, even if they
know you’re not ready or do not want to purchase from them now, you just may in
the future, or be back to buy parts, clothing etc as they where helpful to
answer your questions.
Sooner or later, you will be thinking toward a particular style or model
of 125 motorcycles, try to look at as many as you can of the same, if not
similar models. Although if you’re a bit like I used to be, and decide on a
bike and stick with that motorcycle, try to give yourself options, as this is a
very good way to make sure you do not go jumping at the first 125 motorcycle
you can get your hands on.
When you do get a specific 125 Motorcycle in your head, do some quick
web research. Having some concept of market value and some basic upkeep issues
for the model and year before you see the 125 Motorcycle will give you a very
good idea of what things you should be looking for and what type of questions
to ask. Then, get yourself a torch, tire pressure gauge, and a friend, in an
ideal world it would be a good idea if this friend is a motorcycle savvy, but
just having someone there who might be able to stop you from jumping in and
buying the first bike you see is helpful.
While appearances can be deceiving, the outside condition of these 125
Motorcycles should give you a general impression of the internal condition.
Is the plastic, paint or chrome scratched, rusty or dented? Does the 125
motorcycle look like the owner has looked after this motorcycle, ever waxed or
washed the bike? If the owner has not looked after the outside, you can bet
your bottom dollar he has not taken good enough care of the inside.
Hopefully this owner is the honest type, and lets you know of any
accidents, although seeing parallel scratches in the paint or plastic, on the
backs of mirrors, on the engine covers, or on brake or clutch levers is
normally a very good sign the 125 motorcycle has been involved in some sort of
accident. If you believe the 125 motorcycle has had a knock, be sure to check
that the front forks and frame are still straight as a die by standing away and
looking down the centreline of the 125 motorcycle. If you see cracks or welds
in engine casings, then do not buy the bike.
Search for any missing parts like side covers or tire valve stem caps.
Additionally, looking at the fasteners on the 125 motorcycle will give you a
clearer idea of the mechanical skills and knowhow of the owner. Look
specifically for rounded off or missing fasteners, such as cotter pins. If
there are changes, are they professional looking or are you seeing a load of
old duct tape and zip ties on the bike?
If the owner of this motorcycle has
a bad attitude or you think he or she seems to lack knowledge of his or her
motorcycle, this is generally a warning sign.
You should ask to see the place the 125 motorcycle is kept at night,
looking for obvious signs of fluid leaks and other likely issues. If you see a
clean, dry, safe place and a motorcycle cover, they are fine signs that the
owner has taken good care of his bike.
At all times, remember that you are in control. If things do not appear
right, or if he or she is being too pushy or off putting, then look for another
bike. If after you have got a first impression and you decide the 125
motorcycle is worth taken a good look at and the bike is interesting you, it is
time to give the prospective motorcycle a complete inspection.
You have done all your research at home, and you have got a good first
impression of both the 125 motorcycles and the seller. Now it is time to get
your hands dirty and start to really get to know this bike, but thirst, here is
a quick tip, when you arrange to view the motorcycle, ask the owners to keep
the bike off to leave the engine cold. This will help when getting your mitts
into tight places with your torch without the trouble of burning yourself to
death. This will also let you check to see if these 125 motorcycles have any
hard starting issues.
125 Motorcycle Inspection
Start by checking the electrics. Firstly, check the battery and any
wires for loose joining and signs that the battery has been properly filled and
that there is no corroding or leakages. Use your torch to look under the fuel
tank at the coils and plug cables. These also should be clean and free of
visible defects. Then, sit on the 125 motorcycle. Make certain all the bulbs
and lights are working properly. Give the horn a honk, and then to make sure
any changes work.
Next, make sure you check the brakes working and in good order. They
ought to feel tauten but not stiff or soft. Neither of the levers should easily
be pulled all the way to stop. If they do, do not buy the bike. The brake
levers should light up the brake light. Take the 125 motorcycle off the stand
and roll it forwards and rearwards to test that the brakes actually stop the
125 motorcycle. The brakes should release fully. If the brakes stick then this
could be a sign of later work being needed.
Put the 125 motorcycles back on its centre stand, and then have a good
look at the rotors, brake pads, and lines. The rear brake is most possibly a
drum style brake. If it is, make sure the wear indicator needle is in the
usable range with the brake lever depressed. The lines should look clean, clear
of crimps and kinks and free of cuts and leaks. Look into the calipers at the
pad material, most have a wear indicator line. Also, have a look at the brake
fluid in the master cylinders (there are usually two). You will probably need
to use a screwdriver for this, although most have a sight window indicator. The
brake fluid should be light amber in colour. If the fluid is any darker
than this, then the chances are it has not been changed for a long time.
As you are down by the brake area, be sure to check the tires and
wheels. Make sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressure (psi). Check
for visible cracks and cuts in the rubber and that the tread is still usable
and at a legal depth of at least 1mm. Also, check the wheels for dents,
warpage, and bends. If the 125 motorcycle wheel has spoke wheels, make sure
none are missing and that they are not to lose. If the 125 motorcycle has a
centre stand, make sure the rear wheel is off the ground and then make sure it
spins freely.
Now inspect the suspension. The tubes on the front folks should be
smooth and without defect. Slide the dust covers up to check that the seals are
not leaking. With you sitting on the 125 motorcycle, pull the front brake lever
tight, and push down a few times hard on the handle bars. These front forks
should have some resistance but not be too stiff. A clumping racket or sticking
is indicators of vital troubles. Now, analyse the steering head bearing by
pushing and pulling the handle bars hard. They had better be tight, with no
play. Then test the rear suspension by bouncing up and down on the seat. Once
again, there ought to be some resistance and the 125 motorcycle should spring
back.
Then, inspect the final drive. Chains should not have any rusting or
twists. In the middle between the front and back sprockets, make certain the
chain’s tensity is not too tight or slack. Spin the 125 motorcycle wheel if
possible and try the chain in some places. Additionally, check that you cannot
pull the chain right off the back sprocket. If it is achievable to pull the
bike chain off, then it will need to be replaced. A Hooked or bent sprocket
teeth are good signals that they will need to be replaced. Not likely but if
the 125 motorcycle is belt driven, the manual should give you some idea of how
to test and check the tautness, whilst this may need to be done by a motorcycle
professional. At minimum, be sure the belt has no cracks or cuts.
Look into the crevasses in the engine and frame using your torch. Here
you should be looking for cracks or broken welds in the frame, oil or fluid
leaks on the engine. If you can see discolouration on the engine cover, this
could possibly be a signs of an oil leak. If the 125 motorcycle is cooled by
liquid, make sure the coolant is at the correct level in the reservoir, and
then check the sight window in the engine for the oil level. If the oil has not
been changed for a long period of time, the oil will look black. Check the
petrol tank and peycock for leakages. Look into the fuel tank by using your
torch, look for any signs of rusting. If a petrol tank looks rusted it could
cause carburetion or fuel injection problems.
The good part is next, starting the bike up. Even if you know how to
start the motorbike, ask the owner how to start the bike. The 125 motorcycle
should start up easily. With the carburetor being cold then the 125 motorcycle
might take a couple of tries but should still start relatively promptly. If you
have trouble getting the 125 motorcycle to start, this just might be a
carburetor problem or could be an electrical problem. If the 125 motorcycle has
a kick start, then make sure you give that a go too. The motorbike should start
within a kick or two.
You should also make note of how long it takes the 125 motorcycle to
warm up. Extremely delayed warming may be a sign of problems to come. Make sure
the 125 motorcycle ticks over at a low, constant rpm and does not make any
funny noises.
Check over the functioning of the clutch as you are waiting for the 125
motorcycle to warm up. Press the lever in then release it. This process should
be smooth and free of sticking. Put the 125 motorcycle into first gear. When
changing gear this should be even and the gears should click nicely into place.
Be sure the 125 motorcycle rolls as if in neutral with the clutch squeezed in.
Then very slowly let the clutch out and feel for the biting point to be sure
the clutch is operating correctly. When the clutch does engage, it should not
be sharp and jerking.
Be sure the side stand kill switch and/or the engine kill switches will work
correctly.
Now that you are sure you have inspected the motorcycle and know it is safe to
ride, and have also made sure you have all your motorcycle riding gear up
together, as now is the time to take this could be new 125 motorcycle of yours
out for a test ride.
At this stage of the game, you have for sure done a thorough job of
inspecting the 125 motorcycle, and you not only know it is safe to ride this
bike but you are now ready to take to this 125cc beauty of a motorcycle out for
a test ride.
125 motorcycle Test Ride:
Do not be to amazed if the owner does not let you to take the 125
motorcycle for a test ride. If he or she will not, then ask to ride on the back
with them, or ask him or her ride the 125 motorcycles up and down the road so
you can at least hear the bike and see for yourself how it runs. Having the
cash in your hand will increase your chances of a riding the 125 motorcycles
for yourself.
If he or she does allow you to take it for a test ride, give the 125
motorcycles one final going over to be sure it is safe to ride and that you
have your riding gear on properly. On the test ride, you should be listening to
the engine and how it sounds as it revs up. You should try to change through
all the gears or as many of the gears as possible to check the clutch is
operating right, including going down in the gears. You will likewise want to
see how good the 125 motorcycle shifts in and out of neutral. Carefully test
the brakes. Pulling the brakes gently will help you feel for warps or bumps in
the rotors.
The throttle should roll on and off easy, and the 125 motorcycle ought
to react swimmingly with even power.
You should also try to feel for curious wiggles or wobbles. Is the 125
motorcycle pulling in one direction or the other? If it does, the 125
motorcycles frame might be bent or there may be other dangerous and serious
structural issues. Find some winding roads if at all possible and feel how the
125 motorcycle handles.
While you are on the 125 motorcycle, make certain it feels comfortable
with you riding it and the bike fits you correctly. Most things like mirrors
and levers can easily be aligned, although other parts are not so easy. Most
importantly is whether or not you like the 125 motorcycles. If you do not, then
do not buy it.
Buying 125 motorcycles
When negotiating for 125 motorcycles, I always turn away confrontations
if possible. But, making sure you are prepared, acknowledging the market value,
having done a thorough inspection and taken 125 motorcycles out on a test ride
had better give you some conception of the genuine value of 125 motorcycles.
Now you should be able to start a reasonable and sensible negotiation. If he or
she is asking close to book value and the 125 motorcycles are in good form, pay
the price. I would always start to lower the price for any faults or issues you
may have found in the 125 motorcycles inspection. It is a really good idea to
have some concept of how much basic replacement or repairs of items such as the
cost of tyres and try to take this out of the price for the bike that they are
requesting.
It is always a good idea to ask to see any service books and receipts
for any modifications or repairs. You should not really always trust that the
owner has brought the 125 motorcycles in for regular service intervals or
whatever he may have told you he has brought for the 125 motorcycle have really
been installed.
If the owner has missed placed the paper work, and you really must have
this 125 motorcycles, then the price should shine the trouble of having lost
the documents for this 125 motorcycle.
Remember to ask as many questions as possible. Ask if the 125
motorcycles has ever been off the road or if the owner has ever raced or
stunted the 125 motorcycles. You should always ask if there is anything wrong
with it. Ask this one two or three times. You will be astonished what some people
will tell you if you ask them, especially if you keep asking. The bulk of
people are honest, but you never can tell. Listen to how the seller answers to
your questions. If it seems to you that he or she is altering their story as
you comment on the obvious problems, don’t even bother buying the bike.
At the end of the day, use your commonsense. You should not be expected
to pay extraordinary just because the owner believes his 125 motorcycles are
special, and the owner should not be required to give you a really good cheap
deal just because you want one.
Above all, if you full in love with this bike and do decide to buy the
125 motorcycles, have it looked at by a professional. You did a good job
inspecting the 125 motorcycles, but you might have overlooked something
important.
One last thing before buying your new 125 motorcycle
Remember that for all the great 125 motorcycles out there, there is
always another bike just as good. If the price is too high or you do not like
something about the 125 motorcycles or the vender, do not compromise. Do not
buy the bike. Be patient. When you do find the right 125 motorcycles and
you have taken the time to inspect the 125 motorcycle thoroughly, you then know
your money has been very well spent and your new 125 motorcycles and yourself
is safe.
If you do have any questions, or if there is anything you think I might be able
to help you with, then please do send me an email and I will do my best to
answer anything I can to help you.