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You have spent weeks looking for the right used motorcycle for you. You've scoured the Internet, printed off Car and Motorcycle Consumer Reports, visited your local motorcycle shops to read motorcycle magazines, and watched YouTube video reviews of motorcycles. You may have even reached out to friends that are motorcyclists or even part owners of a motorcycle shop. But now you've got dozens of used motorcycles in front of you. How do you whittle down the list to find the right one? The following tips will help narrow down your list and put you one step closer to finding that used motorcycle that is the perfect fit for you! Valley Cycle Center is a motorcycle dealer that gives you peace of mind with a motorcycle purchase.

Do Your Homework

Before looking at bikes online or in person, make sure you have a good idea of what kind of bike you want. That way, when it comes time to test-ride different models, you’ll know if they fit your needs or not.

Review All Paperwork

Once you find the perfect bike for your needs and budget, it’s important to thoroughly review all paperwork associated with the sale before going through with it. This includes everything from registration and title transfers to service records and warranties — anything that may affect your decision-making process moving forward should be considered carefully during this process phase.

Look For Crash Clues

The first thing I do when inspecting a used bike is look for crash clues. Are there any dents or scrapes? Do they match up with marks in the paint? Have parts been replaced? If so, why? These are all good questions to ask, and knowing the answers is important before you commit to buying.

Check the Chain and Sprocket

If possible, check out how clean and well-oiled everything is underneath the motorcycle — especially things like chains and sprockets, which will tell you how regularly its last owner maintained it. A well-maintained motorcycle will have clean oil spots around these areas, while one that was neglected may have dark spots or even rust on them.

Inspect the Tires

The tires are one of the most important parts of any vehicle, and it's important to check them before buying. Bad tires can make or break a ride, so make sure they're in good shape and have plenty of treads left on them.

Check the Brakes

Another important safety feature to inspect is your brakes. If they're squeaking or grinding when applied, that could mean they need adjustment or replacement. If they don't work well at all, it could be an indicator of larger problems with your bike's engine or electrical system that you don't want to deal with later on down the road.

Look For Leaks

Before buying the bike, a mechanic should check out anything that looks like it might be leaking. This includes oil leaks, coolant leaks, and more serious issues such as brake fluid leaks or other potential problems that could cost you more money in repairs down the line than you paid for the bike itself!

Spot Check Fuel and Fluids

Always check the fuel and fluids before buying a used motorcycle. If possible, ask someone else to do it for you as well. Ensure there is enough fuel in the tank and it looks clean. Check all fluids, too, especially brake fluid and oil levels.

Test Ride

Once you've checked the bike's condition, take it for a test ride! Take your time and allow yourself some time to get comfortable with the bike's controls and riding position before taking off on any highway or interstate road. Practice braking and turning signals on residential roads first so that you know what to expect from this particular machine before taking it out on public streets or highways where traffic or other hazards may exist.

Narrow Down Your List

Before setting out to buy a used bike, make sure you have a list of criteria. This will help narrow down your search when you're looking at bikes, and it'll also help you determine whether or not a particular model is worth considering. 

Set a Budget

One of the first things you should do when looking for a used motorcycle is set a budget. This will help narrow down your options and make finding something within your price range easier. If you don’t have much money to spend, you may need to look at older models or bikes with lower mileage. However, if you have a decent amount of cash to work with, newer models with higher mileage shouldn’t be out of reach.

Dealers Allow Peace of Mind

If you're buying from a private seller, there's no guarantee that the motorcycle has been well cared for or properly maintained over the years — especially if it was bought at auction or from a dealership that sells used bikes. That's where dealers come in handy: They offer peace of mind by testing and inspecting all vehicles before putting them up for sale. It's also worth noting that many dealerships offer financing options and extended warranties (which typically cost extra), which makes buying from them even more attractive than buying privately.

Valley Cycle Center

These tips will prove useful to all bikers looking to purchase a used motorcycle. They're easy tips to follow, and if you take care while following them, you'll learn a great deal about the bike or bikes that you're considering and ultimately make a better decision on which one(s) to buy. We can help you find Kawasaki motorcycles for sale in Winchester, Virginia. Valley Cycle Center is your go-to Winchester Powersports center, and we are also premier ATV dealers in Winchester, VA.