Buying a new motorcycle can be prohibitively expensive for many riders. If a new bike will break the budget, buying used can be a great alternative, but only after doing plenty of homework on how to get a good deal instead of buying a lemon. Read on to find some helpful tips for how to evaluate pre-owned motorcycles.
1. Buy From a Respected Dealership
It’s common for riders to assume they’ll get a better deal buying a used bike from a private seller, but that’s rarely the case. Unless riders know exactly what to look for to ensure that a motorcycle is mechanically sound and its seller has followed maintenance and riding best practices, it’s never wise to buy from private parties. Checking out the pre-owned motorcycles for sale at a respected dealership may wind up requiring a slightly larger initial investment, but it can save a lot of money on repairs and help riders avoid getting burned.
2. Take Advantage of Motivated Sellers
Timing is everything when it comes to finding a good deal on a high-quality motorcycle. During the summer months, everyone wants to get out and ride, and many riders are looking to buy new or used bikes. That’s good news for dealerships and private sellers, but it’s bad news for buyers since the increase in demand often leads to higher prices.
Though most people buy bikes in the summer, the best time to get a great deal is in the winter. Save that money and wait until January or February when dealerships are changing over their inventory and selling older pre-owned bikes at steep discounts. Buyers who are willing to travel or purchase motorcycles sight-unseen can go one step further and call dealerships in areas that experience serious winter weather since the difference in prices between the summer and winter months may be greater.
3. Check Out Options Online
Buying local can be prohibitively expensive, depending on where riders live. In areas with lots of riders, market prices tend to be much higher. Heading online to check out options in other cities or states can make it easier to find a good deal. Since buying online can mean purchasing a used bike sight-unseen, it’s very important to restrict the search only to trustworthy dealerships with great reputations.
It’s worth noting here that buying a motorcycle from another state often requires paying shipping costs. Prices for motorcycle shipping range from $500 to $1,200, which can offset the savings associated with buying bikes in less competitive markets. When comparing prices, keep in mind that it will be much cheaper to have a bike shipped from across the state than across the country.
4. Ask a Mechanic
Bringing a mechanic along to check out a used bike for sale can make a huge difference when it comes to getting a great deal. A skilled motorcycle mechanic will know just what to look for both in terms of the bike’s current state and how its previous owner handled it in the past. If there are minor problems that will need to be fixed, buyers can use that information to negotiate better prices or simply move on to other bikes that won’t require immediate work.
Start the Search Now
Planning to buy a used motorcycle and get riding this spring? Start looking for a used bike now to allow adequate time to shop around. Since dealerships often start selling new inventory in the winter, they may also receive a higher volume of trade-ins, so check back often.
