Two wheelers are major mode of daily transportation after public vehicles in Nepal. It is easy and convenient on the narrow roads of major cities. Almost every boy in Nepal have a dream bike to buy in his bucket list. Motorcycle industry is a big one with a lots of competition and demand in the Nepali market.
After you get your driving license, now you start looking for a new bike/scooter. But you can benefit from buying a used second hand bike /scooter too. Second hand bikes are cheaper than the new one. If you get a bike in great condition with very less distance run, I could be jackpot for you. It is also recommended to begin from a used bike. Beginning from a new bike/scooter could be expensive as being a new rider we have little knowledge and experience riding a two wheeler. So we may harm ourselves and the bike parts too. So to buy a second hand used bike/scooter, we have listed some things to check before buying one.
1. Look for Scratches and panel gaps
When you first go to look for any two wheeler, firstly look for any scratches or panel gaps in the body. Big scratches indicates that the bike have fallen before or got into an accident. But minor scratches can be ignored as it could occur through tools or from parking area. Do not hesitate to ask the owner about any type of scratches in the body.
If you find any panel gaps in the body, it’s possible that the parts was changed. Getting into an accident is a major reason to change any body parts and a panel gap. Ask the owner about the panel gaps and make sure the changed parts are genuine one.
2. Check the smoke coming from the exhaust pipe
Ask the owner to rev the bike to its full for a few seconds or do it yourself. While you are giving the throttle, check out the exhaust pipe. If the smoke is normal or not visible the engine is fine. If the smoke is white there could be some minor problem to the engine which may not be a big deal. Better have an engine checkup but if the smoke is white only on the top rpm or only sometimes, then you can consider this normal. If the smoking coming out form the exhaust pipe is black then there are may be some problem to the engine and a checkup is necessary before you take the bike.
3. Engine sound
Check the sound of the engine while it’s in idle state and also with a little rev. Look for any abnormal sound. In order to have a better idea on the sound, you can first check the sound of a new bike in a showroom. The sound will vary from a new bike to an old one. But you won’t find much of a difference in sound of a new bike to well maintained one. You would easily recognize any abnormal sound.
4. Check for oil leaks
Look for any oil leaks in the engine. Do not hesitate to touch and check the engine for any leaks. If there are any leaks, it’s better to forget about the bike. You may confuse yourself chain lube with engine oil on the left side of the engine near the gear shifter. The chain lube get collected on the cover of the front sprocket. This is the reason you may confuse engine oil with chain lube.
5. Check the tires and breaks
Check the threads on the tires. It shows the age of the tire. Deep thread tire will long last. Check for any leaks in the tore. The roughness and the wear and tear in the tire indicates ow the bile was ridden. Minor or major bends in the alloy wheels could be expensive in the future.
Check the brakes if it’s properly working or not. Check the level of the brake fluid and the brake pads if it got a disc brake. Tires and brakes are not really a deal breaker. It’s only to check how well the bike is maintained and ridden. This checking may create room to lower the price if the condition of tire and brakes are not up to the mark.
6. Check the suspensions
Check for oil leaks in the front suspension. You can specifically look in the seal area for any leaks. Rear monoshock are more vulnerable. Check the compression and stiffness of the suspension. Damaged monoshock are easily and highly compressed.
7. Check the electronics
All the necessary lights in the motorcycle should be in a proper working condition. Check if all the information on the speedometer/instrument cluster is being shown properly. Headlight visibility should be in an acceptable condition. Switches should be in a proper condition.
8. Have a Test ride
Test ride the motorcycle. You will know the motorcycle better riding than just checking it idle. While riding, test the handling, brakes and smoothness of the engine if it’s up to the owner’s saying. You will have a better idea on these important things riding at least 2-3 kms of distance.
9. Check all the documents
After all the checkups on the motorcycle is completed, it’s time for the paper works. Go through the billbook/ bluebook/owner’s book thoroughly. Tax clearance should be up to date and there are proper identity proof of both the motorcycle and the owner.
Try to find things which would help you lower the price even more than you already negotiated. Scratches on the bike, servicing time is near, engine oil top up is needed, tax not cleared and other small things which are not a deal breaker are the points you can keep to lower the price. At last, buy the motorcycle you like and is in good condition with very low maintenance. Before buying one, understand the market first and get the best deal for you at the end.
