Used Motorcycle Inspection Guide

Before you purchase a used motorcycle, it’s important to inspect it first. An inspection is the best way to catch potential maintenance issues before you buy. If you’ve never inspected a used motorcycle before and want some helpful advice about what to do, check out this guide from the experts at Riding High Harley-Davidson®.

Outer Appearance

Start your inspection by examining the used motorcycle’s exterior. Minor dings and scratches can usually be painted over, so they aren’t a huge cause for concern in and of themselves. However, too many scratches may indicate that the motorcycle has taken a lot of hard falls. Another thing to look out for is misaligned wheels. If a used motorcycle has misaligned wheels, that usually means that it has been in at least one crash. 

Internal Components

Looking at a used motorycle’s exterior can only tell you so much. If you want to really know what kind of condition the used motorcycle is in, take a look inside. Check the nuts, bolts, valves, brakes, rotors, drain plugs, injectors, carburetors, tires, chains, and throttle bodies. If the used motorcycle’s internal components are in poor condition or otherwise misaligned, that can indicate a lack of proper maintenance.  

Basic Systems

Another thing that you’ll need to carefully inspect is the used motorcycle’s key systems. This includes the fuel system, cooling system, and electrical system. If any of these systems start to fail, then the used motorcycle will start to fail as well. Make sure that the fuel in the fuel tank is free of metal flakes and discoloration. Check the coolant for contamination as well. You should also check out the used motorcycle’s air filter and spark plug. Sure, these components are relatively easy to replace, but if they’re in poor condition, that’s a sign the previous owners did not take proper care of the used motorcycle. 

Shop used motorcycles at Riding High Harley-Davidson®. We’re proud to serve communities like Greensboro and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. We also offer parts, service, financing, riding gear, and trade-ins. We hope you’ll visit us online or at our dealership in High Point, North Carolina!