Do you love full-throttle adventure? The wind on your face as you gun it through the hills? Then chances are you just love getting out on the open road on the back of a hog. Or maybe even a speedy scooter!

But any avid biker knows that biking a motorbike can take a good amount of preliminary research and planning. If you're on a limited budget, you may even need to make a few concessions and are figuring out where you can afford to spend and where you're better off skimping (vanity plates, we're looking at you!).

If you are on a limited budget, then buying secondhand motorcycles can be a great way to build up a collection and have some choice about what to ride to work or on the weekend. But how do you avoid getting stung when shopping for secondhand bikes? This helpful article will share some top questions you should ask yourself when looking for a good secondhand bike deal, so read on.

Does It Have A Roadworthy (RWC) Certificate?

If you have to choose between spending a little extra for a bike with a roadworthy and spending less for a bike without, always choose the former. It's always worth getting a roadworthy certificate from the seller when considering buying a secondhand motorcycle.

If you're not in the know, a roadworthy certificate is an official document issued by the state road department (like VicRoads) that certifies that the bike meets the minimum standards deemed to be roadworthy. A licensed and qualified mechanic will check over the bike and ensure that it is mechanically sound and that the tyres, lights, brakes and all other devices are in good working order.

In most cases, a vehicle's roadworthy certificate is valid as long as a vehicle is registered with the state transport department, so an RWC isn't necessarily indicative of a vehicle being in a good working condition. But if you purchase a motorbike that requires RWC and pay for it out of your own pocket, there's no telling what issues may be discovered by your mechanic. Simply put, buying a bike with a roadworthy certificate means that its previous owner kept it registered, and they're more likely to have kept it registered because it was in a good enough condition to operate.

Has The Bike Ever Been Written Off?

The next thing to check is if the motorcycle has been written off. This means that it was in an accident, and the current (or a previous) owner's insurance company assessed it as being beyond repair.

Even in some cases where a bike has been recorded as a write off, some people will still repair it and attempt to sell it. And whilst some of these repair projects may attain successful results, you don't want to gamble on your motorbike investment.

Thankfully, you can check whether a bike has even been recorded as a write off by using an online service where you input the chassis and engine numbers. Remember: even if it's a cheap deal, it's still not worth buying a written-off bike as there can be multiple issues. Put your money towards a decent bike that's in top condition and likely won't cost you tens of thousands of dollars in more repairs down the line.

How Many KMs Has It Recorded?

Another thing to check is the mileage recorded on any motorbikes you're looking to buy. This means how many KMs the bike has ridden. As a rule of thumb, the more mileage a motorcycle has, the more chance there is for mechanical issues to present. Granted, this isn't always a hard and fast rule, as a well-maintained bike can keep going for many years.

Typically, however, when shopping for a secondhand motorbike, you want one that is on the lower end of the mileage spectrum. You don't want to buy someone else's problem, do you? So be sure to read through the mileage recorded on all sales listings, and inquire with owners who don't have their bike mileage listed online.

Do You Have The Bike's Complete Service History?

Like buying any motor vehicle, it's always preferable to buy one with a full service history – this means the bike sale must come included with a stamped service log book that specifies the service requirements the mechanic must perform with every routine servicing appointment. A motorcycle that has an incomplete service history could hide severe mechanical issues that will be a pain in the butt and wallet to repair.

Don't take the seller's word for it either – lots of people will claim their mate looked after the bike, but you want to buy a secondhand model with a full, or close to full, service history.

Were Any Signs of Damage Recorded in the Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Even if it hasn't been written off, a motorcycle could have had a spill or a crash throughout its lifetime. So whenever you're looking to buy a bike secondhand, it's always recommended that you give the motorcycle a thorough inspection, looking for scratches, dents, scrapes and other cosmetic damage. It may have none, some or significant marks or damage. If the choice is between a scuffed-up bike and a pristine one – you can figure out the best option for yourself.

On a similar note, it's always wise to read up on motorcycle reviews for any models or makes that have caught your eye. Even if bikes don't show any signs of visible damage, there may be common faults experienced by riders of some makes over others. By reading reviews, you can help ensure that you know which makes and models you may want to stay away from.

How Did The Current Owner Use The Bike?

At the risk of making generalisations, it's safe to say that different motorbikes are ridden for different purposes. In Australia, we have a strong community of Motocross riders roaring up and down dusty slopes on Yamaha off-road bikes. But we also have Harley-Davidson fans who spend their weekends cruising casually down city streets. So what do you want to do with your secondhand bike? And more importantly – how does its current owner use it too?

Have a chat with the seller, and find out how the motorbike was used. Was it a commuter model used for getting around town or to and from work? Or was it thrashed on the track each weekend? A heavily used motorbike will require more servicing and maintenance, costing you more and will also be prone to more issues. Hopefully, the seller will be honest about this.

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This helpful article has shared a practical guide to buying secondhand motorcycles. Be sure to ask yourself (and the current owner) all of these questions prior to signing any contracts and grabbing the keys to your pre-loved motorbike! So long as you do your due diligence, you should be able to enjoy peace of mind and a smooth sale when you're scoping for your next ride.

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