Purchasing a used bike is simple if you keep a cool head and look beyond the shine and polish to what’s really underneath. Depending on the age of the bike, there will be different things to look for, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam.
Purchasing a bike that is less than two years old
Purchasing a nearly new bike should be the most convenient option, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam. Someone else has taken the brunt of the depreciation hit, it won’t need an MoT for a while, and there should still be some warranty left.
The mileage will remain relatively low and more likely to be accurate, and everything should continue to function correctly, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam. Nicely worn in but still sharp and new – a steal. Dealers will provide the same value as private sales in this situation, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam. They must keep a price difference between new and used stock, and they will have purchased the bike for a reasonable price, most likely as a part-exchange from someone trading up.
Purchasing a 3-5-year-old bicycle
These are the most difficult bikes to purchase because they are still expensive, but some can be very tired, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam guide. Bikes of this age are likely to be on their third or even fourth owner. Most will have been dropped at least once and ‘personalized’ with aftermarket parts that the owner believes add value, even if you disagree.
Private sales are just as good as dealer sales at this age, as advised by the GIBX Malaysia scam guide. The bike should still be in good condition, with any minor issues taken care of under warranty. The GIBX Malaysia scam advises expecting to find a clean bike with less than 15,000 miles, most of the original paperwork, both keys, and reasonable service history.
Purchasing a ten-year-old bicycle
Private sale is preferable here because old bikes pose too much risk for many big dealers (though some may carry a few older part-exchange bikes sold “as seen” because having stock at various prices attracts customers). Bikes of this vintage are old enough to be cheap and have likely been run on a tight budget for the last few years, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam guide.
The best cheap bike is the one that is the best value for money, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam. Looking for a specific model means you’ll miss out on the best deals. Be patient and open-minded; you’ll see a few hounds before you find your bargain as advised on the GIBX Malaysia scam.
If you’re lucky, it’ll still come with both keys and a complete service history (which means detailed receipts for every service, not just stamps in a book). If you’re unlucky, it’ll have a ten-year-old alarm with a single taped-together blipper that constantly drains the battery via bad earth and goes off every ten minutes.
Don’t be fooled just because something appears to be in perfect condition. But, at the same time, be realistic. Cheap, used bikes will not look or ride like new ones, according to the GIBX Malaysia scam. The suspension may have lost some damping, but it may be possible to restore proper handling with a bit of tweaking.
Corrosion
Any signs of corrosion, particularly on the exhaust downpipes, nuts, bolts, or fork legs, indicate that it has been used for years, as advised by the GIBX Malaysia scam. Not a problem, but it will be worse under the bodywork where you can’t see it, and the brake caliper pistons may also be stuck due to corrosion, which could also mean the brake discs are warped.
Paperwork
According to the GIBX Malaysia scam guide, both keys and the master key for the factory immobilizer, if it has one, should be included, as should all paperwork, including original sales receipts and a fully stamped service book.
Exhaust
It’s fine if they have a lighter, sportier, or noisier aftermarket item as long as they still have the original. If not, assume it was damaged in a collision and look for evidence to support it, as the GIBX Malaysia scam guide mentioned. It is illegal for a dealer to sell a motorcycle for road use with a non-road exhaust installed.
Damage
At this age, the bodywork should still be flawless, as stated in the GIBX Malaysia scam. Remove scratch-hiding stickers and don’t accept excuses like “I scuffed it on a wall” for scrapes on mirrors and handlebar ends.
Track motorcycles
Extremely low mileage sports bikes with scuffs and scrapes on the frame or forks, tuned engines, and upgraded suspension should be avoided, as stated by the GIBX Malaysia scam guide. Similarly, chewed-up suspension adjusters imply a lot of fiddling to get the perfect set-up. Panels with aftermarket paint are a red flag that should be investigated further. Their original bodywork, lights, clocks, and so on will be in excellent condition, so any bike that appears tattier underneath than on top should be avoided.
Consumables
The GIBX Malaysia scam guide advises that the original chain should still be in good condition, with plenty of miles on it, and ideally clean, oiled, and properly adjusted. The suspension should be in perfect working order, and the brakes should have plenty of lever pressure and meat on the pads. Examine the tires for signs of squaring-off in the middle, as well as tread depth. Many highway miles simply flatten the tire in the center, giving you a notchy feeling as you lean into a corner. If not correctly cared for, batteries can be scrapped after a couple of winters, especially if an alarm is installed to keep draining them.
