Buying a used motorcycle can be difficult and tricky if you don’t what to look for. We’ll take you through the basics to get your prepared to find the perfect motorcycle for you.

Before you hit the road

There’s plenty of items to inspect on a motorcycle before you even turn it on and hop on for a test ride. Before you even get on the motorcycle, look for any dents, rust, cracks and any other damage. Make sure to take an even closer look at the frame for cracks or welding issues near joints or high stress areas. Any damage in the frame could affect the integrity of the motorcycle can could lead to safety issues when riding. Some common places to look for damage are near any welded joints, the steering head (where the front forks attach), the swingarm pivot area, under the gas tank and seat as well as the foot peg and mount areas. While you are around those areas, look for any oil or fluid leaks and any excessive wear on the chain and sprockets.

After turning on the bike, make sure the battery holds a charge and that all the lights, whether that be brake lights, headlights or turn signals, are functional and work as intended. Also check the dashboard indicator lights to ensure there aren’t any obvious major problems.

Test driving the motorcycle

After inspecting the exterior of the motorcycle, it’s time to test the bike itself. Start the engine of the motorcycle cold and make sure it starts quickly and smoothly. Leave the engine running and listen for any clicking, knocking or grinding noises. Ideally, the engine should idle smoothly and the smoke coming out of the exhaust should have no colour. If the smoke coming out of the exhaust is white, black or blue, there could be problem with the engine or fuselage.

Once you have determined to the best of your abilities that there are no significant problems with the bike, it is time to get on the road and test it! While on a test ride, ensure the handlebars move left and right smoothly without any clicking. Test the brakes, gear shift, and acceleration of the bike. Also test the motorcycle at different speeds and on different types of road conditions. While on the road, ensure all the gauges such as the speedometer and odometer function as intended. If the bike vibrates excessively or if the engine temperature gets too hot, raise these concerns with the owner. If applicable, inspect any electronics such as Bluetooth or navigation. Finally, don’t forget to test out the horn!

If you can’t remember this everything in this article, don’t worry! We have a convenient checklist for you to take with you when purchasing a used motorcycle.

If you are looking for insurance after your purchase of a used motorcycle, visit a BCAA Service Location or speak to a professional insurance advisor about BCAA Motorcycle Insurance to make sure you have the right coverage and can enjoy the open road.

BCAA Auto Marketplace

We understand that shopping for a used vehicle can be a bit overwhelming so that’s why we created BCAA Auto Marketplace, British Columbian’s trusted place to buy and sell your vehicle.

BCAA Auto Marketplace was designed to make the used vehicle buying and selling process easier. Built on a trusted community of verified users, BCAA Members, and access to vehicle details and reports so you can navigate the used vehicle market with confidence to find your perfect vehicle match.

• Buy or Sell for Free: No cost for listing or selling on BCAA Auto Marketplace
• Simple and Straight Forward: Transparent pricing identifying vehicles by “great price”
• Verified Members: Buy and sell from verified users and BCAA Members
• Customer Support: Access to resources and a dedicated BCAA Auto Marketplace customer support team

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