| When buying a used dirt bike there are | | | | Check for leaks on the forks, these |
| many things which you must look out for. | | | | could be indicators that the forks are |
| Firstly, find out where the bike is | | | | on their way out which means money will |
| coming from. Many competition bikes are | | | | need to be spent on them. |
| never registered so therefore proving | | | | Head bearings - check the handlebars |
| somebody is the owner can often be | | | | move smoothly and the wheel has no play |
| difficult. Ideally the current owner | | | | when off the floor. These are indicators |
| will have receipts for the bike but this | | | | that head bearings could have had it. |
| is unlikely if you are purchasing an | | | | Rear swing arm - Check for movement in |
| older bike. | | | | the back wheel, if it can be moved |
| Ask questions about the bike, see if the | | | | around and is loose, then this is an |
| person selling it to you knows anything | | | | indicator that it may need new bearings |
| about it or whether he is just trying to | | | | or a problem with the swing arm. |
| shift a stolen bike. If you are sure | | | | Rear shocks - push down on the back of |
| that the bike you are buying is not | | | | the bike, if it does not come back up in |
| stolen then give the bike a good check | | | | a smooth and controlled manner then the |
| over. | | | | bike has lost its dampening properties. |
| Off road bikes obviously have to | | | | Also check the condition of the shocks, |
| withstand a lot of hard use, whether | | | | you can tell if they look healthy or not |
| they've been taken off huge jumps or | | | | by taking a good look. If they are not |
| ridden aggressively off road they are | | | | looking too good then you may have to |
| bound to have some wear and tear. There | | | | shell out on new shocks, which can cost |
| are many checks you can do to the bike | | | | between £200-£400 depending on the |
| in order to make sure you are buying a | | | | type of shock you have. (Twin shocks are |
| dream bike rather than a costly trip to | | | | usually cheaper and you may find one at |
| the garage. | | | | around £80. |
| Obviously check the overall condition of | | | | Engine - Obviously the engine must be |
| the bike. What are the panels like? If | | | | checked, make sure you test ride the |
| they are cracked or marked badly then | | | | bike to see if you think it is running |
| this could show signs of misuse. Check | | | | well. Also make sure you get to try to |
| what oil the bike has been run on, if it | | | | start the bike, often signs of a tired |
| is the cheaper oil then it is likely | | | | bike are shown when starting. Also go |
| that the person you are buying the bike | | | | through the gears and make sure the bike |
| off doesn't care about the bike, or | | | | has a maintained engine rev to ensure |
| doesn't have a clue about them. Try to | | | | the clutch is not slipping. |
| get as much information as you can about | | | | Exhaust - These are important, |
| the current owner as this could give you | | | | especially for two stroke bikes, check |
| a great insight as to how the bike has | | | | there are no dents or holes in them as |
| been treated and whether it is likely to | | | | this will greatly affect the bikes ride |
| continue running. | | | | and performance. |
| There are also a few other checks to | | | | Any other stuff such as paperwork if the |
| perform before you jump into buying a | | | | bike is registered. In the UK if the |
| used dirt bike. Check the main wear and | | | | bike is registered then you will need a |
| tear spots. These are: | | | | V5 (registration document), and also an |
| Forks - Check the movement of the front | | | | MOT certificate if the bike is to be |
| forks. Push them up and down to see if | | | | ridden on the road. |
| they move smoothly and do not jerk. | | | | |