How to Buy a Motorcycle

introduction

If you have decided to take the plunge, then make sure to check every detail before buying your motorcycle. Buying motorcycle is a daunting task whether it’s new or used. Current market offers plethora of options for buyers under both new and used motorcycle category.

It’s really important to the buyer to scrutinize every detail to avoid unpleasant surprises while buying a used bike. If you are ready to be on the roads, we too are ready to help you out in making an informed decision rather than an ignorant one.

Here are some tips and advice to consider before buying a motorcycle:

Buying a motorcycle is stressful and each step matters a lot. Make these critical decisions before you decide to buy

• Type of motorcycle - Depending on your needs and preferences, you need to choose what kind of motorbike you want to buy. Motorcycles are available in various shapes and sizes; consider your personal needs before choosing one.
• Engine capacity: Carefully choose the engine capacity as per requirements. The higher engine capacity will give higher power but will result in lower fuel efficiency. An engine with low capacity might provide low power but will of high fuel efficiency.

New Vs Used Motorcycles

Today market has a lot of options under used and new motorcycles when you think of buying one. But, it’s obviously a tough area to provide a precise advice. Both new and used motorbikes are associated with various tradeoffs, and as such there’s no right choice. It completely depends on individual’s personal preferences. Here are a few points to consider:

price:

Used bikes are much affordable than new ones. It may also come with some extra gear. And obviously the performance would have been depreciating since the moment it is ridden.

condition:

Whatever it be, a used motorbike is actually used by someone and its condition needs to be scrutinized properly. Buying a used bike comes with a lot of risks and unknowns. There can also be some hidden costs on maintenance with it. You need to check the service records to determine condition of various parts like brakes, tyers, chain, or more. You can even take up the inspection service to assure the vehicle you are buying is a great deal.

documents

New motorcycle comes with all registration papers, company warranty, insurance and more. But in case of used bike make sure to check all the original documents like registration certificate and details of all previous owners (if any). Also find entire service records, accidental history (if any), insurance coverage papers, and more.

trusted seller

Most important of all is trusted seller. You will find hundreds of listings for used motorbikes on number of online classifieds, but getting a trusted one is like finding a needle in the haystack. Buyer’s can trust droom.in to buy a used motorcycle, as they get only verified sellers, transparent transactions, authentic listing, buyer protection and unbeatable customer support.

Top 5 Pitfalls to Avoid

A used motorcycle comes with a lot of risks and question marks. While you are buying a used one avoid the common pitfalls to end up signing a great deal.

1. Clocking - Clocking is the reduction in the mileage of a vehicle to increase its potential selling price. It is the most common way of selling a vehicle at a price higher than the fair price.
2. Improper Vehicle Inspection - Take help from a trustworthy mechanic and get the vehicle inspected. This will minimize chances of any unpleasant surprises after the purchase. Don't inspect the vehicle in the rain, in poor light or at night. You can even contact with vehicle inspection service provider to get a verified document regarding the condition of the motorcycle you have thought to purchase.
3. Misleading Disclosures by the Seller - Seller may omit certain facts that are material and can change buyer’s view or buying decision about the vehicle, such as accident, usage of vehicle etc.
4. Vehicle Cloning - Sometimes one vehicle is given the identity of another by replacing the number plates with those from an almost identical vehicle - same make, model and colour.
5. 'Cut–and–shut' - When the remains of two or more vehicles, which have usually been accident–damaged and written off by insurers, are welded together, then illegally given the identity of one of the wrecks.

cheat sheet

Types of Bikes

Motorcycle is a huge market. With advent of technology market has seen a tremendous growth and there’s wide – range of bikes available in Malaysia. Below are types of bikes –

Standard/Commuter - Versatile and general purpose street motorcycles, Standard bikes are also called naked bikes or roadsters. They are recognized primarily by their upright riding position, partway between the reclining posture of the cruisers and the forward leaning sport bikes. Foot pegs are below the rider and handlebars are high enough to not force the rider to reach far forward, placing the shoulders above the hips in a natural position. For example - Passion, Splendor, XCD, Pulsar

Sports Bike - Get a sports bike for experience the speed. Sport bikes apt for sports people only. These bikes emphasize speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles. Because of this, there are certain design elements that most motorcycles of this type will share. Sport bikes have comparatively high performance engines resting inside a lightweight frame. For example - Ninja, RC8, R1

Dual-Sport/ Transroader - Dual-sports, sometimes called Dual-Purpose or on/off-road motorcycles, are street legal machines that are also designed to enter off-road situations. Typically based on a dirt bike chassis, they have added lights, mirrors, signals, and instruments that allow them to be licensed for public roads. They are higher than other street bikes, with a high centre of gravity and tall seat height, allowing good suspension travel for rough ground. For example - BMW R 1200

Cruiser - Cruisers are styled after American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s, such as those made by Harley-Davidson, Indian, and Excelsior-Henderson. Harley-Davidsons largely define the cruiser category, and large-displacement V-twin engines are the norm, although other engine configurations and small to medium displacements also exist. Their engines are tuned for low-end torque, making them less demanding to ride because it is not necessary to shift as frequently to accelerate or maintain control. Cruisers are sometimes called "custom" even in the absence of aftermarket modifications. For example - HD Super low, Avenger

Off-Road - Especially designed for off-road events, there are various types of off-road motorcycles, also known as dirt bikes. Compared to road-going motorcycles, off-road machines are simpler and lighter, having long suspension travel, high ground clearance, and rugged construction with little bodywork and no fairings for less damage in spills. Wheels (usually 21" front, 18" rear) have knobby tires, often clamped to the rim with a rim lock. For example - Hero Impulse

Cafe Racer - The term cafe racer developed among British motorcycle enthusiasts of the early 1960s, specifically the Rocker (or ton-up boy) subculture. The term describes a style of motorcycle for quick rides from one "transport cafe or coffee bar to another. Cafe Racers were also common in Italy, France and other European countries. For example - Splendor Classic, GT continental

Touring - Although any motorcycle can be equipped and used for touring, touring motorcycles are specifically designed to excel at covering long distances. They have large-displacement engines, fairings and screens that offer good weather and wind protection, large-capacity fuel tanks for long ranges between fill-ups, and a relaxed, upright seating position. Passenger accommodation is excellent and expansive luggage space is the norm for this class. Such bikes can have wet weights of 850–900 lb (390–410 kg) and top 1,300–1,400 lb (590–640 kg) fully loaded with a rider, passenger, and gear. For example - Honda Gold Wing

important faqs

Read to find out answers for some of the most commonly asked questions in process of buying motorbike.

who provides it?

If you are looking forward to buy a new or used motorcycle there are multiple ways to choose from. Both online and offline there are different vendors who can help you get your dream motorcycle. Here we go with them:

Classifieds: Online space is overcrowded with classified websites offering listings for used bikes. You can ransack these various online portals to get a motorcycle that fits your requirements.

Marketplace: You can go to Droom.my, to get your dream vehicle. Get enormous listings of used and new motorcycles along with cars, bicycles, and scooters. Droom is the first online transactional platform providing sellers and buyers with a plenty of other benefits.

Dealer: Contact a dealer online or visit him personally to buy a used motorcycle.

Individual Seller: You can find an individual seller and contact him to crack the used motorcycle deal.

Authorized Showroom: Visit an authorized showroom to buy a new branded motorcycle. Different makers have their own dedicated showrooms that offer wide selection of latest models of motorcycles.

how can i get it?

You can opt for any of the above mentioned options to buy a used or new motorcycle. But it is always better to get it with some additional benefits. Companies like droom offers some hot coupons, buyer protection, genuine listing, safe platform, more options, and so on as extra benefits.

Things to remember before getting one

Before choosing a vehicle make sure to keep in mind the below mentioned points especially when it’s about a used motorcycle.

1. Seller Verification: The seller’s credibility should be well-established. If required ask for professional references from the seller.
2. Dealer Reviews: Get reviews of a dealer from previous customers or try finding them online if possible. This will help knowing the trustworthiness of the dealer in long run. At droom.in you can find seller reviews and authentication.
3. Registration Documents: All original documents like RC, insurance papers, service records and more must be available for viewing and verification.
4. Diagnostic Report: You for vehicle inspection to a professional diagnostic report about condition and health of the vehicle.