If you’re a first-time buyer of a motorcycle, you may not know the first thing to do.  There are so many things that go into buying a used motorcycle that you’ll surely run into a problem if you don’t learn what to do before you go.  The first thing to always remember when looking a motorcycle is having it inspected.  Most dealers will pay for an inspection, but if they won’t, you can usually take it where you want for less than $20.  Most automotive maintenance shops have great deals for inspections of used motorcycles.  Once you have had an inspection, you can be sure that you’re getting a safe ride that won’t end up breaking down on you 3 months down the road.

Motorcycles require a separate license to operate.  While you can make a purchase on a motorcycle without a license, you have to have one to ride it on the road.  If you’re someone without a license, however, you’ll probably want to get one before you buy.  Each motorcycle rides a little bit differently and you don’t want to end up buying one that you hate to take around the city.

Next, assess why you’re getting your motorcycle.  Is it just for fun?  Are you using it for alternative form of transportation?  What are you going to drive when it’s raining or snowing?  Are you going to be commuting to work on your motorcycle?  All these questions play an important role in the decision of what used motorcycle you should buy.  You should have a rough idea of what you want before you even consider going to a local dealer.  Also, you should have a price range in mind–know how little you want to pay as well as what your maximum price is.  When working with the dealer, always start extremely low and work up from there.

Buying from an auction, individual, or dealer is completely your decision.  While dealers make the process much more smooth and provide all the necessary paperwork including registration, private sellers or individuals often are much slower and don’t always know what they’re doing either.  If you’re new to buying a motorcycle, I highly recommend buying from a dealer.  Once you’ve got wet behind your ears and want to buy a new bike a few years down the road, should you look at the alternative sellers.

If, in the end, you do decide to go with a private seller for your motorcycle, you should remember the basics.  Before you make any transactions, you should have the seller accompany you to an auto shop to have the motorcycle inspected.  Always make sure you have an inspection!  While the seller may offer to pay for an inspection, don’t be surprised if you have to pay the fee (and remember, it’s worth it).

Finally, wherever you choose to buy your motorcycle, make sure to bring a checklist of everything you want in a motorcycle.  Plus a checklist of everything you should check on the body of the bike for damage (and to potentially help lower the offered price).  Bring a friend along to help you make a decision plus help prevent high pressure selling situations.  When looking at the bike, as yourself these questions:

• Does it look clean?
• Has it ever been in an accident?  When was the accident and what happened to the bike damage wise?
• Are their any weird bends, warping, or scrapes on the handle bars, exhaust, or levers?  If there are short, shallow and non-parallel scratches on the body of the bike it could indicate it was tipped over before.
• Are there safety-wire holes in the mounting bolts and exhaust bolts?  If so, this could indicate the motorcycle was used for racing.
• Does this bike do everything I want?

Never go to a dealer without an idea of what you want.  Check out motorcycle guides and consumer reports for an idea of what the best motorcycle models will be.  Once you’ve decided on a particular model, familiarize yourself with its typical flaws and wear and tear issues.  When you’re at the dealer, you can check for wear and tear and the other flaws.

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Buying a used motorcycle can be a very confusing process.  Without going in with a bit of knowledge, you can come out stressed, angry, and potentially ripped off.  But, with this article, we can give you all you need to know to successfully get yourself a used motorcycle and get a great deal on the financing.

The first question you should ask yourself when getting a motorcycle is where you want to buy it from.  There are a few places that you can get used motorcycles.  While the popular choice is from dealers, you can also get them from individuals, or even from online auctions.  Each place has its own pros and cons and so they need to be factored into your decision.  The place you should to buy your used motorcycle will ultimately affect your motorcycle financing and where you will want to get it.

Buying a Used Motorcycle from an Auction

If you want to buy from an auction, you’ll be best off with having the money you need up front.  Unlike other places you can get your motorcycle, it’s not a simple process of winning the auction and then getting the loan.  So, if you want to go with an auction for the used motorcycle you have your eyes on, you should have financing you want already squared away.  Decide on how much you want to pay for your bike, and then go to a financial institution to acquire the money.

There are multiple places that will loan you the money you need.  Used motorcycle loans aren’t uncommon and many lenders accommodate people like you.  The best place to start when looking for a loan is from an online lender.  Basically, when approved from an online lender, you’ll get a check sent to you through the mail.  When it arrives, you use it for your auction purchase.

If you don’t want to get your loan online, you can go to your local bank or credit union.  Typically offered as a personal loan, the idea is still the same and will get you the money you need for the auction.

Purchasing from an Individual

Buying your used motorcycle from an individual person will be almost exactly the same as buying from an auction.  Individuals don’t offer any financing options and so you have to go with a check in hand to make the deal.  When you find the motorcycle you like, arrange the purchase price with the individual.  Once you’ve decided on how much you’re paying, go to an online lender or local credit union for financing.  Most banks will send you a cashier’s check to paying for the bike.  Be sure to check with who you’re buying the motorcycle from to make sure the method of payment meets their needs.

Buying a Used Motorcycle from a Dealer

Dealers are the most flexible when it comes to getting financing for your motorcycle purchase.  Unlike auctions or buying for individuals, you can get financing for your bike right there on the spot.  You’re also still able to work with online lenders if you prefer to skip out on a loan from the dealer.  Typically financing online has the most competitive rates.  Approval from an internet dealer is fast and in most cases, you’ll have the money you need with a day to get your purchase finished.

To finish, getting financing for a used motorcycle is a fast and easy process.  With the three main methods of obtaining a motorcycle (auctions, individuals, and local dealers), you can find the bike you want from the source you want.  In all three cases, the easiest place for obtaining a used motorcycle loan is online.  Online lenders tend to have the best rates and are very quick for approval.  But if you don’t want to get a loan online, you can easily get a loan from a credit union or bank.