Do you know how to buy a bike in a smart way?
by Pooja Late so cutWith summer finally upon us, it’s hard not look
wistfully from the inside of a car and long for the wind on your face—barreling
down country roads, freed from the tethers of smartphones and chatty
passengers. For a lot of folks, this time of year is when they finally take the
plunge, shirk that four-wheeled cage, and buy a motorcycle. Bikes are simple: two wheels, a motor, and miles and
miles of outlaw-style freedom. But, as with everything in life, that simplicity
comes with a price.
Evaluate the
Seller
In general, it’s a safer bet to purchase from a
licensed dealer or established site such as ebay or CycleTrader than an
individual. These retailers have policies in place to help you if the product
doesn’t meet your standards and provide some recourse if there is a dispute on
the purchase. If you are shopping on ebay be sure to check the feedback from
other customers on the seller’s page. Look for a high volume of sales with at
least 90 percent positive comments.
Motorcycle
packaging services
If your ideal bike is only being sold by owner there
are still measures you can take to protect yourself from fraud in the purchase
process.
Evaluate the Item
The best way to make a smart motorcycle purchase remotely is thoroughly educating yourself on the model. The more you know about the bike the easier it is to ask the right questions and spot any potential issues. Pictures are your best tools for evaluation so don’t hesitate to ask the seller for additional shots or close-ups of particular parts. Once you get serious about a bike look up the VIN with an online service such as cyclevin.com or cyclechex.com to check the vehicle’s history. Another way to be more confident in purchasing from an individual is to use an inspection service such as InspectMyRide to examine the bike in person and provide an independent evaluation.
Payment
A direct bank to bank transfer is the fastest and most
secure way to make a large out-of-state purchase. An escrow service is also
very safe, but many sellers will not use them because of the delay in payment
and the high rates of escrow fraud. A cashier’s check is also a secure option,
but expect the purchase and paperwork process to take longer because the seller
will have to wait for the check to clear. If you are financing your purchase be
sure to discuss the fact that it is an out-of-state vehicle purchase with the
lender.
Motorcycle
Shipping
When you’ve finally found the perfect bike, inspected
it thoroughly and provided payment, the last thing you want is to have it
damaged in the shipping process. Discuss the shipping options and methods
extensively with the seller to ensure the vehicle arrives safely. The two most
common motorcycle shipping tactics
are direct hauls and crating. A direct haul is when a company picks up the bike
and drives it directly to your location, while crating involves packing the
bike securely and using less than Truck Load shipping to deliver the vehicle. Look
at our post on motorcycle shipping to get more details and tips on how to get
your ride across the country without a scratch.
When online shopping for a motorcycle always keep in mind that you get what you pay for. If a
bike seems like too good of a deal to be true, it’s probably isn’t. Don’t let a
vision of your dream bike override your common sense
Author’s Bio
Harrison Lawson in this piece looks at how to buy a
bike without stress. He spoke of the motorcycle
shipping, payment, and evaluating the item.
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Created on Mar 23rd 2018 02:32. Viewed 438 times.