Buying a brand-new motorcycle can cost a fortune, so many riders opt to purchase a used bike instead. This will save you a lot of money, but if the bike breaks down quickly, then it can cost you far more than expected. In short, you’ll have to inspect everything before you ride a used bike. Here are the most important parts to check.

Fluids and filters

Like a car, a motorcycle has plenty of fluids and you’ll need to check and likely replace all of it before you ride. That’s because a lot of those fluids can age, which will either damage your bike or hurt its performance. If you skimp on coolant fluids, for example, then your bike may overheat. This will cost you a lot more than if you just replaced the coolant fluids. 

Do some research on what your bike needs when it comes to fluid, too. Some bikes must be warmed up before changing its fluids. Your bike’s filters also have a similar importance, though some bikes may not need to replace its filters often. Do your research to ensure you know its needs.

Motorcycle brakes and tires

A used motorcycle will likely have worn brakes, and they could be at dangerous levels. RumbleOn suggests checking the brakes’ thickness before riding, otherwise it could spell trouble. A thickness of less than one-eighth of an inch means you need to replace the brake pads ASAP. 

Tire treads get worn with use, so it’s possible that your used bike’s tires are pretty worn. Just like with a car, you can do a coin test to see if your tire treads are too thin. Rather than using a quarter, RumbleOn suggests using a penny. Put it in the tire groove. If Lincoln’s head or hair is covered by the tread, then it’s likely fine. If not, you’ll need to replace your tire.

Also, make sure to check your tire pressure. Uneven tire pressure can lead to an uncomfortable ride. If you have uneven tire pressures, inflate the tire with the least pressure up until it has the same pressure as the other one.

Bike chain

RumbleOn states that this is the most critical part of your bike to check. A faulty bike chain can be disastrous. For a used motorcycle, checking the chain will require three things. 

First, make sure your motorcycle chain isn’t too loose or tight. How to determine this depends on your bike, but ultimately you’re looking for the chain to be right in the middle of looseness and tightness. 

Next, clean your bike chain. It’s very likely that the chain is dirty from years of wear and tear, and it’s possible that the previous owner didn’t bother cleaning it. However, a dirty chain can be dangerous too, so be sure to clean it now and clean it often. 

Finally, lubricate the bike chain so it runs smoothly. Be sure to lube it up after you clean it, otherwise, you’ll have to lube it up again.