Comments on: How to Buy a Used Motorcycle http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/ Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: DangerBoyWil http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-42 DangerBoyWil Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:47:19 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-42 Can I also suggest that buying an older bike with low mileage isn't necessarily as good a deal as it sounds. Bikes need to be used and one that's been stood for a while with fuel in it isn't going to run as well as one used every day. My Bandit had less than 6k on it when I bought it (5 years old) and its proved to be problematic due to not being used enough (varnished carbs, hardened seals etc) In other words, don't be put off by high mileage bikes - condition is more important than mileage! Can I also suggest that buying an older bike with low mileage isn’t necessarily as good a deal as it sounds. Bikes need to be used and one that’s been stood for a while with fuel in it isn’t going to run as well as one used every day. My Bandit had less than 6k on it when I bought it (5 years old) and its proved to be problematic due to not being used enough (varnished carbs, hardened seals etc)

In other words, don’t be put off by high mileage bikes – condition is more important than mileage!

]]> By: citybiker http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-41 citybiker Sun, 27 May 2007 01:26:12 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-41 Hey by the way... Jack - you're right. If you like Ducati's you shouldn't let any stories about maintenance costs shoo you away... Italy really is filled with Ducatis and they make good daily rides as well as great supersports... It also depends on the model... daily riders would probably want to gravitate towards water cooled wet clutch models... Zubizareta - thanks for your comment - that's good to know! Lots of times tank dents are NOT from simple tip overs (because the steering lock can help prevent this) - but it's good to know that it CAN happen... Hey by the way… Jack – you’re right. If you like Ducati’s you shouldn’t let any stories about maintenance costs shoo you away… Italy really is filled with Ducatis and they make good daily rides as well as great supersports… It also depends on the model… daily riders would probably want to gravitate towards water cooled wet clutch models…

Zubizareta – thanks for your comment – that’s good to know! Lots of times tank dents are NOT from simple tip overs (because the steering lock can help prevent this) – but it’s good to know that it CAN happen…

]]> By: zubizareta http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-40 zubizareta Sun, 27 May 2007 00:55:57 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-40 my bike was tip-over and got dent on tank from handlebar my bike was tip-over and got dent on tank from handlebar

]]> By: Jack http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Jack Wed, 16 May 2007 03:53:45 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-39 MCN took at look at the service costs for bikes and one thing they found was that the reputation for Ducati's having super-expensive maintenance costs was simply bogus. The only significant different in Ducati maintenance is the valve gapping for both open and close rockers (other bikes only have open rockers). Labor time for a Honda valve job runs around 1-2 hours according to MCN and 3-4 hours for the Ducati desmodue. This means only 1-2 extra hours of labor per 15,000 miles. Labor rates range from 60-100/hour depending on your location, which means $120-200 extra maintenance per 15,000 miles. Other maintenance items on the Ducati bikes (such as oil change, chain lube, clutch/brake flush, coolant flush on desmoquattros, brake pad replacement) is the identical process on all bikes. MCN took at look at the service costs for bikes and one thing they found was that the reputation for Ducati’s having super-expensive maintenance costs was simply bogus.

The only significant different in Ducati maintenance is the valve gapping for both open and close rockers (other bikes only have open rockers). Labor time for a Honda valve job runs around 1-2 hours according to MCN and 3-4 hours for the Ducati desmodue. This means only 1-2 extra hours of labor per 15,000 miles. Labor rates range from 60-100/hour depending on your location, which means $120-200 extra maintenance per 15,000 miles.

Other maintenance items on the Ducati bikes (such as oil change, chain lube, clutch/brake flush, coolant flush on desmoquattros, brake pad replacement) is the identical process on all bikes.

]]> By: Top Posts « WordPress.com http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Top Posts « WordPress.com Fri, 11 May 2007 00:01:41 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-38 You made this a Wordpress TOP POST May 10! Danka! You made this a Wordpress TOP POST May 10! Danka!

]]> By: t'ai http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-37 t'ai Thu, 10 May 2007 22:44:23 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-37 VERY helpful guide! i am a woman rider in search of my first bike and i am lucky enough to live next door to a bunch of bikers who have offered to check out bikes with me, but if i had to do it on my own, this guide would be a great start. thanks! VERY helpful guide! i am a woman rider in search of my first bike and i am lucky enough to live next door to a bunch of bikers who have offered to check out bikes with me, but if i had to do it on my own, this guide would be a great start. thanks!

]]> By: JM http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-35 JM Thu, 10 May 2007 07:00:29 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-35 Great tips, especially about the paint. Many people list "fresh paint" as a bonus, but there's no reason to paint a sportbike unless to hide something. Great tips, especially about the paint. Many people list “fresh paint” as a bonus, but there’s no reason to paint a sportbike unless to hide something.

]]> By: Phillip http://www.citybikerblog.com/2007/05/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/comment-page-1/#comment-36 Phillip Thu, 10 May 2007 06:50:08 +0000 http://citybiker.wordpress.com/2007/05/08/how-to-buy-a-used-motorcycle/#comment-36 great help. Thanks! great help. Thanks!

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