When buying a 2nd hand bike....

[phil on a fazer]

....what type of checks do you guys do, what and how do you look for things? (i normally do basic bearing checks)

Do you take a multimeter?torch?...how far do you go to check stuff out?

I ask as I'm looking at getting another bike soonish (keeping the Thou of course) and I'm going with a mate on Sunday as he intends on getting a FZ6. (anyone know about FZ6s? posted in the section but to no great avail)

Tar

[adeejaysdelight]

If you know for sure what type of bike you are going for, I would suggest spending the £15 on the Haynes Manual in advance and haveing a look through it.
 
I have always done this (for cars too) and it has always payed off for me. I also take a friend with me who know's his stuff and it's good to have a second opinion as it is easy to get carried away with yourself.
 
Tools wise - Torch, Small pincer screwdriver (for poking stuff), rubber gloves (2 or 3 pairs, allowes you to dig right in without getting the car dirty on the way home).
 
Take a test ride and push the bike hard through the gears. Listen for noises. Emergency stop, then andother one from a higher speed. Check the bar ends and pegs for signs of a spill. Chain, sprockets, pads, oil level & colour, suspention, sevicing and general condition. If it don't feel right, walk away. Do not leave yourself stranded miles from home with buying a duffer as your only form of transpost. If you like it and she's good, haggle...And do not pay a penny more than you had decided before you leave the house

[eddie]

....... and dont be tempted to meet them in a car park/ motorway service area
 
 

[Fazerjon]

Another one that gets over looked because people always assume its ok is the frame and engine numbers matching the V5. Ask when the bike was last serviced, and when is it due its next one. How many owners has it had? Ask why he/she is selling it, 9 times out of ten people have a genuine reason, but occasionally you may get someone who might stutter a bit as they try to think of a reason, when they know there is an underlying problem. Whats the chain like, is it well oiled and correctly adjusted, or slack and rusty? Good luck 

[steeeve66]

..look for evidence of home 'spannering': does that clutch lever feel 'sticky'? may be coz he took the lever collar with him when he removed the snazzy levers and put the standard ones back on. Is there a 'disconnect' between the condition of some parts? are the bar ends scratched to f*ck while the fairings look brand new? could well be evidence of a spill which has been 'glossed' over - don't be afraid to ask, you wont look stupid - you'll look like some who knows what you're looking for and that'll help when you come to haggle.

s

[Looney tune]

He would be better looking at an FZS 600 - like mine. '02, silver, 15000 miles.