What immediately throws you off when looking for a used bike?

AK74
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402
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10/2/2008
Location
GB
9/16/2019 4:52am
'crosser.

Instant NO.
1
T-Fish
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12/14/2009
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Sparta, WI US
Fantasy
9/16/2019 6:39am
Chance1216 wrote:
Lost title or bill of sale only.
We don’t title bikes here in Wisconsin, so a bill of sale is very common here. Most people will throw the MCO in the trash.
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9/16/2019 6:56am
kage173 wrote:
It doesn't matter. It's always a crap shoot with a used bike. I bought a bike off a mechanic who had an immaculate garage and could...
It doesn't matter. It's always a crap shoot with a used bike. I bought a bike off a mechanic who had an immaculate garage and could tell me every detail of the bike. I thought it would be well taken care of. I was wrong.
Yep, but I guess used bikes are like women and their own red flags. You just try to put the odds in your favor as best you can.

Good topic...lots of useful info Smile
1
Frodad78
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1/11/2012
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TX US
9/16/2019 7:26am
Quads in the background. You're not foolin me bro...
6

The Shop

spimx
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Port Isabel, TX US
9/16/2019 8:52am
If it was owned by a A class racer or Pro racer stay away. I had a very trick and well maintained bike from a former AMA pro and turns out the transmission and clutch were completely destroyed. I had to split the cases multiple times I could never get the internal right then later on had a crack in the frame.
1
early
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2/13/2013
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University Heights, OH US
9/16/2019 9:21am
New Breaks. Only 50 hours on new top end.
1
Smith922
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2/28/2019
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Kings Mountain, NC US
9/16/2019 9:28am
North Carolina also doesn't issue titles on motocross bikes, we just bought a new RMZ 250 and I called 3 different bike shops just to check and was told the exact same thing. Hopefully that helps for future reference to someone looking. There are some good deals to be found and some that look good only to turn out bad with used bikes, it's a 50/50 lol.
2
sumdood
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San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
9/16/2019 9:29am
Anything in sight that says Glamis on it.
4
danman
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1204
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4/1/2008
Location
Readstown, WI US
9/16/2019 9:30am
Chance1216 wrote:
Lost title or bill of sale only.
T-Fish wrote:
We don’t title bikes here in Wisconsin, so a bill of sale is very common here. Most people will throw the MCO in the trash.
Yup, I've seen THREE in my life. One when I bought a new 2001 CR250, another I bought from my uncle, and the third was the 350 I just bought from Missouri.
Almost no one in Wisconsin keeps them. We don't register any of them since they are off-road competition based.
3
Mr. Afterbar
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Green Bay, WI US
9/16/2019 9:32am
Wells423 wrote:
Mine has 31 hours on it. Has had the silver ring on the black rim since 10. Faster you are the quicker things wear out.
Few hours in the sand will cause that also.
1
RCF
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548
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4/1/2008
Location
PA US
9/16/2019 9:42am
brocster wrote:
Less than 20 hrs and the clutch cover is buffed clean from a boot or the rear black back rim has a ailver strip around it...
Less than 20 hrs and the clutch cover is buffed clean from a boot or the rear black back rim has a ailver strip around it from tire roll. Shit doesn’t happen in 20 hrs

Maybe 20 hrs of their ownership but how many hours before then...
RCF wrote:
That's not true this is a picture of a bike I sold with 5 hours on it and the cover was buff clean all it takes...
That's not true this is a picture of a bike I sold with 5 hours on it and the cover was buff clean all it takes is one mud race
brocster wrote:
Ok. I still wouldn’t have bought your bike...
that's fine I wouldn't have sold it to you anyway, I wouldn't deal with somebody like you it's not worth the headache. Sometimes as a seller there are red flags to watch out for too.
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1
9/16/2019 10:27am
Price. Everything else except stolen goods can be worked around. Sometimes a horrible ad and idiotic seller can work to your advantage since no one else will call and/or deal with them. If you're the only one that calls it makes it much easier to use your shrewd negotiating skills.

Spoke skins- could be the kid's bike and has very low, easy hours on it.
Selling due to injury- just sold my YZ450 due to injury. I can't ride for a year, why keep it?
3
9/16/2019 10:41am
If the bike isn’t on a stand and is leaning against something in the picture I’m out. It tells me all I need to know about it’s maintenance.
3
9/16/2019 10:52am
Grenader26 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/09/15/373156/s1200_FF59D1C5_2C7C_4650_B5EB_279003E7B149.jpg[/img]

To be fair I was super scared of my PSF-2's getting fork seals blown that I bought seal condoms myself. Not to be confused with condoms that are made from seals mind you. I am only speaking of the brand that you fear know as Seal Savers or Shock Sox.
Chance1216
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Carson, CA US
9/16/2019 11:27am Edited Date/Time 9/16/2019 11:29am
Chance1216 wrote:
Lost title or bill of sale only.
T-Fish wrote:
We don’t title bikes here in Wisconsin, so a bill of sale is very common here. Most people will throw the MCO in the trash.
danman wrote:
Yup, I've seen THREE in my life. One when I bought a new 2001 CR250, another I bought from my uncle, and the third was the...
Yup, I've seen THREE in my life. One when I bought a new 2001 CR250, another I bought from my uncle, and the third was the 350 I just bought from Missouri.
Almost no one in Wisconsin keeps them. We don't register any of them since they are off-road competition based.
I've always been a firm believer in erasing any doubt. Title in hand, that bike is now mine. Something from family is different. Washington is different I imagine from other states. There's a three year waiting period after you file for a lost title. In the meantime you can get your OHV tabs/tags and ride or just ride it at a track where none of this matters. Except there may be a slight chance that the bike can come back stolen. Then all that money wasted with the purchase, updates, etc was for the actual owner of the bike. Rather be safe then drop a bunch of money tricking someone else's bike out.
Zerofear66
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4/27/2017
Location
Anaheim, CA US
9/16/2019 11:51am
When they say excellent condition and low hours and the paints worn off the cases, the tires are smoked and the sprockets hooked.

Who dafuq does that 🤔
2
9/16/2019 12:55pm
brocster wrote:
Less than 20 hrs and the clutch cover is buffed clean from a boot or the rear black back rim has a ailver strip around it...
Less than 20 hrs and the clutch cover is buffed clean from a boot or the rear black back rim has a ailver strip around it from tire roll. Shit doesn’t happen in 20 hrs

Maybe 20 hrs of their ownership but how many hours before then...
Wells423 wrote:
Mine has 31 hours on it. Has had the silver ring on the black rim since 10. Faster you are the quicker things wear out.
Was thinking this as I was reading I'm at 8 and the blue is wearing out with a bit of silver coming through 😂😂 also the covers getting a fair few Mark's on it
Jharper
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778
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Location
Tampa Bay, FL US
9/16/2019 1:30pm
I know everyone here hates spoke skins, but I'm not really understanding why.

1. Quick way to make the spokes match the wheels.
2. When I go to sell the bike, I take them off and the spokes look brand new.

Ignoring the fact that the seat is shaved and there are grab holes in the bike. It actually hasn't been raced. You guys mean to tell me that you wouldn't purchase this at the right price because it's got spoke skins? I typically put the brand new stock plastics back on too. This one I might not do that on when I go to sell it. Haven't decided.


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10
CR92
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1/27/2010
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Beaverton, OR US
Fantasy
9/16/2019 2:11pm
I look for two things, and if I see them, I run and hide from the bike!
Here are mine.
1. Sand, or any indication that it has ridden in sand. Here in Oregon, if it's been in the sand, for the most part, it's been to the ocean/beach. All kinds of issues from that.
2. I look to see if it was maintained similarly to how I took care of my bikes from the age of 16-21. I'm still dealing with a lot of issues on my bikes because of how I use to "fix" things.
Luckily for everyone I'm never selling my rm125, too much significance and meaning to me and my life.
3
9/16/2019 5:26pm Edited Date/Time 9/16/2019 6:26pm
Chance1216 wrote:
Lost title or bill of sale only.
T-Fish wrote:
We don’t title bikes here in Wisconsin, so a bill of sale is very common here. Most people will throw the MCO in the trash.
NC doesnt require a title, the dirt bikes that I have bought new came with a certificate of origin, but not a DMV issued title.
2
Fonzarelli
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Saginaw, MI US
9/17/2019 4:54am
Lots of states don't "require" a title but they will issue you one if you go pay the money. That is a very valuable piece of paper if the bike ever gets stolen or if you sell to someone from another state or if the laws change in your state. Skipping $20 when you buy the bike can turn into a huge headache later. Been there, done that.
2
crispytoast
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66
Joined
9/10/2019
Location
Beverly Hills, CA US
9/17/2019 5:29am
Injury forces sale.....
Nothing wrong with this. I have had to sell my bikes at time I wasn't able to ride due to a work injury and their was...
Nothing wrong with this. I have had to sell my bikes at time I wasn't able to ride due to a work injury and their was no sense in letting them sit, as that just costs money. I wasn't able to ride for 2 1/2 years. Just because someone doesn't go into detail about the injury status, it has absolutely nothing to do with the sale of their bike 99% of the time.

You would understand if you were in that position.
Call me crazy but I'm superstitious and dont want a bike someone hurt themselves on.
2
9/17/2019 5:56am
For me I would stay away from anything with a white plate that has been raced, around here that background is for expert/ pro rider. After watching these guys on a 250 and how hard and fast they hit everything as well as most being at WOT in midair 40 hrs on a bike by them is equivalent to about 200 hrs at my old and slow pace 😄
1
BobPA
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8324
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10/31/2013
Location
PA US
9/17/2019 6:23am
Fonzarelli wrote:
Lots of states don't "require" a title but they will issue you one if you go pay the money. That is a very valuable piece of...
Lots of states don't "require" a title but they will issue you one if you go pay the money. That is a very valuable piece of paper if the bike ever gets stolen or if you sell to someone from another state or if the laws change in your state. Skipping $20 when you buy the bike can turn into a huge headache later. Been there, done that.
Titles cost you a lot more than $20. Lots of people forgo a title to avoid paying the tax on a new bike. I am from PA, if I go to NY or NJ I can purchase a bike and avoid the sales take by choosing to not title the bike. A title is really only needed if you are going to put the bike on the street.

Both of my bikes are titled, it really does make them easier to sell.
McG194
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4111
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9/7/2017
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
9/17/2019 7:31am
early wrote:
New Breaks. Only 50 hours on new top end.
Yep, if they can't spell in their advertisement I won't even consider the bike.
Stuntman949
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2857
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11/10/2015
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San Clemente, CA US
9/17/2019 7:32am
My answer was Spoke Skins before clicking the thread. You know that thing has been dropped a time or ten
bluepumpkin
Posts
83
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4/23/2010
Location
Wheaton, IL US
9/17/2019 8:41am
Saw this on Craigslist...

"Great for dirt, snow, woods, cornfield, grass, the campground or rural bar hopping"

Cornfield?!
DF313
Posts
697
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6/17/2016
Location
Ogden, UT US
9/17/2019 9:03am
Only trail ridden, never raced.....


Obviously taken from that other thread of the guy falling off the cliff, what a lucky dude!
Max D
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136
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7/17/2019
Location
NC US
9/17/2019 9:05am
Don’t look for used bikes. Don’t trust em!
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1
Chance1216
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8379
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4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
9/17/2019 9:11am
Trail ridden only. I've seen EnduroKex.

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