Words / phrases that instantly put you off a used bike advert

Teejay
Posts
631
Joined
7/3/2018
Location
Midlands GB

These are the red flags for me: 

Crosser

Loves the back wheel 

Powerband in every gear

Recent full rebuild (told by previous owner, no proof) 

Low hours (on a 2001 trashed bike) 

Any other good ones?  Buying and selling bikes can be a painful experience! 

5
1
|
1/29/2024 12:08pm

Listing Fresh oil change as if it’s an upgrade 

26
8500rpm
Posts
519
Joined
12/31/2020
Location
SE
1/29/2024 12:15pm

I know, I love the rebuilds... 

... also only test ridden once!   (actually I once bought such a bike, only ridden once, too bad the clutch over paint was so bad that a test ride had make it look worn) 

1

The Shop

Teejay
Posts
631
Joined
7/3/2018
Location
Midlands GB
1/29/2024 12:16pm

I reckon that guy takes his maintenance pretty seriously, he’s even removed the rear fender for easy filter cleaning on the move. 

1
Forty
Posts
3038
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
1/29/2024 12:16pm

30 hours on frame - fresh top and bottom end 20 hours ago.

 

Yikes

8
1/29/2024 12:19pm

"Never raced."

My experience is the non-raced bikes are neglected.

50
retro2
Posts
79
Joined
9/3/2023
Location
Bakers Field , CA US
1/29/2024 12:20pm

When they include what they paid for it 

7
-MAVERICK-
Posts
65636
Joined
3/26/2015
Location
Ontario CA
1/29/2024 12:21pm
Teejay wrote:
These are the red flags for me:  Crosser Loves the back wheel  Powerband in every gear Recent full rebuild (told by previous owner, no proof)  Low...

These are the red flags for me: 

Crosser

Loves the back wheel 

Powerband in every gear

Recent full rebuild (told by previous owner, no proof) 

Low hours (on a 2001 trashed bike) 

Any other good ones?  Buying and selling bikes can be a painful experience! 

Similar to the powerband in every gear.

Wheelies in every gear. 

Needs work but runs good. 

4
early
Posts
9801
Joined
2/13/2013
Location
University Heights, OH US
1/29/2024 12:21pm

New/good/needs breaks

7
ColeSmith730
Posts
26
Joined
5/21/2019
Location
Central Point, OR US
1/29/2024 12:29pm

when they take a picture of the bike super muddy leaning against the side of a house or barn.

same guy who would say "if ya aint dirty ya didnt ride hard enough"

19
1
LoudLove
Posts
2779
Joined
7/16/2010
Location
US
1/29/2024 12:32pm

“Gone through (or thru)”. WTH?

1
SrfNdirt
Posts
808
Joined
10/29/2016
Location
don't call it cali, CA US
1/29/2024 12:32pm

"Need gone by this weekend"  

10
TeamGreen
Posts
36706
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
1/29/2024 12:34pm

Glamis 

Sick 

Bro

Never been raced 

Supreme 

6
1/29/2024 12:36pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2024 12:37pm

Listing routine maintenance items like it’s an upgrade, the terms “mint”, “2 smoke”, or “ripper”, and the classic improper front brake line routing. 
 

Edit: If the word “Namura” is in the ad. 

11
1
Nairb#70
Posts
3655
Joined
2/25/2020
Location
Ivoryton, CT US
1/29/2024 12:41pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2024 12:44pm

"Mint".

1
1/29/2024 12:43pm

'Better than new'

How is a used motorcycle better than new? Laughing 

7
1911
Posts
4953
Joined
4/2/2008
Location
LAS VEGAS, NV US
1/29/2024 12:46pm

Metal Mulisha stickers. 

What time does Deegan race????

10
4
Teejay
Posts
631
Joined
7/3/2018
Location
Midlands GB
1/29/2024 12:46pm
SrfNdirt wrote:

"Need gone by this weekend"  

It’s a classic, I also see a lot of:

Graphics needs replaced 

What the hell does that even mean. 

2
Gravel
Posts
1792
Joined
2/22/2014
Location
Ridgecrest, CA US
1/29/2024 12:50pm

Paddle tire included 

34
1/29/2024 12:51pm

“Oil changed every 3 rides”

7
zookrider62!
Posts
6825
Joined
12/22/2008
Location
Plano, TX US
1/29/2024 12:54pm

bike is still wet after the wash

bike hasnt been washed

calling it new when it's not new

referencing non-stock hour meters

professionally maintained

spray paint on ANY part of the bike

 

6
rf928
Posts
64
Joined
1/17/2020
Location
CA
1/29/2024 1:02pm

Fresh bottom end

4
FGR01
Posts
6032
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
1/29/2024 1:03pm

pics of wet bike immediately after washing (likely the first time ever or in over a year)

"Rental" handlebars

Needs top end or carb rebuild or "something" that is "super easy and super cheap" yet somehow the owner can't seem to accomplish it....

Likewise "no title but it's super easy and super cheap to get one".. uhh, then go do it before selling (yes I know titles don't matter in some jurisdictions, but they definitely do here)

Any farm animals, pets, living room furniture, drug paraphernalia anywhere in the pics

Spelling/grammar errors so bad you know you don't want to ride a bike ever touched by that person...  Laughing

anything remotely indicating Bykelyfe or hood culture...  Sick

13
sumdood
Posts
8683
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
1/29/2024 1:04pm

Super fast, trail ridden only

4
Kelz87
Posts
1313
Joined
7/21/2018
Location
Phoenix, AZ US
Fantasy
1/29/2024 1:09pm Edited Date/Time 1/29/2024 1:10pm

Run-on sentences ..all caps or all lower case letters..


Also, what’s visible in the background of images usually tells a lot about the seller*

6
alphado
Posts
4055
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Erie, PA US
1/29/2024 1:11pm

"I don't really need to sell it."

15

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