Buying a used motorcycle? Follow these tips.

Don't drive away in a used motorcycle before you know exactly what you are paying for!

Questions to ask:

• Has the bike been wrecked?
• Was it broken in correctly?
• How often does the owner ride the bike and in what kind of weather?
• Has the bike been through a lot, or has it sat for years without proper maintenance?

How to Inspect a Motorcycle

Before taking a test drive on the motorcycle, do a thorough inpsection. It helps to come prepared with a list of items so you can make sure your check is thorough. Make sure to mark off each item as you go along, giving it a passing or failing grade. Also, be sure to bring a small flashlight with and clothes that you aren't afraid to get dirty. If possible, bring tools to remove the seat and side covers so that you can check underneath these areas.

Be sure to check these items:

• Chain and sprocket
• Turn signals
• Headlight
• Brake lights, etc work?
• Brakes
• Forks
• Tires (these may have cracked treads or be worn out)
• Fuel tank (look inside, these often have rust or other particles at the bottom)
• Surface area: Is there any rust, cracks or problems with the frame?

Take a test ride before buying

Start up the bike and inspect the exhaust for excessive noise. If you are looking at a dual pipe motorcycle, verify that the pressure coming out of each exhaust pipe is the same. Check the cooling and fuel systems for leaks. How does it start, stop, and shift? Shift up, down and through all gears while riding. When you apply the brakes make sure there is the right amount of play and stopping distance. Make sure that the overall feel of the vehicle is good.

Note: Many owners are not comfortable letting someone ride off on their bike. But, as a buyer it is essential to get a feel for how well it runs, even if it's not possible to get it up to faster speeds.

Getting the motorcycle inspected by a trained mechanic

It's always a good idea when buying a used motor vehicle/motorcycle, to get it checked out by a mechanic. The cost of having an inspection done may or may not outweigh the potential cost of repairs. If you are looking at an expensive bike, or you are not sure what to inspect on the motorcycle, take it to a mechanical inspector. However, with a good checklist, and some research and knowledge before looking at the motorcycle, the cost and hassle of having the motorcycle inspected might not be worth it.

As with all purchases if you are unsure, or feel the seller is asking too much or hiding something, don't be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of bikes on the road and when it comes to a used motorcycle it is better to be safe and sure than to end up on the side of the road somewhere.

Final tips before signing

Make sure that the title is good and the vin numbers match up. If they have it get the service records, owner's manual, and tool kit. Don't forget to get a bill of sale.

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~ The Lemon Squad

Who will you trust to inspect your next used car purchase?

Today's used vehicles are technological marvels. They contain very sophisticated mechanical and electrical systems, complex frame construction, and have computers controlling many systems.

A comprehensive pre-purchase inspection can either be performed by a mobile service or a fixed location. Mobile service should include inspection and diagnostic equipment, and hydraulic lift to get under the vehicle. The Technician is the most important element of the inspection.

What type of Automotive Technician do you need?

To determine what type of Automotive Technician is needed, you need to understand how Technicians are tested and certified. Most automotive Technicians are certified by a national testing organization called National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Technicians need to be certified in at least one of the eight general automotive areas to be considered "ASE Certified." An ASE Master Technician is certified in all eight areas. A Master Certification is very difficult to accomplish. Most repair shops do not employ a Master Technicians. If they do, the Master Technician is usually the highest paid Technician and works on the most complicated repairs.

A Master Technician is a person that has obtained the required experience and is currently certified in the eight automotive testing areas below:

1. Engine Repair
2. Automatic Trans/Transaxle
3. Manual Drive Train and Axles
4. Suspension and Steering
5. Brakes
6. Electrical/Electrical Systems
7. Heating and Air Conditioning
8. Engine Performance

The best kind of certified technician is an ASE Certified Master Technician. These Technicians are qualified to inspect the entire vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems; and a ASE Frame Technician is needed to properly inspect for existing and previous frame damage.

Here's the tricky part.

Technicians get paid to repair vehicles. The more repairs they suggest, the more they get paid. There is a conflict of interest when a repair shop inspects a vehicle and then offers to fix what they have found. Every part and component of the vehicle has a useful lifespan, and some Technicians will try to replace components that sill have useful life on them just to make more money. A certified Technician who is independent from a shop that would be performing any repairs on your potential vehicle is probably the best.

Interested in having an ASE certified Master Technician inspect your next used car or truck? Visit LemonSquad.com.

Common Used Car Problems

A certified ASE inspector can identify major problems with a used vehicle, before you drive it off the dealer's lot. When you make the choice to shop for a car online through Ebay Motors or Craigslist, it is especially important that you have an independent party verify the condition of a vehicle. Listed below are some of the most common issues sellers will try to cover up.

Frame damage: If the frame shows damage it indicates the car has been in a serious accident. Unless it has been repaired correctly, the car's wheels might not track properly, causing the vehicle to pull to one side and eventually leading to tire damage.

Poor previous repair work: This could range from sloppy bodywork to improper installation of modifications.

Smoker's car: If a car is being purchased remotely, via eBay for example, the seller could disguise the fact that someone has smoked in the car. Smoke gets into the vehicle's headliner and upholstery, and it is impossible to remove the smell.

Flood-damaged car: A vehicle history report can red flag a flood-damaged car unless its title has been falsified. If that's the case, then it's important for an inspector to check for signs of water damage.

Have you ever purchased a car and found out later it had a bad history? Leave a comment below and tell your story.

For information on how Lemon Squad can help with your next used vehicle purchase, visit our website.

(photo credit: Flickr user "Journ" - view original, licensed as CC 2.0 BY)

Why get a pre-purchase auto inspection?

Most of us can remember a story about a friend or family member who bought a bad used car. They went to the local dealer, found what looked like a great buy and drove away after a short test-drive. Days later a problem appeared and a "great deal" turned out to be a lemon. Because state "lemon laws" don't apply to used cars and because many cars are sold "as-is," without any warranty, getting an independent inspection before you buy is a critical step.

Nearly all auto service facilities, from dealerships to independent garages, offer some type of pre-purchase inspection. The going price is about $200 to $300. Most repair facilities will give a quick description of the number of points in the inspection and how it is conducted. Consumers should be aware that not all who claim to be pre-purchase inspectors do a thorough job. The findings of an inspection are not guaranteed, but with a good inspection you should know what you are getting.

Experts agree that a good inspection serves several functions:

• Verifies the equipment, or options, on the car
• Confirms the condition level of the car
• Reveals hidden problems with the body, frame or engine
• Finds engine codes that can reveal engine problems
• Builds confidence in the value of the vehicle

A good inspector will spot major problems and give you peace of mind. Afer all, you want your next used car purchase to be an investment, not a liability.

While no inspection is guaranteed to find every flaw in a used car, a trained eye can help you avoid serious problems. Given the fact that thousands of dollars are at stake, an hour of your time and a hundred dollars is good insurance against the unknown. To learn more about how the Lemon Squad helps consumers avoid bad used cars, please visit our website.