motorbike on ebay

ian103

looking to buy a motorbike off ebay, what checks do i need to make to safeguard me from getting ripped off as you hear all sorts of stories

McKneff

Best tip I can give you is 'dont'

Go to a dealer, you have much more of a safeguard, I know it will cost you more initially but if you buy a heap of junk and it costs you a grand to mend it, its false econmy

marlot

Do you know enough to be sure the frame isn't bent? If not, buy from a dealer

Honeydog

Depends on what bike really.

Rolandtheroadie

I've bought 3 bikes off ebay and one from someone on an internet forum sight unseen and have had no problems.

For the ebay ones, build a picture and if you like what you see, go for it.
Is it someone selling their own bike they've had for ages? or do they sell alot of bikes.
Make sure the logbooks in their name and at their address.
Nowadays why not get the MOT number and check the previous ones on record?
Read through the listing. Is it well written and informative with plenty of detail? Listing bad points no matter how insignificant they seem?
Ask a couple of probing questions. Find out some problems the make of bike you're looking at and ask about them specifically.
Try and speak to the seller to get an idea what they're like. Recently phoned a guy about his 18 year old Audi 80. 5 minute conversation and I sent a deposit via paypal (although he said I didnt need to).

Finally, if it's not as described, or if it doesnt add up (including honest answers to any questions), walk away.

photome

scotsman4th wrote: »

I've bought 3 bikes off ebay and one from someone on an internet forum sight unseen and have had no problems.

For the ebay ones, build a picture and if you like what you see, go for it.
Is it someone selling their own bike they've had for ages? or do they sell alot of bikes.
Make sure the logbooks in their name and at their address.
Nowadays why not get the MOT number and check the previous ones on record?
Read through the listing. Is it well written and informative with plenty of detail? Listing bad points no matter how insignificant they seem?
Ask a couple of probing questions. Find out some problems the make of bike you're looking at and ask about them specifically.
Try and speak to the seller to get an idea what they're like. Recently phoned a guy about his 18 year old Audi 80. 5 minute conversation and I sent a deposit via paypal (although he said I didnt need to).

Finally, if it's not as described, or if it doesnt add up (including honest answers to any questions), walk away.

Sorry to hijack the thread but how did the Audi 80 turn out, great car!

Rolandtheroadie

Excellent. Absolutely love it. 210k miles and I run it on veg oil.
Have a look at the Bangernomics thread, theres a pic of it on there.

Scratch that, no theres not lol.

ian103

the bike appears to be genuine and relatively local, my only concern now is getting it into the garage and up the drive. seems stupid and pehaps i'm thinking about it too much be how easy is it to push a 125 bike down or up a slope (1m rise over 9m) and can you push a bike that stated as 845mm wide through a gap thats 1m wide?

zappahey

ian103 wrote: »

the bike appears to be genuine and relatively local, my only concern now is getting it into the garage and up the drive. seems stupid and pehaps i'm thinking about it too much be how easy is it to push a 125 bike down or up a slope (1m rise over 9m) and can you push a bike that stated as 845mm wide through a gap thats 1m wide?

Surely you would ride it in?

If you're buying it, make sure the engine and frame numbers match those on the V5C and the MOT certificate.

ian103

perhaps not well explained, our drive is 15m long but only 3.5m wide with the last 9m being on a slope and only 2.5m wide, so as not to inconvenience the neighbours I would only move the OHs car onto the road, leaving mine on the flat bit of the drive, with experience I think you are right that you would ride it down albeit slowly and then alongside the parked car. However whilst gaining confidence / experience I was thinking of pushing the bike (ie more controlled), somebody else has suggested paddling the bike down (whatever that is)

Honeydog

Paddling = sitting on bike and pushing it along with your feet usually without engine running. Forwards or backwards.