[illicitstylz]

CHECKLIST OF WHAT'S LISTED BELOW:
(Not a substitute for reading the whole thing, but
useful for quick reference at a seller's house.)

* FIRST THINGS FIRST
o Don't buy the first bike you see. Bring a friend & a flashlight.
o Do a couple of practice inspections on friends' bikes, discuss the results.
* OVERALL APPEARANCE
o Is the bike clean and straight? Sight down centerline, and down forks.
* HAS IT BEEN CRASHED?
o Check for bends or scrapes on bars, exhaust, plastic, and levers.
o Short/shallow/non-parallel scratches/chips ~= tip-over.
o Long/deep/parallel scratches and cracks ~= crash.
* HAS IT BEEN RACED/ABUSED?
o Check for small (1/16") safety-wire holes in bolts. (Particularly caliper mounting bolts, exhaust bolts, etc.)
* BIKE-SPECIFIC
o Know the characteristic flaws of the models you're going to see.
* BRAKES
o Check for smooth operation, no pulsing, pad material remaining, etc.
* CLUTCH
o Check lever effort, and whether the clutch releases when squeezed.
* GAS TANK
o Look for rust or a milky paint-like coating on the inside.
o Dark gas (tea colored) is an indication of old gas that needs changing.
* SEAT
o Look for cracks/tears/etc.
* TIRES
o Check: remaining tread depth, dry rot, profile (round? squared-off?), date code.
* ELECTRICAL & BATTERY
o Test all lights and switches to make sure they work.
o The sound of the starter cranking is a decent meter of the battery's condition.
* SUSPENSION
o Check forks for seal leaks, scratches/nicks/bends/twists in legs.
* WHEELS
o Check both sides of both wheels for dents/cracks.
* CHAIN/SPROCKETS
o Check for chain/sprocket wear (hooked teeth, stretched chain).
* EXHAUST
o Scratches/rust/damage. Exhaust pressure equal on both sides?
* ENGINE/FLUIDS/CARBURATORS
o Check starting and operation of engine and carbs. Check for leaks.
* CENTERSTAND CHECKS
o Get wheels in air and check wheel bearings, brake operation, etc.
* SERVICE
o Service records available? Proof of warranty work? Etc.
* DIRT BIKES
o Special concerns when inspecting dirt bikes.
* QUIZZING THE SELLER
o Questions to ask the seller to determine the condition of the bike.
* ACCESSORIES, PRICE, and DEALING
o Are you willing to pay more for add-ons?
* HELMETS
o Used helmets are worthless. Don't use 'em, don't pay more for 'em.
* TITLES & PAPERWORK
o Make sure it's clean & that the VIN numbers match up.
* TEST RIDE
o Go on one if you can -- you can learn a lot about a bike this way!
o Make sure you give it a pre-ride check to make sure it's safe to ride!
* AFTER THE PURCHASE
o Some tips after you get your bike.
* INFO FOR NEW RIDERS
o Not the biggest and the baddest -- start with something easy to control.
* INSPECTION PICTURES
o To aid inspection, some pictures (and, eventually, diagrams) of what certain components look like.
* RECOMMENDED READING
o An exceedingly incomplete list of books that'll teach you more about bikes.
* OTHER WEB SITES
o A listing of other motorcycle-related web sites with useful tips for bikerscum.

Full text with detailed and concise explanations here:Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide