Not everyone is a major bike enthusiast or even have the money to purchase a new bike. So, what is the most viable alternative, when you need a bike to commute to and from work? The next best option is buying a used motorcycle. However, when it comes to purchasing used motorcycles, it is particularly important to thoroughly inspect the bike to avoid ending up with a turd. If you are someone who is nonplussed at how to sort wheat from chaff when it comes to used bikes, Patrick Johnson Deland, a motorcycle specialist, is eager to share his insights to help you make the right decision. There are basically three major things that you have to check: * The motorcycle do not show any damage from a crash * It is not leaking any fluids * It appears to have been taken care of Now, let us get a little deeper so that you know what exactly to inspect. # Thoroughly check the VIN If you are looking at a bike that is stolen, the rest of the guide is useless. To ensure that the motorcycle you are planning to buy is not stolen, physically check the numbers. In case you do not what ‘knocked-over’ looks like, you may bring factory-stamped numbers for comparison. Also, make sure that the title number are same as the headstock. If you wish to avoid going through so much trouble, get in touch with a reputed dealership dealing in used bikes. # Do not examine the bike when it is hot Before your arrival at the dealership, ask the seller to leave the bike cold. It is easy to hide problems, such as starting and running, on a hot bike. Once you reach the dealership, check the pipes and jugs of the bike to make sure it is ice cold. After which, ask the seller to start the bike. If it makes noises similar to a blender full of rocks, you do not want to take that motorcycle home. #Visually assess the levers, bar ends and footpegs Thoroughly inspect the body of the motorcycle and look for damages, such as curled or short lever, busted fins, cracked oil pans and tweaked handlebars. If the dealership informs you from before about the fixes the bike has been under, you can go ahead with it; otherwise, look for other options. #Ask for a service history Request the dealership to provide you with past maintenance receipts of the motorcycle. Through these receipts, you will be able to understand how well the bike was taken care of and it it suffers from any mechanical issues that you need to be aware of. #Check the mileage Mileage is an extremely important consideration, when purchasing an used bike. Since it is about the bike and maintenance, the mileage needs to be looked at holistically. Do a prior research about the bike you are interested in buying to find out its high mileage limit. To ascertain the expected longevity of the motorcycle, take a look at its service intervals. In addition to the aforementioned, Patrick Johnson Deland is also of the opinion that you should take your bike for a test drive before making the final decision.