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If you’re considering buying a used bike, you should know what to look for so you can decide if the bike you’re looking at is worth the price or just a lemon. While a used bike can be a great deal, if you end up with a junk bike, you’ll be extremely disappointed.

I came across the following checklist on essortment.com, which gives a quick list of things you should look for in every used bike.

Brakes
Pads: Inspect pads for glazing. When were they changed last?
Hoses: Inspect hoses for crimps, cracks or other signs of defects.
Fluid: Ask when it was last changed.
Rotor: The bike will vibrate during the driving test if the rotor(s) are warped.
Levers: Are the levers stock or aftermarket? Aftermarket levers may indicate a crash.

Chain and Sprockets
Chain: Check chain adjustment for stretch. Is the chain properly oiled?
Sprockets: Inspect the teeth on the rear sprocket. Are they bent, broken or off center?

Electrical
Lights: Check that all lights are equally bright.
Headlight: Check hi / low settings. Does the headlight get brighter as the bike’s raced? This is a sign of a bad voltage regulator or weak battery.
Switchgears: Inspect for damage and check controls.

Engine
Oil: Is the engine oil dark or gritty? (The engine oil is a key diagnostic tool to determine how the engine has been run.)
Valves: Rev the engine and listen for valve clutter. When were they adjusted? Alternatively check engine compression, if you have a tester.
Coolant: Check coolant, if applicable, and ask when it was changed last.

Exhaust
Color: Blue exhaust smoke is often a sign of bad valves or a failed gasket.
Discoloration: If the pipes are discolored the bike is probably improperly jetted.
Noise: Check for holes in the exhaust or incorrectly mounted systems.
Backpressure: Put your hands over both exhaust openings. Do they have the same amount of pressure? If not one cylinder bank isn’t firing or has valve damage.

Gas Tank
Rust: Rust in the tank means rust in the carburetors and could spell a rebuild.

Suspension
Forks: Do the seals look tight? When were they changed?
Air caps: If the bike has air caps, check the pressure in the forks.
Shock: Does the shock have rebound? Does it “creak” when pushed?

Wheels
Tires: If the tires are only worn in the center, the bike has likely been driven on the highway; if they are worn all the way to the edges it has been ridden in the corners. If it is only worn on the edges it has been raced.
Bearings: Put the bike on the center stand and feel for damaged to the bearings.

Obviously you’ll also want to check the appearance of the bike. Look for dents and scratches, or any other indication of the seller not taking care of the bike or of it being in a crash. Ask if the seller has a listing of service history that you can take a look at.

You’ll definitely want to test drive the bike. Some sellers may not want to let you take it for a ride, which is ok, just make sure that you have given the bike a thorough inspection. Listen for any strange sounds or weird feelings. Feel out the clutch and engine. More than anything though, make sure this is a bike that you feel comfortable on and would want to ride.

Feel free to quiz the seller. You’ll be able to tell whether or not they are being honest with you. Ask them if the bike has ever been crashed, if they maintained it properly, and if they made any modifications to the bike. You can also feel free to ask them why they are selling.

While this list won’t guarantee a perfect condition bike, it will help you avoid being taken advantage of and getting a worthless bike.

-Julie