How To Find The Right Used Motorcycle

A motorcycle is a symbol of freedom and exploration, adventure and fun. With one, the open road has no limits—but your wallet might. New motorcycles can cost a pretty penny, and it can be hard to find the right deal, especially if you’re looking for your first bike and don’t want to invest poorly. A used bike seems the obvious answer, but that comes with its own risks and hurdles.

Luckily for you, we here at Jim Moroney's Inc. have put together a few tips for finding the perfect pre-owned motorcycle. We want to make sure you ride off with a bike that fits your needs and wants. If you want to know more, or you’re just ready to browse, stop by our store in New Windsor, New York! Our friendly and experienced staff will help you find whatever you’re looking for.

Establish A Budget

Step one in any large purchase is to crunch some numbers and decide on a budget. It’s uncommon to pay the sticker price up front, and it’s absolutely okay to put down a deposit and pay the rest on a monthly basis. Consider your current monthly expenses and try to narrow down how much more you can afford to spend per month, or if you actually can pay it all off at once. 

Remember that motorcycles depreciate pretty quickly, so even a barely-touched model might be significantly cheaper than a brand new one. But you’ll still need to factor in additional costs, including gear, fuel, insurance, regular maintenance, and other upkeep. If you have a bike you’re not currently using, consider a trade-in to lower the cost of the bike you want to purchase and to clear up some space on your property.

Decide On Your Priorities

Once you’ve got your spending figured out, it’s time to decide what you want in a bike. Even in the pre-owned world, there are too many options to choose from, so narrow it down to one or two types of bike. 

If your focus is on style, you can check out cruisers. These are the vintage-style bikes that look like they were built in the mid-20th-century. They’ll turn heads and get folks talking wherever you go! Or maybe you’re looking more for a bike built for endurance and long road trips. If you’re looking to chase the horizon, you might prefer a touring bike. These are built for comfort and durability—plus plenty of storage for all your gear and supplies. 

But if you’re feeling a need for speed, then you’re going to want a sport bike. Nothing gets the blood pumping faster than a fast bike, built for racing with quick acceleration, high speeds, and responsive handling. Whether you’re actually competing or not, they provide the thrill of the race on every ride. 

Figure Out Who You’re Buying From

The biggest concern with a used bike is always the condition it’s in. A bike with previous owners means a bike that’s got a history, and that isn’t always a good thing. You’ll want to consider whether you want to buy from an individual or a dealer. We, personally, recommend a dealer for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, a dealer’s reputation rides on the quality of the products they provide. An individual getting rid of a bad bike might not worry about making sure it’s in good condition before you pick it up, and there’s not much you can do about it once the sale is finalized. A dealer, however, will work hard to ensure a positive experience and good customer review. In the modern age, these things are vital for running a successful business.

Second, dealerships all have a vehicle inspection process for anything on their lot, which helps them set a price. During that process, maintenance concerns are easy to spot and fix. Most dealerships, us included, sell parts and have service departments, so we’ll make sure to fix any big issues before slapping a price tag on a bike. That means you won’t have to deal with the issue at all!

Third, a dealership will provide a range of options, all located in the same lot. You only need to make a single stop to check out any bike that catches your eye, and there’s no pressure for you to buy rather than just look around. 

All in all, a used bike can be a great investment. At Jim Moroney's Inc, we’ll make sure any bike on the lot is in the best condition it can be, and that you leave with one that makes you smile. We proudly serve the people of Newburgh and Cornwall, New York—let us serve you today!