Buying a Used Motorcycle

So you’re ready to take the plunge and get yourself an amazing bike with all the features you crave! If you’re on a budget, you’ll definitely want to look into used motorcycles, which have a lot to offer at a significantly lesser cost. When you start to search for models, though, you can easily become overwhelmed by the sheer selection that’s available to you. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®, serving Eugene, is your Oregon used motorcycle dealer, so we’ve provided our top tips to help simplify the buying process.

Budgetary Concerns

The top reason to buy a used motorcycle is to save money. Even a model that’s only a year or two old will cost hundreds or thousands of dollars less than something that’s just rolled off the assembly line, and this is due to a process called depreciation. Any vehicle will depreciate, or lessen, in value as soon as it’s driven off the lot and loses that pristine cachet it previously possessed. While the original buyer has to take that financial hit, you’ll be spared of it when you buy used! Not only will you save on the sticker price itself, but your maintenance and repair costs should also be less, as should your insurance rates. 

Nevertheless, in order to avoid overspending, you should establish a firm budget and stick to it. Allowing yourself to be swayed by fancy colors or gadgets you don’t need will result in an empty wallet, so it’s better to stay under a certain amount that you know you can afford comfortably. Don’t forget to include other items when you’re making your budget, like safety gear, registration and upkeep costs.

What Type Should You Get?

You’ll also want to think about how you plan to ride your bike, which will factor into your ultimate decision. Perhaps you want a vintage look, so you’ll seek out motorcycles from the mid-20th century that are still in great shape. Or you could look into more recent cruiser motorcycles, which are built to have that throw-back aesthetic that’s still so popular with bikers everywhere.

If you prefer going on long rides, a touring bike will have the accessories needed to keep you comfortable for hours on the road. Their ergonomically designed frames give you a more relaxed riding position and they have padded seats and lots of storage for all your cargo. 

For those of you who are more into racing, a sport bike may be more your speed. These fast bikes are designed to be aerodynamic, with leaned-forward postures and easy handling.

Be Wary Of Unscrupulous Sellers

There are thousands of online and print advertisements by private sellers looking to offload their used motorcycles, and while it may be fun to investigate these, don’t be too easily wooed by what’s being offered. Some sellers may try to pull a fast one on you by hiding a bike’s mechanical issues. Or worse, they may have stolen a bike and are trying to make a quick turnaround on it for profit.

Going to an established dealer is a much more reliable and safe way to purchase a used motorcycle. Here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson, we’re not going to hide disrepair from you and we’ll have the vehicle history at the ready so you can see what maintenance has been done on the bike. Dealers like us will often be much more up-front with you because we want to make sure you leave with what you came for. A fly-by-night seller has no obligation to anyone, so they can take your money and run before you discover they’ve sold you a lemon. Be smart while shopping and stick with a seller you can trust.

We hope our guide has helped you to think about what’s important when shopping for used motorcycles. Ready to take a look at our inventory? Come by our Eugene dealership today to see our current stock of used motorcycles for sale and talk to our staff about what it is you’re after. We’re more than happy to help in any way we can, and that includes telling you about our great finance options. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson proudly serves the cities of Albany and Corvallis, Oregon.