There is a solid market for pre-owned motorcycles in India. Many people prefer second-hand bikes over new ones. This is because firstly, they are lighter on the pocket and also because with the bad state of roads in most metropolitan and second-tier cities, people don’t want to buy new bikes only to have them damaged early on.

If you are planning to buy a pre-owned bike, there are several stylish options you can choose from. However, before you make the purchase, there are a few things you must keep in mind to make sure everything is in order such as a two wheeler insurance third party cover, which is a mandatory requirement & the bike’s condition. So here’s a detailed list of things you should keep into consideration when purchasing a second-hand motorcycle for yourself –

●      Choosing where to buy it from: This is an important decision to make. Since it is a pre-owned bike and you want it to last long for you and be in a good shape, make sure you buy it from a good dealer. This is because a good dealer will have the proper records- documentation, ownership history, registration papers, mechanical sturdiness, and the like. So, you must make sure you buy it from a reputed dealer, although that’s a slightly more expensive option. But you can check at least 2-3 dealers before you finalize one, and then you can compare the prices and negotiate when required. On the other hand, if you buy it from a private seller you may get it cheaper but then you need to do the bike inspection yourself. 

●      Operational inspection: It isn’t enough to just check for mechanical strength but also other components- check for oil leakages, lever effort, chains, tyres, and any signs of wear and tear. Corrosion or rust along the frame can be a sign of poor maintenance, so check thoroughly for it. After all, you don’t want to incur more charges for repair since that will defeat the purpose of buying a pre-owned motorcycle in the first place. 

●      Document check: When purchasing a pre-owned bike, whether from a dealer or a private seller, be sure that these documents are in place – pollution certificate to show that the bike pollution levels are under control, mandatory NOC or No Objection Certificate from the RTO where the bike is registered to have a proof that the vehicle can be transferred from one owner to another, service book to show if the bike has been maintained regularly, the sales receipt and RTO forms 28, 29, and 30, and the two wheeler insurance third party or comprehensive bike insurance. 

So, these are some of the points you must take into consideration when purchasing a pre-owned bike model. Make sure you have the bike insurance in place- you can easily avail bike insurance online to safeguard your vehicle. You can also compare the rates with the help of a two wheeler insurance premium calculator and get bike insurance online at competitive prices.