Buying an uncertified used bike from an individual - how to proceed?

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asennad

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I have just made an offer on a bike. The bike is five years old has 45k km on it and isn't currently insured so I am unable to test ride it. It appeared to be in good condition with new tires. But I am growing more concerned about the fact I haven't been able to ride it or that I haven't had it inspected. I was assured that it was in good mechanical condition and well maintained.

Should I have it towed to a shop first before I pluck down my money? Is there a mechanic in Oakville / Mississauga who will go out and have a look at bike? How should I proceed?
 
Options (in my opinion):

1. Bring a rear stand, fire her up and go through the gear box while the rear tire is up.
2. Bring someone knowledgeable about the type of bike it is.
3. Make an agreement with the seller and have it towed to a shop for a safety to be done

What kind of bike is it?
 
Firstly ensure the owner gives you the UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package), which will state who owns the bike. This is the only way to know that the bike is being sold by the rightful owner. The bike might have a lien on it (states this in the UVIP), which means the owner owes someone money for the bike. Both these issues are very important. If the owner refuses to give you the UVIP, which is required by Ontario law, you can get it yourself for $20 at the MOT or a kiosk (Are they still available?). I think you need the VIN.

If you do not have any friends that are willing to help you see the bike, then ask on here and someone might meet you at the seller's house. You could ask someone like Ted from Rosey Toes to see if he could look over the bike, but would have to pay him. It would be money well spent. There's a lot to go wrong on a bike that you cannot see.

Have the seller ride the bike with you on the back. You'll be able to see and hear if it shifts well, for example. Also go when the bike is cold and try to start it. Starting a warm bike is much easier.
 
OP

Based on what you say - I'd walk. If there is no way to verify you are taking all the risk.

Lots of good bikes around and decent sellers too.

If the bike is not sold as certified - ask why and negotiate very favorable price. Good bet they know the bike has problems.

Lots of 5 year old bikes with even lower km

It's a buyers market
 
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even a bike safetied doesn't mean it functions correctly. Far from it to be honest. Have a look at the specification for a provincial safety, it is far from guaranteeing correct operation. I'd want to see a bike move, either 2 up or on your own. A seller might ask for full asking price as a deposit and signing of a waiver if-you-break-it-you-buy-it sort of deal. If you can't ride, bring a friend that can. At the very least, on a stand going through the gears, but I'd even be leary of that. Having an engine underload and suspension moving will ell you a lot.

You didn't mention what you were buying, but 45k is generally the point where you often need to start doing major maintenance, sprocket, chain, wheel bearings, fork seals (if they are original), steering head bearings, fork oil change (which I would do regardless), etc, etc. The list goes on. Saving a couple bucks on the purchase price over something newer, could not end up being a savings at all by the time all of the parts that are replacement that need replacing. You might be getting the worse half of the life of the bike at a pro-rated price. Not a lot of details in the original post, but something to keep in mind. Parts add up quick, and this is assuming you do the work yourself.
 
If you dont know what to look for I would suggest you bring someone who does. When you look at the bike bring cash with you, put in the sellers hands on the agreement that you brake it you buy it. If he/she agrees take it for a test ride. If he/she doesn't walk away. Those were my terms when I sold my cbr. I had no problem with somone wanting to test ride it so long as the cash was in my hands incase something happened.
 
My mistake the bike is a '05 so 8 years old. The owner didn't have a problem with me riding the bike - but without any insurance I didn't want to risk it on the road.

Seconds after I created this thread I decided to call Rosey Toes and ask their advice. Going to get them to do an inspection.
 
asennad said:
Seconds after I created this thread I decided to call Rosey Toes and ask their advice. Going to get them to do an inspection.
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Nice. Ted is quite the character. Let us know how it goes :)

-Jamie M.
 
I bought an uncertified bike this season, nothing wrong. seller agreed to let me test it down the road if i had cash upfront and so i did, seemed ok. rode it home 40 minutes uninsured/unregistered (but with a plate on it). i knew the risk i was taking, glad nothing happened. then i got it certified before registering it, obv had to ride it to the shop. i actually got sketched out riding to the shop thinking they would turn on me for not being a "law abiding citizen" but they were cool about it.
 
sesamestreet said:
I bought an uncertified bike this season, nothing wrong. seller agreed to let me test it down the road if i had cash upfront and so i did, seemed ok. rode it home 40 minutes uninsured/unregistered (but with a plate on it). i knew the risk i was taking, glad nothing happened. then i got it certified before registering it, obv had to ride it to the shop. i actually got sketched out riding to the shop thinking they would turn on me for not being a "law abiding citizen" but they were cool about it.
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wow^^ quite the risk. I was in the same boat but found a guy to do a certy at my house instead of risking a no ins charge or worse crashing and hurting someone and paying them for the rest of my life!

D
 
sesamestreet said:
I bought an uncertified bike this season, nothing wrong. seller agreed to let me test it down the road if i had cash upfront and so i did, seemed ok. rode it home 40 minutes uninsured/unregistered (but with a plate on it). i knew the risk i was taking, glad nothing happened. then i got it certified before registering it, obv had to ride it to the shop. i actually got sketched out riding to the shop thinking they would turn on me for not being a "law abiding citizen" but they were cool about it.
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That's a BIG risk you're taking there. As someone who stupidly got a ticket for driving with no insurance, I can tell you that it's not worth it for the miniscule amount of time it takes to do it the legit way. Especially if you had an accident. I had someone turn left in front of my 2 blocks from my house. You never know when or where that can happen.

I bought an uncertified bike last summer. It only took a 10 minute phone call to get insurance, another 5 minutes for them to email me the temporary insurance slip to my iphone. Then i went to service ontario and got plate. Total wait time was about 15 minutes. They give you a temporary sticker for your plate which is valid for 10 days. A few days later I went and got the bike saftied and brought the certificate back to service ontario. less than 5 minutes later I had my new sticker.

I'm not one to preach, but I've done it both ways, and had the bad outcome everyone thinks will never happen to them. Cost me three grand and major issues getting insurance for 3 years. Not worth the risk!
 
The SAFETY certification does not look over the engine or transmission. Heck some mechanics don't even jack up the bike to check the bearings. A safety guarantees you have the bare minimum tire tread depth, and brakes... and a working horn.
 
evang said:
That's a BIG risk you're taking there. As someone who stupidly got a ticket for driving with no insurance, I can tell you that it's not worth it for the miniscule amount of time it takes to do it the legit way. Especially if you had an accident. I had someone turn left in front of my 2 blocks from my house. You never know when or where that can happen.

I bought an uncertified bike last summer. It only took a 10 minute phone call to get insurance, another 5 minutes for them to email me the temporary insurance slip to my iphone. Then i went to service ontario and got plate. Total wait time was about 15 minutes. They give you a temporary sticker for your plate which is valid for 10 days. A few days later I went and got the bike saftied and brought the certificate back to service ontario. less than 5 minutes later I had my new sticker.

I'm not one to preach, but I've done it both ways, and had the bad outcome everyone thinks will never happen to them. Cost me three grand and major issues getting insurance for 3 years. Not worth the risk!
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great advise - which Service Ontario office you deal with get such fast record processing times ?
 
As a seller/buyer, I would be ok just going up the street (within eyes view) just to ensure the brakes/tranny/clutch works properly.
 
Tovarish said:
great advise - which Service Ontario office you deal with get such fast record processing times ?
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The fastest one I've ever been to is the one downtown on Victoria Street at King St. There is never a line. I got there for everything and have never waited more then a minute there. I've been there about 15 times and only twice waited, all other times I was served right away.

However, when i got my plate, I went to the one at Eglinton and Laird. Hence the wait of 15 mins. I got lucky that time. The last time I was there to get a new sticker in January I waited 45 minutes! :p
 
Getting Ted to inspect the bike is the same as buying uncertified....isn't there a reason why he's not doing safeties anymore?

Just ride it aroudn the block and bang through the gears, rip the throttle and ride the clutch a bit, should tell you generally if its in real bad shape or not. don't forget about the brakes too.
 
evang said:
The fastest one I've ever been to is the one downtown on Victoria Street at King St. There is never a line. I got there for everything and have never waited more then a minute there. I've been there about 15 times and only twice waited, all other times I was served right away.

However, when i got my plate, I went to the one at Eglinton and Laird. Hence the wait of 15 mins. I got lucky that time. The last time I was there to get a new sticker in January I waited 45 minutes! :p
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Thanks! 45 min is what I am getting unwillingly accustomed too! Wonder if they fixed problem with the kiosks issuing stickers ..
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