When it comes to buying your first dirt bike, you are obviously going to take all the time you need before you own your first baby – and that’s the right way to go. However, with different avenues available to do so – be it online or offline, models to choose from, price, color, etc. etc. – you may start finding it a little too taxing to make the final and right decision. Don’t worry about it. We are here to keep it simple and we promise to teach you how to Buy Your First Dirt Bike In 3 Easy Steps:
Step 1 – Research
Remember the old adage: “Look before you leap”? It works for dirt bike buying as well. It is important, no imperative, to do as much research as you can before you buy a bike. There are multiple bikes from various companies that work with different purposes. Here’s a key – narrow your search by looking for bike models that contain “450” – these are built specially for the dirt roads. Also, another important tip is to check what weight you can handle. For example, if you’re a beginner, then going for a heavy bike will not help you to make proper maneuvers or even try a wheelie for that matter. These days a lot of online forums are available where you can read up on customer feedback and comments. A great place you can start with is dirtbikeaddicts.com.
Step 2 – Scouting
Now that you have narrowed down the model, make (and hopefully the price) of the bike you are looking for, it’s time to start scouting. This step is just as vital in the entire process. There are major sites like eBay and Craigslist where sellers advertise. Sometimes people don’t post an honest ad, mostly to attract more prospective buyers. So don’t fall for what you see, rather get in touch with the advertiser and don’t feel shy to ask about specifics. Let’s assume you’ve narrowed down one person who you think has the bike of your dreams. Visit this person once before sealing the deal. A good tip is to take in the buyer himself/herself – is the person passionate about the bike they are trying to sell? Why are they selling it? See the way they talk about the bike – do they sound uninterested and just eager to push it on to you in exchange for money, or do they talk lovingly about it, trying to answer your every question and clear your doubts? You want someone who is going to extend support to you even after you become the new owner. Also, by the way they talk about the bike you can get to know how they treated the bike during ownership.
Step 3 – Buying
Just because you can’t wait to get on the bike and start performing stunts, doesn’t mean you should rush this buy. If the seller claims that certain repairs and parts have been modified on the bike, ask for a receipt or some sort of evidence of it. If they don’t have it, then take it with a pinch of salt. If you can, ask the previous owner for a test run, see if the bike and you make good companions, and then and only then think of purchasing it. At the time of exchange, ask them for all sorts of documents, receipts or any other valid documentation of it so that you are not left in a haze should an emergency occur. Don’t feel afraid to ask about shortfalls, past accidents or any other doubt, no matter how controversial or straight forward. Once you buy it, take it over to a trustworthy mechanic to give it a once-over before you take it on the road. Any ignorance can lead to peril.
