All good advise
Its an 8 year old one previous owner from a dealer therefore on the basis that the dealer won’t be taking any risks I’d rely on the dealers HPI check, although its your money so your choice, nothing is cast in stone with these things.
Remove rose tinted glasses and look at it for what it is, an 8 year old work horse come play mate, ignore the colour, ignore the numbers.
Test ride and check for any undue vibrations, wobbles or handling issues, don’t just test ride it through the 30’s take it out onto the 40’s, 50’s and nationals. Ride it through the rev band, taking it up to the red line in the lower gears and up and down the gear box too. Listen out for any knocking or rattling sounds or for anything else it shouldn’t be doing. Get at least one ear up close to the engine on tick over and listen out for any rattlings or grumblings that shouldn’t be there.
Check the service book for previous service history, you want to see at least five or six service stamps spread over the life of the bike. Of particular interest is the date of the last stamp, if its getting to be near a year ago then it’ll be due an oil & filter change, you’ll want that doing when they check it through their workshop.
If it comes with a fresh 12 months MOT, assuming there are no advisories, you can assume the tyres, brake pads, chain and sprockets etc have some serviceable life left in them but don’t just rely on the MOT. Check the tyres, brake pads, discs, chain and sprockets these are the serviceable items that add up to the cost of mo’cycling. Also check pivot points such as brake/clutch levers, brake pedal, side stand and the like, you’re looking for signs of light lubrication or greasing, little tell tales to the detailing of the previous servicing but not necessarily a major issue .
If all is well its offer time, £2,799 is the dealers price and gives them a little leeway for trade ins. Assuming you’re not trading in and you have cash in your purse I’d offer them £2,400 and expect to pay not a penny more than £2,500. OK so if its what you want, what you really really want then maybe go the extra yard or so, whatever you do don’t be to keen.
If any alarm bells ring or there is something your not entirely happy with WALK AWAY, no matter what the registration number is or how much you like the colour, your buying a mo’cycle not a reg plate or work or work of art.
