Time to get a different bike?
First question is should you buy new or used?
If you've got the cash and like shiny things, then the advantages of a brand new bike are obvious...
there are no problems, or hopefully any issues get fixed under warranty.
The problems?
The moment you push it off the showroom floor it drops a few thousand dollars in value.
You will ride like a pussy until you get that first scratch.
And you have probably bankrupted yourself financially, and now have
to spend hundreds more on bling and protection for the bike.
Personally I recommend never borrowing money to buy a bike.
If you ain't got the cash, just save up until you do.
Too many riders are getting into financial trouble
because they want everything now and just put it on credit.
Advantages of buying a used bike?
It's cheaper... duh.
Often the bike already has the bling and protective gear,
with luck possibly even the suspension is set up for your weight too.
And of course you'll be just as fast on a bike that's a few years old,
despite the ads inferring the latest models will turn you into a hot rider.
A lot of clever guys buy the almost new bike from guys who can't afford the repayments,
or impulsively bought the wrong bike.
The big problem with the used bike are those hidden problems.
Is it stolen?
Is it under finanance and about to be repossessed?
Is the owner expecting a major engine meltdown?
Are there a dozen maintenance issues coming up that the seller can't afford?
Has the owner maintained it well?
So here's a handy checklist to work through.
STOLEN OR UNDER FINANCE? Make sure that frame,
engine or VIN numbers aren't rubbed off.
In most countries it should be possible to check
the bike isn't on a register as stolen or under finance.
No matter how trustworthy the seller appears, it's always worth doing these checks.
Has it been maintained well?
Some sellers just clean it, spray it with WD40 to make it shiny,
and pretend it's been well maintained.
Encouraging signs here are a clean air filter, fresh engine oil, radiator fluid topped up,
a reasonable amount of wear on the brake pads, and a well maintained chain and spokes.
If the seller has done all these things for you,
chances are it's always been a well maintained bike.
Ditto if their workshop and house look well maintained too.
And if they keep receipts for any services and work done.
Any other suggestions?
I'll put them in the pinned first comment.
If you are a mechanical gumby, it's always handy
to bring your riding buddy who has plenty of mechanical experience.
Things like torn seats or broken plastics are obvious,
but here's a list of things that aren't so obvious...
bent radiators, rims and handlebars.
Worn bearings in your swingarm, wheels or headstem.
Leaking suspension seals.
Any other suggestions for easily overlooked issues? I'll put them in the pinned first comment.
It can be worth asking the owner not to warm up the bike before you get there.
Before starting, push the engine over slowly with just the kickstart to check the compression.
Fire her up and listen for strange sounds.
Check for any smoke from four strokes when cold or hot.
Make sure you get through all the gears and the entire rev range once she has warmed up.
Try dropping the clutch in top gear to make sure it doesn't slip.
Have another listen to the engine when it's hot, and check everything for leaks...
the radiator, front forks, engine and rear shock.
Any other tips? I'll put them in the pinned first comment.
Obviously these are just some very basic checklists.
If you google around you'll find way more information than this.
But hopefully this basic guide will see you on the back of a brilliant kick ass dirt bike soon.