Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Used motorbikes are often the choice for consumers who want to reduce transportation costs. Apart from being practically usable straight away, the price is also much cheaper.
However, if you are not careful, you could end up spending more money when buying a used motorbike for a number of reasons, from the condition of the engine to the vehicle documents.
For this reason, there are things you need to know before deciding to bring home the used motorbike you want. The following explanation is presented CNN Indonesia:
1. Check market prices
Before buying a used motorbike, make sure you first check the market selling price of the motorbike you are looking for. The market selling price is influenced by the year the motorbike was produced. The newer the year, of course the more expensive it is.
2. Check the frame number and engine number of the motorbike
The next safe step to buy a used motorbike is to check the frame number and engine number of the motorbike.
Make sure the frame and engine numbers are the same as those listed on the STNK or BPKB. Even though it’s the same, don’t be in a hurry to believe that the motorbike is official. Here’s how to ensure the original chassis number:
- Feel with your hand the frame number and engine number of the motorbike
- Make sure the number print does not feel rough
- If it feels rough and the shape is not precise, you should suspect that the motorbike is stolen
- Purchasers of stolen motorbikes often disguise the chassis number and engine number by knocking to trick potential buyers
- Cancel your intention to buy if the frame number feels rough and doesn’t match so that it doesn’t become a problem when you have to take care of the vehicle documents.
To ensure the authenticity of the chassis number and engine number, you can utilize the police service by sending a short message in the format Metro (space) police number then send to 1717. Unfortunately, this service for checking the authenticity of chassis numbers only applies to the Jakarta area.
3. Check the physical condition of the motorbike
The physical checking stage of the motorbike body is quite important. Even though it looks good in appearance, it’s a good idea to be careful when physically checking the motorbike.
Check the motorbike body for no scratches, cracks, dents or breaks. Then check that the motor bolts are complete and tight.
You can also ask the seller about the authenticity of motorbike parts. It would be better if all the spare parts installed were original spare parts.
4. Check the motor oil
Oil must be in your vehicle’s engine, without oil your vehicle’s engine could be seriously damaged. When checking the oil, pay attention to the following oil colors:
- Black oil is a sign that it needs to be replaced immediately
- Brown oil means the oil is still usable
- Milky white oil is a sign that the motorbike’s engine has taken in water or been submerged in a flood
Machines that have been submerged in flooding will usually experience many problems in the future. Give up your intention to buy a motorbike in such conditions.
5. Check the speedometer
The speedometer functions to calculate speed and distance traveled. If the speedometer is off, it will be difficult for you to predict how many kilometers the motorbike has been driven.
If it is more than 20,000 km, then in the future you will replace a number of motorbike parts. The price varies depending on the type and year of production of the motorbike.
6. Check the health of the motorbike engine
The next tip for buying a used motorbike is to start the motorbike engine. When starting the motorbike engine, pay attention to the following:
- When the engine is cranked (kick starter) it is not difficult or loud.
- When the engine is started with an electric starter, make sure it starts with one try. A motorbike battery that is well maintained does not make it difficult to start the motorbike.
- Don’t gas the motorbike to see if the engine stops suddenly or stalls. If so, there may be a problem with the engine.
7. Check transmission performance (for manual)
If you choose to buy this manual motorbike, you must test that the gear shift feels easy and smooth when running, and does not feel loud or make a whirring sound.
8. Check the motor frame
Checking the straightness of the frame is a bit difficult just to do visually. You have to run the motorbike to feel that the frame is not bent.
The method is to run the motorbike at a speed of 40 km/hour then press the brake suddenly, if the motorbike is difficult to control it is a sign that the motorbike frame and handlebar shaft are bent.
9. Test drive
The last tip for buying a used motorbike is to try a test drive. In this way, you can find out whether there is a leak in the oil or radiator water after the motorbike is running in between the engines.
Apart from that, with a test drive you can feel the vehicle’s vibrations, one of which is from the handlebars, as well as the electrical performance of the front, rear lights, turn signals, horn and speedometer which are functioning properly.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(hsy/hsy)