Ok first off I just want to say what's up to everybody here in the forums. This is going to be my first time getting a bike and hopefully this site can help me out. I just moved to California from New Jersey and wanted to get a bike to commute and cruise around. I am only going to be here for 7 months. I have my Cali license test tomorrow and than I am going to schedule a Motorcycle course from there. I just had a couple of questions. What should I look for when buying a used bike? Is a test drive normal? How do you get the bike home? Where can I get riding gear? Does the bike have to be smogged? Other than my license and insurance is anything else required when registering a bike? I'm 90% set on getting a motorcycle right now I'm just not sure about how to go about everything. This would definately help me out. If there is anything I forgot that I should know about please let me know. Thanks-John

 

where about in cali are you going to be ?

how far of a comute are you looking at ?

how much riding experience do you have ?

bike smog=no not yet but im sure that day is coming.

registration, proof of insurance and the pink slip, more of a pita to regester a bike bought out of state so consider that.

most dealers around me will let you test a used bike as long as you have the documentation and a lic. private party sellers like myself will say hell no, or cash up front first.

 

ohh and i forgot, welcome to the kf forums

 

I'm in the Milpitas/Fremont area. South east of the bay. My commute is only about a mile or so. I don't need the bike because my roommate is in my class I want it more to cruise on the weekends and get experience riding. I have almost no experience. My friend had a Katana 750 he started teaching me on. I learned how to start and stop without dropping the bike, other than that I never left a parking lot. As far as test drives, I want to buy from a private owner but I would have cash in hand. Thanks

 

1st off welcome to California, now go home! Jk bro, to answer your questions;

1, What should I look for when buying a used bike?
Same as a car, look for how it has been taken care of, ask for maintenance record, A lot do there own maintenance so peek in the garage if you can. If they are doing there own they will have lots of tools and stuff. The bike should start easily and idles smoothly. I have in the past asked the owner not to warm up the bike before I get there so I can it here it start cold. Obvious wear and tear, are there scratches or rashes from being down. Do not worry about bikes that have been down, 97% have been and the other 3% are show pieces. The last used bike I bought looked like it just came off the show room floor, I met the guy a his work so he rides it and keeps it clean. He had to get a ride that day

2, Is a test drive normal? No, most will not unless you have proper collateral but I would not count on it. If you have little experience than I would not let you on my bike.

3, How do you get the bike home? Bring a helmet and ride it. I would say if you can not ride go and sign up for the MSF, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Google it, and take the course it will give you the basics and you will have no problems getting home. Trailer is the other option as well as taking someone with you how can ride.

4, Where can I get riding gear? Bike store, the stealership or online. Get the gear only squids ride with out it.

5, Does the bike have to be smogged?, Not that I am a wear of, I have never smogged mine. Clean air vehicle.

6, Other than my license and insurance is anything else required when registering a bike? M1 endorsement on your license.

Be careful on the commuting it is a jungle out there and your are a gazelle, quick and nimble, but if one of the larger predators get a bite into you it will hurt.

Ride safe and come back any time for more answers or to just hang out. Many cool foos here.

Mike

 

Thanks again. You guys have been a huge help I really appreciate it. I just have one more question for now. When I get my California license and take the MSF do I still have to take the written test at the the DMV?

 

Yes you still have to do the written test but you avoid the almost impossibe ride test.

 

yeah man. if you go into the msf course with a permit, they will give you a golden ticket to take to the dmv that says you get a licence. ok its not golden, its yellow.

 

mine was orange, maybe I am special.

 

they give those to the special ones for wearing a helmet on and off the bike.