Buying A Motorbike

There are a couple of options;

  • Buying from a dealer
  •  Buying from a backpacker.

Dealers see tourist coming a mile off and not all of them are honest about the conditions of the bikes they are selling. Most of the bikes look great due to recent spray paint jobs and trendy looking stickers but underneath that, you have no idea the condition of the bike and they will just tell you its good to go.

Backpackers sell on their bikes after completing their journey. They may also not be so forthcoming with the bikes faults. Their bikes however may have taken a beating but they will also have had to put some money into repairs. They are often looking for a fast sale so they can return home or onto someplace else. The best place to look for a bike is around popular backpacker hostels and bars. Backpackers walk about with photocopies of their bike for sale pinned to their t-shirts and or park them near by with For Sale signs on them or hostel pin boards.

Both list bikes on line on theses various sites;

 

Bikes available and their average prices;

Blue Cards: Each bike must have a registration card. This is normally blue and referred to as a ´Blue Card´.  Make sure that the license plate number and the make of the bike on the Blue Card matches that of the bikes.  You won´t have ownership of the bike if you buy a bike with out this and can´t legally ride it or sell it on.  

 *Honda stopped making real wins in 2000. *Almost 99% “Honda Win’s” your see for sale are Chinese copies. The Vietnamese copied it 7 years ago and make a slightly more reliable version which is called a sufat.  If you don’t see Honda printed on the registration card then its a copy. If the bike comes with both electric start and kick start then it’s definitely a Chinese copy. But don´t let that spoil your fun.

TIPS:

  • Wether you buy a bike from a dealer or a backpacker you need to TEST RIDE the bike first. Ask to take it for at least a twenty minute ride or ask them to take you on the back for a test ride.
  • Take your time when buying a bike don´t rush into buying something that you are not 100% sure about.
  • Look at the bike to see if it has been spray painted to cover anything up and do a full bike check. 
  • Many of the bikes you see are made of of lots of spare parts from other bikes so every bike has its own list off issues which you won´t find out until your riding. 
  • Plan to spend up to $50 just on repairs.
  • Bike repair shops outside of the city are a lot cheaper and usually more honest. Make an early pitstop and get a full overhaul, that way you won´t keep breaking down and constantly doing repairs along the way.
  • The dirty and messer the bike repair shop the better, look for half built similar bikes. This means they work a lot on fixing these kinds of bikes and have spare parts.
  • There is a difference between an oil change shop and a mechanic shop.

Bike Insurance: You do not need to buy bike insurance for the bike like you do in most other countries, but make sure you drive with a full International Motorbike license and have your own travel insurance.  It´s illegal to ride a bike with out a license. If you ride have an accident without an international bike License your travel insurance will not cover it. Pays to read the small print.

While test riding run though a basic check list; lights, horn, transmission, brakes, suspension, kick starter, electric starter, clutch, tyres, gear changes, neutral, speedometer speedometer, gas gage. Make sure all work and that no parts or bolts or the exhaust is loose or rattling. 

Extensive checking List;

FRAME: Check the frame is straight – Stand behind the bike lift the bike rotate the back wheel it should roll round evenly. That the front handle bars are straight when you sit on it and loose.

BREAKS: Check both work well DON´T RIDE with bad breaks. 

TYRES: Check the tires have tread on them are not worn or bald and that no bits are missing on the sides.

ELECTRONICS: Started works, headlights and indicators work. Check twice and dim the lights, Check the horn. *the horn will be your new best friend.

SUSPENSION: After pressing down on the bikes suspension it should return to its original position without any subsequent bouncing clunking or noise.

GEARS: Check your gear pedal is attacked firmly and that when shifting gears its smooth and you find neutral with ease.

CHAIN: This should be oiled, not too loose, not too tight and move smoothly.

GAS TANK: Take your finger and run in below and under the tank to check there are no rust holes or badly patched ones covered up by a fresh spray paint job. Make sure that the gas cap seal is good and you can open and close it with the key.

Repairs Breakdown: Even if the bike seams in good condition it´s worth doing a few basics before heading off; Oil change, new spark plug, put new wheel bearings and set the idle on your bike.

A lot of the Chinese copy of the Honda Wins have bad idling due to many problems with their engine, carburetor and electrical system. It affects the acceleration and performance of the bike. Here´s how to adjust it your self. 

Average cost for repairs:

  • Oil change 80.000 overhaul.
  • New Battery 250.000
  • New Head light 200.000
  • Head light Bulbs front and back  50.000
  • New Speedometer 100.000
  • New Spark plug 40.000
  • Chain Tightened 10.000
  • Flat tyre 10.000 / 30.000
  • Weld an exhaust or replace 20 / 150.000
  • Wheel bearings per wheel 50.000
  • Indicator 30.000
  • Front tyre 120.000
  • Back tyre 150.000
  • Small wiring fix, head light not working or horn 20.000

Bad Bike Accessories: Dealers try to entice buyers with a few add ons. You don´t need them. Phone chargers drain batteries, buy a portable battery charger. Use your maps.me as your navigation system you don´t need a fancy navigation gadget. Racks are simply just dangerous and badly attached.

Good Bike Accessories:  Water resistant mount case for phone, bungie cords.

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