Buying a used motorcycle is a great move. Until it isn’t.

A clean-looking bike can hide all kinds of ugly. And unless you know what to look for, you could end up with someone else’s half-finished project, a salvage special, or a money pit that eats through your savings faster than an oil leak on an old Ducati. 

To help you avoid all that pain and suffering, we asked three of our certified mechanics here at Imperial Motorcycles one simple question:

What’s the biggest red flag to watch for when buying a used motorcycle?

We filmed it, and their answers were fast, honest, and based on years of wrenching. Have a watch below to see for yourself. 

We’ll give you a quick written rundown of what the boys said below, and dive a little deeper into a full list of the red flags to look for before you hand your cash over to a stranger. 

What Our Mechanics Say

Stefano:

“Aftermarket bodywork. If someone says it’s never been down, and the fairings aren’t original, that’s a red flag. It probably hit the pavement.”

Kent:

“Check the motor oil. If it’s black and sludgy, that tells you everything about how the bike’s been treated.”

Dylan:

“Look for damage around the edges—bar ends, foot pegs, stator covers. If it’s been dropped, you might not know the full extent. Also watch for hard starts, weird wiring, or anything that feels like a Frankenstein rebuild.”

We see used bikes every day. And when red flags show up, they don’t show up alone. With that in mind, we put together an even more exhaustive list of used bike red flags below. 

Visual Red Flags for Used Motorcycles

Start with a slow walkaround. Look for anything that feels patched, rushed, or sketchy.

• Aftermarket plastics on a “never crashed” bike? That doesn’t add up, plain and simple.
• Scratched bar ends, bent levers, worn foot pegs. These are all signs it’s hit the ground.
• Mismatched paint, discoloured panels, or missing decals could mean a respray.
• Sloppy wiring is a definite red flag. Random wires zip-tied to the frame or taped together with hope? Walk away.
• Heavily worn chain or flat-spotted tires might not kill the deal, but they show the owner wasn’t paying attention. Which could be a sign that there are other issues.
  
  

Trust your eyes and your gut (but also, your mechanic). 

Mechanical Red Flags for Used Motorcycles

If you can start the bike—or better yet, test ride it—there’s a lot more to watch for.

• Oil that’s black or burnt means neglected maintenance. It’s simple, but like Kent mentioned above in our video, it’s telling. 
• Hard starts, especially when it’s hot or cold, point to fuelling or compression issues.
• Knocking sounds, poor throttle response, or sloppy clutch engagement should all raise eyebrows.
• Leaky fork seals are a common issue that can turn dangerous fast.
• Pulsing brakes may indicate warped rotors.
• And if the bike struggles to shift or sounds unhappy in any gear, don’t assume it just “needs a tune-up.”
  
  

Your mechanic will catch all of this during a proper inspection. But you should still know what to listen and feel for to narrow down your search when shopping for a used motorcycle in Vancouver or anywhere else. 

Paperwork & Ownership Red Flags for Used Motorcycles

Sometimes the sketchiness isn’t in the bike—it’s in the story.

• No maintenance records? Not a dealbreaker, but it makes it harder to verify anything. We think a pre-purchase inspection is always a must, but, and we’re screaming here, if you have no maintenance records it’s a MUST. 
• “Ran great last season” but you can’t test ride it? We’d probably move along.
• Salvage or rebuilt title with no explanation? Ask questions.
• VIN plate looks tampered with or missing entirely? Big problem.
• Missing keys, security fobs, or mismatched documentation can leave you stuck if the bike is immobilized or flagged. Be extra cautious. 

In Canada, especially in BC, it’s easy to check the registration status and history with a quick ICBC check. Do it.

When to Walk Away

The bike looks cool. The price is low. You want it to be the one.

But if you spot any of this, it’s probably time to keep looking:

• The seller avoids your questions or gets weird when you ask about damage.
• You’re told “it just needs a little work” but they haven’t done it. This happens way too much in our experience, and yeah, it’s a red flag. 
• It looks like a Frankenbike—track plastics, weird geometry, no VIN.
• They won’t let you test ride it or bring it to a shop. That’s a no from us. 

You’re not just buying a bike, you’re buying the problems that come with it. Choose wisely.

Bring It to a Shop Before You Buy

Seriously. This one step can save you thousands. And in our case, it’ll cost you nothing.

We offer pre-purchase inspections free of charge right here at Imperial Motorcycles. Why? We want you to feel confident and buy a bike that you’ll love (and that’ll love you right back). Our thought here is that if we help you out with a pre-purchase inspection, you’ll come visit us for maintenance down the line. And we love building relationships with new riders in the Lower Mainland. It’s a full multi-point check done by mechanics who’ve seen it all. We’ll catch the stuff you can’t and give you honest advice on whether to walk away or go for it.

Whether it’s a first bike or your tenth, having a second set of eyes is the best move you can make.

Book your free pre-purchase inspection now.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Buying used is smart. Just don’t go in blind.

The biggest red flags are the ones you ignore because the bike looks good or the deal feels urgent. Take your time. Ask the right questions. And if anything feels off, trust your gut. Or better yet, trust your mechanic.

If you’re thinking about buying a used motorcycle in Vancouver, swing by the shop or give us a call. We’re here to help you ride away with confidence. 

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