Also, ask yourself some basic questions. Are you looking only for a means of transportation, or something reserved more for recreation? Do you want to upset the neighbors with loud pipes, or do you want something a little quieter? Do you want a fast bike or a nice cruiser with power to spare? These are all great questions to consider before you begin your search.

Test Riding
Some dealers will not let you test ride their motorcycles, although many are starting to come around. My thoughts are that if you're willing to drop thousands of dollars, they should definitely agree to let you take a test ride. Fortunately, most individual sellers don't have a problem with letting you ride their bikes.

Make sure you maintain a comfortable posture when riding. Some bikes can be adjusted to accommodate different sized riders. Ask yourself if you are going to be touring or just making quick hops around town? Will I have a passenger with me some of the time, or will I be riding solo? These should definitely play into your buying decision. If you're going to make long rides, you'll want to look at touring bikes or big cruisers. If you're more interested in riding around town, then you may want to get something a little more nimble and sleek.

If you're looking at pre-owned motorcycles, be sure to ask for the maintenance records. Not everyone will have up to date records, but try and get as much information as possible. You'll want to make sure the basics have been covered, like oil changes and general servicing. Any owner that cares about their motorcycle will usually have kept records or can at least get copies from shops that have serviced the bike. Also, keep in mind that some owners maintain their own bike. One basic thing you might consider is simply checking the oil. If it looks sludgy and black, the oil probably hasn't been changed in a while. This doesn't mean it's the end of the road, it's just something look out for.

Have The Motorcycle Inspected By A Professional
I just purchased a 2003 Honda VTX 1300 cruiser from an individual off the Internet. I wasn't sure about the maintenance history, since he really didn't have anything to show me. In this case I recommend taking the motorcycle to a reputable shop and having a full inspection. An inspection can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. They should check out the entire bike: Oil, tires, brake pads, scratches, rust, etc. They pointed out a few things on my VTX that raised an eyebrow but none were deal breakers.

Having your motorcycles inspected can actually give you some leverage when negotiating. On my VTX, I took the few things that needed to be taken care of into consideration. For example, it needed an oil change, new back brakes, and a new front tire. Bringing these issues to the attention of the seller allowed me to get a lower price on the bike. Keep in mind, there are lots of bikes out there, so don't settle if the deal doesn't feel right.

Look For Damage
Inspect the motorcycle for any indications of damage. Are there visible scratches? Has it ever been laid down? I was lucky to find something on my motorcycle that was almost missed - one side of the engine bar was bent and it was hard to see unless you were at the right angle. This tells me that the bike has been laid down. The owner mentioned that he was manual pushing the bike out of his garage and hit the engine bar against the garage siding. I questioned whether this was true, but there didn't seem to be any other damage. In the end, all the little nicks and scratches should help you negotiate a lower price.

Examine The Brake Pads
This may be hard to do on some bikes but usually you can see the pads. If they look low, you may need to get new pads. This is where an inspection can help. About 2/3 of the braking power comes from the front brake. If you notice the back brake pads are in need of replacement and the front pads look good, this might suggest that the owner may not be riding properly. This could also mean there was improper maintenance and caring for the bike. This may be a stretch, but it's worth considering.

Synch Up The VINs
All motorcycles have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the frame that should match the VIN on the engine. The title and insurance card should also show the VIN. Make sure everything synchs up, and if something doesn't look right, be wary of moving forward.

Verify The VIN
There are several things you can do to verify the VIN. You can call an insurance company and ask for a quote. Insurance companies have systems in place to verify VIN numbers. Contact the manufacturer to find out if there have been any recalls. Contact the police department to see if there have ever been any crimes reported against the VIN.

Examine The Tires
Look at the tread and make sure there's at least 1/16 of an inch between the treads. Check the tire pressure as well. I noticed on my motorcycle that one side of the front tire was bald and the other side was not. Was the owner running it around a track? Why is one side bald? I never did figure it out, but I didn't feel a big reason for concern.

Check The Fork Lock
Does the key work properly? Does it look brand new? These are all signs if a bike may have been stolen. Not that this should stop you from buying the motorcycle, but it's something to look for to verify the seller's legitimacy.

Examine The Air Filter
Make sure the air filter is clean and properly installed. If you notice dirt on the inside of the filter, that could spell issues down the road.

Check All Fluid Levels
Be sure to check all fluid levels. Low fluid levels might allude to poor maintenance.

Operate All Controls
Test the clutch, brakes, and any other moving part. The clutch should be smooth and easy to operate. Make sure the horn is working and that all signal lights are working properly.

Start It Up!
Crank up the engine and listen for any unusual sounds or vibrations. Smell and look for any smoke that may be coming from the engine. Look under the bike and check for any drips. Pull back on the throttle a little and listen to the engine for any odd sounds. Let the bike idle for a few minutes. See if it's having problems idling. Make sure all the gauges are working properly and that no engines lights are on. Check the miles as well to make sure what the seller advertised is correct.

Don't Be Afraid To Negotiate
Don't always pay the asking price. Look at all the data you pulled together based on your inspection of the bike and ask for a lower price if something isn't up to snuff. Another option is to have the seller throw in some extras. When I bought my VTX, the seller also gave me two helmets, two leather jackets, cleaning supplies, and a cover for the motorcycle. Not bad.

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