Used Bike Checkout

[Xdot]

Just wanted to pass my checkout procedure by you guys for comment and improvements. This is specifically for the R1150R as I'll be going to look at one this weekend (again!) but applies generally to any motorcycle. Please recommend any additions, deletions, or mods.

Call ahead to make sure bike is COLD.
Before starting engine:
Feel to see if engine is cold.
Check engine oil level. (Is tip of dipstick warm?)
Check tires, condition and pressure.
Check for leaking fluids - engine, transmission, final drive, brakes, shocks
Check for true wheels and rubbing brakes
Check brakepads for wear.
Check electrical components and lights
Check under right-side instrument panel for frayed wiring
Check smoothness of final drive by rotating rear wheel in neutral
Check fuel cap opening for corrosion
Check throttle and choke for smoothness
Check clutch and brakes for smoothness
Check suspension for smooth travel
Check for smooth steering
Pull spark plugs and examine for oil, pitting, or glazing.

Start engine:
Should start easily and idle smoothly.
ABS check light should flash then go out(help here please)
ABS servos should whine and then stop whining (help here please)
Ensure tachometer is working.
Check operation of all electrical components and lights
Cycle through gears with clutch in - ensure 'N' light functions properly
Place in 1st and roll forward slowly.
Check brakes - should grab erratically (servo-ABS)
Go faster. Check for acceleration and suspension operation
Stop to zero from various speeds.
Get engine hot.
Get brakes hot.
Listen for incorrect mechanical sounds in all gears and while stopping.
Feel for incorrect engine vibrations in all gear and at variety of speeds.
Return to owner.
With bike on centerstand, idling, hot, check for fluid leaks.
Sniff for telltale smells of burnt gear or engine oil.

Stop engine:
Re-examine wheels and brake for true.
Check for fluid leaks.
Check final drive smoothness.
Check tire pressure.
Pull and examine plugs.

After ten minutes or so:
Restart engine. Should start easily without choke.
Ride again.
Return.
Check anything suspicious on first examination.

If no surprises, bike is considered to be 'thoroughly checked out'.

Thanks.

[chibbert]

Sorry but no dipstick!

Otherwise you're golden . . . and retentive


Oh and if you were looking at my bike, I don't think I'd let you pull the plugs.

[chibbert]

Just wanted to pass my checkout procedure by you guys for comment and improvements. This is specifically for the R1150R as I'll be going to look at one this weekend (again!) but applies generally to any motorcycle. Please recommend any additions, deletions, or mods.

Call ahead to make sure bike is COLD.
Before starting engine:
Feel to see if engine is cold.
Check engine oil level. (Is tip of dipstick warm?)
Check tires, condition and pressure.
Check for leaking fluids - engine, transmission, final drive, brakes, shocks
Check for true wheels and rubbing brakes
Check brakepads for wear.
Check electrical components and lights
Check under right-side instrument panel for frayed wiring
Check smoothness of final drive by rotating rear wheel in neutral
Check fuel cap opening for corrosion
Check throttle and choke for smoothness
Check clutch and brakes for smoothness
Check suspension for smooth travel
Check for smooth steering
Pull spark plugs and examine for oil, pitting, or glazing.

Start engine:
Should start easily and idle smoothly.
ABS check light should flash then go out(help here please) THIS WONT GO OUT UNTIL YOU ROLL FORWARD A FEW FEET
ABS servos should whine and then stop whining (help here please) SHOULD LAST ABOUT 1.24719 SECONDS
Ensure tachometer is working.
Check operation of all electrical components and lights
Cycle through gears with clutch in - ensure 'N' light functions properly
Place in 1st and roll forward slowly.
Check brakes - should grab erratically (servo-ABS)
Go faster. Check for acceleration and suspension operation
Stop to zero from various speeds.
Get engine hot.
Get brakes hot. NOT ON MY BIKE!!!!
Listen for incorrect mechanical sounds in all gears and while stopping. IF YOU DON'T HEAR INCORRECT MECHANICAL SOUNDS IN THE TRANNY YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO AN R1150R
Feel for incorrect engine vibrations in all gear and at variety of speeds.
Return to owner.
With bike on centerstand, idling, hot, check for fluid leaks. DON'T DO THIS FOR MORE THAN 30 SECONDS
Sniff for telltale smells of burnt gear or engine oil.

Stop engine:
Re-examine wheels and brake for true. REDUNDANT
Check for fluid leaks.
Check final drive smoothness. REDUNDANT
Check tire pressure. EXTREMELY REDUNDANT
Pull and examine plugs. CRAZY

[Xdot]

Perfect. Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for.

[philm35]

>>ABS servos should whine and then stop whining (help here please)<<

Not necessarily true. My 2004 R1150r ABS servos will continue to whine as long as you apply the brakes.

--Phil

2004 R1150RA Silver

[chibbert]

Phil - if you check - he was referring to servo whine at startup. You turn the key on and the servos whine and then they stop.

But to clarify - the servos will whine before the engine is started and then go out. Once the engine is started, they will not whine unless the brakes are applied.

[Xdot]

I've discovered that they will even whine when the key is 'on' without the engine running. Nice, since you have brakes when you're loading or unloading the bike. Not so nice since it will eat away at that small battery pretty quick I would think.

[chibbert]

Yeah and I am guessing they are battery hogs if the motor is not running

[philm35]

That is correct, Chibbert... Shortly after powering up the bike, the servos give a quick whine burst... only about .47 seconds. I've never had any issue with the servos bringing down the battery... but then again, I don't usually apply the brakes with the engine not running. For loading and garage maneuvering, I keep the bike powered off, and use the residual braking if needed.

--Phil

[R1150Rclean]

Cold engine trick, they warm it up and then hose it down with cold water and dry it off, so it feels cold but the oil is still warm. So do not tell them within 2 hrs of when you will be there.

And always pull both plugs to check for oil fouling AFTER running it hard.