Buying Used Motorcycles

Motorcycle enthusiasts sink a lot of money into their rides by adding extra equipment, personalizing and modifying them. One way to help reduce the overall amount that you spend on your bike is to start with a used motorcycle that you can customize the way you want.

Before you Buy: Get the Bike’s Story

While buying a used motorcycle is, in theory, a perfect solution, insurance doesn’t cover the damages that come when you purchase a bike that is mechanically unsound, so you need to take care in getting the whole story about the bike’s history.

·         Ask if this is the bike’s original owner: If you are buying the motorcycle from its original owner, then they will know the bike’s whole history. If not, there may be skeletons sitting in the bike’s closet.

·         Ask if the bike has ever been in an accident: If the motorcycle’s been in an accident or has been dropped, it’s possible there is irreparable damage to its frame. You can also enter the bike’s VIN number into the Carfax system to get a report.

·         Get the maintenance records: A properly maintained bike can be a good buy, but a bike that has had no tune ups and little attention paid to oil and other fluids could be a nightmare.

Before You Buy: Test Drive It

You should never purchase a new or used vehicle without first test driving it. When you test ride a used motorcycle, take care to wear a helmet and only test drive it if you have a Class M license. When test driving, About.com suggests that you check the bike’s acceleration, clutch, and brakes after you’ve gotten used to the way that particular model rides.

About.com also suggests that you listen to the bike as you test drive it. Listen for excessively squealing brakes, a loud muffler, rattling in the shocks and a “droning” sound from older bearings.

Before You Buy: Bring the Bike to Your Trusted Mechanic

When buying any used vehicle it’s a good idea to run the vehicle by your mechanic before you fork over any cash. Unless you are a mechanic yourself, it would be difficult to get a more thorough endorsement.

If you are concerned about insurance on your new used motorcycle, give us a call before you buy. We can discuss the many discounts, benefits, limits and deductibles available to you so you understand how your insurance policy will impact your bike-buying budget.

Contact us at (866) 851-5220 for a free Texas motorcycle insurance quote or visit our office.

When you work with an insurance agent, you aren’t simply striking up a deal, you are creating a partnership for risk hedging and liability planning. The agent you choose will have a tremendous influence on your family’s and asset protection, making this an extremely important partnership. You must find an agent that you not only trust, but one whose knowledge and experience are vast enough to ensure that he or she will cover all the bases while still being personally compatible with you.

1. Ask friends and family for referrals: If you know someone who has an agent, and loves them, then finding out who that agent is. Doing some research on them is a great way to weed through all the options.
2. Do a web search: Most agents are on the web now. If you do a web search in any search engine for the type of insurance you are shopping for and your location, you will turn up hundreds of results that allow you a starting point to further your research.
3. Read an agent’s blog: Blogs are a less formal way of communicating with potential clients. Often, a blog post will give readers a hint about the underlying personality of the agent while giving an indication of how knowledgeable they are.
4. Read newsletters: Agents who offer newsletter subscriptions to visitors of their website are educating people at no charge. These articles can help you determine what the scope of the agent’s business is and what lines of insurance he or she specializes in. Newsletter articles can often point out how a new line of insurance, one you hadn’t previously considered for your financial plan, will benefit you.
5. Read the agent’s About Me page: It’s nice to have something in common with the person who will be helping to design your insurance plan. Read your agent’s About Me page to get an idea of what personal and professional things you have in common.

It’s important that you take the time to find the right agent for you, the first time around. Once you’ve developed this relationship it is valuable to keep it going through the years. This will make claims, premiums and renewals so much easier. Also, you’ll know that you have a knowledgeable professional watching your back, even when you don’t know it needs watchin’.

We at Shawn Camp Insurance know that making sound decisions about your coverage is one of the most important things you can do. We stand committed to providing the best combination of service, price and products to meet your individual needs. We specialize in Killeen auto insurance as well as homeowners & business insurance in Copperas Cove, Temple, Gatesville and across Texas. Contact us for at 866-851-5220 for a  free Houston insurance quote.