From that coveted wind-in-your-hair feeling to experiencing the freedom of the open road to planning a long-distance cruise with some of your closest friends, there are plenty of reasons to search the internet for "used motorcycles for sale near me" and add a bike to your personal collection. That said, the buying process can be a little intimidating for those who are new to the two-wheel lifestyle, but that’s where SF Moto comes in. As the Bay Area’s leading motorcycle dealership, we’re here to walk you through every step of the buying experience.
We offer a generous selection of both new and pre-owned motorcycles designed to fit every niche, from speedy sport bikes and luxurious cruisers to off-road models, scooters, and cutting-edge electric motorcycles that offer the best of both worlds in terms of performance and efficiency. We’re eager to share our passion for all things motorcycle and have a few tips to share when it comes to ensuring success when shopping for a used bike. Join us as we cover a few tips for first-time buyers.
Choose the Right Bike
The first step in buying a used motorcycle is deciding what sort of bike you’ll need for your unique riding needs. Today’s motorcycles are just as diverse as any other vehicle, with different styles excelling in different riding scenarios and offering varying levels of performance and comfort.
Start by considering how and where the bike will be used. Are you looking for a touring bike that’s designed for extended road trips or a street bike that can be used to speed around town? Riders looking to explore the off-road scene might want to go with a dual sport, while a classic cruiser offers timeless style and unrivaled comfort.
It’s important to be honest with yourself about your experience level. Any rider can master any type of motorcycle with enough practice, but some bikes have a significantly steeper learning curve than others. Being overambitious can lead to frustration and see your riding career come to an end before it even gets started.
Do Your Research
Your journey to finding a great used motorcycle starts days or weeks before you first set foot in SF Moto. Doing a little research can go a long way towards simplifying the buying process, allowing you to enter our dealership with a solid idea of what you’re looking for, the price you expect to pay, and other important details. There are plenty of online resources that can help you narrow down your search and provide helpful background information on the reputations and reliability of various brands and models, and price comparison tools that’ll ensure you’re paying a fair price for your preowned bike.
The team at SF Moto is also here to help answer any questions you might have and can provide clear, honest reviews of all of the bikes we have on offer. Just remember: the sticker price doesn’t necessarily indicate how much a motorcycle is going to cost you over the long haul. Lifetime ownership costs, including maintenance and insurance, should always be part of the equation when you sit down to work out the number. Riders shopping in the used market do have a marked advantage when it comes to staying on budget, thanks to the fact that lower prices often equate to lower insurance premiums.
Find a Ready-to-Ride Bike
Here at SF Moto, we’re committed to getting our customers on the road as quickly as possible. That means you’ll enjoy a fast, hassle-free buying experience and leave our lot on a bike that’s ready to go. Our service department puts every used bike through its paces, performing an extensive inspection and completing whatever work might be needed to provide you with a safe, reliable ride. We assign a wear and tear percentage to every component and replace any items that might need a little work before releasing our products to the public. From rust and leaks to lights, brakes, and fluids, you can start your riding journey with confidence, knowing that SF Moto has your back.
Things to Look Out For
There are a couple red flags that buyers should always be mindful of when selecting a used motorcycle. Every motorcycle is bound to experience a little wear and tear over time, but certain flaws could indicate that a bike has been put through the wringer. Extensive scratches and bent levers could indicate that a bike has been through a nasty crash, and while refurbishment isn’t out of the question, you could be fighting an uphill battle when it comes to keeping your ride on the road. Leaks, rattles, and smoky exhaust can also signal some deeper issues, but these aren’t things you’ll have to worry about when shopping at SF Moto. Our owner personally inspects every used bike before it hits our lot, leveraging his years of experience to decide which bikes make the cut and which get sent to auction.
Our Crash-Free Guarantee
We also never buy bikes that have been through a crash, and we don’t try to hide any imperfections in an attempt to make a few extra bucks. Our policy is to never replace any cosmetic defects before putting a bike up for sale, which means you are looking at exactly what we looked at when we bought the motorcycle.
We take anywhere between 50 and 60 detailed photos of every used bike, which can be viewed here on our website, and we always point out blemishes and scratches to ensure that you know just what you're getting. This gives riders from all over the western United States the confidence to come to SF Moto, purchase a used bike, and ride home knowing that there won't be any issues.
Our comprehensive approach provides our customers with a level of transparency that few dealerships can match, and it’s a big part of the reason why riders return to SF Moto time and time again for all their motorcycle needs. But our high standards don’t impact our trade-in policy. Even if your bike isn’t in condition to be sold through our dealership, we’ll still buy it from you and put some cash back in your pocket.
SF Moto Is Your One-Stop Shop for Used Bikes
Riders throughout California have come to trust SF Moto for all their riding needs, and it’s easy to see why. We hold our used bikes to a higher standard, which means that every buyer can enjoy years of worry-free riding while sticking to their budget. By offering a wide selection of used models from some of the industry's top brands, we ensure you’ll always be able to find the right motorcycle for whatever sort of riding you have in mind.
We also provide a 90-day warranty on all of our pre-owned bikes, detail and clean each model, and foster a no-pressure buying experience that’ll have you leave knowing that you landed a fair deal. If you’re tired of dealing with the uncertainty that often comes with a private sale and are eager to get your two-wheeled journey kicked off as soon as possible, stop by SF Moto today and learn how much of a difference working with a reliable used motorcycle dealership can make.
