Used motorcycle inspection checklist for Vietnam

The humid coastal climate in Nha Trang wears a motorcycle faster than a dry one. Salt in the air, daily rain in season and sand off the beach all take their toll. A bike that would look fresh inland can be close to a serious repair here.

Start with the frame and the geometry

Stand the bike upright and look at it from the front and from the back. Both wheels should sit in the same plane. Inspect the steering head and the welds on the frame: fresh paint in one spot surrounded by faded paint deserves a question.

Check the forks for oil weeping and rust pitting on the stanchions. Push the suspension down a few times: it should move smoothly, without knocking or squeaking.

The inspection list

• Frame and engine numbers are readable and show no signs of tampering
• No oil leaks from the forks, the shock or under the engine
• Chain and sprockets have no hooked teeth and no excessive slack
• Brake discs are free of deep grooves and the pads are not worn out
• Tyres show no sidewall cracking and the manufacturing date is legible
• All lights, indicators and the brake light work
• The engine starts from cold without long cranking
• No vibration through the bars and no pulling to one side when riding

The test ride matters more than the walk-around

Ride the bike yourself for at least a couple of kilometres, and not only in a straight line. Accelerate, brake with both brakes, take a corner each way. A bike that pulls to one side with a light grip almost always has a geometry problem.

A cold engine tells you far more than a warm one. Ask the seller not to start the bike before you arrive: a warm motor hides both hard starting and blue smoke.

If you are choosing a bike remotely, our mechanic in Nha Trang can inspect that specific machine and film it in detail before you send a deposit. That costs less than fixing someone else's mistakes after the purchase.