Where do you guys bring your motorcycle to get checked? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Where do you guys bring your motorcycle to get checked?

Q

Questionz

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Hey guys, Sorry for the newbie post.

Just wondering, if I were to buy a new motorcycle (which i plan to do), where should i bring it to get it checked - like you would a car to be checked by a mechanic? I understand not all garages know how to check a motorcycle, so any suggestions? Hopefully a reputable place in the GTA.

Also, it would be great if you could let me (and other newbies) know what to look for when buying a used bike? Things I know to look for are:
1. Tread
2. Mileage
3. Damage
- thats about it :(

Any suggestions on where to go when, say, installing things on your bike such as alarms and such? I have no idea where any reputable garages/performance shops are!

THANKS!
 
also look at

chain/sprockets
brake pads/rotors
throttle free play
missing screws or bolts
lights/signals

all I can think of off the top of my head at the moment

for shops where are you located more specifically?
 
Bring = here
Take = there


...thus "Where do you guys TAKE your motorcycles to, to get checked?"


..Oh and yah...Hi, Welcome aboard!
Get a hold of kneedragger88 on this board if you need a good guy.
 
omnivore said:
Get a hold of kneedragger88 on this board if you need a good guy.
Click to expand...
+1 for Ken. Straight up guy and very knowledgeable, he can also pick up the bike and drop it off for you.
He's usually very busy though, hopefully he can squeeze you in.

Welcome!
 
It's always easier to recommend a shop, if people know your location.
For example, I like Mike, at Clarington Cycle, but, if you're from Oakville, you may find that sort of a useless recommendation.
 
Youtube is a great resource for many things motorcycle related. Before i got my m1/m2 and my first bike i was totally in the dark about most things as well, there are many good vids there on everything on tips on how to ride to how to buy and maintain a bike. Here are a few..

How to buy an old motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd8-cEkuB3s
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA_upULdNUY
part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumczfDPxjA

Buying Used Bikes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqiLdhBlL_c

Guide to buying a motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZV4GvzcbK0
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm3Geyn3__0

How to buy a new motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dv8PlE5UNU
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDmAowbQPyo&feature=related


and here is one that shows what you DON'T want to wear on.. or do with your new motorcycle...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23UWAHaywwo LOL
 
Last edited:
Johnny5 said:
Youtube is a great resource for many things motorcycle related. Before i got my m1/m2 and my first bike i was totally in the dark about most things as well, there are many good vids there on everything on tips on how to ride to how to buy and maintain a bike. Here are a few..

How to buy an old motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd8-cEkuB3s
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA_upULdNUY
part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumczfDPxjA

Buying Used Bikes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqiLdhBlL_c

Guide to buying a motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZV4GvzcbK0
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm3Geyn3__0

How to buy a new motorcycle:
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dv8PlE5UNU
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDmAowbQPyo&feature=related


and here is one that shows what you DON'T want to wear on.. or do with your new motorcycle...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23UWAHaywwo LOL
Click to expand...

+1 Thanks!

I'm located in downtown Toronto, and am looking for a bike to ride, and take my M test with.

Wow, from the sounds of it, Ken really is a good guy. Does he work on motorcycles, or are motorcycles his hobby?
 
Questionz said:
Wow, from the sounds of it, Ken really is a good guy. Does he work on motorcycles, or are motorcycles his hobby?
Click to expand...

You could just take your bike to dealer and have them go over it... they'll charge you an arm and a leg for labor to do this but it 'should' be fairly comprehensive

having said that ken does the maintenance on 2 of my bikes and it has worked out. he works on bikes, owns a shop and a racing league :p
 
chiller said:
You could just take your bike to dealer and have them go over it... they'll charge you an arm and a leg for labor to do this but it 'should' be fairly comprehensive

having said that ken does the maintenance on 2 of my bikes and it has worked out. he works on bikes, owns a shop and a racing league :p
Click to expand...

Can I ask where his shop is located? and what he normally charges for checking out the bike? You guys are very helpful, thanks a lot! Great community.
 
Questionz said:
Can I ask where his shop is located? and what he normally charges for checking out the bike? You guys are very helpful, thanks a lot! Great community.
Click to expand...
Bowmanville.
Doesn't matter though, he offers a pick up/drop off service.
 
So, if I took a look at the bike, looked at the treads, chain, damage, etc, and I like what I see, if the seller says its certified and produces the paper, can i just go with that, or do i have to re-certify? Generally I don't know how long each certification is good for. If I were to buy it from the seller right now, do I juts have to bring it to the DMV, apply for plates, pay the tax, and thats it? - Assuming I got insurance on it, or already got a quote for it.. unless i have to have insurance on the motorcycle before I can register it?
 
A safety certificate is only valid for 36 days.
If you plan on plating the motorcycle today, then you would have to have insurance valid as of today.
It's always good to get a second opinion, doesn't have to be from a mechanic but anybody who knows bikes.
It's not all about tires, brakes etc... there is more to it than that.

But assuming you get the safety slip, ownership and the bill of sale (last page on the UVIP)... all you have to do is go to the MTO, pay your taxes, transfer ownership under your name and plate it if you have valid insurance.

Take somebody with you if you're not too confident... good luck with the purchase!
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