Motorcycle purchase

I'm looking to buy a motorcycle, more specially a Yahama T-max scooter. Can any recommend a good motorcycle dealership in HK?


I'd like to buy second hand if possible but if no luck then will consider purchasing new.


Would appreciate any advice.

Here's a writeup I did a while back on this subject.


Good dealers

- Kelly Motors – Caroline Hill Road. Mainly newer bikes but often have second hand units that customers are selling through them. Also a great place for service. Ssecond hand page. http://www.bikehk.com/shop/kellymotors/2hand.asp

- Matsuda Moto – Wong Chuk Hang. Deals in the low end, but good service. A decent 2nd hand scooter is about 10k. Here is their scooter page http://www.matsudamoto.com/bike/scootereng.html. It is worth going down there since they always have more stuff than is on the web page. It is a bit tricky to find the first time. Here are instructions: http://www.matsudamoto.com/aboutus/shopmapeng.html

- Man Wai Motorcycle – Shau Kei Wan - http://www.manwaimotorcycle.com/


Online search

- www.ibike.com.hk – Many dealers use this site, as well as private persons. It also lists most of the official brand importers. The second hand bikes are on the left, under “Buy and Sell”, then “Latest Bike Ads”.

- http://www.bikehk.com/main/hk/ - Unfortunately all in Chinese. However the third white button on the top bar is second hand listings, with drop down menus mostly in roman letters. Normally, one can get to at least a phone number.

- http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/classifieds/motorcycles/ - AsiaXpat motorcycle pages .


Accessories

- Moto Mart. Best place for helmets and other gear. Yick Man Bldg , 1/f, 5 Ha Heung Road, To Kwa Wan.

- How to buy a motorcycle helmet. http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/0008_crup_how_to_buy_motorcycle_helmet/index.html


Buying Tips

- Get a test drive if you can. Some shops will only let you ride pillion. Some won't allow test rides at all. When I bought my first bike it was under 15k and the shop had a good reputation so I didn't care much. Second bike I got a pillion ride.

- Many bikes are imported from Japan second hand, so even if the history says "one owner" that means "one owner in HK". Compare the date of first registration with the year of manufacture.

- Check that the frame is aligned and ask about any big scratches.

- Ask for a warranty. Many shops give one month on used bikes.

- Don't be spooked by smaller "hole in the wall" shops. Despite their tiny size, many are very good. Got a bike a while ago from a tiny place in To Kwa Wan but the service was excellent and the bike is tight as a drum despite being 10 years old.

- Typically, the shop will arrange for insurance and transfer of ownership.

- If you ask for a discount, they may pay the first year's registration and insurance for you.

- Service before sale should be included, with an oil change. Ask them if the brakes and are ok. If they look iffy or say no, ask for new pads to be included. Many shops will do this anyway.

- Get a disc lock or similar to augment the ignition lock.

- Consider where you will park it.