I'll copy in some bits of an email I wrote for a friend below. It goes through the bike stuff at length.
Do you have a license already? I have info on that stuff as well since I got mine last year.
As for pitfalls, it's the usual stuff I guess.
- 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 normal lock.
- Consider where you will park it.
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Bikes under 125cc may not be ridden on motorways. Given this and the fact that there are no cc restrictions on licenses, bikes under 125cc are almost non-existent in HK. Also, the hilly terrain requires a bit of oomph. A 200cc is recommended. I have heard that the new style 125cc Vespas break down a lot because they are a bit underpowered for HK.
Vespas are very sought after in HK, especially the new automatic models. It took me 6 months to find a second hand large frame one for my wife.
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.
Second hand page.
- 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
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
Man Wai Motorcycle – Shau Kei Wan
Online search. Mainly higher end new and pre-owned.
Many dealers use this
site, as well as private persons. The second hand bikes are on the left, under “Buy and Sell”, then “Latest Bike Ads”.
Unfortunately
this site is 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.
Accessories
- Moto Mart. Best place for helmets and any other gear. Yick Man Bldg , 1/f, 5 Ha Heung Road, To Kwa Wan. Closed on Mondays.
-
How to buy a motorcycle helmet.