Motorcycle and Powersports Inspection Form
The motorcycle and powersports pre-purchase checklist, ready to fill in at the machine. Pick the type, work through each section, and download the report when you are done.
Motorcycle and Powersports inspection form. A pre-purchase checklist written for machines: 61 to 66 points across 13 sections. Mark each item Pass, Attention or Fail, add notes and readings, then download the report.
At a glance
- Bikes, ATV, UTV
- Chain and sprockets, fork seals, steering head bearing; CVT and axles on ATVs and UTVs.
- Downloads as a PDF report or a CSV
- Free, and nothing you type leaves your device
- VIN and engine number, title, and theft checks
- Engine, cam chain and valve noise, and optional compression readings
- On a bike: chain and sprockets, fork seals, steering head and swingarm bearings
- On an ATV or UTV: CVT belt and clutches, CV axles, 4WD and the roll cage
- Brakes, frame and crash damage, electrics and charging
- A ride test and tire date codes
Want it inspected by someone who does this every day? The motorcycle & powersports inspection page explains what we check and how to book. Need a different form? Every one is on the inspection forms page.
Machine and Inspection Details
Fill in what you know. Anything left blank prints as a dash on the report.
Documents, VIN and Theft Check0 / 7
- VIN on the steering head or frame matches the title
- Engine number present and not ground off
- Title, or bill of sale and MSO on an off-road unit
- Ignition not punched or bypassed
- Open recalls checked (NHTSA)
- Service records, valve adjustments
- Keys, how many
Readings
Engine0 / 11
- Engine cold on arrival
- Starts and idles, choke or fast idle
- Smoke at start or on throttle
- Oil level and condition, sight glass
- Leaks: base gasket, head, stator and clutch covers
- Cam chain rattle at start-up
- Valve train noise
- Coolant level and radiator, fan comes on
- Air filter, dirt past the filter
- Throttle snaps back closed
- Exhaust, dents and leaks
Readings
Leave a cylinder blank if the engine has fewer. Compression is optional, but on a used dirt bike it tells you the top end's condition.
Chain, Sprockets and Final Drive0 / 6
- Chain stretch and kinked links
- Chain slack within spec
- Sprocket teeth hooked or pointed
- Belt drive, cracks and missing teeth
- Shaft drive, final drive leaks
- Rear wheel alignment marks
Readings
CVT, Axles and 4WD0 / 8
- CVT belt, glazing and cracks
- Primary and secondary clutches
- CVT housing, water or dust inside
- CV axles and boots
- 4WD engages
- Front and rear differential leaks
- Differential lock
- Reverse engages
Clutch and Gearbox0 / 4
- Clutch engagement and slip
- Clutch cable or hydraulic line
- Shifts every gear, finds neutral
- Shift lever and linkage
Forks, Steering Head and Rear Shock0 / 9
- Fork seals weeping oil on the tubes
- Fork tubes, pitting and straightness
- Steering head bearing, notchy or loose
- Triple clamps and bars, crash marks
- Rear shock leaks
- Linkage bearings
- Swingarm bearing play
- Wheel bearings
- Spokes tight, rims straight
Suspension and Steering0 / 7
- A-arms, bends
- Ball joints and tie rod ends
- Bushings
- Shocks, leaks
- Rear trailing arms or swingarm
- Wheel bearings
- Skid plates
Brakes0 / 5
- Front pads and rotor
- Rear pads and rotor, or drum
- Brake lines
- Levers, pedal and fluid
- ABS light, if fitted
Frame, Body and Controls0 / 8
- Frame cracks, bends and weld repairs
- Crash damage: bar ends, levers, pegs, tank dents
- Plastics and fairings
- Seat
- Mirrors
- Lights, turn signals and horn
- Gauges
- Kill switch and side stand switch
Cab and ROPS0 / 5
- Roll cage straight, no cracks
- Seat belts
- Doors or nets
- Roof and windshield
- Winch, if fitted
Battery and Charging0 / 3
- Battery, age and terminals
- Charging system output
- Starter
Readings
A healthy battery rests near 12.6V; a working charging system reads about 13.5 to 14.5V at speed.
Ride Test0 / 8 passed
Tires and DOT DatesAge from the DOT code
The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year the tire was made, so 2319 is week 23 of 2019. Rubber ages whatever the tread looks like.
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front | – | |||
| Rear | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left front | – | |||
| Right front | – | |||
| Left rear | – | |||
| Right rear | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left front | – | |||
| Right front | – | |||
| Left rear | – | |||
| Right rear | – |
Additional Comments
Inspector Sign-Off
Machine professionally inspected and reported by
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