Maybe you're thinking of buying a new bike, or even a first bike (lucky you!), but you'll want to steer way clear of an ex-race/track bike.

Firstly in the advertisement it may say, 'ex-race/track bike', if this is the case, walk away. These bikes may be cheaper, but there's a reason;

They've probably been thrashed within inches of their lives meaning reliability is instantly a problem.

Chances are, they've been crashed which leaves damage not susceptible to the naked eye, but stay again, stay away.

However, if the article doesn't state that it once was a race-bike, here are a few tips and things to look out for when inspecting the bike;

1. Fairings/Bodywork- If the bike you're looking at is very old and the bodywork looks brand new, the majority of the time, new fairings will have been put on to cover engine damage or just to replace old scuffed fairings.

2. Worn paddock stand bearings- These are normally found on the bottom of the forks (front) and the back of the swing arm, if these appear to be worn, it would suggest that at a track day/ race meeting the bike has been placed on paddock stands to allow the owner to put tyre-warmers on.

3. Worn Tyres- If towards the edges of the tyres look exceedingly worn, the bike has been taken on a track, walk away.

4. Scratched mirror fixings- Usually a major sign, if the screws which hold the mirrors on are scratched, chances are that they were scratched whilst the owner was re-attaching them before you showed up.

I hope these tips have helped, just remember, if in doubt, walk away! Unless of course, the bike is dirt cheap and I mean immensely cheap.

Have fun riding, keep it 'rubber-side down'.

Learn more about this author, Phil Dean.
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