Where to start... I will list a few things and let the other members chime in...
Check to see if it was rolled (don't trust what the seller says) you can check by lookin or feeling under both the front and rear fenders where they attach to a metal bracket on the frame.. If the Razr has been on it's side, they will have been bent, are bent, or you'll notice stress cracks in the plastic(rear) or they just won't be connected. Also look over the cage carefully for weird scrapes and scratches....spot painting is a give away
Next, do a good walk around.. Check the axles, cv boots and ball joints to ensure that the rubber covers are intact, at the same time you'll notice if the owner has kept it lined by checking the zerts and grease fittings... Make sure you PULL OUT THE SEATS and check the oil, if the seller doesn't want you to pull that panel off then they are probably hiding something, you'll be able to see if the oil is low (probably not changed) or dirty and nasty....pop off the air box cover pull the filter and spray a little wd-40 on a white paper towel and shove it in the intake and pull it out.. It should be clean...usually you might....might get a little dust..but if there's a lot of junk in there...you can expect larger problems..
TEST DRIVE, and I'm not talking about diddly diddling around...open it up!! Make sure it's getting up to proper speed and isn't lagging, making noise stalling clicking clanking blah blah blah.... Inspect for cleanliness...a dirty nasty machine that he is selling coiled tell you how he/she cares for their equipment??? But that might not be... I would wonder why they wouldn't clean it up to sell it though..
Check ALL the electrical, lights, brakes, reverse anything that's electrical, and then go to the fluids, check all the fluids to make sure they are in proper levels...
I can go on but this should get you started...if a seller is uncomfortable with you checking these basic things....RUN...
Good luck, Mike
awesome response thanks a lot... the guy is about 2 hours away from me, what tools will i need to take the seats out and that panel off? the guy is a licensed dealer who deals from home i think... and he works on a farm and said he bought it at an auction for farm equipment and has had it for 3 or 4 months
Your fingers, There is a lever that you reach through the seat between the lower seat and back rest, pull it up and out, then expose the back panel, turn the two plastic clips and it will open, Bring a papertowel for the oil dip stick and your hands.
You can use your fingers for the airbox as well... You shouldnt need any tools, Just bring some papertowels, WD-40 to check the airbox (maybe something long so you can wiggle the rag around in there to see what you get). The rest is really all hands on.. Dont feel "rushed" Take your time, Inspect every boot, every ball joint, just pretend this is your baby, your taking it on a 50 mile trip into where-ever, and if you miss something..Your
WALKING back... Dont let the seller tell you he doesnt want you to drive it (Helmet, yeah bring your own, Im not into wearing other peoples).. You really need to give it a run.. In this economy, I dont care how much you spend..check, the double check, and check again!! This could be a great deal or it could be a nightmare! As Polaris couldnt begin to use standard anything, Im hard pressed to tell you what specific tools to bring.. I dont think you need to break anything down so far as needing tools, If you do because there is something your worried about..Ask the seller, If he wants it sold and has nothing to hide, He will help.. If you suspect anything engine wise
DONT BUY IT without a mechanic checking it first!!
I found a lower right Ball joint blown and a 1/2" tear in the front right CV boot that the seller cleaned up and tried to hide (actually he did) but, when I returned from the test ride..Low and behold, He was SHOCKED that I went right back and checked again..It worked the grease right out of that crack!! Saved me $400 of the sale!!
Trust your instinct, no matter how much your insides are saying buy, buy , buy....want, want, want.. If you Buy this RAZR and walk away happy, have dinner go to bed wake up the next morning and are still happy, because no doubts went through your head...Then you did good!!
