What precautions should you take when buying a used motorcycle from an individual?

Here's an answer to "So how do I make sure that this used bike I'm buying is legit?" as summarized by Nicholas C. Weaver in Timberwoof's Motorcycle FAQ: * Go down, inspect bike, inspect title. Record VIN, plate, engine #. * Record/photocopy buyer?s driver?s liscence. * Call police autotheft dept on cellphone. Phone in VIN, plate, engine serial number. They will be able to tell if its stolen, and should be able to say if it is salvage. Likewise, ask if they can verify driver's licence number/name/address association. They might not, but they might. * Pay for bike with a cashier's check. (It is unlikely the seller would accept one, however, due to all the counterfeit ones out there.)

The above is an good first step. You want to ensure that the bike is in good working order. If you are not mechanical take it to a motorcycle repair shop and pay for them to look it over. If you are mechanical, you want to look in the gas take and see if there is rust, check the level of the oil and see if there is moisture in the oil. See if the bike appears to have been wrecked or dropped. Look at the pipes for scratches, paint chips, dents, etc. Look at the condition of the chain, is it dry. Look at the sprockets both the front and rear of the bike. If the teeth are not even, it will need new ones soon. Give it a general once over.