I have been ebaying and biking for a number of years, and love both. Although one really supports the other. Ebay has kept the price of my(rather expensive)hobby down, but it does all come down to know how gained through simple research.

  I knew nothing of Ebay only that it was like an on-line auction of....well pretty much anything. My friend started ebaying in early 2004 and explained it all to me, and that's when it all began. At first I used Ebay to pad out existing collections of mine, all non-essential items really. When I thought about modifying my R6, I thought I'd just have a quick look on ebay, and was astonished to find the extent of items available.

  Most of the items are second hand but this means nothing really, it comes down to filtering through the milllions of items to locate exactly what you're after, from age and usage to style and colour, if you need it ebay has it. Be practical though you're not going to pick up a new bike for a fiver (unless you're insanely lucky!).

  If you're looking to modify/alter/rejuvinate your pride and joy and are looking to see what's out there, locate your bike model navigating ebay's site map, this will bring up everything under a certain category and isn't restricted by keywords. Everything on ebay has to be sold under a specific category and it will find the gems for your bike that have been listed with titles such as : 'bike parts' or 'fairings' or 'some stuff out my garage'. But alot of stuff is mislisted, narrow a search down using the categories and drop down menus, and you'll find kawasaki bits in your Yamaha search.

  I always use key words, this means you type in 'R6' on a search and it brings up everything with R6 in the title or subtitle, narrow this down further selecting the categories on the side menu(with R6 and R1 especially, all the DVDs appear i.e. 'Star Wars R1', as in Star Wars region 1 DVD).

  Use various keywords like 'R6 headlight cover' / 'R6 headlamp cover' / 'R6 headlight protector' or even mis-spellings 'R6 hedlamp cover'etc and if you're prepared to trawl through listings, type in : 'headlight cover' or even 'headlight'. Keep checking the same searches by saving them to your PCs 'favourite' category, then going through 'items newly listed' incase you missed anything in the three hours sleep you had since your last Ebay fest.

  Now you've found something that might be for you, firstly check the description, from the actual item right through to payment methods and postage (unscrupulous sellers will sting you here, reducing a bargain price to a rip off). Check compatability, models and year of bike, colour(photos can be deceptive), where's it coming from(will there be a customs charge?) always try to ask at least one question, even if it's : 'nice bike are you putting anything else on ebay?'. Ask about the quality is it a genuine part? If not what make is it? Is that a scratch on the paint or just the camera flash? It may look gorgeous, but ask, it saves arguments later(and negative feedback or worse), check out your seller, is he genuine? Be friendly, throw a few jokes in, it might get you your item quicker, or a better P&P discount, pay promptly, it all helps.

  The best thing is research, I'd never heard of Pazzo race levers until I came across them being sold by a guy who was selling all the mods off his R1 (I think I was after his screen : I didn't win it!). The guy swore by them, and said it was his best investment. I put a bid of £25.00 on, sure i was a winner, they went for £90 something. I looked into it,  and if I remember correctly, they're Canadian built, you couldn't get them from a supplier in this country(at the time), and they were about £110.00 new. I looked at all the options using keyword searches as vague as : 'grips' to 'levers' and 'race levers' to 'Pazzo'. There was nothing out there in the UK so I ended up with some from America, I checked all the options : short or long, colour (or should that be color), even colour of the adjuster. I bought two sets, that with customs charges and P&P (verifying they could post to the UK) came to £90.00 a set. I picked the best one for myself and sold the other for £125.00 I think on Ebay. (The guy was right they were a great investment, especially for comfort).

 Also, if your buying helmets and leathers etc, get down to your local dealer and try stuff on, find your Euro size, the colour that matches your bike, the make you feel most comfortable in. See what options there are : race/touring/mx/road/commuting spec items, thermal wear, protectors, sliders, pin lock visors,colour schemes, end of line stock, linings, covers. And most of all check the price, don't buy the first thing you see, know what's a bargain, stick to your budget, and be prepared to wait.

  I hoped this hasn't bored you. I really wanted to write a reiview on my brand new Kiyonari Shoei X-spirit helmet and Dainese Kirishima leathers, absolutely fantastic buys off ebay, but hopefully I've helped people find their own magnificent buys. Thanks to all the ebayers who have bought and sold with me, but with relevance(accessories for me and my R6s and R1) : 1 piece leathers, 2 piece, boots , helmets, visors,back protectors, gloves, thermals, fairings, headlights, covers, screens, indicators, mirrors, bolts, levers, stands and on and on.

P.S. A tag to my dream pillion included...well...life's more than bikes and ebay!