How to Sell a Used Motorcycle

Clean It Up

There is no point taking photos of a bike covered in mud for your ad. It will put people off. Give it a good clean and pay attention to areas when it collects dirt and grime such as under the seat. Polish so it shines so people notice and it gives you a chance to get the best price.

There may be areas where the paint needs touching up but be careful not to make it look as if you are covering something up. This will cause serious buyers to question why you touched up the paintwork.

Make Sure It Is Running

Make sure your motorcycle starts and runs well. It may have been a long time since you last rode it. The battery may be dead or something else may prevent it from starting. Take it for a ride to make sure everything works before you advertise it for sale.

Always put in the ad if the bike needs work and price it accordingly. Even have it checked over by a mechanic to make sure it is in top condition.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

Buyers will want to see the relevant documentation so have it ready. Have proof of ownership, the balance of the warranty, whether it is still under finance and service records. If it is still under finance, the title will be held by the finance company.

Make sure your ad says it is still under finance and how you will clear the title to sell the motorcycle. Unless you have the money to pay what you owe in full, you may have to ask the buyer to pay upfront so you can clear the title and then send it to them.

If you need to do this, then having the money escrowed with Escrow.com can help you. You can write this option into your contract with the buyer and Escrow.com will protect both you and the buyer.

Decide Where to List Your Motorcycle for Sale

Decide the best place to list your bike for sale. What website you choose depends on the type of motorcycle you are selling. Here are a few clues:

• Autotrader and Cycle Trader are good for every day, common brands.
• On eBay, you will get a lot of exposure but you can pay a lot in fees.
• Use Classic Trader for classic motorcycles

When making a decision remember buyers check out the websites that have the motorcycles for sale they are looking for.

Photograph Your Motorcycle

A good photo is worth more than words. And this is true when selling your motorcycle. People want to see photos to help them decide whether to inspect your motorcycle or not.

Move your bike to somewhere the background is not busy such as against your closed garage door. Make sure your photos are clear and take them in a good light. The bike should take up most of the frame and not fade into the background.

Take a lot of photos from all angles and take a photo of the odometer showing the mileage. And if you are going to let potential buyers know of any defects in the ad, take photos of them so they can clearly see them.

A buyer’s time is valuable and the photos will let them know whether your motorcycle meets the criteria they had in mind. Good quality photos take little effort to produce and help buyers decide whether your vehicle is worth inspecting or not.

Write the Advertisement

Now it is time to write the ad. Give as many details as possible and be honest when describing your motorcycle. Here are some tips for writing a good advertisement:

• Start with the obvious—make, model and year of the motorcycle.
• Maintenance history and mileage. A general overview of the maintenance history lets potential buyers know how well you have looked after the bike. Everyone wants to know the mileage. Without it included in the ad people can scroll on by. And if it is low it is a good idea to explain why.
• Price and your location.
• Add any upgrades and customized features if it has any. This will make your motorcycle stand out. These can include a custom paint job, new tires and anything else that is not standard. Let people know exactly what you are offering for the price of your bike.
• Make your ad easy to read. Keep it light and casual but professional. Use good English and make use of bullet points to list the features as selling points. When you finish, read it over to check for grammatical and spelling mistakes.
• Add a call to action such as “call me now for more information” or “contact me if interested” at the end of the listing. It can encourage buyers to take action and contact you.

Respond to Potential Buyers

Responding to emails, texts, and phone calls can be time-consuming but it is important for the sale of your motorcycle. Take the time to respond clearly and quickly to all inquiries. This will help you weed out the time-wasters and leave you with genuine potential buyers.

When and Where to Meet With Potential Buyers

Set up a time you are available to meet with potential buyers. Everyone is probably busy so the weekends can be the best time. Try to set up times for all interested parties to view the motorcycle over a couple of days or one after the other.

And where are you going to meet? Some people can be uncomfortable having strangers come to their home which is understandable. You do not know who these people are or if they have ulterior motives. It can be a good idea to set up a meeting point at the local grocery store or in the parking lot of your local police station.

Allowing Test Rides

Test rides can be a touchy subject. The potential buyers can have an accident or break the law and get arrested and have your bike impounded. They can also ride off into the sunset and never be seen again. You will be liable and your insurance will not cover you.

Prepare a test ride agreement where the buyer escrows the full purchase price before taking it for a spin. You can draw up the terms and conditions through escrow.com. Make sure you have a copy of the buyer’s motorcycle license and they have the right gear to take your bike out on the road.

Negotiating the Price

Once you have someone make an offer it is time to negotiate the price. Here are some tips to help you with the negotiating process:

• When an offer is too low, turn it down unless you are in a hurry to sell.
• Some buyers will ask what your best price is. The best response is to ask them what they are willing to offer.
• Stay firm on your price but be willing to negotiate. You had a bottom price in mind when you advertised the bike for sale but do not tell the buyerwhat it is.
• Do not be offended by a ridiculous offer. Let the buyer know how you came up with the price.
• Let the buyer know there are others interested in your motorcycle and you want to hear their offers. This will imply they will miss out unless they offer you a fair price.
• Be prepared to walk away if the buyer is not prepared to pay a reasonable price.