So, you’re looking to sell your motorcycle, huh? Been down that road more times than I can count. My garage, it’s seen a fair few bikes come and go. It’s a whole thing, selling a bike, not just slapping a sign on it and hoping for the best. Well, sometimes that works, but usually, it’s more involved.
First thing I always, and I mean always, do is get that machine clean. Sparkling. Like, really clean it. Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to even look at a bike covered in last week’s dirt or, worse, bird droppings. I once bought a bike, and when I got it home, I found a mummified frog under the seat. True story. So yeah, clean it. It makes a world of difference for the photos, and just for people seeing it.
Then, you gotta take pictures. And not just one dark, blurry shot from that ancient phone you got. Nah, you need good light, lots of angles. I usually snap at least 15-20. Show the whole bike, close-ups of the good bits, the engine, the tires. And if there’s a scratch or a ding, take a picture of that too. Honesty, man. It actually helps. The serious buyers, they appreciate not wasting their time.
Figuring Out the Price – Always a Barrel of Laughs
This is where it gets interesting. I’ll spend a good chunk of time just looking around online. See what similar bikes are actually selling for, not what people are asking for, if you catch my drift. Mileage, condition, any extras you’ve bolted on – it all matters. I usually price it just a tad higher than what I really want, ’cause you know everyone and their brother is gonna try to haggle. It’s like a national sport.
Okay, so it’s shiny, you got a price in mind, and your phone’s full of decent pics. Where do you list this thing? I’ve got my usual spots:
- Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist: Can’t beat free, right? You’ll get a ton of eyeballs. You’ll also get a ton of… interesting characters. Tire kickers, lowballers offering you half, people asking if it’s still available and then vanishing. It’s a jungle.
- Cycle Trader: This costs money, yeah, but you tend to get more serious folks. People who are actually looking to buy a motorcycle, not just browse while they’re bored.
- Bike-specific forums: If you’ve got something a bit special, like a particular model or a vintage ride, these forums can be pure gold. The people there know their stuff.
I even sold one bike by just parking it out front with a “For Sale” sign. Took about three days. Sometimes old school works.
When I write the actual ad, I keep it simple. Year, make, model, mileage. List any mods, any recent work done – new tires, oil change, chain and sprockets. That stuff matters. I don’t write a novel. Just the facts. And please, for the love of all that’s holy, check your spelling. An ad full of typos just makes you look sketchy.
And Then Come the Buyers… Oh, Joy
This is where your patience gets tested. You’ll get messages at all hours. “Is this still available?” – my favorite. Then silence. You’ll get offers for trades – “How about my old lawnmower and a half-eaten sandwich?” Okay, maybe not the sandwich, but you get the idea. I had a guy try to trade me a collection of Beanie Babies once. For a Harley. I kid you not. My general rule? Be polite, be firm. I ignore the crazy lowball offers. If they’re serious, they’ll come back with something sensible.
For viewings, always, always meet in a public place. Daylight hours. My local police station actually has a designated spot for online sales. Perfect. Test rides? This is a big one. No cash in my hand, your butt ain’t touching my seat. And I need to see a valid motorcycle license. Full asking price, in cash, as a deposit. If you drop it, you bought it. Simple. Sounds harsh, but I’m not running a rental service, and I’m not eating the cost if someone dumps my bike. Some folks get huffy. Let ’em. Serious buyers understand.
If they like the bike after seeing it, and they’ve got the cash for a test ride (if they even want one), then we can talk a little bit about the price. I already priced it with some wiggle room. But I also know my absolute bottom dollar. If their offer is fair, cool. If they’re still trying to lowball me into next week, then thanks, but no thanks. Someone else will come along.
The Paperwork Shuffle – Don’t Mess This Up
Once you’ve agreed on a price, it’s paperwork time. Get a Bill of Sale. You can find templates online easy enough. Two copies, one for you, one for them. Make sure it has the date, price, VIN, mileage, and both your names and signatures. The title is the big one. Sign it over properly. Every state is a bit different, so check your local DMV rules. And payment? Cash. Only. Ever. No checks, no money orders, no “I’ll pay you later.” Cold, hard cash, counted by me, twice. Too many scams out there.
And then, just like that, they ride off on your old bike. It’s always a little strange, watching it go. Part of you is glad for the cash or the garage space, part of you misses it already. But hey, that’s the game. Usually means I can start looking for the next project. And so the cycle continues.