Motorcycle Sale By Owner (2024)

FAQs

How do you write a motorcycle for sale? ›

Make sure to include the make, model, mileage, and model year of your bike in your listing. You should also note any major repairs, modifications, or damage that buyers need to be aware of. Another important thing to include in the listing is your contact information.

The months of April, May, June, and July are considered the best months to sell motorcycles. This is because of the warm weather experienced in these months. But, the motorcycle season is usually at its peak between May and June. Motorcycle buyers are high in demand within these two months.

Avoid scams

People write bad checks. Even money orders can be fraudulent. It's a good idea to trust your instincts. When you accept payment, obtain their driver's license information too—a photocopy is best.

Sales started off slow in January, compared to the year before, and remained weak in February. In March, sales were actually slightly higher than in March of 2023. I don't see anyone expecting 2024 to be a strong year for U.S. motorcycle sales.

If you use your motorcycle more than 50% of the time for business transportation, you'll likely be able to deduct your entire depreciable basis in a single year using a provision of the tax code called Section 179.

A bike ridden hard with high mileage will depreciate faster than a bike with low mileage. Condition - A well-maintained bike in great condition will hold its value better than one that hasn't been looked after. Rarity - If there's a high demand for a particular make and model, it will depreciate slower.

While some bikes might start showing their age around 20,000 miles, meticulously maintained machines can easily clock in 50,000 or even 90,000 miles before major issues arise. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint: a well-cared-for bike can go the distance.

Some types of bikes are just more popular than others. Those that sold well when they were new often have higher resale values. Limited-edition models can also fetch better prices when riders trade them in. The motorcycle's manufacturer also matters more than some riders might think.

Make the terms of the sale clear and put it all in writing, creating a receipt/agreement for both you and the buyer to sign and date. Each of you should retain a copy of this document. Registration and License Plates – Remove and retain you license plate, and do not allow the buyer to keep your registration card.

What is the best form of payment when selling a motorcycle? ›

Know Your Payment Options for Selling a Motorcycle

You can look to sell by accepting a cashier's check or certified bank check so the money is guaranteed, but look out for scams with fake checks or buyers seeking refunds with checks when they overpay; the amount of the check should be exact.

In general, the requirements for changing ownership of a motorcycle in California are: Possession of the title (pink slip) or an application for a duplicate/paperless title. The signature of the seller(s) (and lienholder, as applicable) on the title.

However, starting from the top, the leader, as in the last 50 years is Honda. Not a surprise, of course. It is almost well known that the Japanese manufacturer dominates the industry with around one third of the industry in its hands.

Harley-Davidson was market leader and brand icon. It was only near 10 years ago. In 2014 Harley-Davidson global sales were 329.776 and no one could imagine that – ten years later – sales were declining by the half. Sales declined for sixth consecutive years until the 2020.

Going on sale

You can trade it in at a dealer or sell it to the dealer as is, you can advertise it in a traditional classified publication like a local newspaper, you can call a third party buyer that will come to you and make you an offer or you can make use of a private listing service such as AutoTrader.

Title Transfer

A Certificate of Title is a legal document that establishes vehicle ownership. After the Bill of Sale is complete, the seller will receive payment for the motorcycle. Then, the seller will legally transfer ownership of the motorcycle to the buyer by signing over the Certificate of Title.

A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or, if three-wheeled, a trike) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar from a saddle-style seat.