How To Sell A Motorcycle Online

If you’re having trouble selling your motorcycle locally, it may be worth your time to explore the prospect of selling your motorcycle online. The idea of selling something as large and potentially valuable as a motorcycle online can be daunting even for the most tech-savvy riders. Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the process of utilizing the power of the internet to get your motorcycle sold in a safe and effective manner.

Why Sell Online

Perhaps the greatest advantage of selling your motorcycle online is the sheer number of potential buyers that your bike will be exposed to. Rather than having your reach limited to whoever happens to drive past a “for sale” sign in your yard, or just a post on your personal Facebook page, you now have the eyes and attention of potential buyers across the country.

This increase in exposure dramatically expands your chances of connecting with someone who is already looking for the specific motorcycle make, model, and price range that you’re offering. This makes the process of finding a buyer much easier than traditional methods and can result in a quick, seamless transaction for both you and your buyer.

Optimize Your Listing

Now that you’ve made the decision to go ahead and sell your motorcycle online, it’s time to take the next step and create your listing. Your listing will include all relevant information about the motorcycle that’s for sale and will serve as the point of entry for all potential buyers. Optimize your results by creating an informative, transparent, and visually appealing post. Below are a few of the most important components to include in your listing.

Motorcycle Photographs

First things first, you’re going to have to take some quality pictures of your motorcycle to upload to your listing. A picture is the gateway to your listing, and will likely be the first thing that a potential buyer notices. A couple clear, crisp images from a few different angles will go a long way in catching the eye of a potential buyer.

This is also your chance to highlight any features that make your bike stand out from the pack. This could be a new paint job, engine, custom seat, etc. Whatever you believe adds value to your bike, take a picture of it. It’s also important to make your motorcycle look as fresh as possible, so thoroughly wash it down and slap on a fresh coat of wax to really make it shine.

As for picture quality, if you have access to a good digital camera, that makes a big difference. However, most smartphones have the ability to take clear, quality images that will do the job just as well.

Motorcycle Details

The quickest way to attract the right buyer is to outline all of the information about the bike. Be sure to list the most important information such as the:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Mileage
• Color
• Any recent repairs or upgrades
• Maintenance records
• How the motorcycle has been stored
• If you’re the original owner
• The reason you’re selling your motorcycle

Don’t make the mistake of skimping out on the details, as this could lead to your inbox being flooded with questions that could have easily been answered in the description of your posting. Just think about all the questions you had about your bike before you purchased it. What information did you need to have in order to feel okay about following through with the purchase? Try and include the answers to those questions in your description.

Accurate Pricing

Okay, here’s the big one. This factor is probably going to make or break the majority of potential deals between you and the buyer. Correctly pricing your motorcycle is vital, and must be done in an accurate and fair manner. A good starting point for assessing your bike’s monetary worth is the tried and trusted Kelley Blue Book motorcycle values.

You can also use the price report on our website or compare prices of similar makes and models found in your area. If you take these findings and average them out, you can go ahead and use that number for your starting price. As always, you should be prepared to negotiate this number with potential buyers.

Do your research before agreeing to a final price to make sure that both you and the would-be buyer are going to walk away happy. Starting off with a very high asking price is not the best idea. It makes you look unreasonable and turns away potential buyers. The best policy is to be fair and leave a little room for negotiation.

Payment and Shipping

Payments

Discussing payment and shipping options with potential buyers is a crucial step in the selling process. It’s especially important to be vigilant when discussing payment methods. For those who are selling on our site, we recommend using Escrow.com to help protect both parties from fraud.

Both parties register for an account and agree to the terms of the transaction. The buyer pays Escrow, and once the payment is verified you will be informed and can ship the bike. When your buyer receives the bike, you will receive your money. This method helps to ensure that both you and the buyer are protected throughout the entire transaction.

Shipping

The best part about a nationwide audience of potential buyers is that your odds of finding somebody who wants your bike skyrocket. The downside is your future buyer may reside on the other side of the country. If physically handing over the motorcycle is not possible, you can find a reputable shipping company to handle the logistics. For information on shipping, we recommend you check out our motorcycle shipping resource page. This will lay out some general guidelines and provide resources for shipping your motorcycle.

Conclusion

Listing your motorcycle for sale online has a myriad of advantages in terms of getting a quick sale while still receiving a fair return on your investment. The process outlined above should provide you with a solid foundation and get you on the path to successfully sell your motorcycle quickly.

Are you considering selling your bike online for the first time? Leave a comment below with any questions or concerns you may have about creating your first listing. If you’re already an experienced online seller, what advice would you personally give to someone listing their bike for the first time?