Feb 18, 2015, 02:53 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Tips to selling you motorcycle privately.
• Cash is most recommended – Finalize deals at banks
• Protect yourself legally (Title Signing, Notarization, Fees, & Payment)
• Test drives are up to seller’s discretion
Most importantly stay safe. Know your buyer and if you feel uncomfortable with the sell trust your gut.
Read full discussion below for more information.
• Cash is most recommended – Finalize deals at banks
• Protect yourself legally (Title Signing, Notarization, Fees, & Payment)
• Test drives are up to seller’s discretion
Most importantly stay safe. Know your buyer and if you feel uncomfortable with the sell trust your gut.
Read full discussion below for more information.
How do you sell a motorcycle privately?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 493
Likes: 17
From: Ft LAuderdale
How do you sell a motorcycle privately?
I have always traded in but I do not want to take the hit this time. I have some questions:
1- Do you let them test drive the bike? This is different from selling a car. In a car sale you ride with the buyer plus they can drop the bike.
2- What about a secure payment. My bank said banks do not guarantee a cashier's checks.
So people actually show up at your house with $18K and you sit there and count it? ( I now these are dumb questions but i have never done this so I have no clue)
This is what I was thinking about doing. You do not let them ride the bike cause they may
drop it. If they want to buy it we ride to my credit union two miles away and they make the cash deposit there. Then I sign the title to them and give them the keys. What do you you think about my plan? BTW I live in a big city so there no small town trust around here.
Thanks for your comments and happy new year
1- Do you let them test drive the bike? This is different from selling a car. In a car sale you ride with the buyer plus they can drop the bike.
2- What about a secure payment. My bank said banks do not guarantee a cashier's checks.
So people actually show up at your house with $18K and you sit there and count it? ( I now these are dumb questions but i have never done this so I have no clue)
This is what I was thinking about doing. You do not let them ride the bike cause they may
drop it. If they want to buy it we ride to my credit union two miles away and they make the cash deposit there. Then I sign the title to them and give them the keys. What do you you think about my plan? BTW I live in a big city so there no small town trust around here.
Thanks for your comments and happy new year
The last one I sold, I get $22,000 in $100 bills.
Yes, I sat there and counted it.
THEN he got to test ride it... after I signed the title and handed it to him.... until his little heart's content.
There are exceptions to this, at least for me. But if I don't know you, you can test ride it forever after I have CASH in hand.
I reckon I would also take PayPal, but buyer would have to boot the fees.
Yes, I sat there and counted it.
THEN he got to test ride it... after I signed the title and handed it to him.... until his little heart's content.
There are exceptions to this, at least for me. But if I don't know you, you can test ride it forever after I have CASH in hand.
I reckon I would also take PayPal, but buyer would have to boot the fees.
Last edited by SafetyMan; Dec 31, 2014 at 08:24 PM. Reason: Spelling
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,446
Likes: 1,553
From: Central Wisconsin
Between my Brother and I, we probably deal with 2-300 hundred people a year weather it be for a car, truck, van, motorcycle, washer, dryer, refrigerator, furnace, storage space, or to rent an apartment. We can usually tell what we are dealing with by the vehicle they pull up in. Rusted out beaters with parts falling off, driver and passengers both smoking, kids dirty and screaming and 7 dogs in the car usually ends up with us hearing "oh you need $11.00 for a background check? We don't have that kind of money!" And they are there to look at renting an apartment. If someone came to look at my personal bike, I would study them for a long time first. If they rode in on a $300 bike, they probably wouldn't ride mine without the cash in my hand. If you have a bad feeling, its probably for good reason. Ask them to leave their drivers licence with you and check the registration form in their glove box to see if the BMW they drove to your house is theirs or recently stolen. At least you will have some collateral while they are gone with your bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
Just me, but if I don't test ride I don't buy. And I dang sure ain't forkin' over $20,000+ for a test ride. I've sold 2 Road Kings outright and have allowed both parties to test ride without issues. Small town though, so that may make a difference.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 104
Likes: 10
From: Anderson,IN
I tell people up front if they are coming to look and are interested, bring cash! I hold the cash while they ride it, if they bring it back unharmed and don't want it I will give them they're money back, this has never happened. They know when they ride if they so much as scratch it, they own it!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
I won't buy a bike without testing it, but I don't expect the seller to be foolish. I ride up on a Harley to test a Harley. I park my bike next to theirs and show them the bike is in my name, and they get to see my drivers license and insurance. With identity established, and my bike ensuring I'll come back, and a call to my bank demonstrating the ability to pay for the bike, I've never been turned down for a test ride...except once. That guy kept his bike for someone else, and we were both ok with that.
When I sell, I allow test rides if I'm comfortable and occasionally turn away people I'm not ok with. Like I said, its ok if I get turned down and I feel free to do the same.
I pay/ receive payment at my bank or theirs. The banks are always ok with us finalizing a sale inside their business and its more secure than doing it in a strange place.
Good luck.
When I sell, I allow test rides if I'm comfortable and occasionally turn away people I'm not ok with. Like I said, its ok if I get turned down and I feel free to do the same.
I pay/ receive payment at my bank or theirs. The banks are always ok with us finalizing a sale inside their business and its more secure than doing it in a strange place.
Good luck.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
When selling a bike, I ask first for their license, this gives me all the info including whether they have motorcycle endorsement. If I feel like riding along side them, I'll take my bike. I don't allow them to run around town and take to a buddy's house. Just a simple test ride.
I always ask for cash, if they have bank funds, I'll take the check and give them the bike. However, I hold the title till funds clear.
I actually had a guy take a car for a test ride, said he wanted to buy it. I got the title out of my safe,he asks how much I would have to have down and what would his payment have to be. I looked at him with the biggest WTF look on my face and said I would need 100 percent down and then whatever he could afford per month after that. He actually had to think about what I said and then said forget it. I hate craigslist...
I always ask for cash, if they have bank funds, I'll take the check and give them the bike. However, I hold the title till funds clear.
I actually had a guy take a car for a test ride, said he wanted to buy it. I got the title out of my safe,he asks how much I would have to have down and what would his payment have to be. I looked at him with the biggest WTF look on my face and said I would need 100 percent down and then whatever he could afford per month after that. He actually had to think about what I said and then said forget it. I hate craigslist...
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Cash sales only, written documents regarding lack of warranty. Duplicates for each of us, with dual signatures on each. I've no problem going to the bank with the buyer to get the cash.
Test ride depends. A car is easier and safer than a bike. Especially a big heavy and expensive bike.
Test ride depends. A car is easier and safer than a bike. Especially a big heavy and expensive bike.