How do I sell my motorcycle?

It's not you, it’s me... There comes a point when, for any of a variety of reasons, it’s time to sell your motorcycle – it's time to move on.

Maybe you’re upgrading to a better ride; maybe you’re moving and can't take it with you; maybe you just need the cash. But when that bike has got to go, how do you go about selling it and, in our digital world, how do you do it safely and efficiently? 

Clearly, here at bikesales we’re a little biased. As Australia’s number one online motorcycle classifieds website, with nearly 12,000 road bike, dirt bikes, scooters, ATVs and SSVs up for sale at the time of writing, we can bring you more available models than anyone else in the country. 

We also have the tools to let you narrow your search via a heap of handy criteria, from price to geographic location, the style of bike, the nature of the seller (ie private or dealer) and much, much more. 

And, conversely, as a selling platform bikesales can bring you a marketplace of more buyers than anyone else – buyers who might live down the street, or on the other side of the country. 

Related reading: 
Help for sellers
Safety tips for sellers
What to do on a test ride
What can I do to avoid a scam
Buying second-hand amid COVID-19

How to deal with buyers

You’ve washed and detailed your bike to perfection, but it won’t sell itself – it's time to create that bikesales ad and schmooze those prospective buyers. 

Selling a motorcycle doesn’t have to be hard; in fact, bikesales has ironed out many of the traditional problems associated with offloading your ride. But that’s not to say you can list your bike for sale and it will all be sorted for you. You, the owner, must interact with the buyer once they’re phoning and knocking at the door. 

These following tips will help you prepare for buyers’ questions about your ad and the motorcycle you are selling. 

Create your bikesales ad

We’ve put a heap of effort into making the selling process on bikesales as simple and easy as possible. Just head to bikesales.com.au, select ‘Sell My Bike’ from the top menu, and get started. 

Start by selecting a price range in which you wish to sell your bike, then choose a plan to suit your needs and budget. Did you know you can list a motorcycle on bikesales for $3000 or under, absolutely free? 

If you want more selling features, there are Standard, Premium or Ultimate packages to choose from, with pricing dependent on the selling price of the bike you’re listing and your preferred package of selling features. 

Make contacting you easy

Be sure the number you use on your ad is the best number for contacting you, and respond to any messages at your earliest convenience. Your motorcycle may not be the only one on your potential buyer’s shopping list, so it’s important you make it as easy as possible. The easier you make it the quicker your bike can sell! 

First impressions last

It is important that you are prompt in your response to potential buyers and that you are polite, respectful and provide as much detail as possible. Buying privately relies heavily on trust, so give them confidence by being your best self! It may also be seen as a reflection of how you treated your motorcycle while it was in your care. 

Scrub up on the ad details

Few bikes are sold solely through messaging. Get ready to provide more details about your bike via phone or at a meet-up. The time you invested creating your ad can help you in conversation with the buyer (so make sure it’s all truthful). 

Use the ad as a quick-reference sheet for the basics such as engine size, transmission type, mileage, and options. With everything you say, be accurate and honest. Remember, if you’re dishonest your perceived trustworthiness and credibility will raise red flags in a buyer’s mind. 

Some initial questions to expect

Further to the bike’s details, you may get some additional questions from the buyer. Here are some common ones to expect: 

Why are you selling the bike?
Understand that potential buyers ask this question because they are looking for reassurances that you’re not selling a motorcycle with problems. 

How long have you owned it? Was there a previous owner?
This is usually the buyer seeking reassurance; they want to know it has been in good hands. If you didn’t own it from new, be prepared to ask questions about the previous owner. 

Has the motorcycle been regularly serviced? Where do you have it serviced?
Knowing (and having proof of) your bike’s service history makes your vehicle a safer purchase for the buyer. Better maintained vehicles sell for more than those with no verifiable service history. The buyer may even ask where you have had it serviced to call and ask about the bike and its history. 

Has the bike ever been damaged?
Be honest, there are plenty of ways to check a bike’s history. If you haven’t already purchased a BikeFacts History Report, displaying one alongside your ad leaves buyers confident they’re making the right choice. 

What condition is the bike in, and are there any issues not shown in the photos?
Most bikes will have the usual wear and tear, but it might be an idea to make minor improvements like touching up scratches, dents or replacing any broken parts. Doing this will boost the appearance of your bike dramatically. 

Are you selling with a roadworthy?
In some states, you will be required to provide a roadworthy certificate before selling your bike. The buyer will often ask you to sell with a roadworthy if required, so be sure to factor this into your price negotiation. 

Build urgency

It can be a good idea to let potential buyers know other people are interested and you have other viewings scheduled; this will build urgency and convey to them that it’s a good deal. 

Not heard back? Consider a follow-up

It might be a good idea to follow up with the buyer if you have not heard back from them in a few days. Buyers may enquire on a number of bikes and could forget the sellers they have contacted. The key is not to sound desperate. If they sense desperation, they may use this to lower the price. 

Organising a meeting

It is important to be patient and flexible when arranging a time to meet with a potential buyer; be prepared to ride a bit further to meet them, and understand the test ride and inspection will be unique each time. Make it clear that you expect to see their bike licence and if they ask, provide proof of insurance before the test ride. For more details see our support page, What to do on a test ride.

Prepare to negotiate

Some people love to haggle; others hate it. There will always be always some level of negotiation, so remember not to accept the first offer. Before going into any negotiation about price, make sure you know the ‘market’ value of your bike – do your research and have a clear idea of your starting and ending price. Unless you’re in a hurry to sell your bike don’t be afraid to turn down offers. 

Selling to dealers

Expect calls from dealers of used motorcycles. These are legitimate. Dealers may offer you less money, but you may want to consider their offers if you need a quick sale. 

Be wary of scammers!

If the buyer wants to keep all contact over messages or online and refuses to call or arrange a meeting, this can be an indicator of a scam. 

You should not have the motorcycle picked up by a company without having met the buyer. Furthermore, if you receive an inquiry via SMS about your bike, but calling the number reveals it’s disconnected, this can also be an indicator of a scam. 

If you receive a suspicious email or SMS, report it to bikesales by messaging us here and please include screenshots of the SMS or email. 

For more information, read our ‘Safety tips for sellers’ and check out ‘Online safety and FAQs’, or explore the wealth of handy information in our 'Help for sellers' section.

The key to selling is to be responsive and honest – it will help you get a better price for your motorcycle. 

After all, many buyers will be willing to pay a little bit extra if you are trustworthy and they are confident they are getting a good deal. 

This article was originally published in May 2023.