Wondering how to sell a motorcycle? Swann understands how much you value your bike. Whether you want sell your bike fast or make sure it goes to the right buyer, we have you covered with our guide.
Getting a decent price for your much-loved bike can be difficult, but there are a number of things you can do to rev up its resale value. We look at the best ways to improve your cash chances and make sure the sales process runs as smoothly as a freshly oiled engine.
So, you’ve come to the end of the road (with your motorcycle). And while the prospect of getting into the saddle of a brand new ride is pretty exciting, you’ll probably have to find a new home for your old one.
Here’s our six-step guide to selling your bike:
1. Clean up
And we don’t just mean giving the bodywork a quick once over. We’re talking a real, deep clean – from the indicator switches right through to the exhaust pipe. Pay special attention to the areas where mud splatter, grease and oil might have built up over months of riding (wheel spokes, under the seat and the chain are all common culprits) and seal the deal with some paint polish and a classic Karate Kid wax on, wax off. Selling a bike when it’s clean and well kept will make the process that much easier!
2. Go pro
When it comes to selling your bike, it’s often what’s on the inside that counts. If you have a bike to sell, start by doing what you can yourself – changing the oil, checking the tyre pressure, replacing the coolant etc – but then get the professionals involved. Take it for a full service with a certified mechanic, so you have proof to support any claims you make about the bike’s condition, and make sure any niggling issues are completely sorted before you make the sale. Because the last thing you want is a buyer riding off into the sunset only to break down at the end of your street.
3. Strip things back to basics
While you might be a huge fan of the modifications you’ve made to your bike, if you want to sell your bike – remember that potential buyers might not share your enthusiasm for turbo-charged exhausts or neon chassis lighting. Think objectively about the changes that add value and replace those that don’t with the original parts. You can always try to transfer them over to your new ride or sell them on separately.
4. Set a fair price
Sure, we all secretly hope we’ll make every last cent back that we paid for a bike in a resale, but most of us will need to accept that this is just a pipe dream… Instead, spend time researching similar models selling in your area. Browse online, then go a step further and call the dealer to get a more specific spec that you can compare to your own. Try not to be tempted to hike the price right up on the basis that potential buyers will negotiate it down – doing so is more likely to put people off in the first place, which could cost you a sale. Honesty is always the best policy.
5. Get your admin in order
Before you sell your motorcycle, collect up every piece of paperwork you have relating to your bike: proof of purchase, warranty, service records, transfer docs, the lot. It will all help to reinforce that your bike is legit and give potential buyers peace of mind that they’re not getting duped into a rogue sale.
6. List it right
You can choose to list your bike privately, head direct to a local dealer or use an online marketplace, such as BikeSales whcih can make your selling experience much easier. But whether you choose to sell your bike online or otherwise, always be honest with your descriptions and upload a series of photographs that show your bike from every angle, so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.
While selling your bike might feel like a wrench at the time, remember – the feeling usually starts to pass as soon as you start browsing for a new set of wheels. So, get on the lookout and when you’re ready to get on the road, we can help you out with a bike insurance quote – quick smart.