How To Sell Your Motorcycle Online

It might not be easy saying goodbye to your motorcycle, but for one reason or another it has to go. Perhaps the odometer on the 2016 Indian Chieftain Dark Horse bagger didn’t tally up the miles you thought, or the cash from selling the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure could be invested toward a down payment/mortgage or other similar financial responsibility, or maybe a swap from your entry-level Kawi to the 2020 Kawasaki Ninja 650 is needed. Either way, you have come to the decision to sell your motorcycle.

There’s always the option to set it in the driveway or at the local lot, throw a “For Sale” sign on it, and hope for the best, but let’s face it, nowadays the online community is where interested buyers will be shopping, so making an online ad is one of the best ways to get the most exposure.

Cycle Trader is a common online resource for doing so. While spending some family time riding dirt bikes and her vintage Honda scooter in Florida prior to Daytona, Vice President of Cycle Trader Paige Bouma jumped on a call with me to dive deeper into these Cycle Trader tips to selling your motorcycle online.

In today’s digital world, I asked if she had seen a steady increase in listings online whereupon she shared that yes, they continue to see a steady increase in traffic, but, what is actually interesting is as of March 1, 2020, Cycle Trader has already delivered three-quarters of a billion impressions for units in 2020 (773,000,000), and there have been 15 million “detail views” (when a viewer clicks into the ad for more detailed information such as description, more photos, specs, etc.) thus far in 2020. She continued by saying that there are a lot more first-time buyers, more specifically 33 percent of the traffic coming to their site are searching for their first bike ever. Furthermore, 68 percent are searching on a mobile device, so it is important to make sure the site you list your motorcycle on is mobile compatible.

These images would leave the first impression on the potential buyer and can help intrigue or dissuade them into buying. Take authentic photos in natural daylight that won’t wash the motorcycle out. Avoid using stock photography. Further, include various angles and as many up-close shots as possible. This will let the buyer know the quality that your motorcycle is in. Don’t limit to just photos either; if possible, add video as well.

You want your motorcycle to really shine, so make sure your motorcycle is spotless before you capture the shot. I would add that if an interested buyer wants to see the machine in person, make sure it is clean prior to that meeting as well. There is nothing worse than seeing road grime and dirt on a motorcycle or vehicle when you have an in-person look. Sometimes that could lead the buyer to question how well other parts of the motorcycle were maintained.

After all, honesty is the best policy. Does the motorcycle have any damage? Say that in the listing and provide an image. It’s important to be open and honest with buyers so you don’t lose credibility and, potentially, the sale. “If they are buying a used unit, they are going to understand that there are going to be some flaws and inconsistencies,” Bouma says, “but there is nothing worse than going to see that bike that sounds like it is in great condition in the listing, but you get out there and the unit has a scratch or a dent.”

The more information you provide the better. This gives insight to how well the bike was taken care of and how this motorcycle will fit the needs and lifestyle of the buyer. Cycle Trader recommends highlighting all the key features and how you’ve used it previously with personal stories or experiences with the bike. Bouma expands by saying, “Really beef up your description. If you have specific [aftermarket or stock] parts that you will be including in your unit, put that in your description; really write out the description to make it appealing to the buyer and how that sets you apart.”

Like with anything you search in Google, you need the correct keywords to get the relevant answers you’re looking for. The same goes for when you list your motorcycle for sale. Make sure these words are applicable to your unit so it pops up easily. Bouma shared that the top motorcycle categories include cruiser, sportbikes, touring, dirt bikes, and dual sport, so add those keywords in to your listing. Harley-Davidson is the top searched OEM followed by Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.

You were a buyer once. Place yourself in their shoes and determine what it is you would like to know about the bike if you were buying it. Especially if the buyer is new to motorcycling you could give them advice since you too have been through the buying process before. Did you look at motorcycle reviews or buyer’s guides for more information? Pass on that advice. Bouma shared that 44 percent of new riders spend more than two months researching the motorcycles before making a purchase.

When a buyer is looking for a motorcycle they often have a budget in mind, making listing the price an important component to your ad. Cycle Trader states, “The fact is, 90 percent of buyers (based on Cycle Trader’s numbers) won’t click on a listing without a price—this simple addition can make a big difference.”

Buyers move fast so when a buyer reaches out with a question it is important to respond to them quickly before they move on to another listing. Check your messages regularly and respond quickly after you have been contacted. Bouma shared with me that 30 percent of buyers want to hear back within the day, 10 percent want to hear back within 1–2 hours. It is important that you also give them a way to text you for more information, or if you prefer email, make sure you check your email constantly and respond in a timely fashion.

With online sales/purchases there is potential for scams both in false advertisement and with scam buyers, so how can people best determine which is a scam buyer from a genuine one? Bouma advised, “Go with your gut, if something is too good to be true, it most likely is. Be aware that there could be scams out there and while you are starting to have the conversations with somebody (potential buyer) you are starting to think of those cases. Be careful of where you are posting your unit.”

So there you have it. In order to give your motorcycle the best chance at finding a new home have an honest and accurate listing with high-quality photo and video of the clean motorcycle, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, and return home with the cash you deserve for your motorcycle.