How to Protect Yourself When Selling a Motorcycle (2024)

Table of Content

1. How Do You Protect Yourself When Selling a Motorcycle? 1.1 Find a Reliable Buyer for Your Motorcycle 1.2 Find a Dealer to Sell Your Motorcycle 1.3 Use Reliable and Secure Online Stores 1.4 Avoid Transporting Motorcycles Until the Transaction is Completed 1.5 Get to Know About the Used Motorcycles Market 1.6 Meet the Buyer at a Safe Location 1.7 Take Someone with You to Meet the Buyer 1.8 Take Payment in Cash 1.9 Completion of Documents 1.10 Do Not Allow the Buyer to Take a Test Ride 1.11 Be Cautious 2. What Can Go Wrong When Selling a Motorcycle? 3. The Bottom Line

Every rider eventually must sell their current motorcycle to purchase a new, more powerful one. E-commerce websites and social media platforms that allow for the advertisem*nt and sale of motorcycles have made it simpler to sell a motorcycle. You can add images, a description, and a price for your motorcycle on the website where serious buyers browse. The internet has made it simple to get in touch with plenty of potential buyers.

There are several risks involved while selling your motorcycle and you must be extremely cautious and beware of the scammers out there. Read this article to learn how to protect yourself when selling a motorcycle.

1. How Do You Protect Yourself When Selling a Motorcycle?

1.1 Find a Reliable Buyer for Your Motorcycle

By selling your motorcycle to a friend or family member, you can protect yourself from scammers and unscrupulous buyers.

1.2 Find a Dealer to Sell Your Motorcycle

If you are unable to sell your motorcycle yourself, consider selling it through a dealer. Compared to online motorcycle sales, this is a safer option. But to get a higher price, you have to sell your bike yourself.

1.3 Use Reliable and Secure Online Stores

Many online marketplaces allow you to buy and sell motorcycles. However, using trusted and secure trading platforms ensures a safe business environment.

If you are a motorcycle influencer or blogger you can use YouTube to promote your motorcycle by interacting with the audience.

1.4 Avoid Transporting Motorcycles Until the Transaction is Completed

Do not hand over the keys or motorcycle after the customer has paid. Don't trust the client you just met. A scammer will insist you hand over your motorbike while holding off making the payment.

1.5 Get to Know About the Used Motorcycles Market

You need to understand everything about used motorcycle pricing and the market to negotiate with buyers and get the best deal.

Also Read: WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SELL A MOTORCYCLE?

1.6 Meet the Buyer at a Safe Location

If you have found an interested buyer and want to plan a meeting, make sure to not invite the buyer to your home. It is recommended you invite buyers to a public place in the vicinity of a police station and within view of other people. If the buyer requests you to meet at their preferred place, politely decline the request.

1.7 Take Someone with You to Meet the Buyer

When you go to meet the buyer, make sure you are accompanied by a friend or a family member for safety. They can also serve as a witness to the transaction.

1.8 Take Payment in Cash

Do not take checks as scammers can write fake information on them. Always take payment in cash as it is the safest method. If you have to take a check as payment, make sure it is not fraudulent before you hand over your motorcycle. Do not receive an extra payment if you are receiving a check as the buyer can request their bank to refund the amount they paid you, claiming it as fraud.

1.9 Completion of Documents

If you decide to sell your motorcycle yourself, ensure you have all the required documents, such as contracts, proof of sale, and payment information.

1.10 Do Not Allow the Buyer to Take a Test Ride

Never allow the buyer to go on a test ride as they may drop the motorcycle and damage it, then later refuse to buy it. You cannot be sure whether a buyer is experienced or a beginner by appearance alone.

1.11 Be Cautious

To protect yourself from online scammers, take extra care in every step of selling your motorcycle. Do not give buyers access to too much personal information online. If a buyer looks suspicious, try not to contact them again. Consider it a wake-up call if a buyer is willing to buy your motorbike without asking anything about it and negotiating the price.

Also Read: HOW TO SELL YOUR MOTORCYCLE FAST

2. What Can Go Wrong When Selling a Motorcycle?

E-commerce sites attract millions of people to buy and sell products like motorcycles. While these sites allow sellers and businesses to reach a wider audience, they also carry the risk of fraud. Identifying online scammers can be difficult because they come from so many countries.

Many times motorbikes have been stolen from Craigslist and buyers have been scammed. The current challenge makes it difficult for sellers to distinguish fraud from genuine buyers.

Also Read: TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR BIKE ON CRAIGSLIST

3. The Bottom Line

Selling a motorcycle can be difficult and risky if you have never sold anything before, especially on the Internet. You have to be careful while dealing with interested buyers, especially if they are strangers. If you are opting to sell your motorcycle online, beware of scammers who may want to take your motorcycle without paying. Use trusted and secure e-commerce platforms and verify everything about the buyer before switching ownership of your motorcycle. If the buyer shows interest and asks to meet, invite them to a public place or near the police station to avoid dangerous situations. Do not communicate with a buyer if you get the sense they are giving off red flags. The safety tips mentioned in this article will help you better protect yourself when selling a motorcycle.

Certain aftermarket parts can help increase your motorcycle’s resale value. These motorcycle parts, including the fairings, sissy bars, backrests, crash bars, and pulled-back handlebars, can also help improve your motorcycle’s performance, look, and comfort. To improve your motorcycle’s touring capability, Viking Bags offers a good range of stylish saddlebags, tank bags, and sissy bar bags.