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Does Carvana Buy Motorcycles? – How to Sell Your Bike

man in black leather jacket riding black motorcycle during daytime

The short answer is no. Caravana is a non-traditional dealership that deals exclusively with cars. According to their website (www.carnava.com), they connect car buyers with a vehicle they want. Although Caravana doesn’t sell motorcycles, RumbleOn does

RumbleOn is an excellent option to sell your motorcycle since it helps you evaluate the value of your bike and pays you for it, and can make you an offer in a matter of minutes. Best of all, there is no risk, no obligation, and the decision is yours to accept or decline. 

However, if you’re interested in selling the motorcycle privately, allow me to share some information. 

If you’re planning to sell your motorcycle, read on…

Suppose you want to sell a motorcycle. In that case, it’s essential to know what to expect and how to go about the whole process. This article will help you to get started.

RFS – Reason for Selling 

Do you want to sell it because you don’t use it? Are you in need of the money? Maybe you’re selling it because you don’t want to deal with it anymore? Whatever the reason for selling the unit, a potential buyer will want to find out. 

The other direct yet immediately asked question is, “does it have any problems?” No vehicle is perfect, but if there is an issue, the buyer will want to know it, and you are obligated to inform them. The most important thing to remember when selling your motorcycle is to be honest, and transparent with your buyer.  

How much is a motorcycle worth?

Before selling your motorcycle, the first step you should take is to learn what it might be worth. Several factors play a role in determining how much money you can get for your motorcycle. These include the type of vehicle, the condition of the vehicle, and its maintenance.

  • Vehicle Condition – the condition of your motorcycle is a significant contributor to its value and saleability. Motorcycles with the excellent condition have an improved resale value. Whatever the issue is with your bike, fix it first before advertising it. 
  • Modifications – There are two types of mods: mods that can raise the value of the bike and mods that lower it. For example, expensive stage kits and exhaust systems can increase the bike’s value. Modifications that generally affect the quality of the bike can reduce its value. An example would be poor custom paint jobs, removed factory parts, and poorly attached swing arms.
  • Seasonality – The season also affects demand, especially during the riding season (between April to September). 
  • Rarity – Rare is a motorcycle with a dedicated niche market, low or halted production, and limited edition factory paint. It becomes a collectible. 
  • Age of the vehicle – A motorcycle’s value depreciates after you leave the dealership. It then picks up again when it reaches 25 years old and is considered a classic.
  • Other factors – Are you the original owner of the motorcycle? Does it look like you took care of it well? 

You need to take several steps to prepare for the private sale.

  • Prepare your motorcycle for the next owner. 
  • Gather all documents.
  • Find all your keys.

What paperwork is needed to sell the motorcycle?

  • Vehicle Title The vehicle title proves that you own the vehicle and have the authority to sell it. If your title is missing, obtain a replacement.
  • Receipt – This is your original receipt from when you purchased your motorcycle. Aside from preventing fraud, this ensures that the unit was bought in cash and is free of encumbrances.
  • Registration – Although you can sell the vehicle without a registration, you will need a new one if there is a lien on it. You can sell the motorcycle even if a lien encumbers it. There will, however, be extra measures you must take.
  • Proof of Residency – In some cases, you may need to present proof of residency, such as a utility bill, water, or electricity bill (dated within 30 days).
  • Driver’s License Your driver’s license is proof of identification required for all forms of sale.

Take photos of your motorcycle

Whether you’re advertising the motorcycle on social media or on sites like Craigslist, you will need photographs of your bike. Just use a regular point and shoot or your smartphone camera. 

Of course, before taking photos, make sure that your motorcycle is clean and placed in a well-lighted area. 

Private Party Sale

Private parties are usually the best way to sell your used bike because it doesn’t require you to sell to a dealership. However, it needs more effort and patience than selling your bike at a dealership.

Private sellers often sell on online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. You can also try to use a “FOR SALE” sign.

Online Motorcycle Marketplaces

  • eBay is a great way to sell your motorcycle. It gives you a national audience, and you can choose from hundreds of sellers.
  • CycleTrade: CycleTrade is one of the biggest names in online motorcycle sales. You can see bikes for sale from dealerships and private parties alike all over the country. If you’re looking for a particular motorcycle, CycleTrade’s filtering system can make narrowing down your perfect bike a breeze.
  • ChopperExchange is an exclusive marketplace for American motorcycles. You can shop for Harley-Davidson, Indian, Victory, and other niche American bikes from Confederate or Big Dog brands. The Chopper Exchange is a community where thousands of American motorcycle enthusiasts gather to share knowledge, experiences, and advice on all things choppers.
  • CycleCrunch is an excellent resource for motorcycle enthusiasts. It offers all the information to help buyers find the right motorcycle. Whether you’re looking for a used bike or a new one, CycleCrunch has something for you.
  • Autotrader: Motorcycle lovers are likely to love this website. You can buy ECOTRIC 600 LBS Motorcycle Carrier  there. Autotrader carries a good reputation as a trusted platform for buying and selling vehicles. That reputation carries over to motorcycles.
  • RumbleOn is where you can buy and sell just about anything with wheels and an engine. It’s not just for motorcycles; it’s also for buying and selling cars, trucks, and off-road recreational vehicles like ATVs and UTVs.

Price Negotiation

Before sending your potential customer’s information, make sure you have everything you need to sell the bike.

You should always decide the lowest price you’re willing to sell for. Then, if someone asks for a discount, you can say, “No, I’m not willing to go any lower.” If you don’t, you’ll feel stupid if you end up having to knock off $100 for something that you had initially set as your cut-off point.

Meeting the potential buyers

If you don’t want to meet buyers at your house, choose a public parking lot. McDonald’s and Burger Kings (or the like) are ideal since they are well-known and trustworthy, with well-lit, open parking lots and tables to sign the forms (and big windows to keep your eyes on the bike). It’s an excellent option to park in a police parking lot.

This is an excellent place to start so that you don’t have to waste time selling your bike to someone who doesn’t want it. Just make sure you show off all the great features.

This last bit of advice might seem irrelevant. However, it’s important to remember that you should always have something to protect yourself no matter how much money you have. Also, it’s wise to have someone with you during this meet-up.

Motorcycle buyers must clearly understand the realities of buying a motorcycle. Fortunately, most people already understand this. There are plenty of opinions on the subject. However, my personal opinion is that test drives should only be allowed with a signed Test Drive Agreement and full payment in a sealed envelope.

Conclusion

Selling a motorcycle can be a gratifying experience. You will have to put much effort into marketing and selling it, but it can be a very rewarding experience. You have the option to sell it privately, or you can go through the dealership. Either way, there will be preparations to make. Good luck with selling your motorcycle.