Best Way to Sell A Bike?

[treytexag_imp]

I don't sell bikes very often, like once every 20 years, LOL. Wanted to see what y'alls recommendations were for best way to "list" or "publisize" the sale of a CB? I know CycleTrader is a place to list bikes for sale - do y'all recommend that avenue?

Do y'all have positive experiences with other ways to sell a bike? I was wondering about Craiglist. My thoughts are that may not be a good spot for a motorcycle?

I'm in the Houston area. Sure would love to hear from y'all on the best way to work on selling a bike. Thanks gents, appreciate your help.

 

[the Ferret]

No help here as I haven't bought an advertised bike in 20 years. I used to look at Cycle Trader, but it's probably blasé and out of favor these days.

 

[mpuhl_imp]

Just sold my old bike to buy my CB1100 and Facebook marketplace worked great for me. Craigslist has gotten way too sketchy.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

 

[Gone in 60]

I just bought and sold bikes recently on Facebook Marketplace. It has really started to displace Craig’s List.

I listed my bike in both places but got more serious and realistic inquiries from Facebook.

I’d list in both places. One thing I’ve noticed is now that Craig’s charges five bucks to list a “vehicle” a lot of motorcycles are being listed in the parts section.

You’ll be sifting through plenty of low ballers until you get to someone who’s serious with any online listing platform.

 

[treytexag_imp]

Gentlemen, thank you for the input. I had not really thought about FB Marketplace. I know with the new IRS rules, FB Marketplace wants your SS number so they can report any sales over $499 (don't quote me on the number). I also like this notion of Cycletrader being a bit "blasé" here lately.

Probably best to do as suggested and list on Cycletrader, FB Marketplace, and perhaps Craigslist.

Again, thank you, really appreciate your thoughts.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I tried to sell a Harley Davidson VRod during the past few weeks on Markketplace and Facebook suspended my account saying my it was fake. Up to that point there was no issue. I laughed and didn't care anymore.

 

[Olyrider]

My opinion is that the ad you write is the biggest determining factor, not the site you use.

In the past three years, I have sold a BMW f800GS, a Honda ST1300, and my CB1100 on Craigslist-Seattle. There was no drama, and the sales happened quickly.

I was very complete in my description of the bikes, and wrote all of that info as if I was describing the characteristics of my children or favorite dog. Readers knew I wasn’t selling just a piece of metal. I priced the bike at the price I wanted to get. I didn’t write “firm”, but I knew I was. my pictures were taken with consideration for what I would want to see if I were looking at a bike online.

Each bike sold for the listing price with no haggling. Each buyer paid in cash. Each buyer took a test ride. I didn’t set low prices. For instance, my 2013 CB1100 standard sold for $7,500.

Good luck!

 

[Wagonpeddler_imp]

I bought and sold motorcycles on Craig's List. Bought my last CB750 on Ebay, but wouldn't sell there. Sold that bike on Cycle Trader, and bought by CB1100 on Cycle Trader. Don't do Facebook, but my wife does, and sometimes list stuff for sale there.....guitars, amps, furniture, etc. All of the sell listings took weeks or months to complete.

 

[Ollie]

I joined FB a few years ago just to take advantage of the Marketplace and I've been very satisfied. Let's see through it I bought my 14 CB1100 and 15 California 1400. I also sold a Kubota tractor and a couple Deere implements.
How well and accurate you write the ad along with a lot of *good* pictures can really make a difference. I try to under represent what I sell and describe every flaw, no matter how small, with a picture such as a scratch in a wheel.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

My FB group had strict posting guidelines that were easy to follow. "Do this, don't do that." Essentially a template on how to post the vehicle. That was the group.

FB flagged my account as fake.

Thankfully, I am not a [regular] FB user. :dodgy:

 

[Ole]

Are you on ADVrider? The flea market there has 417000 sets of eyeballs looking at your ad.

 

[Ollie]

My FB group had strict posting guidelines that were easy to follow. "Do this, don't do that." Essentially a template on how to post the vehicle. That was the group.

FB flagged my account as fake.

Thankfully, I am not a [regular] FB user. :dodgy:

Maybe that was the problem? With Facebook at least one can see if the seller has a long history there or just joined with few posts.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

My FB group had strict posting guidelines that were easy to follow. "Do this, don't do that." Essentially a template on how to post the vehicle. That was the group.

FB flagged my account as fake.

Thankfully, I am not a [regular] FB user. :dodgy:

Maybe that was the problem? With Facebook at least one can see if the seller has a long history there or just joined with few posts.

Maybe that was the problem? With Facebook at least one can see if the seller has a long history there or just joined with few posts.
Likely.

 

[treytexag_imp]

Are you on ADVrider? The flea market there has 417000 sets of eyeballs looking at your ad.

It's been awhile, but I still get the weekly emails from ADVrider. I had not considered that site - great idea. I'll jump over there now and have a look.

Thanks for the tip.

Trey

 

[Crazyirv_imp]

Craigslist. I sold every bike I've owned off of it.

 

[The Gecko_imp]

My opinion is that the ad you write is the biggest determining factor, not the site you use.

In the past three years, I have sold a BMW f800GS, a Honda ST1300, and my CB1100 on Craigslist-Seattle. There was no drama, and the sales happened quickly.

I was very complete in my description of the bikes, and wrote all of that info as if I was describing the characteristics of my children or favorite dog. Readers knew I wasn’t selling just a piece of metal. I priced the bike at the price I wanted to get. I didn’t write “firm”, but I knew I was. my pictures were taken with consideration for what I would want to see if I were looking at a bike online.

Each bike sold for the listing price with no haggling. Each buyer paid in cash. Each buyer took a test ride. I didn’t set low prices. For instance, my 2013 CB1100 standard sold for $7,500.

Good luck!

I agree with Olyrider, the number of poor OR incomplete ads I see is high.

 

[Gone in 60]

Here's where I trot out my advice for listing photos for your motorcycle ad.
Photos to avoid:

Wet on driveway: It's been sitting so long that I figured I should at least hose it off before I take a picture.
Strapped to a trailer: Yeah... no... it doesn't run.
Photo taken at night, in the dark: I will take any amount of money you show me for this heap.
Down the side of the house, with a tarp wadded up next to bike: Yeah, it's been garaged!
Just a tight front and rear shot, since there is a ton of stuff piled up next to it in the garage: This hasn't moved in years, and it will take a lot of time to dig it out of the garage.
Pile of tools next to the bike: Runs great!

 

[Ollie]

LOL "runs good just needs battery", starts but just needs carbs adjusted".

Reminds me of the time maybe 8 years ago my friend asked me to call the person selling a motorcycle he was interested in. He had spoken with him but just wanted my impression to be sure since it was a 3 1/2 hour drive each way. The seller only had an old phone, the camera in it wasn't working well and the only 2 images he had were taken from a distance in a dark garage. Anyway so I called.
The guy said his DR650 was "immaculate, never down, I bought it new in Texas, rode it a couple years then moved here to Cleveland where I have it stored." I specifically asked are there any scratches, nicks, anything missing, in short how would your bike be different from a brand new one other than mileage? It's just like new, I really take care of everything I have, just the way I am." My friend said he was told essentially the same thing. $3,200 was high at that time unless it was in immaculate condition but that's what my friend had been searching for. So I ride along with him to Cleveland in his Dodge truck that got 11 mpg to pick up a pristine Suzuki DR650.

The address takes to an apartment complex (projects). The guy comes out and walks us over to a large storage building, unlocks the door and backs out a mangled up, filthy dirt bike of some kind, so we can go in to see his bike. Only the bike he backed out WAS the bike! Besides being absolutely filthy it was also in horrible condition; all plastic (that wasn't missing) was scratched and faded, tank dented and scratched up, 2 broken and one missing turn signal, One hand guard missing, headlight and little wind cowling pointing to the left, chain rusted, rust on frame, practically all exposed bolts and screws were rusted, brake fluid looked like molasses, I could go on and on.
I said "what the heck, you completely lied about the condition of this motorcycle, it's been wrecked, why did you lie?" He stuttered around and said "it is in really good shape and I can tell you it's never been down". I thought my friend was going to kill him so I got his arm and said let's just leave and pulled him to his truck.

Lesson learned is to INSIST on very good pictures and lots of them, if they can't furnish good images don't waste your time.

 

[peterbaron]

There was an expen$ive and in a pristine condition Suzie 750GT for sale just several streets away from where I live, so I responded to this add.
I only sent one request: take some pics of your bike and show me the places you think are the worst. I pay the price you want.
Never got any answer back.

 

[GoldOxide_imp]

I always ask for the car keys and/or their girlfriend or wife while the candidate buyer test rides my bikes for sale. In each case the sale closed at my asking price.