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What's the best way to sell a motorcycle? What's your experience been?
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Hello friends - I'm going to be selling one of my bikes, but I've never done a private sale. What's the best way to go about selling a bike. Cycletrader? To a dealer? Something I haven't thought of?
I'd also love to hear about your experiences. I want the bike to go to someone who will love it, but I want to avoid any scams or having weird interactions at or near my home when folks come to take a look. Any tips on the process, good experiences, things you've learned, I would be grateful to hear.
Top Comment:
Most money is private. Simplest is dealer.
Cash in hand before test drive. Trade off at a bank to verifies cash is authentic. Sign over title. Call it a day.
List on Facebook/craigslist
When someone asks for Cash in hand to test ride. : motorcycles
Main Post: When someone asks for Cash in hand to test ride. : motorcycles
Are "cash in hand" test rides safe? : motorcycles
Main Post: Are "cash in hand" test rides safe? : motorcycles
Should I tell the dealer I am buying in cash?
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Looking to buy a new motorcycle and I've heard that it might be a good idea not to tell them that I am buying in cash until last moment because they try to sell you bike+loan and hence can offer lower price assuming they'll get more than that from loan. Is this so?
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Negotiate the price as low as you can and then right as they start to show you to the finance department, just say, "Oh, that's not necessary, I'll be paying in cash."
Paying for a new motorcycle with "cash."
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Alright, after years of getting used bikes off craigslist (all cash deals), I'm wanting my next one to be new. I've been setting money aside for the new bike fund, and have approximately $10K to work with.
My question is, when paying "cash" at a dealership, what are the mechanics of it?
I'd imagine many businesses would be reticent about accepting a "personal check," so do they just hold onto the bike until the check clears or do they not accept them at all? There's always things like cashier's checks, but there's going to be a negotiation period and I won't know the final, out the door price until that part is taken care of. Just show up with a stack of hundreds?
For those of you who have personal experience doing "cash" transactions at dealers, how did you go about doing it?
Top Comment:
Cashiers check is safer then walking around with cash.
Though. Get the credit card. Pay it off immediately. Get the points.
Paying Cash For A New Motorcycle
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Due to destroyed credit while in the National Guard, my only option towards purchasing a motorcycle would be to pay full in cash.
Mind you, I'm currently on Active Duty in the Army. I've narrowed my bike choices down to two: The 2018 Suzuki TU250X or the Yamaha XT250.
When it comes to buying a new bike via cash from the dealership; is it expected for me to pay in full? Can I bargain the price down a few hundred dollars since I will not be financing?
Top Comment:
Consider used. No point in paying all the extra fees for 0 miles on the clock.
Thoughts on financing vs paying in cash
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I have some debts I need to pay off before I even consider buying a bike. But I'd really like to get into riding this season. However, on my current trajectory, I will have all my debts paid by May. But by the time I'd save up to buy a bike, the season would be over and I'd have to wait another year. I'm fairly responsible with my spending and have 3x the monthly payment in extra income a month so I wouldn't see it as a huge burden. Just thought I'd get some thoughts.
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Have you take insurance into account? Financing requires full coverage which could be a huge burden.
How in the world do I go about selling my motorcycle?!
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We bought a Harley about a lil over a year ago. It's value is still pretty high. Called around but no Harley places are buying right now due to the weather and demand for bikes. By selling this bike we would save a lot each month and be able to throw it at the rest our other debt which we have gotten down to $2400 credit card, 3700 loan, 1065 student loan, Mortgage 110,000 now.
Edit #1 Nada value $19,479 It's a 2014 Harley Davidson Softail
Top Comment:
this is not a good time of year to sell..wait a few months when its closer to cycling weather....as for selling be very cautious with craigslist as its rampant with scams....also talk with your financial institution that holds the lien....on what it will take to sell. Best if its a local institution and its a local sale....
Buying a Motorcycle. Should I pay cash in full, or try to get financing to boost my credit?
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I'm 20 with probably little to no credit. I've had a credit card for about a year, paying it off instantly each time. I honestly don't know what would help me more in the long run. Is it worth spending a bit more on the bike to get a better credit score? Or should I just save the money and pay it straight up..? Thanks for any responses!
Edit: Motorcycle'll probably cost around 3-4k. Nothing too special.
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I've had a credit card for about a year, paying it off instantly each time.
That could cause your score to be lower than if you waited for the statement to pay it off.
Don't pay interest to build credit.
Dealing with $5k+ Craigslist Cash Purchases
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Only dealt with buying my 250r off Craigslist with $2,000 cash but I'm looking to upgrade to a bike I'd pay close to $6,000.
How do you handle these larger cash deals? I was nervous with $2k in my pocket and $6k is going to a whole new level of nervousness.
Cashiers Checks seem frowned upon according to Google.
How do you guys handle this?
Thanks
Top Comment:
If they say "cash in hand to test drive" make sure they bring the title. Hand them the money, if you feel comfortable after checking VIN match, and lock the title in your car. Now he has the money but you have the bike and the title. Take photos and bring a friend. Traceability and witnesses make people think twice about pulling shit. No title, no money. Always try to get away with only handing over a deposit to mitigate a loss if one occurs. Most guys are really nice when selling their bikes. You'll know who to trust almost immediately. 2000 GSXR with no title, avoid. 2003 Clean bike, at the guys house with his kids running around, and he won't let you touch it without a DMV cert and money in hand, he can probably be trusted.
Cash in hand, people...
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Story time, though most of you wont need to be told this. A buddy of mine got a decent deal on a running 2 stroke Yamaha dirt bike, probably not the most desirable of all time but hey, it didn't need much to be ready to ride. He put the work in and got it to be roadworthy, and did a few hundred miles. Then he listed it on Craigslist and got an offer for a lot more than he paid. He was basically doubling up on the bike after all his investment. So he said sure, and had his roommate meet the buyer at their house, since he works. Long story short, his roommate misjudged the character of the buyer, gave him the keys for a test drive, and the guy just rode away with the bike, likely never to be seen again.
This may sound like common sense not to let someone on the bike without giving a deposit or the entire value before hand, but apparently it's not and some people may have to learn first hand if they don't read about it somewhere else.
Edit: for those wondering how the buyer got there, he had a friend drive him and they both took off. The owner tracked the cell (idk how, he didn't say) but the their lives just a few miles away. Still at this point the bike has probably been either sold again or stripped to pieces.
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It's not just the theft issue, it's also the possibility that they will drop your bike or wreck it. If you don't have cash in hand, and someone drops your bike and causes damage, it's unlikely that you will ever get any money from them.
I always put "Need cash in hand for test rides" in all of my Craigslist ads. I had a guy drive up from 2 hours away with a nice truck & trailer, and he wanted to drive my mint Nighthawk 700S with no cash in hand. He kept saying, "Listen, SON, I didn't drive all the way up here to drop your bike." Guy was afraid I would take his money and then go inside the house and lock the door or something. I explained again, DID YOU READ THE AD? My listing explained this very clearly. Anyways, I ended up writing the guy a conditional bill of sale that confirmed he could have his money back if he didn't like the bike. He ended up buying it without incident, but still... people will push you for having standards with this kind of thing. You never know who is trustworthy until the shit hits the fan.