Need advice on selling motorcycle to a dealer

[berth]

I'm always frightened to leave the safety of General.

Your bike will probably still work wherever you're moving to.

It may well cost less to move the bike than you'll lose in selling it fast. Granted, that's money "out of pocket" vs "monies not received". But if you plan on getting another bike in the future, it can work out in the end.

 

[Rumbo Sur]

Your bike will probably still work wherever you're moving to.

Have you ever imported anything into India?

 

[NavyChief]

Dealer gave me 18k for my bike last month (what I paid for it). Wouldn’t hurt to ask just to see where they are on yours.

 

[fubar929]

Don't be pressured to sell. As noted, many dealers will take your bike on consignment. Do this if you're desperate. No, you won't get top dollar but much better than an out right sale directly to dealer for cash, which will be very very LOW.

Just be aware that some shady dealers use consignment as a sales tactic: they sell you a bike at full price with the promise that they can sell your used Ninja 250 in a week for $5000. You ride off on the new bike, they put up an ad for $5K on Craig's List, park your old bike in the back of their garage and wait for a sucker to show up or for you to get tired of waiting for the bike to sell. It's a win for the dealer either way it works out...

 

[Rthan]

Okay.. so some great advice here.. Thanks !

Just want to clarify a few things - I'm not planning on buying a new bike. Also, moving the bike with me is not viable in my case.

I took it down to Santa Clara Cycles and looks like consignment could be a good option. I'm also checking with my friends to see if they can hold it and sell it for me.

I have also got a few responses. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[LakeMerrit]

MotoJava (barf sponsor) offers very fair prices for used bikes (offered me double what a new dealer did for an old sv650). I'm sure y'all could work something out.

 

[Rumbo Sur]

Plus One on Moto Java.
Good people, good reports from buyers I know.

 

[Rumbo Sur]

Dealer gave me 18k for my bike last month (what I paid for it). Wouldn’t hurt to ask just to see where they are on yours.

That's great!
Did you sell the bike outright ... or did you trade in your bike on a NEW bike?

Dealers will often take a "loss" and pay a lot for your trade in. They make it up BIG TIME if you buy a brand new bike as part of the transaction.

Nonetheless, it can often work out fine for both ... but you may be giving up a bit to your dealer. Sometimes it's worth it if that dealer treats you right over long term.

 

[NavyChief]

That's great!
Did you sell the bike outright ... or did you trade in your bike on a NEW bike?

Dealers will often take a "loss" and pay a lot for your trade in. They make it up BIG TIME if you buy a brand new bike as part of the transaction.

Nonetheless, it can often work out fine for both ... but you may be giving up a bit to your dealer. Sometimes it's worth it if that dealer treats you right over long term.

I ate the sales tax and fees when I sold it back to him plus he rides it daily now that it’s used. I’ve bought three bikes from him so he takes care of me.

 

[Rthan]

Okay managed to sell it to fellow Barf member amorfati

my learnings from this process -

1. Most dealers are looking to rip off N00bies like me.
2. Cycle trader does give some leads (I had 3 in my case in 6 days)
3. Craigslist attracted the most leads(6 in 3 days) and predictably most scams including the Motocheck365 bull shit.

Among dealers - Santa Clara cycles offers decent prices(12% of selling price) on consignment while motojava(moto mike) said he's not willing to sell the ninja 300 on consignment. He said he had to wait 3 months to sell a similar(newer) 300. (Wonder what price was set on it)

So, yeah.. I guess it's time for me to pack

 

[Burg-Mann]

Another lesson is to NOT mix friendship and business ��

 

[Cafe Racer]

ALWAYS file the Release of Liability for the sale immediately. You can do that online or by mail using the tear off form on the title.

Dealers sometimes try to jump titles and other kinky stuff, and you get stuck with the resulting problems.

 

[taylormade21]

Another lesson is to NOT mix friendship and business ��

True,...but if you have true friend and bro/gal, you should be able to trust them with your life,...let alone selling a moto.
If you have a friend sell,...lay out the rules of said sale. Lowest cost you'd take and make sure they have your best interest in mind, and not just to sell the bike.
I've sold many bike parts, gear and a bike for a buddy of mine out of state and expected nothing in return except knowing he'd do the same for me in a eart beat.

 

[ScottRNelson]

my learnings from this process -

1. Most dealers are looking to rip off N00bies like me.
2. Cycle trader does give some leads (I had 3 in my case in 6 days)
3. Craigslist attracted the most leads(6 in 3 days) and predictably most scams including the Motocheck365 BS.

I finally put my bike on Craigslist yesterday after a month of no action here on BARF. Within an hour I had someone interested who will likely buy it today.

Then this morning I received a rather generic message with no subject inquiring if my bike was still for sale. No details specific to what I'm selling. And it asked me to reply to a specific GMail address. So I did, but because it looked a bit fishy, didn't mention anything about the bike. I received an instant response back trying to get me to spend $19.00 on the Motocheck365 thing. I flagged it on GMail as a scam.

 

[Junkie]

I finally put my bike on Craigslist yesterday after a month of no action here on BARF. Within an hour I had someone interested who will likely buy it today.

Then this morning I received a rather generic message with no subject inquiring if my bike was still for sale. No details specific to what I'm selling. And it asked me to reply to a specific GMail address. So I did, but because it looked a bit fishy, didn't mention anything about the bike. I received an instant response back trying to get me to spend $19.00 on the Motocheck365 thing. I flagged it on GMail as a scam.

And yet they now have an active email address to send spam to

if someone won't communicate through CL, it's most likely a scam or spam

 

[ScottRNelson]

And yet they now have an active email address to send spam to

Yes, but GMail is very good about eliminating spam before I ever see it. And if they send me any more spam, I'll just mark it as spam and soon GMail will stop them from sending anybody anything from that address.