Selling Bikes

Have you considered Cycle Trader? Local word of mouth is usually the best way to sell moto stuff in my experience.

craigslist - I just ignore the fakes.

Craigslist and Facebook groups... Seems like every state has something like "NC/SC Dirt bike & ATV Buy Sell Trade" group. Anytime I list something like a bike for sale, I specify to only call me with questions or interest. If someone is a serious buyer, they'll pick up the damn phone and call you. I also state in the ad that I will only discuss price negotiations in person, period. That tells people I'm flexible, and if they'll actually come meet in person, you know they're probably willing to pay pretty close to the asking price.

731chopper wrote:

Have you considered Cycle Trader? Local word of mouth is usually the best way to sell moto stuff in my experience.

I've thought about it. Are they still charging?

F150Motocrosser wrote:

Craigslist and Facebook groups... Seems like every state has something like "NC/SC Dirt bike & ATV Buy Sell Trade" group. Anytime I list something like a bike for sale, I specify to only call me with questions or interest. If someone is a serious buyer, they'll pick up the damn phone and call you. I also state in the ad that I will only discuss price negotiations in person, period. That tells people I'm flexible, and if they'll actually come meet in person, you know they're probably willing to pay pretty close to the asking price.

Didn't think about doing it that way. I'm going to use that strategy. Thanks!

Berm wrote:

craigslist - I just ignore the fakes.

This. I only reply to area codes i recognize. Sometimes they'll message you with a known area code but send the link of your ad with the message. Ignore those as well.

I posted my little CRF100 on CL a few weeks ago and literally got 10 spam messages and emails with in a few days.

Berm wrote:

craigslist - I just ignore the fakes.

SrfNdirt wrote:

This. I only reply to area codes i recognize. Sometimes they'll message you with a known area code but send the link of your ad with the message. Ignore those as well.

Got those. Also got some asking if I had my 14 Enzo for sale still. I've noticed they take certain words from the ad. It's really frustrating

TheOriginalPancakee wrote:

I posted my little CRF100 on CL a few weeks ago and literally got 10 spam messages and emails with in a few days.

It's seriously frustrating man. Texts and emails.

I have sold about 5 bikes on CL and my experience is that the scammers pretty much stop after 2-3 days. I am pretty good about weeding out buyers who are sketchy or don’t know what they are doing/talking about. All the bikes I’ve sold have been great transactions to solid people. Maybe I’m just lucky but I’ve lived in 3 states in the last 10 and CL has been solid everywhere so just have to be patient.

Pirate421 wrote:

I have sold about 5 bikes on CL and my experience is that the scammers pretty much stop after 2-3 days. I am pretty good about weeding out buyers who are sketchy or don’t know what they are doing/talking about. All the bikes I’ve sold have been great transactions to solid people. Maybe I’m just lucky but I’ve lived in 3 states in the last 10 and CL has been solid everywhere so just have to be patient.

I've always used craigslist and never had issues before, but man it's getting worse and worse recently

Pirate421 wrote:

I have sold about 5 bikes on CL and my experience is that the scammers pretty much stop after 2-3 days. I am pretty good about weeding out buyers who are sketchy or don’t know what they are doing/talking about. All the bikes I’ve sold have been great transactions to solid people. Maybe I’m just lucky but I’ve lived in 3 states in the last 10 and CL has been solid everywhere so just have to be patient.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I've always used craigslist and never had issues before, but man it's getting worse and worse recently

Have some fun with it. I screw with them as much as possible.... But I hear ya, it is frustrating !

I use craigslist and hate every minute of it. between scammers" wanting your vehicle for full asking price" and lowballers. ive actually held on to bikes for months procrastinating selling them to avoid the awful experience of craigslist folk. I guess its a necessary evil. lol.

Craigs is a pain in the ass but it's the only thing that will work in smaller markets just have to weed out the d-bags.Pisses me off when some fuckhead thinks I'd be open to trading my two year old bike for a POS 1980 Chevy pickup with a 383 stroker or flat bottom rowboat with one broken oar.

Sucks you are in Cali. In Tx we have texasoffroad and Houstonmotocross. Sell most everything on that. Craigslist sucks

Selling a dirt bike is rarely worth the additional effort and headache, IMO. Find a screaming deal on what you want, clean up the one you've got now and use it as a trade in. Done in a day with minimal stress.

Facebook is really the easiest way in my opinion. You can check out the buyer before hand and it’s a simple way to post items for sale. Craigslist still works fine too. Like everyone said, just gotta weed out the spam. I still use it all the time to buy and sell.

What do you guys do about test rides? I’m meeting a guy at a local PD and don’t know how that’ll go over.

Naanak wrote:

What do you guys do about test rides? I’m meeting a guy at a local PD and don’t know how that’ll go over.

I never let them test ride. Too much liability for me. Start? Definitely but no test riding

Try ProRide since you're in Socal

Naanak wrote:

What do you guys do about test rides? I’m meeting a guy at a local PD and don’t know how that’ll go over.

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I never let them test ride. Too much liability for me. Start? Definitely but no test riding

Yep, I always tell them I will ride it in front of them.

I put a a yz450 on cl around lunch. In the listing it says no trades and it also says I'd the ad is up, I still have it. 3 spam texts and the first two real people was.. one asked if I still had it. The other asked if I would trade for tool box. Fucking people

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I never let them test ride. Too much liability for me. Start? Definitely but no test riding

Yeah that’s what I was thinking. This will also give me another reason not to let them test ride.

In Canada I use Kijiji . I get about 10 scam emails a month.when they ask me when can I come look at bike and what’s your address, I reply with “ I can meet you any time during the day at the local RCMP detachment to show you the bike. I prefer to conduct my bussness there to ensure the safety of you and myself”. If it is a scam they never write back.

Naanak wrote:

What do you guys do about test rides? I’m meeting a guy at a local PD and don’t know how that’ll go over.

$$ in your hand, with their drivers license and keys. Or not even unloading it.

Craigslist, though yes there are more flakes than a trainload of Wheaties. Most of the scammers stop after the ad is a couple weeks old.
OfferUp and letgo are phone apps that work too.

Just sold a 450 on ProRide.com. Had all sorts of inquiries and stupid requests from Craigslist. I have sold a bike on Craigslist once that was no hassle at all, but most of the time its just scams, really stupid questions, unreliable offers, and unrealistic trade or cash offers. Anywho, good luck.

Use craigslist but do NOT put your telephone number on there. Only your email.......I sell on Craigslist exclusively and give out only my e mail. That way I can cull out the time wasters quickly and give my number out only to qualified buyers......

The only people that ever get to talk to me are the ones that I deem serious enough to warrant a phone call......even then I give them my number and If they don't call me.......screw em.

I want people calling me.........If I call them it throws off the dynamic and puts the buyer in the drivers seat.......I like to say after negotiations fall apart.......you called me, I didn't call you.....

Try posting ads at your local tracks. Less chances of getting scammers. You know if you get a call/text or email it's someone that saw it at the track and are more than likely interested in seeing your bike for real. Doesn't matter if it's a practice rider or racer. Chances are it'll atleast be someone with a familiar face if you ride a decent amount of times per week/month.

You could always try and sell it on consignment if you have a good relationship with your dealer.

Edit: Forgot to mention, if you have Instagram you might want to try that as well. Just use different hashtags at the end of your post. Things like for sale, bike brand, model, bike size, 2/4 stroke, your town/city, local, etc.

Thanks for the other idea guys! I’m going to give them a shot