A motorcycle bill of sale is a form that serves as proof of purchase, giving the buyer written confirmation that they obtained a motorcycle through legal means. The form, in addition to the bike’s title, is required for registering the newly acquired vehicle.

The bill of sale will only be viewed as valid if it contains the electronic or handwritten signatures of both parties.

Prior to listing the motorcycle, give it a thorough clean and check for scuffs, damage, dry rot, and missing parts. Write down any and all issues that will not be fixed so they can be included in the listing as a disclaimer to potential buyers.

Take the bike for a ride as long as it runs well, the tires are inflated, and there’s nothing mechanically dangerous. Feel the suspension, shift through all gears, and test the front and back brakes.

If the bike has not been inspected, having an inspection done prior to listing will increase buyer activity significantly, as an inspection sticker is seen as a badge that affirms it’s in riding condition.

The majority of smartphones can take high-quality photos. Take photos from all angles of the bike, including close-up pictures of the tires, chain, gauges, and any damage/scratches/dents. Don’t try and hide things from the buyer – being upfront and honest will make the selling process easier.

The market for motorcycles is the strongest in the spring/summer months. To get a good grasp of the price one should set for a motorcycle, consult the following resources:

• Kelley Blue Book Motorcycles
• J.D. Power – Motorcycles

Additionally, one should check the marketplaces listed in step 4 below to see reference prices. This allows sellers to see what motorcycles of the same make, model, mileage, and year are selling for.

Listing the motorcycle online provides sellers with significant exposure, oftentimes for free. The following sites have large networks of interested motorcycle shoppers:

• Craigslist – $5 per listing.
• Facebook Marketplace – No listing fees.
• eBay – Fee varies.
• CycleTrader – Fee varies.
• Motorcycles.Autotrader – Starting at $19/95 for 2 weeks.
• Motorcycle.com – Classifieds – No listing fees.

If the seller lives in a high-traffic area, displaying the bike outside with a “for sale” sign can increase potential leads. Be warned that long-term outdoor storage could cause rust or sunspots to appear on the paint, as well as nesting animals.

Communicate with potential buyers to arrange showings. If the seller wishes, they can permit potential buyers to take the motorcycle for a test ride.

Once an interested buyer makes an offer, the seller can negotiate or accept the offer. Ideally, the seller should begin negotiation with a predetermined minimum amount they will accept for the bike. This prevents emotion and other variables from interfering with the deal.

Once the parties reach an agreement, the buyer will need to pay the seller. Payment should take place prior to signing the bill of sale. The seller will need to provide the title and completed bill of sale to the buyer.

Both parties must sign their names on the document (either by hand or online with eSign). Once money has changed hands and the bill of sale has been signed, the transaction is complete.

Date, Price, and Parties

The date that the bill of sale is being completed should be entered at the top of the form. Then, the parties can provide the sale price of the motorcycle and their respective names and mailing addresses.

Vehicle Information

The seller should make sure the following vehicle information is added to the bill of sale:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• CC (Cubic Capacity)
• Color
• Odometer
• VIN

Signatures and Notary Acknowledgment

Both the seller and buyer must sign their names and enter the date in the appropriate fields. If the parties wish to have a notary public acknowledge the signatures on the bill of sale, they should only sign when instructed to do so by the notary.