| Almost every single dirt bike or motorcycle ad I see | | | | what's been done to the bike, what aftermarket parts |
| has at least a couple defects in it. This makes it more | | | | it has, and anything else that a buyer should know. |
| difficult to sell a bike, especially in this poor economy. | | | | Price |
| So if you want some tips on how to make your ads | | | | The price is one of the most crucial pieces to selling a |
| more professional and how to sell a bike more quickly, | | | | bike. Many sellers think their bikes are worth gold |
| listen up! | | | | because they have thousands in aftermarket parts, or |
| Making a bike look good: | | | | that they just put two grand into rebuilding it. |
| People will be a lot more interested in your bike if it | | | | Aftermarket parts add next to no value to bikes. In |
| looks nice. That's starting with making your bike clean. I | | | | fact, some people would rather buy a stock bike, so if |
| always spray my bike with soap and water, then I | | | | you have stock parts, I would suggest you put them |
| scrub everywhere I can get to with a tooth brush. | | | | back on and keep the aftermarket parts, or just sell |
| Taking the plastics off makes it easier and you can | | | | them with them off of the bike. Just because you put |
| get into a lot more spots that you couldn't before. If | | | | 1500 into rebuilding the engine does not mean it's worth |
| you don't mind spending a little bit of money on plastics | | | | that much more, it means that they blew the bike up |
| or graphics, then I highly suggest doing it. It will allow you | | | | and other parts will probably need replacing soon. |
| to sell the bike quicker and you might get your money | | | | Rebuilds DO NOT add to value because they are just |
| back doing it. It makes the bike look really nice and | | | | maintenance. Now for figuring out your price, it |
| fresh because not everything is scratched up | | | | depends on the model, year, and what kind of shape |
| anymore. Make sure you don't go overboard on | | | | the bike is in. If it's in good shape then take a look at |
| replacing or refurbishing parts, such as repainting the | | | | other ads people are posting. Usually they are asking |
| frame, case covers, etc. along with plastic and | | | | 10-25% more than the bike is worth, so I suggest you |
| graphics to make it literally look new, otherwise buyers | | | | post it for a little less than the average. |
| might think there is something suspicious and get | | | | Replying to buyers: |
| scared away. Make sure not to just clean it before | | | | First of all, if you are using craigslist and are not going |
| someone comes to look at it, but also for the pictures, | | | | to check your email every day or two, then please put |
| because it's not very inviting to look at a bike that is | | | | a phone number so someone can reach you!!! I see |
| dirty in the ad. | | | | hundreds of ads that do not have a phone number, so |
| Pictures: | | | | I have to wait for them to reply on email, that is if they |
| Pictures is an absolute must if you want to sell a bike. | | | | reply at all. If you do check your email every day then |
| People don't want to travel far without seeing a bike | | | | you should be good, but I would still say that a phone |
| and find out that it's an absolute wreck. I suggest that | | | | number is a must. |
| you post at least one or two pictures of your bike | | | | Selling the bike |
| item. | | | | When a buyer arrives, make sure you are kind to |
| Title: | | | | them and do not get upset or have an unusual |
| One of the first things you want is a good title, which | | | | behavior at all. Probably the number one rule I use |
| isn't very difficult, but I have seen quite a few ads that | | | | when selling bikes is "being honest." You have to tell |
| are titled, "Dirt bike for sale." Now that may be true, but | | | | the truth and not hide anything to the seller so that |
| does that say much about what it is? Not really, and | | | | they won't come back to you after buying the bike |
| not many people are going to click on it if they just say | | | | complaining about something you lied about. It is much |
| that. So if you want a good title, make sure you have | | | | easier for everyone if you're out front with everything |
| most if not all of the model info. For example, a good | | | | about the bike, that way you can be confident in selling |
| and simple title is. "(Year of bike) (Make of bike) (Model | | | | your bike. Also make sure that the buyer knows that |
| name)." It's that simple. Here is a title that I have for one | | | | this is an as-is sale, and if something happens to the |
| of my dirt bikes, "2001 Yamaha YZ125." It's really that | | | | bike there is no warranty if it's a used bike. If you |
| easy. | | | | happen to sell it you will either want to give the seller |
| Description: | | | | the title or make a bill of sale telling who bought it, who |
| This is where I see the most mistakes or defects in | | | | sold it, what the price was, vin # of bike, name, number, |
| peoples ads. Anything from spelling, grammar, to too | | | | so that nothing will come back it you if it's stolen or |
| much detail and too long. To have a professional | | | | something. |
| looking ad you want to write just enough info for | | | | If you have any questions or comments, please feel |
| people to see so they don't contact you asking a | | | | free to reply. Thanks for viewing, and good luck selling |
| million questions. All you have to write is a little bit about | | | | your bike! |
| the bike, such as a sentence or two about its history, | | | | |