Motorcycle Bill of Sale

With your Free Motorcycle Bill of Sale, you can formalize your transaction which will give both buyer and seller peace of mind.

In a private motorcycle transaction, both buyer and seller need to know the legal requirements and the obligations of both parties in their specific jurisdiction.

We will show you how to compile your motorcycle sales agreement or other related legal documents that you may need (with our free templates) and provide guidelines on what to look out for when buying or selling a motorcycle.

We will also give you direct links to your local Department of Motor Vehicles where you can find the legal requirements as to transferring ownership and registration, motorcycle insurance requirements, taxes or fees payable etc.

Note: The Department of Motor Vehicles may supply a lot helpful information about the motorcycle if you give them the VIN number.

You can download your Free Bill of Sale for Motorcycles by clicking on the links below but do take some time and explore the useful tips and information further down on this page too.

• Bill of Sale for a Motorcycle - Used when a Single Payment will be made. Provision is also made to record a holding deposit
• Installment Sale Agreement - When Multiple Payments will be made
• Power of Attorney - To empower another person to do a motorcycle transaction on your behalf
• Lien Release Template - To issue when all payments have been met

Tips for Buying or Selling a Motorcycle

Do your homework and find the market price for a similar make, model and mileage. A good guide is the National Auto Dealers Association - NADA - price guide. Be sure to explore the detailed information on Japanese Motorcycles - the site is definitely worth a visit for Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda motorcycles.

When responding to an advertisement, get as much additional information about the motorcycle over the phone. If the advert does not mention it, ask:

• What is the condition of the tires (expensive to replace)
• ASK: "Has it ever been in a motorcycle accident"
• Will you be able to take it for a test ride - if the answer is no, don't even bother
• Does it come with the owner's manual, service manual and any spare parts or motorcycle accessories (Used helmets have NO value - a new helmet is an absolute must!)



• Has it been used for racing (reduces the price drastically)
• What modifications were made (buyer beware)
• What is the mileage
• Is the upholstery in good condition
• Does it have a full service history - and proof of this!
• Is the registration current
• Are there any monies outstanding with a finance institution. The seller must guarantee that there are no monies outstanding on the motorcycle bill of sale.

The Actual Inspection

The motorcycle bill of sale will state that the bike is sold "as is", so do a thorough inspection. Choose a safe place and do it in BROAD DAYLIGHT. Unless you are a motorcycle expert, take a mechanic or somebody who really knows motorcycles with you.

Ask for a copy of the registration document and compare all the numbers with the actual numbers on the motorcycle.

Do the whole motorcycle inspection first and thoroughly before you start the bike - this allows the engine to cool and you can better judge if it will start from cold. Take the odometer reading before the test drive to verify that it is working properly.

First Impressions

Check for:

• Obvious different paint work that may have been done to cover up damage, or stickers trying to hide damage
• Bent or replaced levers, mirrors or forks and dents that may indicate that the bike has been crashed
• Any misaligned panels



• Do the tires have reasonable tread left and are there any signs (wear in the center of the tire) of tire spin
• Check for holes or rust in the exhaust
• Can the gas cap be locked with the motorcycle key and are there any signs of rust inside the tank
• Is the upholstery in good condition and does that lock work with the motorcycle key
• Does the front and back suspension move smoothly and quietly when pressing down and releasing
• Is the chain in good condition, is the tension correct and are the sprocket teeth not bent or worn
• Is there tension in the front brakes and do they work properly when tested on a rolling bike (same with rear brake)
• Do the wheels have dents
• White deposits on motorcycle batteries are not a good sign
• Check the oil color through the sight glass or use a dip stick to see if it was recently changed
• Check the coolant color - bright green is normal and may confirm that the motorcycle was not used for racing

The Engine and Batteries

• Does the motorcycle battery start the engine easily from cold and does it run smoothly
• Is the oil pressure light working properly
• Test the headlights, indicators, neutral light, hooter and brake light
• Is the side stand cut-off working
• Does the kill-switch on the handgrip work
• Are any fluids leaking from the engine

The Motorcycle Test Drive

• Preferably on private property or a very quiet private road and do not attempt high speeds on a bike you do not know
• Does the throttle respond properly - accelerating and snapping back
• Does it emit blue smoke even with the engine a bit warmed up - BEWARE
• Test the clutch and brakes
• Check if the transmission can go into neutral easily and if the shifting between gears is smooth
• Confirm the odometer is working properly and enter the reading on the motorcycle bill of sale

Finally

• When in doubt ... throw it out! There are plenty more to choose from
• Negotiate - the seller probably listed it a bit higher, expecting some bargaining
• Get motorcycle insurance in place before riding off into the sunset
• Get the title signed over to you by the OWNER
• If the seller does not provide it, download your Free Motorcycle Bill of Sale and Get it in Writing!

Tips for the Seller

Having read all of the above, why don't you consider the following:

• The initial telephone enquiry is your opportunity to pre-sell. Be forthcoming and honest about your bike's features
• Be negotiable to some extent rather than having to pay for repeated advertisements
• The motorcycle bill of sale states that the buyer is responsible for the cost of the roadworthy certificate. You may want to carry that cost yourself as an incentive to the buyer
• Fix or polish where you can - a bit of elbow grease will be worth your while
• Ask whether the buyer has finance in place (and obviously do not hand over the bike till all monies have been received
• If you lost the service manual you can replace it for about $30
• You can even do the DMV check yourself as added proof to the buyer that you are above board

Ready to finalize your motorcycle transaction? Complete the free motorcycle bill of sale and other required legal documents to transfer ownership.

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