Where and how to sell a bike?

[Davemurphy007]

I’m after some advice please.

As the UK biking season begins with this beautiful weather, the time has come for me to sell one of my bikes. The question is - where’s (and how) best to do so? I’ve never sold a bike before, I’ve barely sold any cars in my time either.

It’s a Triumph Daytona 675R, so it’s not exactly a cheap hack, so I’m going to go through the normal routine of cleaning and prepping the bike ready for a bunch of decent photographs to use alongside an advert. Is it worth giving a good description of my ownership experience in an advert? Or just stick to the basic facts and specs?

Most importantly, where to advertise it? The only places I’ve looked for bikes in the past are eBay (with suspicion) and AutoTrader, but I believe MCN have a decent bike sales section too? Plus there’s Facebook and Gumtree (which I anticipate will be full of time wasters).

Any selling advice would be most appreciated.

[Adam Ef]

If I'm looking for a bike my first place to look is eBay. I've sold a couple through there as classifieds. Anywhere you sell it will attract a few timewasters and plenty of people who want to knock you down in price.


Despite being more suspicious of it than any other site, I actually bought my current SV through a listing on Gumtree.


It can also depend on what sort of bike it is. Something vintage and specialist forums may be best. A commuter hack and the usual eBay, Gumtree or Facebook. I'd say your bike would probably attract the widest audience on eBay. Have a look on there and see what else is about similar. I rarely check Autotrader or MCN any more as it tends to be full up with mostly the same overpriced dealer bikes that don't sell for months on end.



I'd just be careful with how you show it to potential sellers if advertising online. Don't show it to a couple of dodgy 19 year olds with it parked right in front of the garage you keep it in after having given them all your details to visit you. I've told people what road I'm in and arranged times and said it will be outside at that time, and then parked it on the pavement slightly down the road. Once you get a sense that they are a decent legitimate buyer you can be more at ease.

[Talking Heads]

Stick to pertinent facts about the bike.
List its service history and any modifications.
Gumtree is free, eBay isn't.
Also take it round the local dealers and see what they'll give you for it, you might get a surprise.

[PyroUK]

With that particular bike I'd suggest checking out 675.cc and listing it there and there's a few triumph and Daytona pages on Facebook.

Glws!


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[quinnj3]

I sold a few Gladius late last year that I purchased from a training school. They were well used, a bit rough cosmetically but mechanically sound and well serviced; the first ad I placed I was a little sketchy on details. I got little to no enquiries over a 5 week period.

I didn’t adjust the price but I later rewrote the advert with better pictures. This time I wrote a factual, truthful, detailed advert with details of the bikes history up until my ownership and the service history. I accurately described the condition and their previous life. I sold all 3 bikes within a week and at the full asking price.

This was in October last year. It really taught me a lesson that it is important to be truthful in an Ad but not to be personal. If a buyer senses you are hiding something they will stay clear. Also avoid saying things like ‘no time wasters’, ‘not really fussed to sell’ etc etc.

I posted on Gumtree and Facebook. I was also wary of potential buyers and insisted on the full asking price before test rides. When the guys showed up they were more than happy to oblige with this request.

A bit long winded but I hope this helps.


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