There are many little-known resources for finding pre-owned motorcycles for sale. If you have decided to start your search for the perfect bike, there will be many factors to consider. If you want something very specific, you may be better off hiring a broker to help you track down and acquire that special motorcycle. If you are not as picky or find yourself on a budget, you may find the following list of resources very helpful in finding a suitable bike at a great price.
Police Auctions
Motorcycles, dirt bikes and scooters that have been seized at crime scenes or confiscated for other official reasons usually become government property that is then sold to the public at auction. Most of the time you don’t hear about these auctions because they generally have very little publicity. Many municipalities have information about police auctions on their Web sites. They may post auction dates or even list individual property for sale. If your local government’s Web site doesn’t have this information posted, you can call the Sherriff’s office or highway patrol to inquire about auctions. Make sure to ask about special requirements and other information you may need to purchase a motorcycle at auction.
Ebay
When using Ebay Motors or other popular auction Web sites to search for a used motorcycle, keep in mind that the bikes you come across can be located anywhere in the world. Of course, there are search parameters you can determine to ensure that the results delivered are all within a certain number of miles from your home. You can decide how far you are willing to drive to pick up your motorcycle and search Ebay for bikes within that distance.
If you are into restoring vintage bikes or customizing Harley Davidson motorcycles, you may be willing to pay for shipping costs provided you find a great deal. If this is the case, Ebay and other auction sites are great places to find what you are looking for.
Online Classifieds
Because posting ads on online classifieds sites is free or very cheap, the best deals can generally be found here. One of the benefits of using online classifieds to find your motorcycle is that you can search locally or regionally. Depending on which site you use, you can search the top two or three larger cities that are closest to you. Again, this will depend somewhat on how far you are willing to travel to check, test drive and ultimately pick up your used motorcycle.
Another benefit of online classifieds is that you can post a listing yourself. For little to no money, you can actually place an online classified ad stating exactly what you are looking for in terms of a used motorcycle. Responses will typically come in the way of emails or telephone calls from prospective sellers who may have a used motorcycle that you may be interested in. Consider this “putting out your feelers,” and do it regardless of what other (more aggressive) search methods you employ.
Yard/Garage Sales
Looking for a used motorcycle by visiting yard sales or garage sales in your local area can be fun, but very time consuming. Unless you live in an area where there are very many motorcycles, you may spend a long time looking at yard sales. On the other hand, if you have already placed an online classified ad, are searching Ebay daily, and also happen to visit yard sales in your neighborhood on the weekends, then you’re only helping to increase your chances of finding a truly great deal on the motorcycle of your dreams.
Also keep in mind that by visiting yard sales, you may come across an opportunity to buy a bike that the seller hadn’t yet considered selling. Many people invest in motorcycles on a whim, without truly weighing out all the pros and cons. Having a motorcycle takes a lot of time and money, and many people end up dropping the hobby. If you visit a yard sale and notice a motorcycle parked in the garage, looking like it’s just gathering dust, it doesn’t hurt to ask about it. You may stumble across a great deal!
Used Bike Lots
Used bike lots are a great place to see many used motorcycles in one place. As with cars, you must realize that buying from a dealership will generally be more expensive than buying your motorcycle from a private seller. On the other hand, buying your motorcycle from a bike dealership will give you the opportunity to purchase a warranty.
If there isn’t a used motorcycle dealership near the town or city where you live, you may need to travel a bit to get to one. This might be well worth it if you’d like to choose from a large selection, be able to test drive your new bike, and deal with an established business.
Motorcycle Message Boards
Motorcycle message boards are a great forum for finding information on where to get certain bikes or bike parts. The motorcycle enthusiasts that frequent these message boards can be novices or very knowledgeable, but they share your passion. Posters may have great ideas about where you can find a great deal on a used bike, they may actually know of a motorcycle for sale that is a great deal, or, they may even have a motorcycle for sale that you might be interested in.
Newspaper
Your local newspaper is a great place to search for motorcycles for sale right in your area. The motorcycles advertised in the newspaper classifieds may be listed by dealerships or private sellers. The benefit is that every motorcycle listed here will be close to your geographical location.
Shopping for a Deal
No matter where you decide to start your search for a used motorcycle you will increase your chances of finding what you want if you employ two or three of the methods. Make sure to do your homework by having an idea of what you want and what to look for. Also, make sure that you test drive the motorcycle and feel comfortable with the price and deal.
Taking a motorcycle safety course is a very responsible action, especially if you are new to the concept of riding one. You will learn valuable information about how to properly operate your motorcycle. You will also learn about preventative issues so that you are less likely to be involved in an accident. Most insurance companies will also offer you a discount on motorcycle insurance if you have completed such a course. You will also be more prepared for the written and skills testing to obtain your motorcycle license. Taking a motorcycle safety course won’t benefit you if it doesn’t offer the necessary information. Don’t be drawn into a low cost course that is compacted into only a couple of hours. Since you will be spending a great deal of time on your motorcycle, it is important that you have a solid foundation of information from which to draw from. The instructors should be well educated in the areas they are teaching. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials.Before you sign up for a motorcycle safety course, ask questions. Find out what the itinerary will be as well as if you will get a certificate upon completing the course. Make sure the information that will be covered is going to sufficiently cover all the areas. Find out how many instructors there will be as well as how many students will be in each class. Smaller classes make for a better learning environment. Talk to your friends, family members, and co-workers. Find out if they or their spouse has taken an motorcycle safety course. If they have find out when and who sponsored it. Ask them what they liked about it as well as what they would have liked to have seen differently. This can offer you a great source of information about the quality of a particular instructor. Your safety course should teach you about each part of your motorcycle. You will also need to learn about basic maintenance and emergency repairs that you may have to do while on a bike ride. You will want to learn about how the various road conditions can affect your motorcycles performance. Don’t wait until you are out in the rain or snow to find out how differently your bike handles. Since safety equipment is a vital part of operating a motorcycle, your instructor should help you will determining the right safety equipment for you as well as how to wear it properly. No motorcycle safety instructor should be allowing any member of the class to participate without the proper safety equipment at all times. Part of a good motorcycle safety course should include teaching you driving defensively. It isn’t simply enough to know how to operate your motorcycle. Keep in mind that motorcycles easily get into the blind spots of vehicles and large trucks. You have to be alert to the reactions of other people on the road for your own safety as well as that of those on the road with you. This is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. With more than 4 million licensed motorcycle operators in the United States, it is important that they have been properly trained in how to operate their equipment. One small mistake can lead to a serious accident. Learning the basic information as you start out operating a motorcycle will give you the best opportunity for it to be fun, memorable experiences for you. You can find out about motorcycle safety courses in your area by looking on the internet. You can also contact local motorcycle associations in your area. Many of them offer such safety courses taught by experienced riders as part of their commitment to the community and to their organization. You can also contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. While you may feel that you are qualified enough to operate a motorcycle without such a class, keep in mind that there may be valuable information that you never considered thinking about offered. If this isn’t a good incentive, then keep that insurance discount in mind!
