
Selling a motorcycle with a loan can be a complex process, but it's not impossible. You'll need to consider the loan balance, interest rates, and any negative equity.
First, check your loan agreement to see if you're allowed to sell the motorcycle. Some loans may have restrictions or penalties for early payoff or sale. The loan agreement will likely specify this information.
Next, determine the current market value of your motorcycle. This will help you decide how to price the motorcycle and whether you'll owe any money to the lender. You can use online pricing guides or consult with a mechanic to determine the value.
To avoid any potential issues, consider paying off the loan before selling the motorcycle. This will eliminate any debt associated with the loan and make the sale process smoother.
Preparation
Before you start the process of selling your motorcycle with a loan, you need to prepare yourself and your paperwork. To do this, contact the finance company that has a lien on your vehicle and ask for a 30-day payoff with a per diem. This quote will tell you exactly how much you have to pay the lender in order to pay off the lien today.
The 30-day payoff quote will give you a clear idea of how much you owe, which is essential for selling your motorcycle. You can then use this information to negotiate with potential buyers or to pay off the loan yourself if you decide to sell the motorcycle privately.
Having all the necessary documents and information will make the process much smoother, and it will also give you peace of mind knowing that you're taking the right steps.
Preparation
You'll need to check the title to see if the owner's name is on it, which is usually the case even if you've made payments. If the lender's name is on the title, you'll need to contact your financial institution to transfer the ownership.
To transfer the ownership, you'll need to provide proof of the transfer, which is usually done after making the full payment to the lender. This is a crucial step to ensure a smooth sale.

If there are multiple owners listed on the title, you'll need to get all of them to sign the transfer document before selling the motorcycle. This is a common scenario that you should be prepared for.
Before signing the title, make sure to fill in the necessary information in the odometer and title transfer fields. This is an important detail that can't be overlooked.
You can't sell a motorbike with outstanding Personal Contract Hire finance, as the finance company or dealer remains the legal owner. This means you'll need to return the vehicle to them at the end of the agreement.
If you want to end the PCH agreement with finance outstanding, you should check the contract terms to see what your options are. This will give you a clear understanding of what you need to do next.
Determine Your Value
To determine the value of your motorcycle, consider its year, make, and model. Websites like Kelley Blue Book can estimate retail value, taking into account mileage, condition, and additional features.

Kelley Blue Book is a reliable source for estimating your motorcycle's value, and it's also useful for comparing prices with other similar models. This will help you gauge a realistic price range for your motorcycle.
Determining your motorcycle's market value is crucial before setting a sale price. You can get an estimate from Kelley Blue Book or NADA, and ideally, the sale price should exceed the amount you still owe on the loan.
Step 1
To start the process of selling your motorcycle with a loan, you need to contact the finance company that has a lien on your vehicle. This is a crucial step, as it will give you the information you need to move forward with the sale.
The finance company will provide you with a 30-day payoff quote, which tells you exactly how much you have to pay the lender in order to pay off the lien today. This is a critical number to know, as it will help you determine how much you need to sell your motorcycle for.
The per diem, or daily interest accrual, will also be provided by the finance company. This tells you how much you need to add on a daily basis to the payoff quote to account for interest accrual.
What Is a Lien?
A lien is essentially a claim on your motorcycle by a third party, like a bank or credit union, that has the power to repossess your bike if you stop making payments.
This can happen if you've financed your motorcycle through a lender and have yet to pay off the loan in full.
A lien can also be placed on your motorcycle if you've borrowed money from a third party to purchase the bike, and you've agreed to make regular payments in exchange.
If you're planning to sell your motorcycle, having a lien on it can make the process much more complicated.
Communicating with the Lender
To sell a motorcycle with a loan, you'll need to communicate with your lender. Contact your motorcycle finance company and request a 30-day payoff quote with a per diem, which will give you the exact amount required to pay off the lien and clear the debt immediately.
Referring to your loan statement will provide a clear breakdown of your outstanding balance, which is crucial for determining the financial aspects of your sale. This will help you understand how much you owe and what you can expect to receive from the sale.
You can sell a motorcycle with a lien, even if you owe more on your loan than the bike is worth.
Contact Your Lender
Contacting your lender is a crucial step in the process of selling a motorcycle with a lien. You'll need to request a 30-day payoff quote with a per diem to determine the exact amount required to pay off the lien and clear the debt immediately.
Referring to your loan statement will provide a clear breakdown of your outstanding balance, which is essential for determining the financial aspects of your sale. This information will also help you understand how much equity you have in your motorcycle, if any.
You can sell a motorcycle with a lien, even if you owe more on your loan than the bike is worth. However, the process may be more involved than selling a bike with no lien.
Back to the Dealer
If you're struggling to communicate with your lender, you might consider selling your motorcycle back to the dealer. This can be a convenient option, as the dealer will evaluate the motorcycle's condition and offer a price based on market value, demand, and potential reconditioning costs.
The dealer will typically offer a lower price than selling privately, but the simplicity of the transaction can make it an attractive option. You can then proceed with the sale, sign the necessary paperwork, and receive payment from the dealer.
Can You Help Personally?
You're not sure if you need to get permission from the lender before selling something you bought with their finance. If you've bought something with a personal loan, you're its legal owner, so you can sell it without seeking permission from the finance company.
You've got the cash from the sale, but you still need to pay off the outstanding finance. Once you've sold the item, you can use the money to repay the outstanding finance or keep it in your bank account to make your next purchase.
Finding a Buyer
Finding a buyer for your motorcycle can be a challenging process, especially if you're selling with a loan. The safest way to sell a used motorcycle is to find a buyer within your social circle.
Selling online has become a popular option, with e-commerce sites like eBay, Facebook marketplace, Cycle Trader, Cycle Crunch, and ChopperExchange offering reliable platforms to sell your motorcycle. Be sure to verify the buyer and watch out for scammers.
To avoid wasting time, act professionally and be courteous towards buyers while ensuring your safety.
Find a Buyer
Selling a used motorcycle can be a time-consuming process, but it's worth it to get a good price. You can find a buyer within your social circle, which is the safest way to sell a motorcycle.
Online platforms like eBay, Facebook marketplace, Cycle Trader, Cycle Crunch, and ChopperExchange are reliable places to sell your motorcycle. Make sure to verify the buyer and look out for scammers.
Advertise your motorcycle through various channels, such as online classifieds, motorcycle enthusiast forums, and social media platforms. This will help you reach a wider audience and potentially find a buyer faster.
Be transparent about the loan status of the bike and emphasize the advantages of buying a well-maintained vehicle with a clean title. This will give you an edge over other sellers and attract more serious buyers.
Opting for a private sale gives you greater control over the sale price and the opportunity to maximize your return. However, this approach demands time and effort to effectively advertise your motorcycle, screen potential buyers, and navigate negotiations.
Step 5
Now that you've found a buyer, it's time to finalize the sale. Sign and date the owner section of the title, filling in the necessary information in the odometer and title transfer fields. Obtain a receipt for the payoff from your lender and hand the title and the keys for the motorcycle to the buyer.
Sources
- https://www.vikingbags.com/blogs/news/how-to-sell-a-financed-motorcycle
- https://www.sapling.com/8625722/sell-motorcycle-loan
- https://finimpact.com/personal-loans/how-to-get-a-motorcycle-loan/sell-motorcycle-with-loan.html
- https://www.moneybarn.com/blog/your-money/can-you-sell-a-motorbike-on-finance/
- https://explore.rumbleon.com/posts/how-to-sell-a-motorcycle-with-a-lien
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