Best things to do before selling my motorcycle?

Question

Looking at selling my 2000 Suzuki Bandit within the next month or two. I just put new tires on it within the last 4 months. It has a new chain (as of yesterday). It has some scratches on the right side of the ferring and a little on the pipe and engine guard. Doubt there's much I can do about those. What else can I do to make my bike most appealing to get the best price for it?

How much should I take off the price for the scratches? NADA values it at $2000 for low retail and $2600 for high retail. It has 45k miles.

Answer 1

A cheap price is good as long as you don't make people think there's something wrong with it. As said, wash it up good, wax it where appropriate, use a little ArmourAll on the sides of the tires and seat and if there's any rust on the chrome, use a little 0000 steel wool to remove it. If you've kept maintenance records, have those handy. Above all, be truthful and honest. Honesty overshadows scratches, scuffs and marks any day.

Answer 2

If the bike has be regularly serviced and you have the paperwork show this to the potential buyer. He will feel confident that the bike has been cared for. I sold a Harley with 150,000 miles on it and had all the paperwork. I got $10,000 cash for it from the first guy who looked at it. Detailing it wouldn't hurt either.

Answer 3

I second what bikinkawboy said. However, please avoid using ArmorAll on the seat or tires. It can make the seat too slippery and has a tendency to drip onto the contact surface of the tires. Both of these things can be dangerous to anyone riding the bike.

Answer 4

Clean off the road grit, dust, and chain lube spatters.

Answer 5

Clean, wax, polish.

Answer 6

cheap price is more appealing than anything you can do