The Best Way to Sell Your Motorcycle for More Money

A motorcycle is a valuable asset—so if you’re going to sell one, you owe it to yourself to get the right price for it. Why settle for just clearing out space in the garage when you can also put some money in your pocket?

But buyers often haggle, and private sales can be tough to negotiate. That’s why you’ll want to do everything in your power to highlight the value of your motorcycle to anyone who comes to look at it.

A few key upgrades, some presentation tips, and a strategic selling tactic or two can make all the difference. Our team at Luimoto has years of experience making bikes look their best with our premium aftermarket seat covers and other accessories. Here’s how to make sure your motorcycle looks great, attracts serious buyers, and sells for top dollar.

1. Boost Your Bike’s Resale Value with Cleaning & Repairs

First impressions matter. A well-maintained, clean motorcycle is far more appealing to buyers than one covered in dust, grime, or rust spots. When a potential buyer first lays eyes on your bike, they’ll make up their mind within seconds about whether or not they’re interested. Here are some things you can do to make your motorcycle appealing right off the bat:

Deep Clean & Detail

• Wash & degrease: Remove dirt, grease, and road grime from the entire bike.

• Polish metal parts: Use a metal polish to restore the shine on exhaust pipes, engine covers, and handlebars.

• Condition plastic & rubber: Faded plastics can be revived with a UV-protectant spray.

• Clean the chain & lube it: A fresh-looking chain signals good maintenance (if your bike uses a belt or shaft drive, don’t worry about this).

Fix Minor Issues

• Replace worn-out grips: This is pretty common with older bikes—it doesn’t really affect performance, but it’s noticeable at a glance. New grips will make your bike feel fresh and well-maintained.

• Check & replace brake pads if needed: Buyers will appreciate a bike that’s ready to ride—not one they have to tinker with first. Brake pads are pretty cheap—and easy to install yourself if you know what you’re doing.

• Ensure all lights work: A quick bulb replacement can prevent last-minute buyer hesitation.

• Change the oil & top off fluids: A fresh oil change signals good upkeep.

• Inspect tires: If they’re heavily worn, replacing them can increase the bike’s value. Almost every buyer who knows anything about bikes will check the tread and the date on the tire sidewall.

Address Cosmetic Imperfections

• Touch up paint chips & scratches where possible. Here’s a guide to the paint repairs you can do at home.

• Fix minor seat damage: If the seat is torn or faded, replacing the cover can dramatically improve resale value.

2. Upgrade Your Seat Cover for a Premium Look

One of the easiest ways to refresh your bike’s appearance is by upgrading the seat cover. It’s one of the first things buyers notice—worn-out, cracked, or faded material can make even a well-maintained motorcycle look old.

Luimoto’s rider and passenger motorcycle seat covers are designed specifically to elevate the look of different popular motorcycle makes and models. They’re also made from weather-resistant materials that help them hold up against the elements better than most OEM seat covers, so this can be a great way to spruce up one of the most noticeable features of your ride before a sale.

How Luimoto Seat Covers Help Your Bike Sell Faster

• Instantly refreshes the look of your bike. A high-quality, custom seat cover makes the motorcycle feel newer and gives it a premium appearance.

• High-quality materials attract buyers. Luimoto’s Japanese synthetic suede and marine-grade vinyl give the seat a luxurious feel and perform better against the elements.

• Custom covers available. Make your motorcycle truly stand out with a one-off seat cover from our customs team. Learn more about Luimoto’s custom cover process here.

Pro tip: A well-maintained seat suggests overall good care. A buyer who sees a fresh seat cover is more likely to assume the rest of the bike has been properly looked after.

3. Photographing & Listing Your Motorcycle

Once your bike looks its best, it’s time to showcase it properly online. Professional-looking photos and a well-written listing will attract serious buyers.

How to Take Great Photos

Motorcycles are beautiful by nature, so you don’t need to be a photography buff to snap a killer picture of your bike. Here are some easy tips to capture eye-catching images:

• Shoot in natural light: Morning or late afternoon lighting helps avoid harsh shadows.

• Clean the background: Park the bike in an open area without clutter or distractions.

• Photograph from multiple angles: Include shots of:

• Full bike, left and right sides

• Front & rear

• Close-ups of engine, exhaust, and controls

• Odometer reading

• Title & maintenance records (if applicable)

• Highlight upgrades: If you’ve installed Luimoto seat covers, aftermarket exhausts, or other custom parts, make sure to show them off. Buyers love these upgrades!

For more tips, check out this guide: How to photograph your motorcycle

Writing a Listing That Sells

Your listing is the story of your motorcycle—your chance to make it sound like a legendary ride anyone would be proud to own. Don’t waste this opportunity to hook prospective buyers.

• Whet their appetite: Just a single paragraph or a few short sentences at the top of your listing can help buyers imagine themselves owning your bike. You want them to picture themselves ripping down the open highway, carving through twisties, or rolling into a weekend bike meet on a machine they’ll love.

• List key details as bullet points. This will make your listing easy to scan for buyers who already know what they want. Be sure to mention:

• The year, make, and model.

• The bike’s mileage.

• It’s maintenance history (recent oil changes, brake pad replacements, tire condition).

• Any modifications and upgrades (Luimoto seat covers, new grips, fresh tires, etc.).

• Any minor flaws—remember, honesty builds trust.

• Use a clear, professional tone. Avoid exaggerated claims and spelling or formatting errors, since these can make people question your attention to detail and may make them more suspicious of the bike you’re selling.

4. Pricing & Negotiation Strategies

Set a price that’s realistic but competitive. Overpricing can scare buyers away, while underpricing leaves money on the table. Here are some tips on how to set your starting ask:

How to Price Your Motorcycle

• Check similar listings. Search for your bike’s make, model, and year on selling platforms to see what others are asking.

• Consider mileage & condition. A low-mileage, well-maintained bike will command a higher price.

• Account for upgrades. New Luimoto seat covers, fresh tires, or an upgraded exhaust can justify a higher asking price.

Negotiating with Buyers

• Set your price slightly higher than your target amount. You should assume that most buyers will haggle a little, so this leaves room for negotiations.

• Be prepared for lowball offers. Lots of buyers will throw out low numbers at first, just to see if you’ll cave. Don’t do it, but don’t lose your temper, either—just politely decline and reaffirm the bike’s value.

• Point out maintenance & upgrades. A fresh seat, new grips, or recent service can justify holding firm on price.

• Be careful about offering test rides. We suggest you only let someone take your bike for a test ride if the buyer has cash in hand or if you already know (and really trust) them.

5. Where to Sell Your Motorcycle for the Best Price

Different selling platforms attract different types of buyers, so where you list your bike is nearly as important as the listing itself. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options:

Best Places to Sell Your Bike

Where to Get the Best Price

• Private sales (Facebook, Craigslist, forums) generally yield the highest prices.

• Dealerships are a quick and easy option but often offer the lowest payouts. They can be useful if you’re trading in an old bike towards the purchase of a new one though, since you’ll be taxed on the new purchase minus the trade-in value.

• If selling online, target enthusiast groups where buyers are more willing to pay for upgrades and well-maintained bikes. Your city probably has tons of local Facebook groups for buying and selling motorcycles.

Make Your Bike Impossible to Ignore with Help from Luimoto

Selling your motorcycle for top dollar isn’t just about waiting for the right buyer—it’s about making your bike look and feel its best.

By following these steps—cleaning and repairing minor issues, upgrading to premium Luimoto seat covers, taking great photos, and listing strategically—you can maximize your resale value and sell faster.

Ready to refresh your bike before selling? Explore Luimoto’s seat covers and accessories to give your motorcycle the finishing touch it needs to stand out in the market.