Asides from the feeling of the wind in your ears and the raw engine vibrations under your seat, owning a motorcycle is also an inexpensive way to commute, beat down the rising gas price, and experience the outdoors a little more than driving allows.
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting one, now might be a good time to start. . Though Bikes are not as expensive as most vehicles, no one will say no to saving a couple thousand or more.
To get started, you need to consider where you will be buying from – the dealership, private seller, or motorcycle auctions.
If you’re looking to save and have access to a wide selection of motorcycle inventory, you should consider motorcycle auctions. You can try platforms like Copart or Auto Auction Mall to get started.
Before you jump to place your bids and purchase your motorcycle, you need to think about the right way to go about it. You will need to set a plan in motion – research, budget, financing, and shipping. You need to take all these into consideration before making your first bid.
Research the motorcycle auction company you plan to use. Do your due diligence – take note of their purchase process, fees/charges, payment method, and services they offer. Once this is done, you’re ready to get started.
Motorcycle Auctions
Also, consider the shipping process to your home country. You do not want to buy a motorcycle you cannot export.
Exporting a motorcycle from the United States can save you money and you can purchase a motorcycle in great condition. You can use companies like Auto Auction Mall, to help you buy from motorcycle auctions and ship to your home country.
Before making your purchase, here are 10 things to note to make your purchase process swift…
1. Searching and Choosing a Motorcycle
The first thing to do when buying for export is to search for and choose a motorcycle that fits you and meets your needs. This is important because you don’t want to purchase something you will end up not enjoying. You will find an array of different motorcycles on platforms like Auto Auction Mall – all you have to do is search for the one that fits your needs.
So if you’re racing – do not choose a motorcycle for long trips like a chopper. Also, when choosing a motorcycle, take into consideration your height and weight. Do your thorough research before making your choice to avoid buying a motorcycle you can’t use.
2. Setting a Budget
Once you have settled on the motorcycle of your choice, the next thing to do is to make a budget. You need to know how much you are willing to spend on the motorcycle. If you’re buying from a wholesale auction like Copart or Auto Auction Mall, you also need to consider fees and charges on your purchase. Budget your shipping fees and clearing costs for your home country.
Let your budget also cover the purchase of parts and tools for the restoration or upgrade process, motorcycle accessories, safety equipment, and insurance. Don’t be carried away during the bidding process – set your maximum bid and stick to it. Remember you’re buying to export, which means you will spend on other fees unlike those not buying for export. The goal is to save as much money as possible, so if the price goes beyond your budget – back out and search for other options.
3. Run a History Report
Before making your purchase you need to run a history report for the motorcycle you want to purchase. This is oftentimes one of the most overlooked steps by most buyers – and they end up buying a vehicle with damages they can’t salvage.
The vehicle history report has information such as title, VIN, damage records, odometer readings, lien records or maintenance records, etc. Depending on the platform you use, the level of information may vary slightly. You can also perform a recall check using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website to see if the motorcycle has an active recall.
4. Buying/Bidding For The Motorcycle
You have finally settled on the motorcycle of your choice and done your due diligence – it is now time to place your bids. Note that when buying from an auction the purchase is final and binding. When bidding, avoid bidding wars as this will only increase your budget more. Stick to your budget as much as possible so you can save more.
5. Financing and Payment
Once you’ve won a motorcycle, you have a limited number of days to make full payment for the vehicle to avoid late payment and storage fees. Depending on the auction house, you may incur late payment fees of as much as $100 and storage fees of as much as $50. It is always advised to have the money available to avoid incurring these fees
If you do not have the money upfront for your motorcycle, you can opt for financing options. You can research financing and loan options in your country and choose the best plan for you.
6. Shipping of The Motorcycle
Finally, it’s time to ship your motorcycle to your home country. They are two methods of shipping RO/RO and containerized methods.
RORO is when a vehicle is driven on and off the ship is placed. RO/RO is cheaper than containerized shipping but your motorcycle may likely not be accepted as RO/RO.
With containerized shipping, your motorcycle is picked up and fixed in a crate, then placed inside a container and shipped to your location. You will pay for the space that your motorcycle takes. This method is the best for motorcycle shipping because it secures your motorcycle from damage and theft.
7. Clearing of Your Motorcycle
Once the motorcycle is shipped to your country, you will need to process customs paperwork and get clearance for your motorcycle. Check with your local customs for process fees and procedures. Clearing your motorcycle will differ in different countries.
8. Availability/Buying of Parts
When buying a motorcycle from a wholesale auction, you will need parts for the restoration/upgrading process. Luckily, you can get motorcycle parts for cheap online or purchase them from salvage motorcycle auctions for parts.
Buying parts online can save you money and time, as you will need them for the restoration or fixing process.
9. Fixing/Restoration of Motorcycle
Once the motorcycle has been delivered to you, it’s time to fix repairs, upgrades, or total restoration. If you are good with tools and have some knowledge about fixing motorcycles, you may be able to do some repairs on your own. It’s best to work with a professional mechanic during the entire process.
The mechanic can also suggest the best parts to buy and the best platforms to buy from. If you have no experience fixing or repairing a motorcycle, have a professional mechanic carry out the repairs and fixes.
10. Test Drive Your Motorcycle
After the repairs and fixes are done, inspect the motorcycle to make sure all the damages have been fixed. You can request a second set of eyes from a friend or another mechanic so that no problems are missed. Pay attention to the brakes, engine sound, transmission, and tires, and make sure they are perfectly fine.
Once you’re certain that all repairs are done, take your motorcycle for a test drive to get a feel of it. You will also be testing the new parts and how they function. Listen for any odd sounds. Start and stop the motorcycle and ride on different roads. Make sure it drives properly, if you notice anything that doesn’t sit right, have your mechanic check it out.
Further Reading
- Simple Car Auction Guide to Buying Salvage Cars at an Auction
- How to Choose a Salvage Auction Motorcycles for Sale and What to Look for at a Motorcycle Salvage Auction?
- Why Buy Salvage Motorcycles and Where Find Salvage Title Motorcycles for Sale?
- How Do I Make the Most Out of a Motorcycle Auction?
Motorcycle Auctions – Next Steps!
Once you understand the buying process, buying a motorcycle for export becomes a walk in the park. There are a lot of benefits to buying from motorcycle auctions – you get to save, and you have access to a wide inventory of different motorcycles to choose from.
Explore our motorcycle auctions and also get information on how to buy with us. Buying with us could be the best way for you to get your dream motorcycle.
All you have to do is sign up for free and have access to our wide selection of motorcycles.
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