When the time comes to sell your motorbike and make it look at its best, it is a good idea to prepare it as best as you can, so that to speed up the sale and get the best price. It is easy to decide what are the most important steps: you just have to put yourself in the shoes of your potential buyer. The first thing they will notice is the bike's appearance, then they will move on to the details and will look into the state of the mechanics and the chassis. Eventually, they will want to inspect the documents.
If it is in the same mechanical condition, a motorbike which is well looked after, clean and with everything in order will thus be more successful than one which has been neglected: therefore, if we want the negotiations to reach their conclusion as quickly as possible, and at a fair price, let us examine the five steps that we need to take in order to offer the best version of our bike; let's start with the basic requirement: washing.
1) The perfect way to wash your bike
Even though we may frequently clean our bike, in order to show it at its best, it is a good idea to carry out an in-depth operation, in order to get the best results not only for the most visible parts (for example the tank, the fairing and the engine), but also for the parts which we generally consider less important (namely the brakes, the transmission parts and the suspensions). Furthermore, it is good practice to look after the details too, such as the gaskets, the switchgear, the controls, the pegs and the rubber parts. A good looking machine also depends on the details: everything must be gleaming.
The first thing to avoid is the use of unsuitable detergents, either because they are inefficient at eliminating more obstinate dirt (such as detritus picked up from the roadway, and insects), or because certain aggressive substances can damage rubber or metal parts and chrome surfaces.
Also be careful when you are using high-pressure tools: a pressure washer is convenient, but can result in water infiltrating the interiors of certain exposed electrical or mechanical components, causing damage. Obviously a motorbike is resistant to water, but only when water arrives from a natural event (like rainfall or a wet road surface), not from a high-pressure jet which comes at it from unexpected angles.
Before you start washing, it is a good idea to seal all the electrical connections, the ignition lock and other openings, including the exhausts, so that you can give a deep clean to the mechanical parts – such as the engine, the brakes, the wheels, the transmission components, the suspensions and the related linkages – in order to get rid of the “sly” dirt which builds up over time and eventually seems to become an integral part of your bike. A typical example is looking after the brake discs and related supports: there are specific products available that make these components look as if they were new, without damaging them, and the final effect is remarkable. The same applies to the chain, which should be cleaned using a specific kit and not with white spirit or petrol, which are liquids capable of damaging any rubber components (O-rings); finally, the chain will need to be oiled, and this too requires a suitable product.
The next phase involves a complete wash: firstly with water only, in order to get rid of the most obvious dirt, and then using soapy water, which you should leave on for a while before wiping it off with a sponge. Be careful at this stage of the washing process: do not use excessive energy scrubbing plastic surfaces, painted components, or the windshield (if there is one), because tiny particles of dirt or sand can result in scratches. Finally we move on to the electrical system, the external fittings and all those items which are exposed to the atmospheric elements.
The drying phase is also important, especially in the places where water can stagnate and cause rusting. First of all, wipe everything with a cloth – microfibre ones are excellent – and in certain spots you may need to use compressed air.
The final phase consists in using a polishing spray, which also forms a protective coating. In certain cases you can also use a polishing paste on the painted surfaces, making sure each rubbing movement thins out the layer of polish.
A few final pieces of advice:
- The bike should be cold both to avoid to damage any surfaces, and to prevent certain products giving off dangerous fumes.
- Protective gloves and goggles (as well as a face mask when needed) are always advisable, in particular when using products which might be dangerous.
- Do not use blacking for tyres: it was invented for cars, but it is dangerous for motorbikes; to give the tyres the best aspect, a normal wash is sufficient.
2) Easy checks
Nowadays, motorbikes are highly sophisticated machines, and not just the big powerful ones, so the number of mechanical interventions that can be performed away from a specialist is falling steadily. In some models, allowing the check of the spark plugs can be difficult, as they are “hidden” under the tank or the fairing, and in particular it is highly advisable not to touch any of the parts dedicated to safety, such as the brakes, the various controls, or the final transmission system. It is not just a matter of putting the components back together again in the correct manner as outlined in the manufacturer's instruction manual (something that could be fairly simple), but also adjusting the nuts and bolts to the correct tension so that they can function correctly.
Therefore, in this session we shall simply limit ourselves to suggest the basic checks that you can perform with ease; for the more significant ones, please refer to the next section, dedicated to care and maintenance.
The first thing to check, even if it is obvious, is the starting of the engine. It should start at the first touch, as well as the state of the mechanics you should ensure that it has high-quality petrol, in sufficient quantity, as this will ensure your bike make a good impression. Next, you need to check the state of the lights, the turn indicators and their related controls, and the correct functioning of the instruments, including the speedometer, mileage counter, indicator lights and rev counter.
Finally, checking the pressure of the tyres is another basic requirement. A deflated tyre indicates that the bike has not been treated with due care and attention. Furthermore, if the machine has been unused for some time, the tyre rubber may be damaged.
3) Care and maintenance: servicing
As indicated above, there are certain tasks that may seem simple at first sight, but which you would be well-advised to entrust to your trusted dealer. We are not talking about only repairing major damage - the bike must obviously be in good condition-, but we are also referring to a straightforward pre-delivery service, in order to present the machine already in perfect condition and ready to use.
It is preferable to arrange for the service to be completed before the buyer comes to visit you, so that you can show them the list of checks carried out and any replaced components, relating to the engine, the brakes, and the chassis, and offer the bike for sale fully prepared and perfect in every detail. This is the time when it is also a good idea to show the buyer the service booklet disclosing the previous service history – a further guarantee of safety for the potential buyer.
Very often, accessories and special parts that have been fitted are not original. On the whole, these do not add value to the bike, and rather they often give rise to doubts, either because they may not always appeal to the personal taste of the buyer, or else can give them the suspicion that the bike has been involved in an accident or has been ridden excessively hard. A sound rule of thumb is to show the replacements alongside the (well-maintained) original parts; in these circumstances, the replacements can be more easily accepted and, if they are of any value, can allow you to boost the price a little.
4) The bike looks better with new tyres
Displaying your motorbike with tyres in the very best condition, either new or with an extremely low mileage, is an excellent idea. As mentioned above, they provide an image of something looked after with a great deal of care, and furthermore they enhance the picture painted thanks to the previous processes, the deep clean and any rectification of imperfections. In addition, irregular wear, which in most cases is attributable to the type of roads travelled and to the style of riding, could make a buyer believe there could be a problem with the chassis.
A final psychological touch, which should not be overlooked, is that a motorbike with new tyres conveys a strong emotion, since it is displayed in a perfect state and triggers a desire to ride it.
In this respect too, as in the case of any other accessories which may have been replaced, the advice is to opt for the original tyres (brand and model), in order to restore the situation equal to “as new”.
5) The bureaucratic part and the technical documents
At this point your bike is ready to be displayed to the possible buyer, and following your meticulous work, in-depth cleaning, care for the painted and metallic surfaces, new tyres and just completed service, it will be at its best. Think of the difference compared to the same bike being dirty, with neglected parts, and worn and deflated tyres: in order to imagine it shiny and immaculate you would need a large dose of imagination, and also you could never be sure about the true quality of the components.
The final step is to show the ownership documents, any encumbrances, and, if available, the technical documentation with the service history and works carried out. At this point, it is also a good idea to check up on what work may need to be carried out in the future, in order to reassure the buyer about the bike's future; this information is available in the usage and maintenance booklet.
The final step: where do we place the advert? These days, thanks to the Internet, there are lots of available information channels, with sites dedicated specifically to the sale of second-hand motorcycles. It is also possible to come to an arrangement with a dealer, where the machine can be placed on display: their intervention may come at a cost, but it constitutes one further element of security for the buyer.
