I've never sold a vehicle by private sale. I've done my research, get a bill of sale with his signature with all the details of the bike. Remove the plate, fill out the title both buyer and seller section in front of a notary after receiving and verifying payment. Legally though the bike is still in my name until he goes and gets the title changed into his name. Who knows how long that will take or if he ever does. I'm worried he hurts/kills himself or someone else before transferring the title into his name, what is my liability? In todays world I can see an attorney coming after me as well. My brother-in-law is an insurance agent and has seen instances of this happening. He lives about 3 hours away so going with him to transfer it over is unlikely.
I've also read, mainly on bike forums, that you should not allow them to test ride a bike until you have full payment in hand. I know I wouldn't buy a bike without test riding it first. I see why, what if he wrecks it on the test ride. I don't have insurance on the bike anymore. Any suggestions/thoughts? I'm going to make sure he has a motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license and I live on a very low traveled street that is a dead end so having a traffic accident on the test ride is very unlikely.

Cash in hand before they throw a leg over it. Period.

You are WAY overthinking this! NO Notary is required to transfer the title at the time of the sale. Once you sign the title as the Seller, it's sold! Do a Bill of Sale if that make you feel more comfortable, and if your spidey sense tells you a potential buyer is sketchy, don't sell it to that guy (or girl), and you'll be fine.

NO Test Rides, unless you know the buyer, and ONLY if it's insured, AND registered as well. There's a 'Mandatory Insurance' requirement in OH anyway (I assume you know this), but is the bike even registered at this point?

Edited for Accuracy - Apparently there are a handful of states (OH is one of them!) that require a title to notarized...I stand corrected.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nhracecraft,

What I have read is the signature on a title must be witnessed by a notary.

On the internet? Never heard of such a thing

In most states you complete a form and send it to the state stating you sold the vehicle on this date and to who.

quote:

Originally posted by 08 Cayenne:
What I have read is the signature on a title must be witnessed by a notary.

In Ohio you are 100% correct. The seller's signature needs to be notarized. Make sure the buyer's info is printed on the top and you have the odometer statement completed. I've let guys drive or ride stuff. But without insurance you have a little extra risk (that I would probably take after informing the buyer there's no insurance).

Well, the only thing(s) that matter is what OH 'requires' you to do, so there you go!

If you’re worried about the process, could do the consignment thing with a local bike shop? Yes, they take a cut, but more exposure to buyers, take care of the details.

Don't over think it. Assess the buyer on a case-by-case basis. I have bought and sold many bikes on FB marketplace over the past few years. I have never had anyone ask me for cash in hand before test riding and I have never asked for it when selling, but I have had a few offer and I accept it. it also depends a lot on what you are selling. I mainly deal in relatively inexpensive bikes, so the risk is pretty low. You really just need to be a good judge of people to be successful at this. What you outlined above will more than cover you.

Write down the time, date and mileage on the bill of sale, you and the buyer sign a copy.

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
If you’re worried about the process, could do the consignment thing with a local bike shop? Yes, they take a cut, but more exposure to buyers, take care of the details.

This is a good idea if the seller can find a dealership that does consignments another option is to just sell the bike outright to the dealership and while you get less money you also get less headaches. No tire kickers, no picture collectors, no bogus inquiries that ask is the bike still available, no answering a bunch of dumb questions from someone who has no intention of buying the bike. My biggest concern would be making sure the buyers payment is legit. The seller should definitely speak with any potential buyer by phone and not rely on text messages or email because you can tell a lot about a person just by talking to them. A police station is a good place to complete the sale or maybe a bank where the buyer has an account. Private sales are normally not complicated but there are a few red flags to be aware of.

If them transferring the title bothers you then have them meet you at a DMV office, they can ride it in the parking lot there, inspect it, you can go in have the title transferred right then and there, although a bill of sale signed and notarized if you need with the title should exonerate you from any liability for the vehicle once sold.

I've both bought and sold private.
No way I am buying it without riding it first. I also allow rides and usually hold a license.
Either way you have to have had enough conversation for both to be comfortable.
Last bike I bought I had driven 600 miles and had tentatively agreed on price. I would expect similar commitment in return before a ride.
Would somewhat depend on the type of bike and how the buyer found me. I usually transact via MC sites similar how Sigforum is run.
I've always had my bikes fully insured through. That is another consideration. I'd be more hesitant to allow without at least liability coverage.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
You are WAY overthinking this! NO Notary is required to transfer the title at the time of the sale. Once you sign the title as the Seller, it's sold! Do a Bill of Sale if that make you feel more comfortable, and if your spidey sense tells you a potential buyer is sketchy, don't sell it to that guy (or girl), and you'll be fine.

NO Test Rides, unless you know the buyer, and ONLY if it's insured, AND registered as well. There's a 'Mandatory Insurance' requirement in OH anyway (I assume you know this), but is the bike even registered at this point?

That's not true in every state. I think Ohio has a notary requirement for title transfer.

+1 consign with local dealer of the same brand.

Private sales are a frustrating PITA and has risk. Well worth the 20% cost.

Bonus’s
- dealer is open way more hours than you are available
- dealer has way more serous shoppers
- safety risk eliminated
- dealer can finance a buyer

PA requires notarized signature of the seller. Even if the buyer is out of state.

quote:

Originally posted by Valpo Fz:

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
NO Notary is required to transfer the title at the time of the sale. Once you sign the title as the Seller, it's sold!

That's not true in every state. I think Ohio has a notary requirement for title transfer.

Yup, per the post by 'Krazeehorse', and my subsequent post acknowledging that was the case, it appears that is correct! I would seem that it's a requirement that would protect buyers from acquiring stolen vehicles, so I guess that's NOT a bad thing.

I'd focus most on getting the money.
Once you're sure its good, the first place they go is to get the title put into their name and have paperwork transferred. A paper tag with an expiration date is used in my state so most people want to get a real one.
I can't imagine somebody pays real money and then doesn't do the paperwork.
Just be sure the no warranty part shows on a bill of sale.

I've sold a few motorcycles over the last few years. I advertised on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Interested buyers must be willing to pick up the phone and call me before I take them seriously. Anyone who refuses gets shut down. This alone filters out most of the scammers. Potential buyers must meet me at a location I choose and must have cash. For liability reasons, test riding the bike is out of the question.