A motorcycle bill of sale is a document that legally transfers ownership of a motorcycle between a buyer and a seller. The bill of sale for a motorcycle works like a receipt to protect both parties in the transaction and includes details like the price, description of the motorcycle, and buyer and seller information.
What is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale?
A motorcycle bill of sale is a legal document that details the sale of a motorcycle between a seller and a buyer. In exchange for a certain amount of money, the seller agrees to transfer ownership of a motorcycle to the buyer. The bill of sale serves as an official record that a motorcycle was sold on a certain date for a certain price.
Why a Bill of Sale for a Motorcycle is Important
The bill of sale is a legally binding contract for the sale of an item, so a motorcycle bill of sale acts as proof of ownership of the motorcycle.
The bill of sale clearly outlines the terms of the sale (like price and condition of the bike), so it protects both the buyer and seller if a dispute arises.
Even if your state doesn’t require a bill of sale for the private transfer of a motorcycle, it’s typically required as proof of ownership when you register and title your motorcycle.
How to Write a Bill of Sale for a Motorcycle
Follow these steps to complete your motorcycle bill of sale form:
Step 1 – Download a Blank Motorcycle Bill of Sale
First, you need to download a motorcycle bill of sale. This form will help you gather all the important details about the motorcycle.
The motorcycle bill of sale templates linked below can be filled out online and printed after you’re done, but you can also choose to print a blank form and fill it out by hand.
Step 2 – Fill in the Motorcycle Sale Price
If you haven’t decided on a listing price, you need to determine how much the bike is worth in the current market. Here are some tips for this:
- Check out other seller listings in your area for the same motorcycle or a similar model.
- Alternatively, you can use sites like Kelley Blue Book and Cycle Trader to estimate the price. Fill in the year, make, and model of the motorcycle, and these sites will show the suggested listing price.
- Once you know the typical listing price for your motorcycle, you can adjust it based on usage, missing parts, or any customizations you’ve made.
Once you’ve created a listing for your motorcycle, decide on the lowest offer you’d accept and stick to it.
Tip: When potential buyers ask to see the motorcycle, always meet them at a public place. Allow a test drive if you feel comfortable. This lets buyers know you are trustworthy.
After the buyer and seller have agreed on a price, clearly write this amount in the purchase price section of the bill of sale and note the payment method.
Step 3 – Fill in Buyer and Seller Information
Fill out the following information for both the buyer and seller in their respective sections:
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
When filling out the buyer and seller information, you should get a photocopy of the other party’s ID and provide one of your own.
A valid ID is helpful if questions emerge and might also be necessary for transferring the title at the DMV.
Step 4 – Fill in Motorcycle Information
In this section, clearly state the following details of the motorcycle:
- Model
- Make
- Year
- Price
- Color
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer Reading
- Condition/description
Your motorcycle’s VIN can be found on the title, registration, and insurance papers. The VIN is also stamped on the metal frame of the bike. Some motorcycles even have a separate plate for them.
Step 5 – Date and Sign
Once all the motorcycle details are filled in, the buyer and seller can sign the agreement. Include the following:
- Buyer’s full name
- Seller’s full name
- Signatures of the buyer, seller, and witnesses or notary (if needed)
- Date of signing
While witnesses are not necessary for every state, you should consider having a witness sign to vouch for the bike’s condition and prove the bill of sale’s authenticity.
Step 6 – Notarize (if Required in Your State)
The following six states require that the bill of sale be notarized:
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- West Virginia
- Montana
This means that a notary public must witness both the buyer and seller signing the document.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the sale is final and the buyer legally owns the motorcycle. The buyer keeps the original bill of sale and the seller keeps a photocopy.
Free Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template
Below is a free printable Motorcycle Bill of Sale sample template you can use for your own purposes.
| State of ______________ | |
| MOTORCYCLE BILL OF SALE | |
Seller Information
| Full Name | |
| __________________________________________________________________________ | |
| Address | |
| __________________________________________________________________________ | |
| Telephone | |
| _______________________________________ | ___________________________ |
Buyer Information
| Full Name | |
| __________________________________________________________________________ | |
| Address | |
| __________________________________________________________________________ | |
| Telephone | |
| _______________________________________ | __________________________________ |
Motorcycle Information
| Model | Make | Year | Price | |
| _____________ | ____________ | ________ | $_______ | |
| Color | Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) | Odometer Reading | ||
| _____________ | ____________ | _____________ | ||
| Notes | ||||
| ______________________________________________________________________ | ||||
Purchase Price
| $_______________ |
I, ________________________ (the “Seller”), hereby sell, transfer and convey all rights, title and interest in the above described motorcycle (the “Motorcycle”) to ________________________ (the “Buyer”) for and in consideration of the total sum of $_______________, (Check one) ☐ inclusive of all sales tax
☐ plus any applicable sales tax, paid by: (Check all that apply)
☐ Personal check
☐ Cashier’s check
☐ Money order
☐ Cash
☐ Credit card
☐ PayPal
☐ Other: ____________________________________
and the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. This sum represents the mutually agreed upon purchase price of the Motorcycle, between both the Seller and the Buyer.
The condition of the Motorcycle is (Check one) ☐ NEW ☐ EXCELLENT ☐ VERY GOOD ☐ GOOD ☐ FAIR ☐ N/A.
Odometer Disclosure Statement
Federal and state law require the mileage of the Motorcycle to be provided upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete this or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.
The Seller certifies to the best of his or her knowledge that the Motorcycle’s odometer reading now reads: _______________ miles.
The odometer reading: (Check one)
☐ Reflects the actual mileage of the Motorcycle described above
☐ Reflects an amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits (odometer started over at zero)
☐ Does not reflect the actual mileage (WARNING – ODOMETER DISCREPANCY) due to the following reasons: ___________________________________________________________________
Certification
The Seller certifies to the Buyer that the Seller is the legal and rightful owner of the Motorcycle and has full right and authority to convey the same.
The undersigned Seller declares under penalties of perjury that the statements herein contained are true and correct to the best of his or her knowledge, information and belief.
The undersigned Buyer accepts receipt of the Motorcycle described herein and understands and acknowledges that the Motorcycle is sold in “AS IS” condition without any guarantees or warranties of any kind, either express or implied, except for the following: _______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________ (Optional).
| ________________________ | ___________________ | |||
| Seller Full Name | Seller Signature | Date |
| ________________________ | ___________________ | |||
| Buyer Full Name | Buyer Signature | Date |
NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT
| State of _________________
County of _________________ |
)
) ) |
On this ______ day of _______________, 20______, before me personally appeared ________________________, known to me or satisfactorily proven to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the due execution of the same.
_____________________________________
Signature
_____________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ________________
| State of _________________
County of _________________ |
)
) ) |
On this ______ day of _______________, 20______, before me personally appeared ________________________, known to me or satisfactorily proven to me to be the person whose name is subscribed in the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the due execution of the same.
_____________________________________
Signature
_____________________________________
Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ________________