Selling a bike in winter

[David072]

Planning to sell my bike as new house doesn't have room in the driveway, and with a young daughter I'm now driving a lot more than riding as I have to take her with me.

Am I really likely to get a lot less than I would in summer if I sell now? Is it worth leaving it on the drive for 6 months (and getting grief off the missus for doing so!) and waiting until next year?

Bike's a Fazer S2 with 18k on the clock. Good condition, regularly serviced by bike shop.

[drzsta]

From my experience, the myth that bikes are cheaper in winter is just nonsense.

Stick it up for sale and see what happens.

[Matt B]

Agree with drzsta. It may have been true in the past, but lately I haven't seen any real difference in Winter prices around here. May take you longer to sell it because less people are riding though.

Prices for 2nd hand bikes in general actually seem to be increasing. Those cheap hacks are not so cheap any more. Stick it on Gumtree or ebay and see.
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[stevo as b4]

I think the same these days because:

1, Less people riding bikes these days /less bikes out there to choose from.

2, Less people sell in Winter, so you don't have the choice of differing prices for the same bike, and owners don't need to haggle much if you can't find another example but want their bike in winter.

3, Same as 1, But weren't in the last 4-5years truck loads of our good used bikes taken away by Eastern Europeans, leaving a hole in the secondhand market?

4, New bike prices have due to exchange rates, and supply/demand got much more expensive. The last time I sold a bike a new R1 was probably under £11k. Now they are £15k. Used prices are higher all round and bikes are not (Chinese tiddlers excepted) losing money anything like as fast as did in the late 90's when everything was cheap.

[Polarbear]

I don't know if its winter or specific bike related but I've been watching V Max's for a while now and I reckon prices privately have dropped up to a grand since summer.

Used to be £4000 + from a dealer and £3000 privately but there have been private ones up from a gnats nudger over £2000. Dealer ones still stupid money.

However I wouldn't bother trying to sell it just after Christmas as everyone will think you are desperate for money and offer you a silly amount. (just like I'm going to do with some unsuspecting V Max owner )
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[Rogerborg]

Fewer sellers, fewer buyers, more patience required. Asking prices are not what changes hands - look on eBay, advanced search, sold listings.

Expect to get plenty of "I'll do you a favour and take it away" joke "offers" if it goes on Gumtree.
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[Rob Fzs]

i don't think it makes much difference really, whatever the time of the year, you'll get nobs asking for 500 quid off

you sound like in the best position that it doesn't have to be sold, which is usually what tips your mind in to someone having it off you cheap
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[Tierbirdy]

Sadly not, I was hoping to get a winter bargain when I passed my big boy licence... theres fook all out there it seems! Nothing but shitty chinkypeds and 125s unless youre willing to travel halfway around the country!

I ended up part-exing my 125 to a dealer because I couldnt be bothered with the sheer hassle selling it privately of timewasters, African Kings offering £20000 for it if I ship it to nigeria and I let their uncle Prince Tariqu Mombassa test ride it first - dont worry about the mates in the van he turns up with, wanting a 12 month warranty from me etc. etc.

[Az]

I think it's sports bikes that tend to drop in price more in the winter, but that's just the impression I've got looking at the price of GSXR's and Fireblade's prices this winter compared the "Summer" that just past. They're noticeably cheaper at the minute.

[bamt]

[The Tot]

People typically have less disposable cash come January because of clearing christmas debts, or trying to save for tax returns. If the buyer doesn't ask, then he won't know the answer. It made no difference when I sold my Ninja on a snowy January.
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[Ariel Badger]

On the drive for six months...The weather will get to it, it will get older and then there is the small matter of bike thieves. Sell it now.
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[M.C]

Half this forum have put their bikes into hibernation, even though it was 15 degrees today and I was actually getting a bit sweaty

I think this is the time of year where a lot of new riders hang up their helmet, so you do get cheap learner bikes, and the typical first big bike... bikes. Also dealers sell less, as most people think about getting into riding come spring/summer.

Daffodils in bloom changes all that though

[Wonko The Sane]

[MCN]

It's no the cauld that puts folk off it's the shite splattered over the roads.

All motorbikes are made of Royal Icing.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[rubyhorse2]

i'd say it still applies, but whether its actually worth holding on to a bike till march/april who knows.

If storing it is no problem and you dont need the cash i'd wait till next year, once the weather starts picking up it will sell a lot easier.

[MCN]

the gamble in keeping and not using is the bike will still lose value over time. Unless a classic/very desirable item.

So a quick punt ASAP could save you more doh ray me in the long run.
This is what a lot of people who buy and sell vehicle factor in too.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[M.C]

I'd say time's more important when getting the most for your vehicle. I had a pal who took 2 months selling a POS Divvy, he wanted too much/more than he had paid for it, and eventually someone came along and gave it to him.

If you can be ar$ed with endless insulting offers, well wicked ped px's, and of course a staffie puppy to seal the deal then it can pay off. I think most people want the 'experience' to be over as soon as possible, so you can stop dealing with muppets.

[c-m]

[stevo as b4]

Agree with M.C in that people put stuff up for sale, be it a car, bike or house and expect it to be gone in 2weeks max.

It could take months to sell something specific, and much wasted time possibly. But if you have the luxury of time, then wait and all you need is one person that likes and really wants what your selling, and will pay for it.

That's how I brought and sold my last two car's really.