hi everyone i want to fund my rtw and i was thinking of buying and selling bikes to fund my trip my ques is has anyone done this and have any advice for me that it will be a good way or not, because saving is out family and all that.

Hi,

O haven't done it but it's certainly worth a go.

Being the cautious type, I would say you need to be pretty mechanically minded as I would have thought that you'd need to tidy up and fix machines to make money.

You also need to avoid buying lemons!

All down to experience I guess.

I can't imagine you'll be making huge bucks on each bike but every little helps.

Sales rule number one is to know your market! Who is willing to buy what and how much are they willing to spend. You'll need to be able to attract lots of these people to make it more worthwhile than working in MacDonalds ie the time you put in is important too!

Good luck

Motorcycles are a luxury item in western countries. The people with money or limited mechanical ability generally buy new, and the people on a budget are looking to get a good deal on a fixer. So buying and selling used motorcycles is usually something people do because they are addicted to motorcycles and can't help themselves.
Probably not the easiest way to earn money for travel, but it can work out if you are patient and know what to look for. Many bikes are worth more in parts than as a whole, like old BMWs. The thing is, it helps to know bikes inside and out, be good at buying low (which is where you actually make your money), as well as being good at mechanics, prep, detailing, and salesmanship.

I am better at buying motorcycles than selling, so maybe not the best person to answer this question.

Cheers,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

coolblackbird, great idea and indeed I have met several over landers buying and selling their way through South America.

I can only speak to South American ventures... Many South American countries allow foreign tourists to legally purchase and sell used bikes. Research must be undertaken to discover the process for each country. Much information is available on the HUBB. Also always use a certified "Gestor" (one who transfers title as a business) for all transactions. You can find reliable and inexpensive "Gestors" throughout S A, and many do speak English.

You could , for example buy and sell in each country - avoid attempting to ride across borders and save a lot of hassle and potential confiscation of your bike by border officials . Buy cheap, fix up, and sell high in each country.

Better to buy locally manufactured bikes as importing needed parts is a headache you do not want, then transport yourself, your kit and your soft luggage onward. One of your problems might be finding locations to actually do the fix up work. Be creative, some truck stops offer repair areas for locals/tourists. A little money could go a long way to find a place to sleep that doubles as a garage.

I actually have some personal experience buying and selling in S A and found several bike dealers wanting to rid themselves of bikes that require too much TLC to make them marketable. A few might give you a deal on 3 or 4 bikes at a go. Sometimes you can buy 3 junkers and create one hell of a marketable bike.....

The used bike market in Buenos Aires, is humming. Or, you could legally sell to other foreign tourists, some who openly ask for bikes on the HUBB, who do not plan on crossing borders, but touring the country where they purchased the bike. Then you might even help them sell the bike when they are done or buy it back yourself at a greatly reduced price.

There are many options. Stay in touch, meanwhile I have a adapted "touring" Harley Sportster in Buenos Aires we should talk about on an appropriate thread or by private message.

Buena Suerte Amigo,

xfiltrate, ride hard, ride free and always buy insurance

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

I reckon the second hand bike market in the UK is a buyers market, and not good for sellers, due to the recession, people are losing jobs and desperate to sell bikes quickly at cheap prices, and there seems a glut of bikes, as people cannot justify the expense of running car and bike, biking is an expensive hobby, and when times are hard, its the car that is the most sensible option to keep.

If you have a good eye, can travel about to auctions, and have spare cash to buy in the first place then there is money to be made, just have to be very savvy about it. Some old/new classics are going up in value like rockets.

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

Fixing non-running bikes to make a profit can be a bloody nightmare!

For example I got an FZR600 for free, am fixing it up to mint condition - 1200 quid spent on parts, powder coating etc and the bike will be worth 'about 1200 quid'

On the other hand I also got a Hyosung 250 for free because it was 'beyond repair' - I fixed it for nothing (electrical problem was the cause) and sold it for 300 quid

I have, however, made good money getting non-runners, breaking them for parts, selling thee parts on ebay and weighing in broken bits for scrap. Given the margins a lot depends on where you get the bikes (if you have to rent a van or similar then your margin can get wiped out). I also really enjoy stripping bikes - you will need plenty of penetrating fluid, a decent blowtorch and some strong coffee, but you can get a bike stripped in a day easily enough.

hi fern you are right its a big buyers market out at the moment. Probably like you the last thing to go would be the bike for me just have to keep on saving. Are you planning trips yourself. Happy

Hi coolblackbird

I will be stripping my Suzuki GS500 down to sell soon, as i'm sure i'll get more for the parts then the whole bike (which I crashed in August, mullering the fairing, bent the exhaust and bent the subframe).

Leaving in June to go from Ely, to New Zealand, via the Stans and Himalayas. Very very nervous and excited.

There are enough east anglians on the HUBB to warrant a meetup you know!

What are your plans?

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

hi fern

are you travelling on bike from Ely or buying out there, and how long are taking sounds fantastic . As myself notting big for a few years just europe still got teens at home planning a big one in a few years time maybe pan usa or parts of asia. I wish you the best of luck ill check out your blog when you on the road. happy

leaving from Ely. From the Fens to the Himalayas. Bit of a change hey!

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

Here's another case of "not good for sellers" right now;
George White goes into administration - | Motorcycle News | Bike News | Motorbike Videos | MCN

The biggest motorcycle retail dealership in the UK just went bust.

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Dave