How to Write a Description for Selling or Renting Your Bike

Oct 22, 2024

Creating a solid description for selling or renting your motorcycle helps attract the right buyers or renters and secure the best deal. Crafting the perfect motorcycle ad description involves writing key details clearly, being honest, and adding some extra flair to make your bike stand out. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective listing for your motorcycle:

1. Craft a Catchy Headline

Your headline is the first thing potential buyers or renters see, so make sure it grabs attention. Highlight the bike’s unique selling points like low mileage, condition, or special features.

Examples:

• "Low-Mileage, 2018 Honda CBR600RR – Ready to Ride!"
• "2005 Harley-Davidson Street Glide – Perfect for Long Rides!"
• "Suzuki V-Strom 650 Available for Rent – Ideal for Weekend Getaways!"

Tip for Rentals: For rental listings, emphasize who the bike is ideal for (weekend riders, beginners, city commuters) or its availability (e.g., "Flexible rental terms, ideal for city rides"), but you’ll probably have to do this in the first line of the description. Most rental platforms just have the bike headline = bike model and year. 

2. Include All the Essential Details

Buyers and renters want to know the key information right away. Include:

• Make, Model, and Year: Be specific to avoid confusion. Example: "2019 Yamaha MT-09." This is hopefully already in your headline, but it won’t hurt to say it again in the details section.
• Mileage: Include the current mileage so potential buyers or renters know how much wear the bike has had. This may be a separate setting if you use a marketplace website offering vehicle filtering options, like CycleTrader, Facebook Marketplace, or most rental platforms. 
• Condition: Be upfront about the bike’s condition. Is it like new? Are there any mechanical or cosmetic issues? 
• Modifications and Upgrades: Mention any aftermarket parts or performance enhancements like new exhaust systems, upgraded suspensions, or custom paint jobs.
• Example: “2019 Yamaha MT-09 for sale with only 7,200 miles. The bike is in excellent condition, featuring an upgraded exhaust for a better sound and a custom seat for extra comfort on long rides.”

For rentals, mention any added accessories such as helmets, bags, or GPS devices.

3. Be Honest About Why You're Selling or Renting

Sharing the reason for selling or renting the bike builds trust with potential customers. It makes your listing feel more personal and trustworthy. Think about it- you’ve ever seen a listing description for quite literally a new bike that someone is personally selling? With like 200 miles on it? But no context as to why? Best to be upfront where you can.  

Example for Selling: “Selling because I’m upgrading to a larger touring bike.”

Example for Renting: “I’ll be traveling for the next few months, so I’m renting out my motorcycle in the meantime. Perfect for weekend trips!”

4. Highlight Standout Features

If your motorcycle has special features that make it stand out, be sure to mention them. Features like ABS, heated grips, or special tech systems can appeal to potential buyers or renters. This is where you can shine when it comes to writing a solid motorcycle ad. 

Example: “This BMW R1200GS comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS), heated grips for cold weather rides, and a quick-shifter for smooth gear changes.”

For rentals, you could highlight features like luggage capacity, which makes it ideal for weekend trips or longer rides. Speak to your audience. 

5. Focus on the Benefits

When writing the description, don’t just list features—emphasize how they benefit the rider.

For Selling

Explain why your bike is a good investment. Is it reliable? Has it been recently serviced? Has it been well-maintained? Is it a make/model that holds its value? 

Example: “Perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike, this Yamaha FZ-07 offers a smooth ride, excellent fuel economy, and has been regularly serviced with new tires installed last month.”

For Renting

Highlight the convenience factor. Mention things like flexible rental periods, included gear, or how easy it is to handle.

Example: “This Kawasaki Ninja 650 is perfect for both city commuting and weekend adventures, offering smooth handling and plenty of storage options. Helmets and jackets available at no extra cost.”

6. Be Transparent About Any Issues

If your motorcycle has any imperfections, be upfront about them. Being honest about minor damages can actually build trust with buyers or renters. Let’s be honest, too- we’ve all read a bike description before and thought, “are they trying to sell us a lemon?” Of course, we could always ask to see it with our own eyes, but especially in cases of a rental, it can be helpful to be upfront. 

Example: “There’s a small dent on the gas tank from a parking mishap, but it’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect performance.”

For rentals, this is equally important. Let renters know if they should expect any quirks or issues with the bike before they take it out.

7. Include a Clear Call-to-Action

End your ad with a direct call-to-action that lets potential buyers or renters know what to do next. Encourage them to reach out with questions, schedule a test ride, or inquire about rental availability. Options like making yourself available for a text may even help you stand out by offering convenient contact options. Pro tip? Don’t make someone hunt for a way to reach out to you. This may be a default option depending on where you’re listing your motorcycle ad. 

Examples:

“Call or text me today to set up a test ride! Happy to answer your questions- come see for yourself”

“Interested in renting? Message me on platform to check availability and book your ride.”

8. Set a Price and Mention Negotiability

Clearly state the price for selling or the rates for renting, and mention whether you’re open to negotiation. If renting, also include options for daily, weekly, or monthly rentals, along with any discounts for extended periods.

Examples:

"Asking $6,500. Open to reasonable offers."

"Rent for $120/day or $600/week. 20% discount available for long-term rentals + free gear rental"

Seriously, your price is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, factors that influence bookings and motorcycle ad contacts.

When you list your motorcycle, we recommend a price based on its market value, what similar models are renting for in your area, and a few other important factors. However, some owners decide to set a higher price based on personal attachment or what they feel the bike is worth. This can potentially result in fewer or no contacts.

For rentals, if you're not seeing the rental activity you’d like, consider lowering your daily rate to attract more renters and increase your chances of bookings.

9. Use Clear Formatting and High-Quality Photos

Make sure your ad is easy to read by using bullet points or short paragraphs. Break up your information so buyers or renters can easily skim through it. And always include clear, high-resolution photos of your motorcycle from different angles (front, rear, side views, and close-ups of key features like the odometer).

Pro Tip for Rental Listings: To make your ad more appealing, consider adding photos of the bike and included gear (like helmets or saddlebags) or scenic shots from past rides.

Additional Tips for Bike Rental Listings:

Tailor to Your Audience

When renting out your motorcycle, think about your audience. Are they looking for an adventure, a scenic ride, or simply transportation? Frame your description to speak to their needs.

• Example for Adventure Riders: “This dual-sport Yamaha WR250R is perfect for off-road trails and mountain adventures.”
• Example for City Riders: “Need a reliable bike to navigate through city traffic? This Honda CB300R is compact and perfect for urban streets.”

Flexible Terms

Highlight if you offer flexible rental terms or additional accessories like GPS systems or phone mounts, which can appeal to renters.

• Example: “Daily and weekly rentals available. Comes with a helmet, gloves, and a phone mount for navigation.”

By following these steps, you’ll create a detailed, trustworthy listing that highlights the best aspects of your motorcycle, whether you’re selling or renting. Clear descriptions, transparency, and an easy-to-read format will help you stand out from the crowd and secure a quick, hassle-free transaction.

Looking to Sell Your Bike? Make Money With It Instead with Riders Share

Looking to sell your bike? Before you part with it, consider renting it out through Riders Share. Renting your motorcycle can provide a steady income while still giving you the option to enjoy it when it’s not being rented. Plus, with Riders Share, you can connect with responsible riders who will appreciate your bike just as much as you do. Why sell when you can keep earning and still have your bike for the occasional ride?

Still not sure? Check out these helpful articles:

• Selling Your Bike? Here’s Why You Should Rent It
• Is starting a motorcycle rental business a good idea?
• What if someone damages my bike?
• Breaking down the Terms & Conditions of listing your bike on RS
• Your top 5 concerns addressed: Hear it from owners on Riders Share

So, Short Answer. How Do I Write a Motorcycle Ad?

To write a motorcycle ad that attracts buyers or renters, follow these steps:

1. Craft a Catchy Headline: Highlight key points like low mileage or special features (e.g., "Low-Mileage 2018 Honda CBR600RR").
2. Include Essential Details: Add make, model, year, mileage, and any upgrades (e.g., "2019 Yamaha MT-09 with 7,200 miles, upgraded exhaust").
3. Be Honest About Why You’re Selling or Renting: Build trust by sharing your reason (e.g., “Selling to upgrade” or “Renting while traveling”).
4. Highlight Standout Features: Mention things like ABS, heated grips, or extra storage (e.g., “BMW R1200GS with ABS and heated grips”).
5. Focus on Benefits: Explain how the bike’s features benefit the rider (e.g., “Smooth handling, great for both beginners and experienced riders”).
6. Be Transparent About Issues: Disclose any damage or quirks (e.g., “Small dent on the tank, purely cosmetic”).
7. Include a Clear Call-to-Action: Encourage contact (e.g., “Call today to schedule a test ride” or “Message for rental availability”).
8. Set a Clear Price: List the price or rental rate, and mention if negotiable (e.g., "$6,500 OBO" or "$120/day with discounts for longer rentals”).
9. Use Good Formatting & Photos: Break up text into bullet points and include high-quality photos from different angles.