Motorcycle Bill of Sale

When you buy a motorcycle, you receive a bill of sale and other important documents that allow you to legally own the vehicle, like your financing plan or account information. This documentation is helpful in situations in which possession might not denote ownership.

For example, in many cases, a vehicle will be in the custody of someone who is repairing it rather than the person who owns it. It can also be useful when the owner has lent it to another party.

Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template

By State

What Is a Motorcycle Bill of Sale?

A motorcycle bill of sale is, essentially, a receipt for the purchase of a motorcycle. It can be typed or handwritten on anything from printer paper to a napkin. Nevertheless, if the motorcycle bill of sale needs to be verified in court, a typed document tends to be much preferred – the more professional-looking, the better.

Most of what goes into a motorcycle bill of sale is not different from others. Any bill of sale requires a date, signatures, a description of the goods, and specification for the kind of payment that the buyer is going to make or commit to. However, a bill of sale for a car, for example, requires the inclusion of the mileage, and that is usually not the case for a motorcycle. Some items require, as well, the name of the previous owner to the current seller.

A bill of sale will generally be absolute, meaning the parties draw it up once the buyer has paid in full. But there is such a thing as a conditional bill of sale. A conditional bill of sale applies when payments are still in the completion process, but the item in question is already in possession of the person making the purchase. In cases like these, the seller can reclaim ownership if the buyer does not make a payment.

The most likely scenario in which you will need to use your bill of sale is when you file your taxes, as a vehicle is a major purchase and a possible write-off for you. However, if it does come to pass that there is reason to believe the motorcycle isn’t yours, a bill of sale can help prove that the motorcycle in question belongs to you.

What Are the Legal Requirements of a Bill of Sale?

The requirements to make a bill of sale for a motorcycle binding will vary from state to state. In most cases, these requirements are the signatures of the buyer and seller, an agreed-upon price, details about the motorcycle, and the date of the transaction.

In most states, a seller is permitted to draft the bill of sale themself, so long as it includes all necessary information. Some states require the signature of a witness. It’s always important to consult your state’s department of motor vehicles to make sure you’ve followed their specific guidelines.

How to Draft a Motorcycle Bill of Sale

Below is a step-by-step guide on drafting a bill of sale for a motorcycle.

1. List the date of sale It is important to note when the transaction took place for tax purposes, even if you hit no other bumps in the road. Nearly every kind of official document requires a date.
2. List Information about the seller and buyer The information listed here should be useful in locating both parties if questions should arise. It should include:
   The names of both the seller and the buyer.
   The mailing addresses of both the seller and the buyer.
   The e-mail addresses of both the seller and the buyer.
3. List Information about the motorcycle This step is arguably the most important because it makes the motorcycle identifiable in the paperwork. Without this information, there is no telling what this bill of sale was for.

If the motorcycle is a gift, that is what you will want to list instead.
You will also need to list the payment method, which could include cash, check, or money order. Specify whether or not the purchase included tax.
For most exchanges, there will be a clear paper trail to verify that each payment was made.

Even if you simply downloaded a template online for your bill of sale, you and the person you are making this transaction with should still familiarize yourselves with the content and be sure it is accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most common questions on motorcycle bills of sale.

In most states, a motorcycle is legally defined as a powered two-wheeled motor vehicle. In some places, there is a distinction depending on how fast it can go. If your two-wheeled motor vehicle is under 49 ccs, it may be a scooter.

Include the buyer and seller’s names and addresses and all of the information listed above about the motorcycle. Include the amount and method of payment. Dates and signatures, of course, are also mandatory.

In most cases, the answer is yes. To be sure, check the specifics of your state. Considering we live in a world where increasingly more shopping is being done over the internet, it is highly likely that there is a consideration made for this.