Motorcycle Auctions Near Me [Locator Map + Bidding Guide + FAQ]

If you’re looking for a motorcycle, an auction is the way to go. Whether you want a new bike, a custom bike, a vintage Indian, or a Harley, an auction offers you an opportunity to get a deal. Some auctions will have motorcycles, dirt bikes, slingshots, and related vehicles. The quality varies and you may find bikes with salvage titles. Below I’ll share where to find motorcycle auctions, tips for bidding, what to expect, and my experience with the motorcycle auctions near me.

Map of Motorcycle Auctions Near Me

For “Motorcycle Auctions Near Me”, see below for locations…

How to Find Motorcycle Auctions Near Me

There are many motorcycle auctions every day in the United States. The styles of auctions will vary as much as the bikes themselves and the quality you will find. Police, government, and repo auctions offer the ability to get a bike undervalued, while an antique motorcycle auction will find you rare gems. There are also salvage motorcycle auctions, where you can find rebuilt bikes, but you really need to do your homework before buying these.

For any motorcycle auction, the key is, knowing where to look to find these events. Here is a list of free resources that I use to find Motorcycle auctions near me:

Google Search and Yelp Listings

Google and Yelp are your best bet for finding established regularly held events. I like searching for “motorcycle auctions near me” or getting more specific like “vintage motorcycle auctions near me” or more granular like “Harley Davidson Auctions Near Me”. A way to find pop auctions or events that may be featured in your area, but not at an auction house is to add the date to your search. I also like using Yelp for these searches, mostly so you can dig into user feedback. Not all auctions are reputable, so you should look at the ratings and read reviews.

Pro Tip: One of my best secrets is using Google “Events” to find motorcycle auctions in my area. A lot of auction seekers, don’t look here for motorcycle auctions. Google Events will list all the big auction houses, but also smaller venues that may be holding motorcycle auctions. Many of these are one-time events. This means less competition and more inexperienced bidders. You can find these auctions and dominate!

Try Google Events here: Motorcycle Auctions Near Me This Week

Government Listings of Motorcycle Auctions Near Me

Federal, state, and local governments post their motorcycle auction information online. Most of these are still live auctions or public events, but some more recently are being held online. These motorcycles and dirt bikes have been seized or are considered government surplus vehicles. This is my favorite link for government vehicle auctions.

Government Seized and Surplus Vehicles

Dealer and Trade Magazines and Websites

Dealer and trade mags or websites often have auction listings in them. Some will run their own auctions, while others will have paid ads from auctions. Here are two sites to get you started:

Local Bike Shows and Meet-Ups

There is an amazing monthly motorcycle meet-up in my area. You can check on MeetUp.com to find other riders in your area. Many of these folks will attend auctions and now what’s going on locally. Some folks will be active buyers, while others will attend bike auctions, just to socialize. Finding your local riders and motorcycle shows will get you in the know about your local auctions.

How to Do Live Motorcycle Auctions Near Me Work

There are two types of vehicle auctions: Public and Dealer. A dealer auction means you need a state-issued dealer’s license to bid. To get one you must trade a certain amount of bikes every year. The average person can get one if they meet the requirements, but it takes some time for approval. The average rider is looking for a public auction. This is where you would go to bid only on a few bikes. Below we are going to address only public motorbike auctions.

Public Auctions

These events vary in size, motorcycle types, quality of vehicles, and styles of auction. Some will run, some will need repairs, and others may be rebuilds sold with a salvage title. There are plenty of high-quality vintage motorcycle auctions out there as well. No matter what kind of bike you are looking for, you can find it at one of these events.

The motorcycles at these events are often their on consignment from the owner. This means the owner agrees to pay a percentage of the final hammer price to the auction upon sale. Some of these percentages can get as high as 30% as some high-end events. That may sound like a lot, but if you consider they do all of the marketing, dealing with the public, and grant you an actual sales date it can be worth the value if your bike fetches a high value.

You can also check police auctions and repo auctions, which also feature used cars and motorcycles to bid on.

Flow of the Event

Auctions will begin with a pre-inspection period. These might be hours before the event starts and sometimes held the day before. This is the period where people come and look at the bikes, listen to them run, and get to ask the owner questions.

The next phase is registration start bidding. In order to bid you must register. Here you get assigned a bidder number. You need to provide proof of identity, proof of finances, and sign an agreement that establishes your bid as a legally binding contract. Registering early is important, lines get long, and you don’t want to miss the bikes you plan to bid.

When the event starts, the auctioneer explains the rules first. Then will describe the first motorcycle and launch into auctioneer speak, which will sound like a foreign language. People will respond by raising hands, paddling, or yelling “Yep”. These are signs of bids. Each bid raises the price in ascending order until the highest bid is established. At that point the auctioneer says “sold” and the highest bidder becomes the owner of next motorcycle.

Motorcycle auctions vary in layout. Some have multiple vehicles and the bikes pull through an auction lane in front of the crowd. Some have the vehicles drive through a lane in the middle, and others people walk with the auctioneer from bike to bike. At high-end auction houses, the auctioneer is on a raised platform and there will be a large screen with the current motorcycle information and the current bid price.

Tips for Bidding on a Used Motorcycle at Auction

While we covered a few basic tips above here are some of my very personal use and specific tips to auto auctions:

Go watch a motorcycle or vehicle auction first to learn the flow of the event
Read the motorcycle catalog before the auction, and take notes on it.
Look up the bikes you like on Craigslist and eBay…know what the market commands for them.
Go to the live auction, do not phone your bids in.
Register as early as possible. Lines get long and you could miss the motorcycles you wish to bid on.
Inspect the bikes with a mechanic’s eye, and look for rust, leaks, smoke, funny engine sounds, etc…
Ask the owner a lot of questions. Ask about the bike documents, maintenance, service records, etc…
Set a bid price in your mind and stick to it. If you did your research, you should know a fair market value.
If you win don’t drive the Motorcycle home, let them ship it to you.

For additional tips on bidding on used motorcycles for sale, read here.

Online Motorcycle Auctions vs Public Auctions

While I prefer to find motorcycle and dirt bike auctions near me, many events are moving online. This offers a convenient way to bid on a bike from home. It’s helpful to a seller as well since they can get a set sales date and reach a broader market on the internet. If you are going to bid on bikes online, you need to read reviews regarding who is the auctioning company. You want to make sure there aren’t payment issues or hidden fees, and the vehicles are of the quality they say.

For me, the truth is nothing is like attending a motorcycle auction live and in person. You need to physically touch the machines, listen to the engine, feel how it moves, and speak with the owner. Pictures, videos, and descriptions can not replace a good set of eyes and ears. No one has ever bought a motorcycle on eBay and thought “This bike is nicer than I thought”. Remember online, people are really slick with pictures, they can hide rust and corrosion and not tell the whole story of the history of the bike.

How to Get Your Motorcycle Sold in an Auction

If you have a motorcycle to sell, you can contact an auction house. An original bike or restored to original motorcycle, will sell more than a custom bike at least at a high-end collectors auction.

The benefits of selling your ride at auction instead of privately is that you can reach a broader market, get a fixed location and sales date, and let them deal with potential buyers. Also in the right situation in a no-reserve auction, you may get competitive bidding driving up the sales price.

When you call an auction house you must be the bike owner with the title in your name and it has to be free of liens. They will inquire about make, model, year, mileage, custom parts, condition, and asking. They may also ask you to provide photographs and a description,

The way it works is they will send you a consignment agreement. This means you will give up a percentage of the final sale price. While that may not sound enticing consider they do all the work and you just need to collect.

Legal Considerations and Regulations in Motorcycle Auctions

When participating in motorcycle auctions, it’s crucial to understand the legal aspects, especially when dealing with salvage motorcycles and wrecked motorcycles. These factors significantly influence the buying process and the future use of the bike.

Understanding Salvage Titles

A salvage title is issued to a vehicle that has been damaged to the extent that the cost of repair exceeds its value before the damage. When you’re browsing for motorcycles for sale at an auction, you might come across salvage motorcycles. These bikes have been labeled as salvage due to various reasons like accidents, theft recovery, or natural disasters.

The key thing to remember is that a salvage title indicates a significant past event in the motorcycle’s history. However, these bikes can be a great deal if you’re on a tight budget or looking for a project bike. Before you sign any papers, make sure to get a detailed motorcycle condition report. This report gives you a clear picture of what you’re investing in.

State-specific Regulations and Compliance

Auctions in different states may have varying regulations regarding the sale and purchase of motorcycles with salvage titles. For instance, in California, the laws might be stricter compared to other states. It’s essential to understand these state-specific regulations to ensure you’re compliant with the law.

If you’re considering buying a motorcycle from an auction in another state, be prepared to wait a bit longer as you navigate through the additional paperwork. Each state has its own set of rules about how a salvage vehicle can be made roadworthy again and re-titled.

In some states, after repairing a salvage motorcycle, you must have it inspected and approved before it can be sold or driven. This process is to ensure that the bike is safe to use and meets all the necessary standards. Once it passes inspection, the motorcycle can be re-titled, often as a “rebuilt” or “reconstructed” vehicle.

Participating in motorcycle auctions can be an exciting journey, offering a world of opportunities to find unique bikes. However, it’s vital to stay informed and secure in your knowledge about salvage titles and state-specific regulations. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned auction enthusiast, understanding these legalities helps you make informed decisions and enjoy a successful auction experience.