Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template & Guide

Selling or buying a motorcycle privately is usually a cash-and-handshake affair, which is exactly why so many of these deals end in disputes. A motorcycle bill of sale turns a verbal agreement into a written record of who sold what, for how much, and on what date. It protects the seller from liability after the keys change hands, and it gives the buyer the documentation they need to register and title the bike.

This guide explains what a motorcycle bill of sale is, exactly what to include, how to handle as-is sales and notarization, and the mistakes that can make the document worthless when you actually need it.

What is a motorcycle bill of sale?

A motorcycle bill of sale is a written document that records the transfer of ownership of a motorcycle from a seller to a buyer. It captures the identity of both parties, a precise description of the motorcycle, the purchase price, and the date of sale, and it is signed by both parties.

It is not the same as the title, which is the official ownership certificate issued by your state's motor vehicle department. The title proves who owns the motorcycle; the bill of sale proves that a sale happened and on what terms. You generally need both to complete a clean private-party transaction: the title gets signed over to the buyer, and the bill of sale documents the deal around it.

For the seller, the bill of sale is a liability shield: it establishes the exact moment ownership and responsibility passed to the buyer. For the buyer, it is proof of purchase for registration, titling, and sales-tax purposes.

When you need one

You should always create a bill of sale for a private motorcycle sale, but it is especially important when:

• Your state requires it for registration or title transfer. Many DMVs will not register a privately purchased motorcycle without one.
• The sale is as-is. A signed as-is bill of sale is the seller's main defense if the buyer later complains about a mechanical problem.
• There is no lien on the bike and you want clean proof the title is free and clear.
• The buyer is paying in installments and you need to document the agreed price and payment terms.
• The motorcycle is being gifted or sold for a nominal amount, where you still want a paper trail for tax and liability reasons.

The same logic applies to almost any private vehicle deal. See our guide on whether you need a bill of sale when selling your vehicle for the broader rules that cover cars, trucks, and bikes alike.

What to include in a motorcycle bill of sale

A bill of sale only works if it is specific. Vague descriptions and missing details are what turn a "binding document" into a piece of paper a court ignores. Include all of the following.

Buyer and seller information

• Full legal names of both the buyer and the seller
• Current mailing addresses
• Phone numbers or email addresses (useful for follow-up paperwork)

Motorcycle description

This is the heart of the document. Identify the exact machine so there is no question about what was sold:

• Year, make, and model (e.g., 2019 Harley-Davidson Street Glide)
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): copy it exactly from the frame or title
• Engine/displacement (e.g., 1,746 cc) and engine number if applicable
• Color
• License plate number, if the plate is being transferred
• Odometer reading at the time of sale, and a note on whether it is accurate or shows signs of rollback

Sale terms

• Purchase price in numbers and written out in words
• Date of sale
• Form of payment (cash, certified check, electronic transfer, or installment terms)
• If installments: the schedule, due dates, and what happens on default

As-is / warranty statement

Almost every private motorcycle sale is "as-is." State explicitly that the motorcycle is sold in its current condition with no warranties, and that the buyer has inspected it and accepts it. We cover this in more detail below.

Signatures

• Signatures of both buyer and seller
• The date each party signed
• Space for a notary or witness, if your state requires or you choose to use one

As-is sales: protecting the seller

In a private sale, the seller almost never wants to be on the hook for problems the buyer finds later. The way you avoid that is with clear as-is language.

An as-is clause states that the motorcycle is sold in its present condition, "with all faults," and that the seller makes no warranties of any kind: not about mechanical condition, roadworthiness, or fitness for any particular purpose. It should also confirm that the buyer had the opportunity to inspect the motorcycle (or have it inspected by a mechanic) before purchase.

Without this language, a buyer who discovers a blown head gasket a week later may argue there was an implied warranty of merchantability. With it, the buyer has acknowledged in writing that they accepted the bike as-is. As-is selling is legal in most private-party transactions, but it does not protect a seller who actively lies, for example, rolling back the odometer or hiding a salvage title. Honesty plus as-is language is the combination that holds up.

Notarization and witnesses

Whether you need a notary depends entirely on your state. Most states do not require a motorcycle bill of sale to be notarized, but a few do for any vehicle transfer, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, and West Virginia are common examples. Always check your state DMV's current requirements before finalizing the sale.

Even where notarization is optional, it is worth considering for higher-value motorcycles. A notarized signature, or one witnessed by a neutral third party, makes it far harder for either side to later claim the document was forged or the deal never closed. If you do notarize, both parties should sign in front of the notary, not beforehand.

How to write a motorcycle bill of sale: step-by-step

Step 1: Gather the documents. Have the title, current registration, and the bike itself in front of you so you can copy the VIN, plate, and odometer reading exactly. Errors here cause registration headaches later.

Step 2: Fill in the parties. Write the full legal names and addresses of both buyer and seller. Use names exactly as they appear on government ID.

Step 3: Describe the motorcycle precisely. Record the year, make, model, VIN, engine displacement, color, plate, and odometer reading. Double-check the VIN character by character, a single wrong digit can invalidate the whole document at the DMV.

Step 4: State the price and payment. Write the purchase price in both numerals and words, the payment method, and the date. If the buyer is paying over time, spell out the installment schedule and default terms, much like you would in a simple loan agreement.

Step 5: Add the as-is clause. State clearly that the motorcycle is sold as-is, with no warranties, and that the buyer has inspected and accepted it.

Step 6: Sign and date. Both parties sign and date. Add a notary or witness block if your state requires it or the value justifies it.

Step 7: Make copies. Give each party a signed original or copy, and keep yours somewhere safe. The buyer will need theirs for the DMV; the seller will need theirs as proof of transfer.

Step 8: Complete the title transfer separately. Sign over the title to the buyer and, where required, file a notice of transfer or release of liability with your DMV. The bill of sale supports this step but does not replace it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving out the VIN, or copying it wrong. The VIN is the single most important identifier on the document. A missing or mistyped VIN can stop the buyer from registering the bike and undermine the whole sale.

Skipping the odometer reading. Recording mileage at sale protects both parties and is required in some states. It also discourages later disputes about the bike's condition.

Using a vague price or "agreed value." Always state an exact dollar amount in numbers and words. DMVs use this figure to calculate sales tax, and ambiguity invites trouble.

Forgetting the as-is clause. Without it, the seller may be exposed to implied-warranty claims. This one line of text is the seller's biggest protection.

Not filing a release of liability. In many states the seller stays legally tied to the motorcycle, for tickets, tolls, or accidents, until they notify the DMV of the sale. The bill of sale alone may not cut that link.

Treating the bill of sale as the title. They are different documents. The buyer needs the signed-over title to register the bike; the bill of sale only documents the deal.

Signing on behalf of someone else without authority. If you are signing for another person (say, selling a deceased relative's motorcycle), make sure you have the legal authority to do so. Our guide on how to sign documents as a power of attorney explains how to do this correctly.

After the sale: what each party should do

Once the bill of sale is signed, the work is not quite finished.

The seller should: keep a copy of the signed bill of sale and the title assignment, remove the license plate if your state requires it, cancel or transfer insurance, and file a release of liability or notice of transfer with the DMV.

The buyer should: keep the bill of sale and signed title, buy insurance before riding, and register and title the motorcycle in their name within the deadline their state sets (often 10–30 days). If buying used, it is also smart to verify the bike's history the same way you would when evaluating any used vehicle, checking for liens, accident history, and a clean title.

Frequently asked questions

A motorcycle bill of sale is a short document, but the details matter. If you are unsure whether yours needs to be notarized, whether your state requires one for registration, or how to phrase an installment sale, your state DMV website is the authoritative source for local requirements, and the as-is and liability-release points above are the ones that most often get overlooked.

Related guides

• Firearm Bill of Sale Template & Guide
• ATV Bill of Sale Template & Guide
• Boat Bill of Sale Template: What to Include
• Do You Need a Bill of Sale When Selling Your Vehicle?
• Puppy Sale Contract Template: What to Include

Generate Your Motorcycle Bill of Sale with Contractable

A motorcycle bill of sale is simple in theory, but leaving out the VIN, the odometer reading, or the as-is clause can cost you when a dispute arises. Contractable generates a complete, customized motorcycle bill of sale in seconds, with the right description fields, as-is language, and payment terms for your sale. No lawyers or legal templates to wrestle with.