If you’re tired of your old motorcycle and you’re planning to discard it soon. Why not pawn it instead of throwing it away for nothing? Pawning items is a great way to get instant cash out of valuable items that are no longer needed, but how do you actually pawn a motorcycle? If you’re doing it for the first time, here are some things to accomplish before pawning.

Secure the Title

A title is legal proof that you own the motorcycle. Before pawning the vehicle, make sure that you have its title with you to make the process seamless. Pawnshops must stay legally compliant, so a title will definitely help them approve the pawning request faster. However, if you don’t have the title because you lost it, there are many ways to acquire a copy.

Wash Your Bike

Cleaning your bike before pawning makes a difference in making or losing several hundred more dollars. Although it’s true that there’s value in the dirt sometimes, your bike’s best foot forward is still the most valuable. Begin the process by scrubbing all the dirt and grime visible on the body and tires. Next, wash away the crevices where most of the dirt lies, like the seat, throttle, and dashboard. After rinsing, coat the bike with polish to give it that extra shine.

Have it Inspected

Through a thorough inspection, you can be aware of the current condition of the motorcycle. It also helps to know how much it will cost to repair the issues found. However, if the motorcycle is discovered to be in bad condition, expect a lower offer. The inspection can give you the opportunity to make repairs that could raise its price. Make sure to be as transparent as possible with the pawnbroker and reveal all the possible issues the item may have.

Consider If It’s Better to Sell or Pawn

Pawnshops can do both but the decision is totally yours. Try to consider why you’re selling or pawning the item. If it has become a burden on your life or hasn’t been used in a while, you might lean towards selling it to move on. But if your goal is cash and you aren’t exactly sure if you want it back later on, pawning it is the better choice.

Try to Haggle



This move is optional since most pawnbrokers will determine the price of an item depending on how they inspect it. But if the price given is too low, try haggling with them. Sometimes, pawnbrokers may miss out on some features of the item that might be valuable.

Through haggling, you can discuss what makes its value higher than what was quoted. Haggling doesn’t give assurance that an item will sell at a higher price, but it’s alright to give it a shot.

Conclusion

Before pawning a recently owned item, regardless if it’s a motorcycle or not, make sure to follow the guidelines above for a seamless transaction with pawnbrokers. If you’re ready to let an item go, asking a pawnshop for a quote is one of the smarter ways to dispose of a valuable item.

River City Pawn is a pawn shop based in Kentucky. With multiple locations in Owensboro, Madisonville, Henderson, Princeton, Leitchfield, and Murray, we accommodate all pawning needs, from buying to selling. Visit our locations today and let’s see what we can offer.