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A motorcycle bill of sale is a signed receipt for a motorcycle. It names the seller, the buyer, the price, the date and the motorcycle's VIN. Our free template comes as a PDF or Word document for private sellers and buyers.
You can also build one online with the step-by-step builder below. Where motorcycles are titled, ownership passes on the signed-over title, so the bill of sale does not replace it.
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A motorcycle bill of sale is a written record of a motorcycle sale between a seller and a buyer. It records the price, the date, both parties and the bike, and many forms add an "as-is" clause. Both sides can point to the same written terms if a question comes up later.
Many agencies ask for one at title transfer or registration, depending on the state. Some states ask for a bill of sale in some cases, for example when the price is not on the title, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency. The signed form is also a handy reference later, for example when you insure the bike or sell it again.
A bill of sale and a title do different jobs: the bill of sale shows the deal between two people, and the title shows who owns the bike. Where motorcycles are titled, ownership passes on the signed-over title, so the bill of sale does not replace it. Keep both papers together after the sale.
The form on this page comes as a PDF and as a Word document, and the table below shows its other name, fill time and field count.
| Document Name | Motorcycle Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Name | Bill of Sale for a Motorbike |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 12 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 68 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF; Microsoft Word |
A complete bill of sale for a motorcycle lists who sold the bike, who bought it, which bike changed hands, the price, the date and the signatures. Leave no blank line, and copy every number from the bike and its papers rather than from memory.
The template on this page has a field for each item. It also has optional fields for a trade-in, payment in installments and a gift.
Our free motorcycle bill of sale template is ready to download as a PDF or a Word document, and the builder makes a custom version online. Fill in the parties, the motorcycle, the price and the terms, then print and sign it. Choose the way that suits your sale:
The Word version lets you add your own conditions and skip the legalese. The PDF opens in any PDF reader, so you can complete every field and print it. The builder asks a few simple questions and fills in the template from your answers. For other kinds of deals, browse more bill of sale templates.
To sell a motorcycle, prepare the bike, set a price, advertise it, meet buyers, finalize the payment and complete the bill of sale. The seven steps below walk you through the sale from start to finish. Rules for titles, notarization and registration differ by state, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency before you hand over the keys.
Step 1. Prepare Your Bike for Sale
Buyers pay more for a clean bike that runs well. Have a mechanic look it over first, and treat any visible rust. Wash the bike, then give it a coat of wax.
Gather the papers before you list the bike: the title, the registration, any lien release and the service receipts. A buyer who sees them early trusts the sale more.
Step 2. Come Up With a Price
To estimate a fair price for your bike, check these kinds of sources:
Compare the asking prices of the same or similar used motorcycles in your area. This shows what a buyer near you is willing to pay.
When you place an ad, list a little above the lowest price you will take, since buyers of used bikes expect to bargain. Aftermarket parts rarely add much to the price of the bike, so you can sell them separately for some extra money.
Step 3. Put Ads Where You Can
Advertise the bike in several places. Take clear photos and give detailed vehicle information, including the year, make, model and mileage.
Online options:
Offline options:
Step 4. Meet with Potential Customers
A serious buyer usually calls or writes first and then meets you in person, where you can settle the price. Meet in daylight, in a public place, and bring someone along. Once you agree, write the terms into the bill of sale form.
Let a serious buyer inspect the bike and take a test ride. Ask to see a driver's license and proof of insurance before the ride.
Step 5. Finalize the Transaction
Agree on the payment method in advance. A cashier's check or a bank transfer is common for larger sums, and the seller hands over the keys only after the payment clears.
The seller brings the title (where the bike is titled), the registration papers, and a lien release if a lender held a lien on the bike. Usually two copies of the bill of sale are signed, one for each side, but a state rule governs where it says otherwise: in Kentucky, when a motor vehicle is sold, traded, transferred or delivered, the bill of sale is made in quadruplicate and the original and two copies go to the county clerk (KRS 186.200(2)). Fill in your details beforehand so the buyer spends less time on the form.
Step 6. Complete the Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template
Fill in each field of the template with the buyer at your side, then read the finished form together before anyone signs. The list in What to Include shows every item, and the next section walks through the form field by field.
Step 7. Get a Notary Acknowledgment If Needed
Many states do not require notarization, and some ask for it in some cases, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency.
Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles asks for an original notarized bill of sale or invoice specifying the actual consideration involved and a full description of the vehicle (Louisiana OMV; Used Title & Registration).
In Kentucky, the bill of sale made when a motor vehicle is sold, traded or transferred shall be subscribed and sworn to before any officer authorized to administer an oath (KRS 186.200(1)).
In Wyoming, the owner of a vehicle with a certificate of title signs and dates the assignment of title before a notarial officer (Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-104(a)).
These sources speak of vehicles in general, so ask the agency where you title the bike whether each one covers motorcycles.
A notary acknowledgment can still add a layer of protection in case of disputes.
If you notarize, sign the document in front of the notary. Everyone involved shows an ID, and the notary certifies the signatures, adds the related acknowledgment wording and affixes a notarial seal.
After the sale, keep your signed copy of the bill of sale and the payment receipt with your records. A photo of the signed document makes a useful backup.
To fill out a motorcycle bill of sale, enter the date, both parties, the bike, the price and the payment terms, then review the standard clauses and sign. These completion tips follow the motorcycle bill of sale template created by our staff. Some agencies publish their own form, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency to see whether yours does.
Step 1: Specify the document’s creation date.
Step 2: Type in the seller’s and purchaser’s information:
Step 3: Enter the details about the motorcycle you’re trying to sell:
Step 4: Choose how the purchaser will pay for the motorcycle and for what amount of money.
Enter the purchase date and the full price of the motorcycle. Then pick one sale method:
Then mark how the buyer pays:
Last in this part, mark whether the price includes all applicable taxes.
Step 5: Look at the standard bill of sale provisions and ensure that both sides are familiar with them.
The seller confirms that they own the motorcycle described in the document and have the right to sell it at the price in the form. The seller also confirms that there are no liens on the motorcycle. They confirm that the information in the bill of sale is true, accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.
This part typically contains the “as-is” provision, which disclaims warranties about the motorcycle's condition only: the seller still confirms ownership and that there are no liens, as above. In Maryland, when an owner transfers a titled vehicle, other than by creating a security interest, the owner shall sign an assignment and warranty of title to the buyer when the vehicle is delivered, unless the transfer is one Transp. 13-113 governs (Md. Code Ann., Transp. 13-112(a)).
Step 6: Now, the bill of sale form must be signed.
The seller always signs the document, and some states want the buyer to sign too, so have both sides sign the motorcycle bill of sale form. You can additionally have one or a number of witnesses attest the deal, but witnesses are optional.
Step 7: Use the help of a notary public where needed
Many states do not require notarization, and some ask for it in some cases, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency.
Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles asks for an original notarized bill of sale or invoice specifying the actual consideration involved and a full description of the vehicle (Louisiana OMV; Used Title & Registration).
In Kentucky, the bill of sale made when a motor vehicle is sold, traded or transferred shall be subscribed and sworn to before any officer authorized to administer an oath (KRS 186.200(1)).
In Wyoming, the owner of a vehicle with a certificate of title signs and dates the assignment of title before a notarial officer (Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-104(a)).
These sources speak of vehicles in general, so ask the agency where you title the bike whether each one covers motorcycles.
Where it is optional, notarizing still adds a layer of protection.
Some agencies want the original document during the title transfer, and others accept a copy. Usually the buyer keeps the original and the seller keeps a signed copy, but a state rule governs where it says otherwise: in Kentucky, when a motor vehicle is sold, traded, transferred or delivered, the bill of sale is made in quadruplicate and the original and two copies go to the county clerk (KRS 186.200(2)). You can also have a pair of identical documents signed by all parties.
A filled-in bill of sale example for a motorcycle shows how the fields look once the deal is done. Every name, number and date below is invented for illustration; replace each one with the details of your own sale.
Sample only. Date of sale: June 6, 2026. Seller: Sam Rivera, 14 Elm Street, Springfield. Buyer: Alex Chen, 9 Lake Road, Riverton.
Motorcycle: 2018 Honda Rebel, black, VIN JH2SAMPLE00000000, odometer 8,400 miles. Price: $4,200, paid in full by cashier's check on the date of sale.
The seller sells the motorcycle "as is", with no warranty as to its condition, and confirms that they own it and that there is no lien on it. Signed by Sam Rivera (seller) and Alex Chen (buyer).
Vermont's title rule names motorcycles, and Maryland's title rules are written for any "vehicle", a term the table applies to a motorcycle; each row gives its source. Rules for titles, notarization and registration differ by state, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency before you hand over the keys.
| Place | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | The owner of each vehicle in Maryland for which the Administration has not issued a certificate of title shall apply for one, unless a circumstance listed in Transp. 13-102 exempts it; that list exempts no motorcycle as a class. | Md. Code Ann., Transp. 13-101.1 |
| Maryland | When an owner transfers a titled vehicle, other than by creating a security interest, the owner shall sign an assignment and warranty of title at delivery, with a statement of each security interest, lien or other encumbrance on the vehicle; a transfer to a licensed dealer who holds the vehicle for sale follows Transp. 13-113 instead. | Md. Code Ann., Transp. 13-112(a), (b) |
| Vermont | No certificate of title need be obtained for a motorcycle with less than 300 cubic centimeters of engine displacement, or for an electric motorcycle with less than 20 kilowatts of engine power. | 23 V.S.A. § 2012(6) |
For any other state, ask the motor vehicle agency where the bike will be titled or registered; the list near the top of this page links the pages we have.
No, a motorcycle bill of sale shows the terms of the deal, while the title is the ownership paper for the bike. Where motorcycles are titled, ownership passes on the signed-over title, so the bill of sale does not replace it.
Yes, the template on this page is free to download as a PDF or a Word document, with no sign-up for the blank version. The online builder is a separate option if you would rather answer questions than fill in the blank template.
Yes, the template works for a dirt bike, a scooter or a moped, because each field describes the bike by make, model, year, color and VIN. Some agencies publish their own form, so check with your state's motor vehicle agency to see whether yours does.
The seller always signs the document, and some states want the buyer to sign too, so have both sides sign the motorcycle bill of sale form. A witness or a notary is needed only where a state asks for one.
Usually the buyer keeps the original and the seller keeps a signed copy, but a state rule governs where it says otherwise: In Kentucky, when a motor vehicle is sold, traded, transferred or delivered, the bill of sale is made in quadruplicate and the original and two copies go to the county clerk (KRS 186.200(2)). Some agencies want the original document during the title transfer, and others accept a copy. A photo of the signed document makes a useful backup.
Ask the seller for a lien release before you pay, because a bill of sale does not clear a lender's claim on the bike. If the title is missing, read our guide on getting a vehicle title with only a bill of sale.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
