I have been buying and selling vehicles for decades. Some of the best deals on motorcycles are at auctions.
A lot of these auctions are open to the public. Many of them have online bidding and hold sales every week.
Bidding at an auction can be a bit intimidating the first time. It is actually a lot of fun once you get the feel for it.
Hola, soy Greg Smokes con el Car Auction Network. I have been around auto auctions for decades. I also worked at body shops that bought junk cars at salvage auctions and rebuilt them.
Walk away if
- The frame has been welded or bent.
- The VIN on the frame does not match the title.
- A VIN check shows a theft record.
- The price goes above your budget.
Mi Consejo para Buscar y Elegir una Moto Usada en una Subasta de Autos
Public auctions are where I find the real deals. You will see everything from older classics to late-model bikes.
Do your homework before you bid. Learn the makes and models you like. Get a sense of what each bike is actually worth.
J.D. Power lists used values for most motorcycles.
Utilice la lista de ejecución de la subasta (si está disponible)
If you are bidding online, you can usually browse the whole inventory ahead of time.
If you are going to a live auction, get the run list before the sale. It lists the bikes with details and photos.
I highly suggest that you read the auction’s terms and conditions. Every auction is different. Some want a deposit up front. Some want you to register days before the sale. Others let you sign up on sale day.
Cosas en las que fijarse antes de pujar
Most auctions let you look at the bikes before the bidding starts. I suggest that you use that time.
Look for signs of major repairs or hidden damage. Ask to hear the engine run. Listen for strange noises or rattles. Look for leaks.
Use the T-CLOCS checklist
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation made the T-CLOCS checklist for riders. It covers the main parts to look at on any bike.
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Tires and wheels | Tread depth, cracks and bulges. Bent rims. Brakes that work. |
| Controls | Levers and pedals that move freely. A throttle that snaps back when you let go. |
| Lights and electrics | Headlight, brake light, turn signals and switches. |
| Oil and fluids | Oil level, coolant and brake fluid. Any leaks. |
| Chassis | Frame, suspension, and the chain or belt. |
| Stands | A side stand that holds the bike. Springs in place. |
Bikes that sit at an auction lot often have a dead battery. Ask the staff if you can jump it.
Run the VIN
Check that the VIN on the frame matches the title.
CrankyApe says it does not run history reports before a sale. It asks buyers to run one. I suggest that you run the VIN via these three tools.
Recuerde: no se apresure a firmar los papeles todavía
Do not be scared to walk away from a bike if the price goes above your budget.
Do not let your desire for a specific bike make you blind to its condition. As is means the seller makes no promises about the condition.
CrankyApe says its descriptions come from a visual inspection only. It also says there may be hidden damage it missed.
If a deal looks too good to be true, do not hesitate to walk away.
Cómo funciona una subasta de motocicletas para el comprador
Cuando pujar en una subasta de automóviles, remember that every bike is sold as is. There is no guarantee and no returns.
Once the hammer falls, the bike is yours. You cannot back out of the deal.
Many auctions ask for proof that you can pay before they give you a bidder number.
Fees on top of the bid
Expect a buyer fee on top of your winning bid. CrankyApe adds a transaction fee and a documentation fee to every motorcycle.
Getting the bike home
CrankyApe does not ship bikes. Buyers arrange their own shipping.
A salvage bike cannot be ridden home from CrankyApe. It does not issue in-transit permits for salvage units.
Riding a bike home also takes a motorcycle license and insurance.
Sitios de subastas públicas de motocicletas usadas a precios asequibles
Many motorcycle auctions are online now. Some of the bikes can be repaired and some cannot.
I suggest that you know how you will ship a bike before you bid on it.
CrankyApe.com Motorcycle Auctions
- Who can bidAnyone 18 or older who registers as a member. There is a yearly membership fee. Bikes marked FDPO are for dealers only.
- WhereLots in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota and Texas. You can view the bikes in person before you bid.
- CuandoOnline auctions close between 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central.
- PickupYou have 14 days to pick up before storage fees start.
Another option I often use when looking to buy used motorcycles at auctions: CrankyApe.com motorcycle auctions. You may bid online and ship the motorcycle anywhere in the country.
si no te late eso de las pujas, también hay subastas de "Cómpralo Ya" para motos. Ahí puedes nomás elegir la moto que te gusta y pagarla directo, sin tener que competir con nadie. Es como comprar en línea, pero con la ventaja de que puedes ver la moto en persona antes de soltar la lana.
Subastas de motocicletas de CrashedToys
- CuandoA weekly online auction every Thursday at 12 p.m. Central.
- What sellsUsed, salvage and repairable motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles.
- Who can bidDealers and the public. It runs on Copart’s platform. Members with a government ID can bid on lots marked No License Required. Other lots need a business license or a broker.
- OwnerCopart has owned CrashedToys since 2013.
I suggest that you check the title type on every lot before you bid. A lot of the bikes here have salvage titles.
Buscar subastas mayoristas de motocicletas
Este método de comprar una motocicleta implica encontrar una subasta pública de coches cerca de usted o una subasta de carros online desde donde podrías enviar una bicicleta.
These auctions do not specialize in wrecked or salvaged vehicles. They are wholesale auctions with bank repos, trade-ins, seized vehicles, and other sources.
La mayoría de este tipo de subastas le permitirán visitar el lote de subasta y echar un vistazo físico a los carros usados en venta. Es importante aprovechar siempre esta oportunidad para buscar cualquier daño o diagnosticar problemas mecánicos antes de decidir cuánto debe pujar.
Dealer-Only Motorcycle Auctions
This auction is for licensed dealers only. The public cannot register to bid.
- Who can bidLicensed dealers. NPA asks for a dealer license to register.
- WhereAtlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, Lakeland, Philadelphia, Portland, Sacramento and San Diego.
- HowLive auctions every week. Dealers can also bid online via NPA Simulcast.
- What sellsMotorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, boats, RVs and golf carts. Much of it comes from lenders, manufacturers and dealers.
- OwnerCopart.
If you do not have a dealer license, I suggest that you look at CrankyApe or CrashedToys instead.
Sources I checked
Última actualización el noviembre 13th, 2026 a 04:55 am
