Buying a motorcycle from a private seller should be safe and easy. Yet traditional payment methods are risky, slow, expensive, inconvenient, or all of the above.
We’ll talk about why most payment methods fall short in private-party transactions and introduce you to a better way to pay for your dream bike.
Before we dive into the details of each payment method, let’s take a bird’s-eye view of your options.
| Best for | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cash |
Cheap motorcyles (<$5,000) |
Immediate, no fees |
Security risk, time-consuming to count, counterfeit concerns, risk of loss |
|
Wire transfer |
Any motorcycle transaction amount |
Secure, high level of finality |
Only available during bank hours, potential delays, requires sharing bank details |
|
Credit card |
Not good for private-party transactions |
Cashback rewards
|
High fees (2.9% + $0.30), rarely accepted by private sellers |
|
Cashier’s check |
Any motorcycle transaction size |
More secure than personal check, no limits |
Only available during bank hours, seller may require bank verification due to forgery risks |
|
PayPal |
Motorcycles up to $60,000 |
High transaction limit |
High fees (2.9% + $0.30) |
|
Venmo |
Motorcycles under $5,000 |
Easy to use |
Low transaction limit ($5k) |
|
Cash App |
Motorcycles under $7,000 |
Slightly higher limits than Venmo (if verified) |
Inadequate for many motorcycle purchases, unverified accounts are capped at $1,000 weekly |
|
Zelle |
Cheap motorcycles |
Bank-integrated |
Low transaction limit ($2k–5k) |
|
DealNow |
Any motorcycle transaction size |
Bank-level security, instant funds, no transaction limits |
None, because we created it that way |
For lower-priced motorcycles, cash is a fine way to pay. When purchasing an entry-level bike or a used motorcycle for a few thousand dollars, physical cash is simple and immediate. The transaction can be completed on the spot without relying on technology or financial institutions.
When it comes to more expensive motorcycles, paying with physical cash presents some challenges:
The safest way to pay for a motorcycle in cash is to meet the seller at your bank, withdraw the money on the spot, and have a bank teller count and verify the bills to speed things up.
For lower-priced motorcycles, cash is a fine way to pay. When purchasing an entry-level bike or a used motorcycle for a few thousand dollars, physical cash is simple and immediate. The transaction can be completed on the spot without relying on technology or financial institutions.
When it comes to more expensive motorcycles, paying with physical cash presents some challenges:
The safest way to pay for a motorcycle in cash is to meet the seller at your bank, withdraw the money on the spot, and have a bank teller count and verify the bills to speed things up.
For inexpensive motorcycles or scooters, apps such as Venmo or Cash App can be convenient. They’re quick, easy to use, and most people are familiar with them. If you’re picking up a budget-friendly starter bike or a fixer-upper project, these apps might do the trick.
When it comes to purchasing more valuable motorcycles, these everyday payment apps fall short.
PayPal can handle larger transactions up to $60k—but at a cost. For a $10,000 sport bike, you could be looking at nearly $300 in fees.
Venmo is great for splitting dinner bills, but with a weekly limit of $5,000, it’s not practical for many motorcycle purchases.
Cash App has a slightly higher $7,000 weekly limit for verified accounts, which is enough for many bikes. Unverified accounts are capped at $1,000, so make sure you undergo verification before the purchase.
Zelle is available through many US banks and also as a standalone app. Its limits vary by bank but generally fall between $2,000 to $5,000 per day, which can cover cheaper bikes.
You’re better off saving payment apps for splitting dinner bills. Even if you can use them, someone still needs to make the first move in the sale. DealNow gives you the immediacy and convenience of a payment app without transaction limits. Plus, it has built-in features to bring trust and accountability to the purchase. Read on to learn more.
Cashier’s checks are a time-tested way for two strangers to complete a high-value motorcycle transaction. The bank verifies your funds and issues you a check that is drawn from their funds. The seller can cash the check with confidence that it won’t bounce.
A savvy motorcycle seller will insist on meeting you at your bank. Skilled criminals can create convincing forgeries, so sellers will want your bank to verify the check before finishing the transaction.
If you’d prefer to avoid this inconvenience and not be tied to banking hours, continue reading for alternative options.
Most private motorcycle sellers aren’t equipped to accept credit card payments. Unless they run a business, they won’t have the necessary hardware. Even if they do, they’ll likely prefer to keep their personal and business transactions separate.
To use a credit card, you need to use a third-party payment processor. Stripe is a popular choice, but it comes with a price. Let’s say you’re buying a Harley-Davidson for $15,000. If you pay via Stripe, here’s what you’re looking at:
If you insist on using a credit card, don’t be surprised if the seller asks you to cover these fees. The cashback rewards will usually not exceed the fees, and credit cards are a terrible form of motorcycle financing. DealNow is as intuitive as swiping a credit card, without percentage-based fees.
DealNow combines bank-like security with the immediacy of physical cash and the convenience of a peer-to-peer mobile app. No more handling bills, waiting for payment confirmation, or working around bank hours—just quick, secure transactions from your mobile device.
Here’s why DealNow is the best way to pay when buying a bike:
DealNow is more than a payment app—it’s your simple, secure, and stress-free solution to private bike transactions. Here’s how it works:
It’s that easy. After you’ve used DealNow, you’ll never want to buy a bike any other way.
Buying a motorcycle from a private seller isn’t just faster—it’s often easier on your wallet too.
Here’s why:
Bottom line? Private motorcycle sales help your budget go the distance. Find a bike you like, and enjoy a quick, safe, cheap purchase by bringing the deal to DealNow.
Private motorcycle sales can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here’s how to protect yourself from motorcycle scams:
A little caution goes a long way. With DealNow, you get built-in safeguards and a secure payment process, making the bike-buying process safer and smoother.
The safest payment option is DealNow’s secure payment system. DealNow gives you instant, verified transfers of up to $1 million, unlike cash which can be fake or stolen, or checks which can be forged. The funds are securely held and instantly released upon completion of the sale, protecting both the buyer and seller throughout the transaction.
DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transact, all in one app.
