We all know that owning a motorcycle is an emotional thing; it’s head over heart, and, because of that, the decision to sell is never easy. It’s like losing a member of the family. Stories of terrible dealer experiences abound, as do private sale disasters. So much so that it is difficult to know who to turn to when the time comes to move your machine on, but there is one point I’d like you to consider.
A large used bike shop can only be a large used bike shop if it has a massive amount of stock on the showroom floor. It can only maintain that stock if it is constantly buying from the public, and it can only continue to do that if it has built an excellent reputation for fairness and respect towards both the customers and the motorcycles it buys.
Bikeshop Rivonia is one of the biggest buyers of used motorcycles in South Africa; you only have to visit the hugely impressive premises to realise that is no idle boast. They can only achieve this scale with the genuine support of their customers. People trust them to act in their interests, which means they are doing it right.
A Seamless Process
The process of selling your bike to Bikeshop Rivonia couldn’t be more straightforward. Firstly, get in touch and let them know you have a bike you’d like to sell. You can do this either on their website or by sending an email to [email protected].
Alternatively, you can head to the showroom and talk to either Kyle or Zane. Given how busy the floor is, it’s always a good idea to let them know you’re coming first; it ensures they can clear the decks and give you their undivided attention. While they are often knee-deep in assessing half a dozen other machines, they will always prioritise making time for you if you give them the heads-up.
Getting the Best Value
If you are starting the process via the website or email, my advice is to send some good, clear, and up-to-date photos. We all have that one “glamour shot” of our bike from years ago, but providing an honest, current look at the machine helps the team provide an accurate valuation right out of the gate.
To keep the wheels turning smoothly, ensure you have the following ready:
- A valid NATIS document (the bike must be registered in your name).
- The original owner’s book and spare keys (these always add value).
- Any service records and invoices for work done—this is the best way to prove the bike has been loved and justifies a better price.
- A copy of your ID, proof of residence, and bank details.
Speed and Respect
After an on-site assessment—which usually takes no more than twenty to thirty minutes—they’ll make you an offer. If you accept, they’ll pay you on the spot, immediately. They’ll even help you get home if you live within a 50km radius of the premises.
But what if you are nowhere near Johannesburg? Absolutely no problem. Bikeshop Rivonia has a network of authorised brokers and assessors across the country—from Gauteng to Durban to Cape Town to Bloemfontein, and all points in between. You get the same professional Rivonia experience regardless of your location.
At no point will you feel as if you are being taken advantage of, nor that your bike is anything but important to them. They’re all riders themselves, and they understand the emotional connection you have with your bike, and you really get the feeling that they’ll treat the bike with the reverence and respect it deserves.
Each bike bought will go through their workshops to ensure it’s 100% from top to bottom, inside and out and that it looks as good as it can. It might even get more pampering than you gave it yourself…!
The Final Verdict
Of course, you can read this with a cynical mind, and you’d be perfectly within your rights, but the proof, as they say, is in the pudding, so why not give them a try? There is absolutely no obligation to sell, even after the assessment has been carried out and the offer made; the final decision is yours. We’d like to wager, however, that dealing with Bikeshop Rivonia might just be the experience that restores your faith in the motorcycle industry.
