Motorbikes for sale Ireland is where I started searching too when I needed a new motorcycle. I was trying to find the perfect motorcycle to fit my needs. I started by looking for motorcycles that cost around 3,000EUR, but it turned out to be quite a challenge to find a good quality one in today’s market, especially if you’re looking for a bigger model.
Ireland has seen a steady increase in motorcycle sales over the past few years. In 2019, there were over 9,000 new registrations of motorcycles, and that number is expected to continue to rise. If you look and listen to the motorcycles in Dublin, the most popular brands in Ireland include Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki. You hear the wail of the inline-4 cylinder motorcycles well into the night. However, you do see some BMWs, Ducatis and the odd Harley-Davidson. With such a growing market, it’s essential to research and find the best motorcycle to fit your needs.
Online classified websites
This is where most people end up when they start their search for Motorbikes for sale Ireland. I know this, having spoken to many people and having done so myself. I spent so much time scrolling and filtering on Done Deal that I even put together a write-up about buying a motorcycle on Done Deal. I won’t rewrite everything here, and you may be better off reading that.
These platforms allow individuals and dealerships to advertise motorcycles for sale. Because some listings are from dealerships, they even have warranties in some cases, typically in the 3-6months range, going up to a year. You can browse the listings, filter results based on your preferences, and contact the sellers directly. A few popular starting points:
Importing a motorcycle from Germany
Another option, if you are Irish or a European Union (EU) citizen, is to fly out, buy a used motorcycle in Germany and bring it to Ireland. You could even order online and get a courier to bring it over. Similar to the NCT for cars in Ireland, motorcycles in Germany are subjected to thorough testing procedures. Motorcycles have no rust and full-service history, even from private sellers.
Since the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom are islands, rust is always a concern, irrespective of how well a motorcycle has been stored in the off months.
Why did I not use this seemingly fantastic method?
I did not go this route for a couple of reasons, but not just these:
- I am not an EU citizen with free travel rights and would require a Schengen visa as the Republic of Ireland is not a part of the Schengen zone.
- The hassle of buying and waiting for delivery towards the end of the riding season would mean that I get even lesser riding time. I was willing to take the hit as it was too much of a hassle.
This method of buying a motorcycle may not be worth the time for anyone from Asia, the United States of America or maybe even Australia.
Attend a rideout like this one at
Kells, Meath, Ireland.Who knows, you may find your next bike there.
Motorbikes for sale Ireland: Dealerships
They often have a range of new and used motorcycles available for sale. If you plan to buy a new motorcycle, it would be from an Irish dealership. Not all dealerships are made similarly. Researching local motorcycle dealerships in your area is the typical method, but in the case of Ireland, you can look around the whole country. No dealership is too far away in reality.
Check their websites and pick up the phone and call them. I have not had much luck with email or forms, as they do not seem very responsive. Contact them old style on the phone to inquire about their current inventory.
Searching online, these seem to be some excuses made by dealers, so be prepared:
- Standard avoidance reply.
- >> “We don’t have any demo bikes.”
- A buy-before-you-test-ride sales model
- >> “No stock, but you can order in..”
- Some amount of interest, but the completely wrong bike!
- >> “The battery is not in, so they don’t demo it; you can get a test ride of a different model with the same engine.“
- This is the experience that I had personally, with no response from the dealer/ organiser of events:
- >> “I will let you know about the availability of a spot for the event.“
- >> “Requested demo ride for a week in advance, got an email back that they’ll be in touch.., never heard back.”
Social Media Groups and Forums
Join relevant Facebook groups or online forums dedicated to motorcycles and biking enthusiasts in Ireland. Some selling groups can be noisy, and many posts here can repeat the same ads on places like Done Deal and, in some cases, just links.
Some enthusiast groups have sections or discussions related to buying and selling motorcycles. Engage with the community, post your requirements, or browse existing listings. Do not be surprised when you get direct messages (DM) from other members who may be looking to sell their motorcycle for whatever reason. Still, do your due diligence similar to buying someplace like Done Deal. These groups are not responsible for the sales; it is between the buyer and seller.
Facebook Marketplace
Some Irish Facebook buying and selling groups are:
Of course, this is just a short list; if you know more, please add it to the comments.
Visit Motorcycle Shows and Events
At the end of September, I attended a Classic motorcycle show hoping to check out old bikes. While old bikes were around, so was a Yamaha Tenere from the 90s. I would’ve been interested to know more had I enough garage space. So, attend motorcycle shows, exhibitions, or events in your area. These gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with dealerships, private sellers, and fellow enthusiasts. You can explore a variety of motorcycles, compare prices, and strike deals directly.
The Tenere I was speaking about earlier was in the 3000-4000 range and had a for sale on it.
Online Marketplaces. Hmmm…
I have no experience with these since I steered clear of them. Supposedly classified websites, online marketplaces like eBay (www.ebay.ie) and Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk) may also feature motorbikes for sale in Ireland. However, note that these platforms may have a mix of new and used motorcycles listed by individuals and dealerships.
Click and buy through Amazon Germany, like the rest of the EU. Clicking and buying through Amazon helps support this site with small commissions at no extra cost.
Local Newspapers and Magazines
You may ask, “Really, Abhi?” Why am I still suggesting this in this day and era? People trying to sell a motorcycle may not always be online. An old motorcycle or a classic may creep in somewhere. So, check local newspapers and magazines that feature classified ads. Some publications have dedicated sections for buying and selling motorcycles. You can find these newspapers in physical form or browse their online editions.
As I said earlier, take precautions while purchasing used motorcycles by inspecting them thoroughly or having a trusted mechanic assess their condition. Remember to consider factors like your budget, desired motorcycle type, condition (new or used), and any specific features or requirements you may have.
So, if you’re interested to know what motorcycle I bought eventually after going through all of this, you’ll see that it was a mix of various things that eventually worked.