Is Bike One's Motorcycle Appraisal High? A Comprehensive Guide from Reviews and Reputation to Tips for Increasing Your Appraisal Value!

What is Bike One? Basic Information Explained

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Bike One is a specialty motorcycle purchasing company headquartered in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, offering on-site appraisals throughout Japan. As a specialized motorcycle buyer, you can expect a high appraisal, and it's easy to apply for an appraisal.

You can apply for an appraisal online via their official website or by calling their 24-hour appraisal hotline.

Furthermore, on their official website, you can get an approximate purchase price by entering your bike's make, mileage, and year, which is convenient for understanding your beloved bike's current value.

Bike One Company Information

Bike One is operated by Bike One Co., Ltd., which is headquartered in Sumida-ku, Tokyo.

Their main business activities include free nationwide on-site appraisals and purchases, sales of new and used domestic and imported vehicles, maintenance and repairs, vehicle inspections, and handling various non-life insurance products, covering all aspects of the motorcycle business.

The company was established in 2007, meaning it has been in business for over 15 years (as of March 2022).

Wide Range of Purchase Services, from Domestic and Foreign Bikes to Kit Bikes

Bike One purchases a wide range of motorcycles, including domestic, foreign, and grey import bikes, as well as custom bikes, self-assembled kit bikes, and even three-wheeled trikes.

They can even appraise non-running or accident-damaged bikes, and their appraisal hotline has specialist operators who can answer questions like "Can my bike be appraised?" or "What's the purchasing process?"

Bike One is a strong ally for motorcycle sales, but first, let's look at "user reviews and testimonials" to get a clearer picture of their actual services and how they operate.

Bike One Reviews and Testimonials

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In this section, we will introduce reviews and testimonials from people who have used Bike One.

To be fair, we will present both "good and bad" reviews and testimonials, but let's start with the good ones.

Positive Reviews and Testimonials Regarding Bike One's Appraisal Service

Comparing the purchase prices from motorcycle buyers who actually came for an on-site appraisal

1st place: Bike One 150,000 yen

2nd place: Bike O 140,000 yen

3rd place: Red Baron 100,000 yen

4th place: Bike Land 90,000 yen

All appraising the same bike, but there's quite a difference 🤔

The bike was purchased for about 220,000 yen 🛵

Bike O offered a high price as the first company to appraise 😎

pic.twitter.com/bRcvNl7eGe

— Aki@2023年に仕事辞める凡人 (@Akraft3594) October 18, 2020

It seems they had their bike appraised by multiple companies, and Bike One offered the highest appraisal price first.

While some companies might offer a better appraisal after hearing other companies' offers, the key point here is that Bike One gave the highest appraisal "first."

This review shows that Bike One's purchasing power is strong compared to other companies.

It seems that Bike One offered a higher appraisal than their competitor, Bike O.

While motorcycle buyers generally offer higher prices than selling at a bike shop, Bike One stands out among those buyers for providing an even higher appraisal.

It seems Bike One offered a high appraisal, and the user was satisfied. It's clear that Bike One is strong in purchasing.

Even though it takes effort, getting appraisals from several shops when selling a bike can sometimes lead to a higher purchase price.

It appears that Bike One's appraisal was high, and the user was satisfied.

Not only was the appraisal good, but the staff's service was also excellent.

When I had my bike appraised by Bike One and Bike King, Bike One offered 150,000 yen while Bike King offered 30,000 yen, a difference of five times. With such a large discrepancy, it makes me wonder if Bike King's staff appraisal was correct, rather than Bike One being exceptionally high. It seems Bike One "provided a thorough appraisal."

Bike One often offers higher appraisal prices than other purchasing companies, which seems to lead to customer satisfaction and positive reviews. In some cases, there was a five-fold difference between Bike One's appraisal price and that of other companies, so if you've taken good care of your bike, you'd certainly want it to be properly valued.

While the reviews strongly suggest Bike One is superior to its competitors in terms of purchase prices, what about negative reviews and feedback?

Negative Reviews and Feedback for Bike One's Purchase Appraisal

Next, let's look at the negative reviews and feedback for Bike One.

Initially, 90,000 yen was offered, but it eventually rose to 230,000 yen, indicating a discrepancy in the purchase price that led to distrust. Furthermore, a beloved bike that had been carefully maintained received a harsh appraisal, which naturally left a negative impression. It seems "there was a problem with the appraisal staff," including not wearing a mask properly and holding the customer for about two hours.

バイクワンの車が誰の断りも無く勝手に会社の目の前の道に駐車してた😠こんな停め方したら業務邪魔になるし、何より通行人の邪魔になるのが分からないのかな？🙄
常識無さすぎだね🤷🏻‍♂️
(10分以上運転手を待ってたけど結局帰ってきませんでした🤬)#バイクワン

#迷惑駐車 pic.twitter.com/pqVGjEcL3j

— シン (@a9Dr1XaP5Te6SMk) March 22, 2022

Although it seems this person isn't a Bike One customer, Bike One's transport vehicle was parked in an inappropriate spot, obstructing pedestrians and business operations. While trucks are larger than regular cars and don't always have ample parking, more thought should have been given to the parking location.

There was a complaint about the unpleasant attitude of a staff member who came to appraise a motorcycle. While the specific details of the unpleasantness are unclear, a pleasant interaction is always desired.

It seems that when a customer called Bike One to sell a moped, communication with the staff member was difficult. Indeed, it can be frustrating when you can't convey what you want to say. Furthermore, they were reportedly unable to receive on-site appraisal service, which may be due to the displacement or type of vehicle.

The negative reviews and feedback for Bike One were mostly about staff attitude and service, rather than the purchase price. While every industry has its share of employees with poor customer service, even a high appraisal won't leave a good impression if the staff's attitude is unsatisfactory.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Bike One

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Bike One?

First, let's look at the advantages.

Advantages of Using Bike One

There are six advantages to using Bike One:

1. High purchase price because it's a specialty motorcycle buyer
2. Online appraisal for an approximate purchase price
3. Regular campaigns for appraisal price increases
4. Accepts non-running or damaged motorcycles
5. Accepts motorcycles with outstanding loans
6. Free on-site appraisals anywhere in Japan

Let's look at each in turn.

① High purchase price because it's a specialty motorcycle buyer

Bike One is a specialty motorcycle buyer, so the purchase price is higher than selling at a motorcycle dealership or similar. Many tweets reviewing Bike One also mentioned "the high purchase price." While there are many other motorcycle buyers, Bike One has a reputation for high purchase prices.

② Online appraisal for an approximate purchase price

On Bike One's official website, you can enter information about your bike, such as make, model year, and mileage, to get an approximate purchase price instantly through their "online automatic appraisal." Even if you're not planning to sell right away, using the online automatic appraisal can help you understand the current value of your bike. If the appraisal amount is higher than you expected, you can sell it to Bike One and then look for your next bike.

③ Regular campaigns for appraisal price increases

Campaigns that increase appraisal values are held periodically, especially during periods when there is a need to secure a large inventory of used bikes in preparation for the upcoming riding season. These campaigns offer a good opportunity to sell your bike at a higher price than usual. If you're considering selling your bike but are not in a hurry, it's a good idea to take advantage of these campaigns to get a better deal.

④ Accepts non-running or damaged motorcycles

Bike One can purchase motorcycles even if they are not running or have been in an accident. If you are having trouble disposing of a non-running or damaged motorcycle, it is a good idea to consult with Bike One.

⑤ Accepts motorcycles with outstanding loans

Generally, motorcycles with outstanding loans cannot be sold until the loan is fully repaid, but Bike One can purchase motorcycles even with outstanding loans. Bike One will check the current remaining loan amount and if the purchase price exceeds the remaining loan amount, you will receive the difference. However, if the purchase price is not enough to repay the loan, you will need to pay the remaining balance in cash.

⑥ Free on-site appraisals anywhere in Japan

Bike One offers free on-site appraisals anywhere in Japan. To apply online, you just need to enter your bike's information, ownership details, contact information, and your desired date and time for the on-site appraisal. You can choose from two-hour time slots between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM (with a one-hour slot from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM), and an appraiser will come to your location at your requested time. The appraiser's arrival time may vary, and the appraisal and explanation will also take some time, so it's best to allow 1-2 hours of leeway for your desired appraisal time.

Disadvantages of Using Bike One

Next, let's look at the disadvantages of Bike One.

The main disadvantages are:

1. The actual purchase price may be lower than the online appraisal.
2. The appraisal amount varies depending on the appraiser.
3. Few branch locations, so on-site appraisals are the main service.
4. On-site appraisals may not be available for certain vehicle types.

① The actual purchase price may be lower than the online appraisal.

While Bike One provides an approximate appraisal amount through its online automatic appraisal, the actual purchase price can only be determined by a physical inspection by an appraiser. Therefore, the actual purchase price may sometimes be lower than the online appraisal.

② The appraisal amount varies depending on the appraiser.

Appraisal amounts are somewhat left to the discretion of the appraiser, leading to variations in the appraised value. While popular models or bikes in near-new condition tend to have less variation in appraisal value, older models, bikes with many minor scratches, or accident-damaged bikes are more likely to see appraisal differences depending on the appraiser.

③ Few branch locations, so on-site appraisals are the main service.

Bike One's branches are located in Tokyo (where its headquarters are), Saitama, Kanagawa, Aichi, Hyogo, Fukuoka, and Miyazaki. Unlike motorcycle chain stores such as Red Baron, it does not have branches nationwide. On-site appraisals are the main service for buying bikes, and appraisers travel from the nearest branch. Therefore, if you are far from a branch, it may take several days for an appraisal to be conducted. The fact that it can take several days for an appraisal is a disadvantage, as it does not happen with physical stores.

④ On-site appraisals may not be available for certain vehicle types.

On-site appraisals may not be available for certain vehicle types, such as mopeds or older models. On-site appraisals are refused when it is determined that the travel expenses from the branch to appraise a moped in a distant location, for example, would not be profitable. While Bike One generally does not conduct appraisals at its branches, you may be able to arrange an appraisal if you contact them in advance to discuss it.

Bike One's Purchase Process

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Bike One is known for its high motorcycle purchase prices, but what is the actual process for selling your bike? This section explains Bike One's purchase process, so please refer to it if you are considering selling your bike.

① First, apply online.

First, apply online through Bike One's official website. For online applications, enter your bike's information in the "Online Automatic Appraisal" and tap (or click if on PC) "Automatic Appraisal" to display an approximate appraisal amount. If you are satisfied with the appraisal amount, choose either "To Purchase Dial" or "To On-site Appraisal Request Form." "To Purchase Dial" connects you to an operator via a toll-free number, and "To On-site Appraisal Request Form" requires you to enter the necessary information and wait for a representative to contact you.

② Arrange for a free on-site appraisal.

Once you receive contact from a staff member regarding your appraisal application, you will discuss and decide on the location and time for the on-site appraisal. On the day of the on-site appraisal, the appraisal staff will contact you again for confirmation, so please make sure to respond. Failure to respond will result in the cancellation of your appraisal.

③ If satisfied with the appraisal, proceed to contract and payment.

On the scheduled date and time for the on-site appraisal, your motorcycle will be appraised at the designated location. The appraisal usually takes about 20-30 minutes, but it may take a little longer for custom or special vehicles, so allow ample time for the appraisal. If you have custom parts on your vehicle, showing the genuine parts together may increase the appraisal amount. If you are satisfied with the appraisal amount, proceed with the motorcycle sales contract and payment discussion. If you have received an appraisal from another company, presenting that appraisal result may also help increase the appraisal amount.

④ Change of ownership / de-registration procedure

After the motorcycle sales contract, you will sign the documents and hand over the motorcycle. The change of ownership/de-registration process will be completed within about two weeks, and you will receive documents regarding the procedure by mail at your address, so please confirm that the procedure has been completed properly.

Tips for Increasing Your Purchase Price at Bike One

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There are a few tips to increase the purchase price at Bike One.

① Include genuine and custom parts in the appraisal.

Bike One will purchase customized motorcycles, but if you have any genuine parts left, include them in the appraisal. Bike One also appraises parts, and there is more demand for stock motorcycles, so genuine parts can increase the appraisal amount for customized vehicles.

② Sell during periods when appraisal values tend to be higher.

Motorcycles don't sell well in winter, but sales pick up around March as the riding season approaches. To secure a larger inventory of motorcycles during peak selling periods, purchase prices tend to rise. If you don't have an urgent reason to sell immediately, it's a good idea to sell during these periods when appraisal values are higher.

③ Get quotes from other companies to use as leverage in negotiations.

If you have an appraisal from another company, you can use it to create competition and potentially increase your appraisal amount. If you want to increase your appraisal amount even slightly, it's worth the extra effort to get appraisals from other stores.

Questions about selling your motorcycle to Bike One

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Here, we have compiled frequently asked questions and answers regarding selling your motorcycle to Bike One. Please refer to this information when selling your motorcycle to Bike One.

What do I need to sell my motorcycle?

When selling your motorcycle, you will need your vehicle inspection certificate (for motorcycles under 250cc: light vehicle registration certificate / for motorcycles under 125cc: license plate issuance certificate), liability insurance policy, a seal (a personal seal is acceptable), and proof of identity (such as a driver's license).

Can I sell a motorcycle registered under a friend's name?

Yes, you can sell a motorcycle registered under a friend's name. When selling, you will need a copy of your friend's identification, a motorcycle transfer certificate, and a power of attorney.

What should I do if the motorcycle has an outstanding loan or the bike shop still retains ownership?

If there is an outstanding motorcycle loan and the bike shop is still the owner, the remaining loan balance must be repaid in full. Bike One will check "how much of the loan balance remains" and will also handle the loan repayment procedure for free.

Can minors sell motorcycles?

Minors must be accompanied by a guardian to sell a motorcycle, or they must provide a guardian's consent form.

Summary

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We've explained everything about Bike One's on-site motorcycle purchasing service, including reviews, pros and cons, and the selling process. You can easily apply for an on-site purchase online through Bike One's official website.

We've also covered tips for increasing your appraisal value, so if you're considering selling your motorcycle, please take a look.