People Are Buying Motorcycles at Police Auctions for Dirt Cheap – Here's How
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a motorcycle but thought it was out of your budget, you’re not alone. With soaring prices on new vehicles and rising interest rates, many people have put their two-wheel dreams on hold.
But what if there was a lesser-known loophole that’s helping regular people score bikes for a fraction of what dealers charge?
It turns out, police auctions across the country are quietly becoming goldmines for bargain hunters. From Harley-Davidsons to Hondas, motorcycles that were seized, repossessed, or unclaimed are being sold off — often at shockingly low prices.
Why Are These Bikes So Cheap?
Law enforcement agencies frequently auction off motorcycles that were either:
Seized in criminal investigations
Unclaimed or abandoned
Repossessed due to unpaid loans
Since these departments don’t want to store them and aren’t in the business of vehicle sales, their goal is simple: get them off the lot as fast as possible. That urgency often leads to deep discounts, sometimes as low as 80-90% off the bike’s retail value.
Real People, Real Steals
One user on a popular forum said he picked up a 2020 Kawasaki Ninja that retails for $8,000 — for just $1,400. Another snagged a nearly-new Harley for less than $2,500. These aren’t flukes. Savvy buyers who attend these auctions (or bid online) are finding insane deals that dealerships can’t compete with.
And unlike salvage auctions, many of these bikes are in solid running condition — some needing only minor cosmetic fixes.
How to Find These Auctions
Most police auctions aren’t widely advertised. But there are websites that specialize in aggregating them, showing listings from local departments, sheriff’s offices, and state agencies all in one place.
Here’s what you can do:
Visit trusted police auction sites
Search by make, model, or location
Register to bid (many don’t require a license)
Set alerts for motorcycles under your budget
The best part? Many of these platforms now offer online bidding, meaning you can snag a bike from your phone or laptop — no travel needed.