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How to Sell a Motorcycle Privately in Kansas (2026)

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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: May 20266 min readEditorial policy
Selling a motorcycle privately in Kansas requires a written bill of sale documenting the VIN, odometer reading, and the agreed price. The buyer presents the bill of sale to Kansas DMV to title the motorcycle within 60 days of the sale. Kansas charges 6.5% sales/use tax.
Titling agencyKansas DMV
Transfer deadline60 days from sale
Sales / use tax6.5% (Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases)
Bill of sale notaryNot required
Emissions / inspectionStandard — DOT sticker on frame is sufficient
Lien release formTR-720

How to Sell a Motorcycle Privately in Kansas — 8 Steps

  1. 1Locate the VIN — on motorcycles the 17-character VIN is stamped on the steering neck (headstock) and on the frame near the engine. Kansas requires this on every bill of sale and the title.
  2. 2Note the engine displacement — engines under 50cc are classified as mopeds/scooters in many states and may have different titling rules with Kansas DMV; bikes 250cc+ register as motorcycles in every state.
  3. 3Clear any liens — if the motorcycle was financed, request a payoff quote and lien release letter. Kansas uses TR-720.
  4. 4Gather documentation — clean Kansas title (no liens), current registration card, maintenance records, original owner's manual if available, and DOT compliance certificate (sticker on the frame) for any mods.
  5. 5Price the motorcycle — check Kelley Blue Book Motorcycles, NADA Guides (motorcycles), and recent Kansas Cycle Trader / Craigslist comps. Mileage, condition, and aftermarket parts all affect value.
  6. 6Complete the bill of sale — VIN, year/make/model, engine displacement, odometer in miles, sale price, sale date, and both parties' full legal names and addresses.
  7. 7Sign the title — endorse the back of the Kansas title with buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Kansas requires odometer disclosure for motorcycles under 15 years old.
  8. 8Notify Kansas DMV — buyer must title and register within 60 days of the sale. Seller files release of liability with Kansas DMV to remove future ticket/toll liability.

Kansas lien release procedure

  1. Obtain Form TR-720 from the Kansas Division of Vehicles or the lienholder.
  2. Lienholder completes and signs TR-720 releasing the lien.
  3. Submit TR-720 with the existing title and title application at a county treasurer's office.
  4. Pay the title fee and receive a clean Kansas title.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Kansas

Do I need a bill of sale to sell a motorcycle in Kansas?

Yes. Kansas requires a written bill of sale for private motorcycle transfers to document the VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, and both parties' signatures. The buyer needs the bill of sale to register the motorcycle with Kansas DMV.

What is the Kansas motorcycle title transfer deadline?

Kansas requires the buyer to transfer the title within 60 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline can trigger late fees and back-dated registration penalties.

Is sales tax owed on a private motorcycle sale in Kansas?

Kansas charges 6.5% sales/use tax on private motorcycle sales. Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases The buyer typically pays the tax at Kansas DMV when titling the motorcycle.

Do I need a notary for a Kansas motorcycle bill of sale?

Kansas does not require notarization for a private motorcycle bill of sale. A signed bill of sale with both parties' information is sufficient for Kansas DMV.

How does a buyer register a motorcycle purchased privately in Kansas?

The buyer takes the signed bill of sale and endorsed title to Kansas DMV and pays the title fee plus 6.5% sales/use tax. Transfer must be completed within 60 days of the sale date.

Source: Kansas DMV · Last verified 2026-05-07

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA