What county is Salem in, and which office handles title transfers?
Salem is in Marion County. Title transfers are handled by the Oregon DMV – Salem Office at 1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (503) 945-5000.
City release page
Salem, Oregon Motorcycle Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a motorcycle in Salem, Oregon. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Salem, OregonMotorcyclePopulation rank #141
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Motorcycle VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Marion County
DMV / Title Office
Oregon DMV – Salem Office
Address
1905 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone
(503) 945-5000
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$77.00
Sales Tax Rate
0.00%
Base Registration Fee
$122.00
Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales.
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
Oregon does not require notarization.
Salem Transfer Checklist
- No sales tax on used vehicle purchases
- Title transfer within 30 days
- DEQ emissions testing required in Salem area
- Seller must sign title assignment
County Information — Marion County
County Clerk / Recorder
Marion County Clerk
Phone
(503) 588-5225
Private party vehicle sales in Marion County may be exempt from sales tax — verify with the county clerk before completing your transaction.
Motorcycle market data and safety information
The most common motorcycle makes in private-party sales are Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki. Average private-party motorcycle prices range from $2,000–$20,000. Motorcycles average 2.4 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Brakes.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used motorcycle
Before completing a motorcycle bill of sale in Oregon, verify these safety items:
- Check tire condition — motorcycle tires have a 5-year lifespan regardless of tread
- Inspect brake pads and fluid condition on both front and rear systems
- Verify chain/belt tension and sprocket wear
- Test all lighting including turn signals and brake light
Motorcycle insurance and depreciation in Oregon
Motorcycle insurance averages $700–$1,500/year for full coverage. Sport bikes cost significantly more to insure than cruisers. Motorcycles depreciate 35–50% in the first 3 years. Harley-Davidson and BMW models hold value best. Peak season for private motorcycle sales is late winter to early spring (february–april) as riding season approaches, with an average of 30 days on market.
Motorcycle registration and titling
Motorcycles are classified as "Motorcycle" for registration purposes. No weight-based exemption for motorcycles. All motorcycles under 20 years old require federal odometer disclosure. Federal odometer disclosure is required for motorcycles under 20 years old.
Motorcycle sales in Salem, Oregon
Salem residents completing a motorcycle bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Oregon state rules. The state sales tax rate is 0%, no sales tax; 0.5% statewide transit tax on new vehicles only. The most popular motorcycle makes in Oregon include Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha.
Oregon bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,038 bill of sale documents for Oregon transactions, with 28 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
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)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a motorcycle sale in Salem?
The combined rate is 0.00%. Oregon has no sales tax. No tax on used private-party sales..
Is notarization required for a motorcycle bill of sale in Salem?
No. Oregon does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a motorcycle title in Salem?
Title transfer fee: $77.00. Base registration fee: $122.00. Sales tax at 0.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.