Used Paramotors: How Much Do They Cost?

I can remember looking at the market for new paramotors and being discouraged. “They cost so much,” I thought to myself. “How will I ever be able to afford one?” After digging a little deeper, I found buying a used paramotor was a more affordable alternative. Hopefully, the information I unearthed will help you find the paramotor of your dreams and find it at an all-time low price.

Used paramotors cost around $2,300 less than their original purchase price. However, this is a vast generalization. The cost of a used paramotor can be affected by multiple things; From how many miles the paramotor has on it, to how long ago the model was manufactured, to whether or not the seller thinks that they can overcharge.

Finding Used Paramotors for Sale

Perhaps you’re on the same quest I was on, and are looking for an affordable, safe, reliable paramotor. It can be a bit confusing at first, but finding and purchasing used paramotors, if done right, can be a cheap and easy way to get into the sport of paramotoring.

An excellent way to start searching for a used paramotor is to look for them on sites like eBay. On websites where people can rate the seller and their products, you’re less likely to get scammed by someone if you buy from someone with a good approval rating.

It’s also good to know what you want. If you narrow your search down to an exact make and model, you’ll have a manufacturer’s original price and be more able to compare used paramotors of the same model to while searching.

When You Find a Used Paramotor

When you find a used paramotor, contact the person selling it. Don’t seem too desperate; they might try to up the price. Instead, contact them and ask about the paramotor. Ask them some of the following questions:

What kind of engine does it have?
How has the engine deteriorated over the time you’ve had it?
How many flight hours does it have?
How well does the wing handle?
Are there any problems with the paramotor that you haven’t previously described on your website/ad?
What’s the best experience you’ve had on this paramotor?
What’s the worst experience you’ve had on this paramotor?

Asking about the engine is vital because engines do deteriorate over time. Knowing the engine type, you can do some research on it. Understanding the recent rate of deterioration can help you guesstimate how long you’ll be able to use said paramotor.

Asking about the wing will help you understand what kind of flights you should expect, as the seller will try to talk up different points of the wing, the ‘highlights’ of the wing if you will. “It climbs well!” and “It’s got awesome stability” are definitely green lights.

Asking about issues that the pilot hasn’t talked about can go one of two ways. They can be dodgy, or they can be open about any problems. If they seem reserved, you probably shouldn’t get the paramotor, as something will surprise you for sure. If they are open about any issues, then decide for yourself if you are still willing to get it.

If the seller claims that there aren’t any issues they haven’t covered, and they seem like they’re honest, that’s great! The point of this phone call is to decide if this paramotor will be worth the investment.

Asking about the worst and best experiences of the paramotor will give them a chance to talk more about their flight experience with it, and let you decide whether or not the paramotor is right for you.

Let’s see a few examples of used paramotors, taking a look at their manufacturer’s pricing, and the cost for a used model that I found online for each.

Used Flat Top Ninja Paramotor

As a relatively popular model, the Flat Top Ninja is an incredibly easy paramotor to find for sale. Sold by the manufacturer for $7,900, this is a relatively standardly priced paramotor and is actually a few hundred dollars cheaper than the average pricing for new paramotors.

Highly recommended by multi-World Record Holder Dell Schanze, the Flat Top Ninja is one of the best paramotors around. It’s a standard for comparison of other paramotors. With 4.7 gallons of fuel that it burns through with the silence of a ninja, you can expect awesome things from this paramotor.

Finding a used Flat Top paramotor shouldn’t take more than just a quick google search. That’s just how popular this paramotor is. However, it should also be noted that Flat Top, the manufacturer of the Ninja, sells used models as well.

All it takes is a call to their company, and they can sell you a used paramotor of any of their models, beating other online prices you may have found.

At this time, in mid 2020, You can buy a used Flat Top Ninja Paramotor for around ~$6,600.

Used BlackHawk AirMax 220 Paramotor

The BlackHawk AirMax 220 Paramotor is an extremely versatile powerhouse that was designed as a machine for pilots who want it all. Depending on the material of the cage you choose when purchasing from the manufacturer, the AirMax 220 can cost up to $7,295.

The AirMax 220 can go from being foot-launched to being mounted on a LowBoy II Quad in a matter of minutes. With 30HP (Horse Power), 170-190 lbs (77-86 kg) of thrust, and the seamless transition between foot-launched and quad flying styles, this machine is becoming a favorite to many of BlackHawk’s customers around the world.

I searched for a used BlackHawk AirMax 220 and found one for $4,300. However, I was skeptical. The seller was new and didn’t have any ratings. It’s always good to exercise caution when investing in something expensive.

Used Demo Scout Carbon 185 Paramotor

This is another paramotor that rightly puts safety first and foremost, with some innovative safety designs being:

SafeStart System
Integrated Water Rescue Ready Harness
Underseat Reserve Harness
and a Carbon Fiber Back Shield

It weighs 53 lbs and can get up to 25 HP. Its fuel tank can hold up to 3.17 gallons of fuel, and other engines besides the Vittorazi Moster 185 can be installed (but only with left turning props). With the manufacturers cost being $8,540, the value placed on safety can clearly be seen.