| Author | Message | ||
     Nbpcp |
I am looking at selling my '06 Honda now that my new xb12r is on its way, (never sold a bike before), and will have to wait till its sold before can transfer over the insurance to the Bolt. However, unlike a car, i'm a bit nervous about complete strangers test riding a bike. If they dump it, its my insurance that sky rockets and im out of pocket not them. Do most private sellers allow potential buyers to test ride? seems like bit of a risk to me. | ||
| Miko_k |
You take them for a ride, they ride on the back. They can check out the bike for visual stuff, hear the engine run, feel the acceleration, but with YOU driving. Once they give you the money, they can crash all they want. Even if they already have the endorsement on their license, I wouldn't let some stranger just beat on my bike for a joy ride  | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Feel your pain. Don't forget you've got to get a Used Vehicle Information Package. Keeps everybody in Ontario honest (see thread on Title). Demand their license before they ride. Car dealers do it and it gives you a chance to make sure they have their full license. Blame it on your mom/dad/gf/wife/insurance if you have to. (BTW, I didn't ride mine before I bought it. I went over every inch of it and had the owner do a couple of drive bys. One with acceleration, the other with braking. Most of the time, I had my eyes closed just listening to the engine. I haven't had a mechanical problem with the bike.) (Message edited by iamarchangel on May 19, 2009) | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
to test ride, MUST HAVE CASH IN HAND some chick I know test rode the bike and layed it down real slow, null damage. she told the owner "i dropped the bike" and his responce was lol "haha." then an awkward moment, "no i really did, look at the rear blinker". dude, "oh, ok... well hum"... she bought it anyways Out with a buddy, we swapp bikes for fun. he's been riding for 3months or so and has a cbr600. He was a bit weary because it was a 1200 bike, the ride goes fine. but at a rest break he almost drops my bike because he didnt throw-out the kickstand all the way, so it tipps. He somewhat damaged a rear blinker and semi-pulled it out close to exposing the wires. Moral of the story(s), must have cash to test ride. there is no other way to go about it | ||
| Ramm |
+11111111 for CASH IN HAND test ride. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Yup, cash in hand. Plus this way you know they are serious and almost guarantees that they will buy the bike. When I sold my Triumph, I was asking $3200- he gave me $3200 cash and took it for a ride, came back got the title and rode home.  The only really need for a test ride is once you have stuck a deal to make sure that it is exactly as the seller states in is, with no problems. Kinda like a home inspection- it's the buyer's last "out". | ||
| 1_mike |
Or...let a dealer sell it on consignment for you. That way, the dealer deals with all the hassles. Mike | ||
| Andymnelson |
"That way, the dealer deals with all the hassles." and your money. | ||
| Xbmacon |
it is a risk. cash in hand!! maybe pay the dealer check it over and test it and give full report to the buyer(s). you can add the cost of it to the bike. Unbiased third party info may make it more "comfy" for them. | ||
| Prowler |
I have sold a lot of bikes (and cars) and never once let the buyer take a "test ride". I'd run it up and down the street for them running through the gears and then told them the same as what was mentioned above "if you want to ride it, I need payment in full prior to a test ride". A guy in Madison let (what he thought was) a potential buyer, test ride his bike and the guy never came back. Say good-by to a late model H-D Fat Boy..........The seller should have known something was fishy when the buyer was "dropped off" by a friend. Moral of the story, don't trust anyone and although it's a sad statement for sure, assume that everyone is a thief until you're in your house with the money and the buyer is gone. | ||
| Jraice |
The norm is cash in hand. When I sold my R6 he was planning to test ride but his buddy saw/heard the bike and said dont even worry about it (pristine) this thing looks fine. Probably not the smartest thing to do (I wouldnt buy without a test ride) but thats what happened. When I bought my first bike my dad took it around the block to make sure it shifted etc... but we had already essentially confirmed to buy it (cash in hand) just needed to confirm it ran as advertised. | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
We've sold several bikes and did let them take the bike for a test ride. Never had any problems. When my son bought his bike, my hubby test rode that bike also. | ||
| Sifo |
+1 on Andymnelson's method. Let me add that I would check the buyer out and if anything doesn't seem right, just say no to the test ride. Does the buyer look like he's ridden? Does he have any riding gear? Is his gear worn in or is it all brand new? Do his boots show wear from a shifter? Pay close attention to how he handles himself and the bike when he first sits on it. It's kind of like looking for a "tell" playing poker. Then remember, it's cash in MY hand to ride the bike. A serious buyer should not have a problem with that. | ||
| Nbpcp |
good info, awesome. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Good points Tom. Reminds me that when the guy bought my Triumph (he was buying it to turn it into a track day bike) he had full leathers, helmet, gloves, boots...the works! That instilled a bit of confidence before the ride, as did about a 20 minute conversation with the guy where I was profiling him and deciding if he was fit for the ride. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I showed up to buy my bike, with cash in hand. GOOD THING!!!! I decided to take it for a test ride that night, right before I bought it. 30 degrees, and HUMID. A nice patch of black ice forced me to set er down at a stopsign. That was piss-poor planning on MY part. Minimal damage (scraped footpeg, and throttle grip). I went back and just handed him the money................BUT I GOT AN 05 XB12R WITH 7300 ON THE CLOCK FOR $5500. Never dropped till I got to it. MAKE SURE THE POTENTIAL BUYER HAS CASH IN HAND!!!!! | ||
| Bumblebee |
It depends on who wants to ride the bike. Usually no, but sometimes yes.  | ||
| Etennuly |
I also test ride for them. I will run up and down the highway letting them watch and listen. Then get the money. If they still have questions I check their license for the M endorsement and will ride with them on another bike or vehicle while retaining their license. If they return unsatisfied and had no incidents(not only can they drop it, but they can over rev it, burn a clutch, break gears, drag brakes), I would return the money if they didn't want to do the deal. These are the reasons I ride with them. That has yet to happen to me. Just make sure you don't misrepresent what you are selling. Don't let them sit on it and start it. I had a squid cold start a bike I was selling and he immediately took it to the rev limiter. I was standing by the throttle, grabbed his hand turned it down shut it off and told him to leave. He said he wanted to buy the bike. I told him he didn't deserve it. Since then I have been cautious about showing a bike. | ||
| Wardamneagle |
The guy I bought mine from let me test ride it, but I think I'm with some of these other guys in saying that I don't think that I would let someone test ride without cash in hand. I think the fact that I rode another bike to the guys house to look at it reassured him a little bit that I knew how to ride. |
