| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Sooooooo, I'm putting my bike up for sale. In a nutshell, I've decided I want something more relaxed and better suited for cargo and passengers. Still love the bike, but I NEVER use it for what it was intended, which is a shame. So, I'm going to offer it up to a better home. I'll be putting together the info shortly for the classified (you guys will have 1st crack before it goes on craigslist and the like). Anyway, I remember awhile back there was a discussion about test riding etiquette, which I think boiled down to "you don't let prospective buyers test ride". Is that correct? If so, can someone refresh me on all the good reasons why? I tried the search but couldn't find the original arguments. Just want to be able to explain to anyone that gets ruffled when I say "Aww heeeell no!"  Thanks! ~SM | ||
| Sayitaintso |
I've always gone by the rule. You get a test ride when i have the purchase amount in hand. Then, if after the test ride you dont like it, you get your money back....if you wreck it or lay it down...you bought it. | ||
| Koz5150 |
My Dad sold a bike once to a guy. On the test ride he laid it down, which led to the sale. Needless to say, CASH IN HAND before anyone testrides. Other alternative is have them follow you on while you ride the bike if they want to hear/see it run. When I sold my dirtbike last summer I rode it for the guy and showed him it ran fine. That was enough for him, we completed the sale no problem. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Same as Say said (say that 5 times fast). When my old ironhead Sportster, the guy who bought it just asked me to take it up and down the street so he could hear it work through all the gears. I think Court posted the be-all end-all... something like if you want a test ride, you buy it first. If you come back in 30 minutes and want your money back and the bike is in perfect shape, then that's fine. Anything other that and it's a final sale. | ||
| Reepicheep |
That's the wise approach for sure. That being said, all the times that I have sold bikes, I was able to tell in the first 15 minutes or so if the person I was talking too was the kind of person I would let ride my bike. So I did, once it was clear they were (a) serious about buying and (b) an experienced and skilled rider. But I knew I was taking a risk. By the time I sell a bike, they aren't new, and aren't super valuable. That helps my perspective as well. What, exactly, are you going to do to a 1985 KLR-250 on a 10 minute test ride that hasn't been already done to it?  | ||
| Nillaice |
the other aspect of cash before a test ride is that they may not come back with your bike. in that case; looks like you just lost your bike, and they have enough time to turn around and re-sell it or strip it for parts, or use it for a tack bike. | ||
| Nillaice |
but you can trust MEEEeee | ||
| Nillaice |
but you can trust MEEEeee | ||
| Court |
Good memory .. that was like 6 years ago I think. There's only one way to do it. Sell them the bike with a written "money back within 30 minutes of purchase in precisely the same condition the bike was sold in". SIMPLE. Anything else puts you at tremendous risk ranging from having a crashed bike and being stuck with the tab to being sue for someone's injuries. To allow someone to test ride a motorcycle, without damn deep pockets and insurance, specifically for that purpose (like a dealer or HD would have) is a fool's errand. | ||
| Court |
>>>By the time I sell a bike, they aren't new, and aren't super valuable. The value of the bike . . (the last BMW I sold 2 years ago was $2,500) is not even on the "Top 10" list of risks you are taking. >>>QUESTION: What, exactly, are you going to do to a 1985 KLR-250 on a 10 minute test ride that hasn't been already done to it? ANSWER: put yourself in a perfectly legal posture to take a crack at someone's entire bank account, net worth and home equity. I'd put "unforeseen damage" about 9th on the list. SIMPLE. Super easy . . . to have a "Contingent Sale" agreement that protects you. | ||
| Kyrocket |
I hate selling stuff! I did however just buy a used bike last fall and the guy was more than willing to let me test ride it. I was going with the same intent Xl1200r had and was going to ask him to run it up and down the street. If someone is serious about buying it and have half a brain they've done their research and are probably not going to ask for a ride perse but will want to hear it run. But back to your original question, if they're hell bent on riding it I'd want some kind of deposit or full cash in hand to cover any accidents. | ||
| Court |
>>>I'd want some kind of deposit or full cash in hand to cover any accidents. And what if the guy goes about 100 yards and plows into your neighbors Porsche 911 or hits a neighbors kid? Not challenging you (I already know the answer) . . just food for thought. | ||
| Greg_e |
Technically, unless they have insurance that specifically covers them riding other people's bikes your insurance is still at risk until you remove from the vehicle. So if your plate is on the back, you are at risk. You could always list it as "no wieners need apply". And anyone who isn't ready to hand over cash should not be allowed to ride it, even if that cash is not actually exchanged. When I was looking that was my policy, I had to be willing to at least hand them a decent deposit (like 1/4 of the price) and be willing to go through with the deal before I would even entertain taking the time to look at the machine. But that is just me and there are a lot of tire kickers out there. | ||
| Babired |
I was selling an old Yamaha Virago one year and the bike was running in the driveway when a interested buyer came to look at it. He asked me for a test ride, I didn't get a good vibe from him and said no, so he walked away. I sold the bike to another person and got the money I wanted. | ||
| Kyrocket |
"And what if the guy goes about 100 yards and plows into your neighbors Porsche 911" Wish I lived in a Porsche 911 neighborhood  But I understand your point. | ||
| Court |
>>>Wish I lived in a Porsche 911 neighborhood Worse yet . . . suppose it hits a 1976 Toyota that's worth $700 . . . The Porsche guy (a friend on the Porsche board just had a Vespa get his brand spankin' new 911) is gonna want his car fixed perfectly, with OEM parts and by a dealer. Pricey. The Toyota guy (just saw one of these too) is gonna see your big ol' liability policy as a lottery ticket. Go for the Porsche. . . but don't take out the rear quarter panel. I'm getting tired of working . . . I may go test ride some bikes. . .hahahaha | ||
| Buellish |
I recently bought a Superhawk and the owner said over the phone,"you want to ride it,you gotta pay for it". The thing is there is no way I was going to give him his asking price. We talked for around 30 minutes and when I was ready to test ride he had said nothing about money.I told him the keys and title for the car are in the glove box.He just laughed. It's fairly common around here to let expirienced riders test ride without exchanging cash. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Good point Court. Thanks! | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Swordsman, Get A Uly! nough' said | ||
| Swordsman |
Man, after cleaning up the bike.... I've been sitting and staring at it. That is one DAMN fine machine. Not so certain I can part with it... there's some sentimental value tied up in that thing that I'd kinda' forgotten about. Weird. Feelin' all girly n' stuff.  ~SM | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Maybe instead of feeling girly, you should look at it as a sign of getting your man card back Go ride a Uly, maybe they will be comfortable enough for you. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
Weird. Feelin' all girly n' stuff. Lol, sometimes my Uly makes me feel all girly too.....but its the vibration at stoplight that makes certain parts down there all tingly. | ||
| Swampy |
Sell your bikes during the winter. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
there was a story I heard (on here maybe) where the guy showed up with another vehicle and said heres the keys so you know I'll come back. he never came back and the vehicle he left was stolen.. |
