Buying a used Harley. So today I set up a time to look at a used Harley I found on Craigslist. I get there it looks to be everything the guy said it was in pristine condition. It a 2010 FXSTC with 4100 miles look like he never rode it. He started it up ran good I looked it over. Then I asked if I could ride it, I told him I had the money with me and handed him the keys to my 2017 Chevy truck worth far more than the bike. He said NO you can't ride it. This is the first time that I have been told no you can't ride it. He wanted me to give him $8500 and no test ride. So what is your take on test rides yes or no? How would buy a bike they could not drive first. I told him I was ready to buy it just wanted to make sure no noises coming from it anywhere. We had already agreed on that price. What does everyone here think??

 

I've never allowed test rides in over 50 years. I'll be glad to put you on the back and take you for a short or long ride. Pay me then you can test ride the heck out of it!

To many people crash unfamiliar bikes. I had a superstition when I was young that I wouldn't ride with anyone with a paper/temp plate.

 

I would be comfortable letting someone ride my bike as long as they put the cash in my hand before they left, then follow them in my car for a short trip. I mean if they crash it at that point you already have the money

 

Honestly, I’ve never understood that. I’ve test ridden every bike I bought, and I let anybody wanting to buy mine, test ride them.
I’ve had one person ask to hold the full amount of the purchase price, which I was fine with. But If I had offered to let him hold the cash, and still not test it, I would have bought one of the other thousands of bikes available.

 

That kind of defeats the purpose of the test ride, if he has your money and the clutch is slipping or gears are grinding or anything isn't right not going to be any renegotiating if he already has your money. Well, I told him I wanted the bike but out of principle I would not without riding it first. It's the mileage on the bike that has me wanting it. These are my favorite Harleys and I'm not looking to change that. Found another one 700 miles away but an 08 with a springer front end and low milage he said he changed the front. He said I could ride it first. I might take the bike I have now a 09 FXSTC so he can follow me on my bike when I test ride it.

So I just wanted to know how many won't let someone drive it before you buy it. Are cars the same way would you buy a used car without driving it first with your own money.

 

You can test ride it after you buy it.....I have sold dozens of motorcycles and have never let anyone test ride any of them.
You wanna test ride go to a dealer.

 

If Ive got an mc license and cash in hand and you wont let me test ride you stick your bike up your ***.

 

Sold and traded a good many bikes over the years. Some I let test ride some not.
Just kinda had to feel things out.

If a person showed up to look at a bike while riding one themselves.
It certainly increased the chance for a test ride.

If they lived not to far away and wanted the bike we would work out a way to get it done.

WP

 

I wouldn't buy a motorcycle, car, or bicycle without a test ride. Let some other sucker do that.

 

No I would not, car or motorcycle, but I understand why mc owners are leery of letting someone they don't know test ride it. With a car if you are the seller, you can more easily go with the test driver. Also someone wrecking a used car would probably have to hit something, whereas a inexperienced mc rider can damage a mc without hitting another vehicle, such as this extreme example.