Would you let them ...
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: Would you let them ...
I have to say,once I let a person ride one of my bikes,he was gone all afternoon.When he finally showed up,he left my laying on the ground next to the car he ran into.Now I had to pay for the body work on the car and my bike.Beware!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Would you let them ...
Excellent point. I don't think I've seen this brought up before.
ORIGINAL: skid jackson
There are risks to the buyer with this approach also. I made sure the dude showed me his license and the bike reg to make sure he was who he said he was and the bike was his. Nothing like coming back to find out the seller and your 10k are gone and your on someone else's bike. I also counteed it when i got it back. Nothing like getting home to find out your down a couple of hundred bucks from 10k.
Best to bring someone along to hang out while your on the road
There are risks to the buyer with this approach also. I made sure the dude showed me his license and the bike reg to make sure he was who he said he was and the bike was his. Nothing like coming back to find out the seller and your 10k are gone and your on someone else's bike. I also counteed it when i got it back. Nothing like getting home to find out your down a couple of hundred bucks from 10k.
Best to bring someone along to hang out while your on the road
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Would you let them ...
ORIGINAL: Scurvy Jack
Sure in both cases. As the seller I would let the potential customer know that he/she can test ride my bike...but there has to be a $1000 dollars in cash and a copy of their insurance in my hands before they start the bike. This takes care of any possible breakage and if the cost is over that much and they "decide" they don't like the bike, then it's reportable under their insurance to pay for it.
As the buyer, I would offer the $1000 cash/insurance to be held if the seller was hesitant about me test riding the bike.
That's fair enough in my opinion and it also says you're serious about buying the bike.
Sure in both cases. As the seller I would let the potential customer know that he/she can test ride my bike...but there has to be a $1000 dollars in cash and a copy of their insurance in my hands before they start the bike. This takes care of any possible breakage and if the cost is over that much and they "decide" they don't like the bike, then it's reportable under their insurance to pay for it.
As the buyer, I would offer the $1000 cash/insurance to be held if the seller was hesitant about me test riding the bike.
That's fair enough in my opinion and it also says you're serious about buying the bike.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: Would you let them ...
Isn't it just a shame that we have to be in 'CYA' mode when selling a bike? What ever happened to an honest deal between two people and INTEGRITY...?
I rode several bikes before buying. I'm grateful to the owners that they let me ride, despite the fact that I didn't buy their bike. None asked for a license, money, etc, but I suppose they had my car sitting in their driveway which was worth about the same as the bike. The bike I DID end up buying I didn't ride, but the repoire (sp) I had with the sellers was good enough for me. Worked out great and I love the bike!
Barry
I rode several bikes before buying. I'm grateful to the owners that they let me ride, despite the fact that I didn't buy their bike. None asked for a license, money, etc, but I suppose they had my car sitting in their driveway which was worth about the same as the bike. The bike I DID end up buying I didn't ride, but the repoire (sp) I had with the sellers was good enough for me. Worked out great and I love the bike!
Barry
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: denver via chicago
RE: Would you let them ...
i let a buyers buddy test ride my bike when i sold it. buddy rode up on his almost identical bike. the buyer was with me with a cashiers check for the full amount and i made a copy of the riders license.i also checked with my insurance agent to make sure an endorsed rider was covered if he crashed it or damaged it, or that id be covered if he stole it. of course that owner wasn't leaving my garage alive if any of the above actually happened. he bought it. i wasn't happy about the test ride but i know where he was coming from, i wouldn't buy a used bike without riding it either.. or a new one for that matter.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Arden N.C.
RE: Would you let them ...
No test rides on a bike,or the ol' lady. If you want either onedeal completed up front, and you get what you see. Way too much liability for personal and property damage.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, Ohio
RE: Would you let them ...
i take a digital picture of the guy on the bike to show no damage before he rides. This also gives me something to give the cops if he never comes back. Plus I make sure he has a valid MC endorsement.