Private party sale, and test rides
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
My buddy's father in-law was selling his bike this year and he had a guy interested. The guy wanted to take a test ride before buying it, but my buddy's FIL told him cash up front and he can ride it all he wants. The guy dumped it not once, but twice during his test run. Come to find out the guy never had a bike before and his first bike was now slightly damaged.
Cash up front...period!
Cash up front...period!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
Here's my policy: I tell 'em "No joyrides--you buy the bike, cash only,no checks of ANY kind. & if you find ANY problem at all after taking delivery,bring it back within 1 hour of purchase for a full refund. Since my sleds are always perfect,no one has brought one back yet. Back in the day when I actually TRUSTED people, I let people take test rides,no questions asked. Had 2 guys drop bikes on me--a Sportster & a Norton Commando. I also sold a couple bikes to perfect strangers & agreed to payments after they took delivery--shows how times have changed.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Havertown, PA
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
I went through this a few months back when I was selling a bike. No test rides. I'll ride it up and down the street for them but they can ride it once its paid for. Unlike cars; most insurance companies won't cover another rider so if anything happens your stuck. If they get hurt you're on the hook.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
with the prices these bikes bring, and seemingly, a good number of us finance it, or at least a major portion of it..... how does a person bring $5k or more likely $10k to the table?
when I sold my Fatboy a couple of months ago, I asked for motorcycle endorsement, and would hold the potential buyer's driver's license and his insurance card. the guy that bought it didn't have an endorsement, I wouldn't let him ride it.
part of the selling process is reading the buyer. I know, it's not foolproof - but, I like to think I'ma pretty good judge of character.
I like the money back guarantee within the hour idea.
when I sold my Fatboy a couple of months ago, I asked for motorcycle endorsement, and would hold the potential buyer's driver's license and his insurance card. the guy that bought it didn't have an endorsement, I wouldn't let him ride it.
part of the selling process is reading the buyer. I know, it's not foolproof - but, I like to think I'ma pretty good judge of character.
I like the money back guarantee within the hour idea.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
My insurance only covers me on my bike.Years back I let a guy test drive my bike and he was gone 2 hours. I went berserk when he finally pulled in the driveway. It will never happen again. Pay for the bike then ride it.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
with the prices these bikes bring, and seemingly, a good number of us finance it, or at least a major portion of it..... how does a person bring $5k or more likely $10k to the table?
when I sold my Fatboy a couple of months ago, I asked for motorcycle endorsement, and would hold the potential buyer's driver's license and his insurance card. the guy that bought it didn't have an endorsement, I wouldn't let him ride it.
part of the selling process is reading the buyer. I know, it's not foolproof - but, I like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character.
I like the money back guarantee within the hour idea.
when I sold my Fatboy a couple of months ago, I asked for motorcycle endorsement, and would hold the potential buyer's driver's license and his insurance card. the guy that bought it didn't have an endorsement, I wouldn't let him ride it.
part of the selling process is reading the buyer. I know, it's not foolproof - but, I like to think I'm a pretty good judge of character.
I like the money back guarantee within the hour idea.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,705
Likes: 358
From: C-Town
I've done this a couple times.
Go with a friend who has a bike. Borrow his bike if you are currently sans scoot (I've let my Bros ride mine doing this).
Have the friend follow you in a car. The friend is there as an extra set of eyes looking at the bike.
Ask the seller if you can test ride. Chances are, he saw you ride up ON a scoot, so he's more willing to let his go while the other bike is there.
No way am I buying a bike without a test ride.
Go with a friend who has a bike. Borrow his bike if you are currently sans scoot (I've let my Bros ride mine doing this).
Have the friend follow you in a car. The friend is there as an extra set of eyes looking at the bike.
Ask the seller if you can test ride. Chances are, he saw you ride up ON a scoot, so he's more willing to let his go while the other bike is there.
No way am I buying a bike without a test ride.