Private party sale, and test rides
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Been lucky so far.Must have sold at least 6 bikes over the years.Always allowed test rides and had no issues.
If I was to sell mine now,think I'll go with the deposit route .
If I was to sell mine now,think I'll go with the deposit route .
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Aug 3, 2010 at 07:31 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Cash in hand and he gets a buddy of mine as a shadow for tests period . Many moons ago I had cherry 1965 BSA FireBird Scrambler I had to sell , guy talked a good talk , looked like he had a clue . Got on it and proceeded to shoot straight across the street into the side of Mom's old Plymouth station wagon ................
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
I have sold several used bikes. Unless it's a friend of mine no free rides. I do offer a 24 hour no questions asked return. If you don't like it, if it isn't what you thought it was, if your buddy that has read every column Warner Riley ever wrote thinks it's got a mechanical problem, bring it back in the same condition you took it in and I'll give you your money back.
Never had anyone take me up on it, but it calms down the uneasy buyer sometimes.
Never had anyone take me up on it, but it calms down the uneasy buyer sometimes.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the tips, guys. I really like the 'pay for it, ride it, and then we can discuss it' route. The bike is in perfect shape, so I'm not worried about it 'checking out'. If I were the buyer, and the bike looks and sounds pretty good, I don't think I'd have a problem with this.
I really don't like the odds of having my insurance cover the bike if he drops it. Unless I'm willing to say I dropped it, I just have this feeling I'll have issues getting it covered. In any event, my insurance probably goes up, and what if he gets hurt? I think I'll pass.
Toby
I really don't like the odds of having my insurance cover the bike if he drops it. Unless I'm willing to say I dropped it, I just have this feeling I'll have issues getting it covered. In any event, my insurance probably goes up, and what if he gets hurt? I think I'll pass.
Toby
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: New York
I bought my current ride from a guy I've known for 30 years. He was selling it for a friend of his that I didn't know. I've riden HD's for over 30 years and he knows this. When I asked for a test ride, 1 block.. just to go through the gears he said hand me the money...If you don't want the bike the money's yours if you hurt the bike it's mine...no hard feelings. I didn't object as this is how I would have done it if it were mine. NO FREE RIDES!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
In Michigan, the owner of the vehicle is liable for the actions of the rider so no test rides. I've sold several bikes without problem.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
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.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
Sorry, I disagree with a deposit. If I'm buying a bike I may want a test ride. If you're selling a bike, and don't allow me to take a test ride, then I'm not as likely to buy your bike.
If you're selling a used Harley it is likely going to be over $10,000. Do you expect me to hand you $5,000 in cash (or more) to take a test ride on your bike? Sorry, not going to happen.
Yes, a buyer may be a fraud, but so may the seller, and I'm not going to go anywhere I don't know with a ton of cash on me, and I doubt you'd want to either.
If you're selling a used Harley it is likely going to be over $10,000. Do you expect me to hand you $5,000 in cash (or more) to take a test ride on your bike? Sorry, not going to happen.
Yes, a buyer may be a fraud, but so may the seller, and I'm not going to go anywhere I don't know with a ton of cash on me, and I doubt you'd want to either.