Test Rides and why it's not a good idea
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 9
From: Toledo, Ohio
Educate me please. I would never allow a test ride. I sold both of my bikes without one nor did either buyer even ask. Sit on and start up, yes, but no ride. My bikes speak for themselves, I would've just waited for the next buyer to come along. Was I just lucky because allowing a test ride seems really stupid.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
If it were a new bike, yeah I could see it. But I don't know of too many 79s that have loans on them. And if they do, usually a signature loan as the bike is too old for collateral.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Northern Ohio
The last bike I sold, (Honda Shadow Aero)the guy that bought it (about 60 yrs old) was afraid to test drive it. Even asked me to ride it home for him. I did, and his 80 year old mother made fun of him. "You made that little girl ride that home for you?" is exactly what she said to him.
I thought the whole thing was really funny until I found out (after the fact) that the guy was a registered sex offender. I rode alone with him in his car, and fortunately, I didn't have any problems, but I wouldn't do it that way again. Live and learn.
I thought the whole thing was really funny until I found out (after the fact) that the guy was a registered sex offender. I rode alone with him in his car, and fortunately, I didn't have any problems, but I wouldn't do it that way again. Live and learn.
Last edited by got2bjennyg; Apr 6, 2012 at 09:55 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
It's on craigslist or ebay. Or maybe they are just out joyriding and will leave it busted up in a ditch somewhere.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
but unless you've had the bike appraised, wouldn't the insurance company only give you the book value of the bike? which wouldn't take into account restoration value, etc....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
I have sold 4 or 5 bikes and never any test rides. I'm not worried about theft, I'm worried about the guy crashing and then suing me for letting him ride it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
WOW man, I am speechless, really. Had my scoot for sale while trading her in on a new one, guy calls, comes by with his buddy, shows me the cash, I fire it up and let him hear it, but not test ride..."HINT" sell your bike in the winter so there can be NO test rides(of course here in Canada we can do that Eh..lol) but offered to trailer the bike to his house after I was paid in full and Wifey checked each bill for counterfeit, and I told him she was going to do that. He was cool with that, and I dropped off the bike to his garage, he gave me some gas money on top and all went well. If it was summer and someone came by looking for a test ride, honestly I would laugh in his face, having showed up without a vehicle or his kids/wife waiting behind, he would NOT touch my bike. If someone wants to try and steal my bike I leave the odds in my favor, no test ride scams, you have to try and take it while it's locked up or garaged, Insurance will pay full pop then. Or other **** could happen. Odds my friend, that is what life gives us, make them in your favor whenever you can!! Over...
my beater Kawasaki, I drove 125 miles one way & owner knew I was coming on my day off, however it happened to be sleeting, & edges of roads were getting slick, the bike had carb problems, but guy wasnt sure, so I had to ride to make sure it was carb, & not other real problems, I put 20 miles on it, & yes I bought it.
the guy didnt want me to show him or hand over cash first, as I asked, but he said he knew I wouldnt have drove that far to just kick the tires, & he could tell by looking I was a biker. as for the sleet, we couldnt control the weather, & I wouldnt not have drove the trip again if he had refused to let me drive it, however he had agreed to let me test ride it on phone, but wasnt expecting it to be sleeting. his price was just under 1/2 of market value, but it needed carb rebuilding, a front tire, & brakes, & I am still riding it, & it has been a great beater bike.
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