Safest way to sell your Harley ?
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 612
Likes: 175
From: Milwaukee
I've twice had bikes I was interested in buying taken to Harley dealer service depts to be "inspected", and paid more than $100 both times. They don't check s**t. They maybe give it a visual once over and say, "Yup, its a Harley".
I bet they wheel it into a corner of the stop for a half hour, then wheel it back out. I know they don't "inspect" because they didn't find obvious problems that I found within days of buying.
I bet they wheel it into a corner of the stop for a half hour, then wheel it back out. I know they don't "inspect" because they didn't find obvious problems that I found within days of buying.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,564
Likes: 3,979
From: Virginia
I've sold few bikes on Cycle Trader and Ebay. They have to come get them in person, wire a deposit and bring the balance in a cashiers check on a bank I can verify or wire the money in advance. I haven't had any issues but by the time we get to the pickup, I get to know the buyer where I feel ok with them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
Anyone needing a test ride on a used bike buy owner is some you need to watch right off the bat. A good biker can tell just buy looking and hearing the bike run. There buying used to save some money rather then paying more with the dealer. Way to many night mare storys on this subject. You have to check everything these days. even to go as far taking the cash to a bank to have it check out or getting a cash marking pen to check it yourself. If the buyer wants a bike he will conform to your rules if not hes not the one to sell to.
I you'r serious then that' some of the dumbest **** I've read on here in a long time!
You can tell the clutch and tranny are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the neck bearings and suspension are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the cruise control and speed related electronics work by listening to it idle? You can tell the brakes work well by listening to it idle? You can tell the fuel pump is providing enough pressure under load by listening to it idle?
There's a reason test rides are a good thing and it's dishonest sellers trying to sell a pos and hiding behind bs like that.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 612
Likes: 175
From: Milwaukee
I cannot tell if you're being serious or tongue in cheek. If it's tongue in cheek then, lol, good one.
I you'r serious then that' some of the dumbest **** I've read on here in a long time!
You can tell the clutch and tranny are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the neck bearings and suspension are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the cruise control and speed related electronics work by listening to it idle? You can tell the brakes work well by listening to it idle? You can tell the fuel pump is providing enough pressure under load by listening to it idle?
There's a reason test rides are a good thing and it's dishonest sellers trying to sell a pos and hiding behind bs like that.
I you'r serious then that' some of the dumbest **** I've read on here in a long time!
You can tell the clutch and tranny are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the neck bearings and suspension are good by listening to it idle? You can tell the cruise control and speed related electronics work by listening to it idle? You can tell the brakes work well by listening to it idle? You can tell the fuel pump is providing enough pressure under load by listening to it idle?
There's a reason test rides are a good thing and it's dishonest sellers trying to sell a pos and hiding behind bs like that.
For every horror story told about a seller getting ripped off by scam buyers, there is probably more than one horror story about a buyer getting ripped off by a scam seller.
All you can do is conduct your own business honorably. You can't control what others do. If you don't trust me as a buyer, that's fine. I am not jumping through hoops, following you around or trusting you to hold deposits if you will not trust me. Yours is not the only bike for sale.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
I have bought and sold numerous cars, trucks, motorcycles, atv’s, a boat, and a couple RV’s using Craigslist.
if you use some common sense, and you have the slightest ability to read and gauge a buyers or sellers credibility and character in person, I honestly think you will be just fine.
Sellers and buyers alike can usually in short order gauge the other side.
Questions like = Is is this your first bike? (For the unfortunate guy who watched the goofball tear it up in front of him)....What was the last bike you had? What other bikes have you had or do you have now? What type of riding do you do?
Bottom line = have a conversation. You will know whether a test ride is wanted or needed by either side, and, you will know whether that can take place then and there, or if maybe it should take place in an open parking lot in view of everyone, or whether holding a buyers car keys, drivers license, and first born are what the seller needs to do.
The last bike I sold, the guy checked it out, and we talked at length using the above type questions, and we both got a feel for each other as men, and as riders. I talked about the maintenance, he asked questions, etc.... At the end of the conversation, he told me he didn’t need to ride the bike, that it was what he was looking for, and he made me cash offer. We haggled a little, and made the deal. Cash is king of course, but I have gone the route of the cashiers check as well. Again, common sense, diligence, and things will turn out fine.
The bike I bought about a year later went like this. I went to check out the bike, and saw the guys garage = 19 bikes - a mixture of modern Harley’s, old Harley’s, and classic Triumphs. The condition of his garage and every single bike in it told me that I was buying from the right kind of seller. Turned be a good deal for both of us, and we were both happy with the deal. I still dream about that garage.....19 bikes!
That all said, we all have to be diligent and use common sense. Are you willing to stick to your principles and ideals and possibly take a long long long time to find the right buyer? As a buyer, are you willing to walk away from a bike that seems to be the right bike, but something doesn’t fell right with the deal or situation?
Honestly - people can tell whether the situation, buying or selling, is one they want to be a part of in the first 5 minutes of meeting someone.
Good luck - keep the rubber side down.
if you use some common sense, and you have the slightest ability to read and gauge a buyers or sellers credibility and character in person, I honestly think you will be just fine.
Sellers and buyers alike can usually in short order gauge the other side.
Questions like = Is is this your first bike? (For the unfortunate guy who watched the goofball tear it up in front of him)....What was the last bike you had? What other bikes have you had or do you have now? What type of riding do you do?
Bottom line = have a conversation. You will know whether a test ride is wanted or needed by either side, and, you will know whether that can take place then and there, or if maybe it should take place in an open parking lot in view of everyone, or whether holding a buyers car keys, drivers license, and first born are what the seller needs to do.
The last bike I sold, the guy checked it out, and we talked at length using the above type questions, and we both got a feel for each other as men, and as riders. I talked about the maintenance, he asked questions, etc.... At the end of the conversation, he told me he didn’t need to ride the bike, that it was what he was looking for, and he made me cash offer. We haggled a little, and made the deal. Cash is king of course, but I have gone the route of the cashiers check as well. Again, common sense, diligence, and things will turn out fine.
The bike I bought about a year later went like this. I went to check out the bike, and saw the guys garage = 19 bikes - a mixture of modern Harley’s, old Harley’s, and classic Triumphs. The condition of his garage and every single bike in it told me that I was buying from the right kind of seller. Turned be a good deal for both of us, and we were both happy with the deal. I still dream about that garage.....19 bikes!
That all said, we all have to be diligent and use common sense. Are you willing to stick to your principles and ideals and possibly take a long long long time to find the right buyer? As a buyer, are you willing to walk away from a bike that seems to be the right bike, but something doesn’t fell right with the deal or situation?
Honestly - people can tell whether the situation, buying or selling, is one they want to be a part of in the first 5 minutes of meeting someone.
Good luck - keep the rubber side down.
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Feb 11, 2018 at 12:04 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 20
It all sounds good to trust everybody to ride your Harley but what do Ya do when and if they come back and say I hit a little spot of sand at the stop sign and laid the bike down because it was to heavy for me to hold up. Or if they say that they accidently hit a critter or another vehicle and that they are hurt and have to go to the hospital or the other person in the vehicle that they hit had to go to the hospital ? Is your insurance gona cover all that damage ? If they get a lawyer then you got to get a lawyer and who is gona pay your lawyer. I have Farm Bureau insurance and they told me that I have to have insurance on the bike that I am buying before I pick it up to ride it home so I'm pretty sure that they would not pay for my bike and someones hospital bills because I let someone that I did not know take off on a 8 or 9 hundred pound motorcycle.
I may be **** but I ain't letting anyone ride my scooter till I got the total cash in hand or the check has cleared my bank and they have signed a Bill of sale stating that it is bought As is/ Where, the date and time of sale.
That's the way I have always sold any automobile, Boat or bike in the past and it seems to work out pretty well .for me.
The only reason for my post was to see how other Harley owners handled their sale transactions.
Thank you for your reply and opinion, Happy Trail's and Ride safe !
I may be **** but I ain't letting anyone ride my scooter till I got the total cash in hand or the check has cleared my bank and they have signed a Bill of sale stating that it is bought As is/ Where, the date and time of sale.
That's the way I have always sold any automobile, Boat or bike in the past and it seems to work out pretty well .for me.
The only reason for my post was to see how other Harley owners handled their sale transactions.
Thank you for your reply and opinion, Happy Trail's and Ride safe !
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
For the record, I personally never suggested I have or would trust everybody with anything. Quite the opposite actually. What I meant to say is, in my experience, using common sense, detail observation, and people reading skills, I have been fortunate in both buying and selling all types of vehicles.
That said, if your way has worked for you, that’s great.
I and at least a few others offered that, in today’s soft market for resale on used Harley’s, your approach will likely have you owning your bike, longer rather than shorter, for you to find your right buyer.
Good luck - ride safe and often.
That said, if your way has worked for you, that’s great.
I and at least a few others offered that, in today’s soft market for resale on used Harley’s, your approach will likely have you owning your bike, longer rather than shorter, for you to find your right buyer.
Good luck - ride safe and often.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Sold and bought bikes over many decades and never gave or did a test ride. Worked perfectly every time.
In fact the bikes that I bought privately have been some of the best values that I have gotten. The last one was an 08 Crossbones that I picked up at the dealer because the owner was concerned that he hadn't ridden it in a year and had the dealer do a full service and check the bike out.
There are some standup Harley owners in this world.
In fact the bikes that I bought privately have been some of the best values that I have gotten. The last one was an 08 Crossbones that I picked up at the dealer because the owner was concerned that he hadn't ridden it in a year and had the dealer do a full service and check the bike out.
There are some standup Harley owners in this world.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
Safest way to sell your Harley? Take it to a couple of dealers, and accept the best cash offer. On a bike you can sell privately for $10K, they'll give you $6K. Safe, but will cost you.
Selling anything used always carries some risk, especially over the internet these days.
I've bought and sold a lot of bike and vehicles over the last 40 years. Here's how I do it: Show the bike, test ride it for the buyer, maybe take them as a passenger. If they're truly interested, agree on a price, assuming the bike is in good condition. Get an agreement in writing that they are buying bike for $x.xx, cashiers check, cash, etc... in hand, proof of insurance, then let them take it for a ride. If it meets the terms of agreement, they buy it. Yes, you may loose a few potential buyers this way, but you won't get ripped off either.
Most people are pretty cool, those that aren't usually pretty sketchy.
Selling anything used always carries some risk, especially over the internet these days.
I've bought and sold a lot of bike and vehicles over the last 40 years. Here's how I do it: Show the bike, test ride it for the buyer, maybe take them as a passenger. If they're truly interested, agree on a price, assuming the bike is in good condition. Get an agreement in writing that they are buying bike for $x.xx, cashiers check, cash, etc... in hand, proof of insurance, then let them take it for a ride. If it meets the terms of agreement, they buy it. Yes, you may loose a few potential buyers this way, but you won't get ripped off either.
Most people are pretty cool, those that aren't usually pretty sketchy.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,061
Likes: 12,988
From: Texas, USA
How many threads are started with a person wanting to sell their bike and pricing it like it's gold plated. It's a buyers market. You're competing with dozens and dozens of other bikes. That means you'll have to lower your price or you'll wait forever for it to sell.
If I was selling a bike I want to get rid of it. I don't have the time or patience to deal with the hassle of tire kickers, scammers, etc. That means that I will have to pay a price to get rid of it quickly. The fastest way is selling it to a dealership or trading it in. If not that, I would use the HD Rider to Rider program so I don't have to deal with the BS. Bike's gone and I have cash in my hand.
If I was selling a bike I want to get rid of it. I don't have the time or patience to deal with the hassle of tire kickers, scammers, etc. That means that I will have to pay a price to get rid of it quickly. The fastest way is selling it to a dealership or trading it in. If not that, I would use the HD Rider to Rider program so I don't have to deal with the BS. Bike's gone and I have cash in my hand.
