test ride ---or ---no
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
My cousin's kid decided he wanted his first bike. He had little or no riding experience at the time. He went to a guy's house who had a bike advertised for sale, took it for a test ride, crashed it and hurt himself pretty bad.
The kid had no medical insurance or motorcycle insurance. It put him in a tough spot, but he did man up right away. He paid the owner full asking price for the bike, which he had, and paid his own medical bills over time.
He never did fix the bike and never has got the urge to ride again.
Dennis
The kid had no medical insurance or motorcycle insurance. It put him in a tough spot, but he did man up right away. He paid the owner full asking price for the bike, which he had, and paid his own medical bills over time.
He never did fix the bike and never has got the urge to ride again.
Dennis
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 127
Likes: 2
From: VA
Good ideas here. I really like the 15 minute warranty suggestion, with the pictures of buyer and both sides of the bike. Seems like a solution that satisfies everyone's needs - buyer's need to ride and determine if everything works, seller's need for protection if the bike disappears or gets dropped. All of that being said, I have never bought anything, many bikes included, that I have not been given the chance to try out, have never shown my license, never given any cash - trusting sellers! I guess I'll be a bit hypocritical when I change my tune as a seller from now on!! LOL
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
This is how I've done all sales of my personal vehicles. So far three bikes, a car and a pickup sold this way with no problems. I'll have to remember adding the photo's though, that's a new wrinkle that's worth doing.
Here's what I did when selling my Sporty. You offer them a 15 minute money-back warranty. Explanantion:
1) Let them hear the bike and inspect it.
2) Settle on a price. They pay in full, cash. You sign a bill of sale noting the date & time.
3) Take a couple pictures of them standing behind each side of the bike. Thid documents bike's condition upon sale. (Make sure your camera's date & time are set correctly.)
4) They now own the bike. If they hate it, they have 15 minutes to ride it back to you in the same condition as the pictures.
1) Let them hear the bike and inspect it.
2) Settle on a price. They pay in full, cash. You sign a bill of sale noting the date & time.
3) Take a couple pictures of them standing behind each side of the bike. Thid documents bike's condition upon sale. (Make sure your camera's date & time are set correctly.)
4) They now own the bike. If they hate it, they have 15 minutes to ride it back to you in the same condition as the pictures.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
No test ride. Let them watch you start it, ride it and take it through the gears. If they want to have it inspected by a dealer, at their expense, that's fine. It's not only the possible theft or wrecking of your bike that you need to be concerned about. What if they hit one of your neighbor's kids who then sues you for negligence in letting a person you know nothing about ride your bike. Having the price of the bike in hand will not address that problem.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
When I sold my Sportster, the guy was trying to shove the money into my hand before I even started it. I had to insist that I start it and let it warm up before he paid for it. Took my plate off and put his on, and haven't seen either one since.
Made me wonder if I didn't ask enough for it, since he was the first person to look at it. .
Made me wonder if I didn't ask enough for it, since he was the first person to look at it. .
Beary
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,110
From: Florida
So many threads like this one...it's so simple, I'm surprised I was the only one that thought of it:
He buys the bike without a test ride...then give him a 100% money back guarantee if he brings it back within a couple hours of buying it if he finds anything wrong.
So simple a cave man could do it.
He buys the bike without a test ride...then give him a 100% money back guarantee if he brings it back within a couple hours of buying it if he finds anything wrong.
So simple a cave man could do it.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 3
From: Central Ohio
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I would take a cash deposit and hold the license. If you want coverage in court, you have them sign a quick "rental agreement" ala rental car style. Basically, you temp remove yourself from liability.
I won't purchase without a ride. Can't imagine why someone would not test out a vehicle before purchase. However, lots of folks try to keep ya off the bike.
I won't purchase without a ride. Can't imagine why someone would not test out a vehicle before purchase. However, lots of folks try to keep ya off the bike.
