Test rides when selling a bike

I am getting ready to sell my '99 Honda Superhawk. I was just wondering
what the "norm" is in the bay area for buying/selling bikes with regards
to test rides. Any recommendations?

I have bought 3 bikes in the past, and never test rode any of them
before buying (including the SH). I bought all 3 with the understanding
that once the money changed hands, I had 15 minutes to return it and the
owner would buy it back.

This seems like the safest way to sell. I'm not too worried about theft,
but am worried about drops, dings, and mostly liability.

Thanks,
Jason

 

I let the potential buyer test ride my Bandit before agreeing to buy. He
rode up on an Aprilia liter v-twin, with full protective gear. I made sure
he had an M1 license, and was insured. I had full coverage on the bike,
too. There was no problem, and he bought the bike (for his girlfriend).

I don't think I would have let someone test ride who showed up in a car
and asked to borrow a helmet.

We all have chafed against dealerships reluctance for test rides, and I
think you should evaluate each situation. Safest is to just say no, but it
also can change depending on how desperate you are to sell ;-)

 

I agree with Charles.

When I sold my Intruder, I advertised "Test Rides? Bring your gear, M1 and
proof of insurance". I then followed the test rider on my Goldwing. No
issues.

Larry
--
______________________________
'86 GL1200 A
'84 XV700
Brain Damaged Dog ~ Retarded Cat
______________________________

 

Any recommendations?A buyer must let me hold the money before they get to swing a leg over...

Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it... the extended warranty in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
1952 De Havilland Chipmunk...
Yank and bank your brains loose...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/

 

Is the bike insured? If so, does the coverage take care of other
people who ride the bike besides you? My State Farm policy does.

People have recommended lots of ways to handle this, but I'll add one
more-- "hand me the keys to your current vehicle." When I test rode
a bike before buying it, I showed the seller my license and proof of
insurance for my current vehicle (which happened to be a car), and
left him with the keys to the car and a significant cash deposit.

He got the rest of the cash when I got back, modulo a little bit of
negotiation for some work the bike needed.

-Patti

 

I've let people test ride my bikes for sale if they have the credentials
(M1), gear and leave some form of collateral: no problems, no damage yet
and the person who was interested enough to bring gear and test ride usually
bought it.

ac

 

I agree with larry, get something to hold on too. I sold a bike 'bout a
year ago and the guy wanted to test ride the bike. But he didn't have the
full cash. No ride, I said. Here's the keys to my riced-out Acura, with a
hot girlfriend inside, he said. I grabbed the cash and stuck the girlfriend
with my wife and moved the Acura where he would never find it. Seemed like
a good move 'cuz homie disappeared for quite a while. Turns out he went
back to mommie to get the rest of the cash! One time I was selling a Kat600
and the lady really charmed the heck out of me (pre-marriage). She left
half the cash and ripped up the street at 8K rpm. Oh hell I just got
scammed-by-booty, I thought. She was back in 20 minutes with the rest of
the cash and major party favors too. Great night. When you sell your bike,
just be the bad-ass biker you are.

The last bike I bought, I bought used, the gentleman opened his garage door
when I got there and the beauty of 15 glistening sportbikes scorched my
glazzies. A spotless garage, with every tool on pegboard outlined in
marker, with an immaculate filing system for paperwork, and not a speck of
dust/abuse/wear on any of the bikes. I knew what I wanted, so I just pulled
out my wad o' cash and handed it to him. He WOULD NOT TAKE IT until I rode
the bike around the block! Needless to say I am loving the haick out of my
Thunderace.

The other scam still going around is an old one. Two guys show up in
separate cars to buy your bike and the associated accessories/parts. After
much bullshit, one guy agrees to buy the bike. But we gotta' go back to my
place for the money, can you ride the bike there and we'll load the
parts/crap in my buddies car. Get to dudes' "place", his buddy is nowhere,
and dude has no cash. Or variations.

Later!
Alex

 

Far as I can tell the norm is no test rides. Unless there's some question
about the mechanical integrity of the bike I don't think they're all that
useful. When selling a late-model bike with low mileage and no issues
a short test ride won't be enough to let the buyer decide if he likes it
and there really isn't much else at stake.

When selling a beater it's a different story, I certainly wouldn't buy
one without a careful test.

Do be wary of your insurance, McGraw is "Named rider only" and won't cover
anybody else. Progressive covers other riders of comparable qualifications,
but I think not for collision, only liability. Best to check.

bob

 

[Insert standard IANAL disclaimer here]

As the owner of the bike, you are liable for any damage it does to
third parties when it is being driven with your permission. The
driver is also liable, but it is up to the injured party to decide
whether to go after the owner, the driver or both.

At a minimum, you want to be sure that your liability will be covered
by your insurance company when someone other than you is operating the
vehicle. The buyer's insurance may be some indication of her
competence, but may or may not come into play if she injures a third
party while testing your bike.

As for the sale-with-a-right-of-return, given the courts' ability to
sniff out deep pockets, I'd be concerned about a situation where the
buyer inflicts injury on a third party while riding away from the
sale. If you have assets and/or hefty insurance and the buyer
doesn't, a plaintiff's attorney has little to lose by filing a motion
to declare the sale a sham to prevent just recovery.

In short, if you've got assets, it may be worthwhile to trade, donate
or junk the bike rather than run the risks of a private sale.



R, UB

 

I [briefly] talked to a guy in the parking lot of the recent motorcycle
show who had the same policy. Seems reasonable, but it may not be the
answer for everyone.

When I bought the Nighthawk, I didn't expect a test ride and it wasn't
offered. When spring comes around, I may be in the market to sell it,
so I'll have to give some thought to what my policy will be.


Dave S.

1996 FLHR-I Road King
1992 CB750 Nighthawk

 

But are we all worrying a bit too much here?

I sold my 850R early in the year with almost no effort. Two guys looked
at it, one test rode it while I followed. He called back a few days
later after talking it over with a friend.

It's one thing to be cautious, but if we always fear the worst...

 

I can't imagine selling a bike without the buyer riding it, no more than I
would consider buying a bike without a long and serious ride. As long as
they have an M1 endorsement on their drivers licence, show up with helmet
and jacket, and arrive in a vehicle at least as valuable as the bike I am
selling, I let them ride, once I get an inkling of their trustworthiness,
and an idea how long it has been since they last rode. Never had a problem,
and have sold a number of bikes this way.

 

I normally trade in a bike, this time, I do have to sell one. My line of
work shows me how much at risk one can be selling a private bike. Fact is,
many of the same risks exist when selling a car, but they are magnified with
a bike.

Personally, no test ride. One can tell much about the bike without riding
it. But, if the buyer is concerned about shifting, engine performance,
etc., I may consider giving him a ride. Fact is, my own familiarity with
the bike may better allow me to demonstrate it operates fine than someone
nervous on an unfamiliar bike. They will have to decide if they want to
ride with me. Or they can follow ME, and see that the bike does not smoke,
tracks straight, steers OK, etc.. Not as good as riding it yourself, but
some options.

- Phil