Selling a Motorcycle.. test drive?

Hunter65 · #1 03-20-2018, 08:29 PM

I'm selling my motorcycle, it's a cruiser type Suzuki Boulevard 2009. The question is when people come to look at it do I let them test drive it? What happens if they hit the ditch or do some other type of damage? Looking for some advice on this.

Kristopher10 · #2 03-20-2018, 08:37 PM

I just sold my bike, no way would I let someone I don't know ride it, and if I was buying I wouldn't expect a test ride either. Just not worth it to me.

buckbrush · #3 03-20-2018, 08:40 PM

If I was trying to sell it I would let them look at it and if they think they want it based on a test ride then have cash in hand before they test drive.

It all depends on the person also. New rider just got licence= cash in hand before.

If the person seems like they know their way around a bike, I'd probably let them take it for a spin. After taking a picture of their licence.

If a person is serious about buying the bike I don't think cash in hand would be that big of a deal or maybe half?

buckbrush · #4 03-20-2018, 08:42 PM

This just made me remember the feeling I had when i bought a crf50f for my son.....do you test ride a little bike like that before buying it?

wolf308 · #5 03-20-2018, 08:49 PM

Handwritten note ? Saying he damages it he pays ??? Or it's on him ? Isn't that why there's insurance ?

I'm very trusting though so would be like here ya go give her a rip ,

prolly why all my scumbag friends have taken advantage of me through the years since age 14 ...... different thread though , lol.

Gerald_G · #6 03-20-2018, 09:03 PM

I'm sure glad I got to test ride one used bike I was looking at. Thing pulled hard to one side like crazy, I think front was out of alignment, bent frame, etc.

I'd want to test ride in most cases. Or a week money back guarantee.

Arrowhead · #7 03-20-2018, 09:37 PM

It's simple. Prospective buyer provides bank draft for agreed to value of bike before being allowed a test drive under the condition that the draft is returned when the bike is returned undamaged. If he/she expects you to trust him/her with the bike then it is reasonable that they trust you with their bank draft.

If they return with a damaged/dropped bike then hand over a bill of sale and close the door.

The only exception I would consider is if the bike was a dirt bike.

DisplacedCaper · #8 03-21-2018, 04:16 AM

Your comfort level and gut feeling. I’ve had guys look really uncomfortable sitting on my bikes (a little wobbly and just not sure what to touch. It’s kind of hard to explain now that I’m typing lol) Then ask to test drive and I’ve said no. Pretty much all understood. Only one I remember gave me the snarky well I won’t buy a bike I can’t ride. Sale didn’t happen.
I’ve also sold bikes that I let buyers take around the block.
Trust your gut. You can’t compare it to a car. It’s pretty hard to drop a car.

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58thecat · #9 03-21-2018, 06:03 AM

Most will,tire kick, sit I. It and check it out etc, when they think they want to come on by and take it for a test ride to buy I say yup, cash in my hand, test ride, come back and I will sign her over...don't come back, smash it up, well I got your cash....has worked for me over 40 years of buying and selling.

lmtada · #10 03-21-2018, 06:35 AM

Fire it up. Lift off ground with a stand. Function through the gears. Shut er down. Sell!! Cash only. Help load it up. Go inside house. Drink cold beer.........

coastalhunter · #11 03-21-2018, 08:22 AM

Cash in your hand of the amount asking. If they lay it down, you sold it.

ghostguy6 · #12 03-21-2018, 08:40 AM

What Ive always done when I sold a vehicle was, cash in hand as a deposit and completion of bill of sale upon return. Dated photos were taken before the test drive to prove any damage was caused by them. If they don't agree then no test drive unless I go with them. Ive never sold a bike though.

takeiteasybird · #13 03-21-2018, 08:42 AM

I never sold a bike but as a buyer I've test drove a few bikes. I would never buy a bike without test driving it. Last bike I looked at was immaculate, good start up, gears etc. Was almost sold until i drove it around the neighbourhood and it had a nasty wiggle when accelerating.

Typically helps as a buyer if you show up on a bike. The seller usually has no problem letting you test drive his...

rens27 · #14 03-21-2018, 04:08 PM

Cash in hand for asking price before they get on and if they break it they bought it.

leeelmer · #15 03-21-2018, 04:16 PM

I have sold at least 10 bikes, never a test ride.
Bought 10 bikes, never test road.
How about a boat? do you get to take it to the lake before you buy?
Not often.
Cars are about the only thing you get to buy with a test drive.
Why would you let someone ride your bike unless you have cash in your hands??
He blows it up, or lays it down and brings it back and what? Said sorry that bike is screwed I don't want it! Or rides away never to be seen again.
Buddy had it happen to him and the cops told him to bad, he lent the bike technically to the guy.

Scott h · #16 03-21-2018, 04:42 PM

I've never bought a bike without riding it first. I doubt I ever would. I've let every bike I've sold go out for a test ride.

wildbill · #17 03-21-2018, 07:42 PM

No way Jose!

Vigilante · #18 03-21-2018, 07:55 PM

Cash in hand only. If it comes back in one piece and you decide that you don't want it, I will hand your cash back.

I had a guy come out to buy a GSXR 750 from me that was absolutely mint. Only around 10k on it, and not a scratch. The guy wanted to ride it, so I said no problem as long as I am holding the cash, his buddy stayed with me. I hear him take off, immediately hits the rev limiter, miss a gear, then I hear a bunch of gravel noise from around the corner. This is all on a quiet residential street. He comes back 5 min later all giddy and of coarse buys the bike. As I am writing out a bill of sale, with the money already counted and in my pocket, a friend of mine notifies me that the guy had come around the corner so fast, the gravel noise that I heard was him slamming on the breaks to get out of the way of the maniac on my bike.

hayseed · #19 03-21-2018, 05:25 PM

Good thread.

I'm thinking of selling mine this spring. I did get to test drive it, heck even down the hiway... lol
But know the guy well and we had the discussion you break it, you buy it.

I'm kinda torn really, it's a nice cruiser and I want , well kinda, let the guy see hear and feel how nice the bike is. But for sure, don't want a wrecked bike to be stuck with....

Duramaximos · #20 03-21-2018, 05:43 PM

Ive bought a few.
In each case the sale was subject to an inspection by a dealership, which I paid for.

The inspection included a test drive by the dealer.

No concerns from any of the sellers I dealt with.

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schreyer · #21 03-21-2018, 06:38 PM

When I sold my gsxr, buddy stopped by my place with his old bike and we just swapped bikes and rode around town. He was able to take it for a rip and I was able to keep an eye on things.

Worked out pretty good.

hayseed · #22 03-21-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duramaximos

Ive bought a few.
In each case the sale was subject to an inspection by a dealership, which I paid for.

The inspection included a test drive by the dealer.

No concerns from any of the sellers I dealt with.

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How'd you get it there without paying for it then.??
He took it , then they did the rest, then you bought it I'm assuming?

Duramaximos · #23 03-21-2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayseed

How'd you get it there without paying for it then.??
He took it , then they did the rest, then you bought it I'm assuming?

Correct. Since I was serious enough to pay for a dealer inspection the sellers were accommodating.

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hayseed · #24 03-21-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duramaximos

Correct. Since I was serious enough to pay for a dealer inspection the sellers were accommodating.

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Yep that works... good idea.!

Mackinaw · #25 03-21-2018, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunter65

I'm selling my motorcycle, it's a cruiser type Suzuki Boulevard 2009. The question is when people come to look at it do I let them test drive it? What happens if they hit the ditch or do some other type of damage? Looking for some advice on this.

there is a test driver indemnity form on line you czn print off and use .good for all vehicles

mack

ctd · #26 03-21-2018, 11:16 PM

I wouldn't buy a bike new or used with out a test ride.
I also would not expect a person to buy a bike with out a test ride.
I will check their licence, write down the info. then let them drive away. I tell them to be back in 5 mins or the Police will be called.

If they are If they dont know how to start the bike or they seem sketchy they dont ride it. I will have them follow behind me in their vehicle.

Insurance will cover them if they wipe the bike out.
If there ever was a problem I would just sue the person for the cost of the bike if they crashed it.

Think about it like this. If you take money from them and they crash your bike. You still havent sold it to them. You may have cash in hand but you open yourself up for being sued. At that point since you accepted cash for the bike and say it is "theirs" they are now riding the bike illegally with out insurance.