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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | I'm curious how everyone handles test rides when you are selling a large, expensive motorcycle like a Vision. It seems to me that, more than with cars, a motorcycle sale can bring in people who have no real intent to buy but just want to ride it a while, or worse. Maybe I'm just a cynic, but I harbor that fear. I would think any serious buyer would require a test drive, but a serious seller needs to protect themselves as well. Possibly require money in hand, proof of license/insurance, signed sale agreement and waiver in case of damage including agreement that sale is final - no return/refund - after 30 minutes and in the event of any damage or drops. How about removing the license plate so they are more cautious about attracting attention? Is this overkill or insufficient? |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | To me it depends on the value of the bike. I've sold two used bikes, well in age and neither buyer took either bike on a test ride. I was straight with them and emphasized that they are old bikes. I showed where I had them repair if applicable and they started and listened to the engine and went through the gears. Done has been my experience.
Now, if it were I, selling a newer bike I would definitely be cautious if letting them test ride. I've heard enough horror stories, more than one, where the seller let a potential buyer test ride the bike and they wreck the bike. One even shot straight across the road and hit the embankment across the road from the driveway and messed up the front end. Fortunetly no cars were coming. Consider that many accidents happen because the individual is not familiar with the machine, even though they are a frequent rider. I would call the insurance company for your bike and specifically ask what is the policy if you let someone else ride the bike and they crash it. The last thing I want to live with, even if I'm covered, that if my bike was being sold and the guy got maimed or even worse because I let them test ride it. I think I would do the exchange first of cash and title before they got on the bike. Just my thought on the subject. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | unless it's someone you know is an experienced rider or pulls up on an equally heavy, similar bike, I would say money in hand before test ride. I test rode a bike one time and the seller went with me on his other bike which is also a good idea imho. |
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Tourer
Posts: 520
Simi Valley, CA | No test ride. I'll start the bike, rev the engine, but he/she can't ride it till I get paid for it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | Agree, no test ride. I'll ride it in front of them to demonstrate it; but they don't ride it until the money clears. No "try before you buy".
Edited by willtill 2012-07-12 1:31 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I used to allow test rides years ago when the world was more honest and less crazy...No way would I allow someone to test my Vision unless they had cash in hand and gave it to me first..Even then I would be hesitant...It is a real shame that hardly anyone can be trusted in todays society and have brought these issues to light more than ever.... Better to lose a deal than lose a bike......JMHO |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | reminds me of the insurance commercial where on a test ride , the guy lays it down in sight of the owner and gets up laughing and running away. mayhem
Edited by jimtom 2012-07-12 2:56 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | I thought maybe I was being too cynical in my thinking, but it seems I'm not alone. Thanks for the input to everyone. |
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Tourer
Posts: 423
northwest florida | No test rides unless money is in hand. I give a 30 minute window if the buyer changes his/her mind after payment and they ride off. I only meet at mine or their bank so there is no problem with the money tranfer. I have sold 3 bikes like that and bought 2 this way. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Cabot Arkansas | No test ride unless they wanna ride bitch  |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Full price in hand and you can ride. Screw the BS guys if they want to see what a vision rides like go to a dealer.
I can just see you calling insurance person and go well this guy was test riding and crashed and no he doesn't have insurance. So I'm what out what screwed |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Just sold a ride and let the buyer take it for a spin. Then they wanted to take it by the wife's job to show her. I let em. End result, he bought the bike for my asking price!!
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | johnnyvision - 2012-07-12 7:31 PM
Full price in hand and you can ride. Screw the BS guys if they want to see what a vision rides like go to a dealer.
I can just see you calling insurance person and go well this guy was test riding and crashed and no he doesn't have insurance. So I'm what out what screwed That's EXACTLY the issue... if they want to test ride.... SEE a dealer.... they should ALREADY know how it handles before they show up for a private sale.... private sales are no familiarization/testing grounds....
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | willtill - 2012-07-13 4:19 AM
johnnyvision - 2012-07-12 7:31 PM
Full price in hand and you can ride. Screw the BS guys if they want to see what a vision rides like go to a dealer.
I can just see you calling insurance person and go well this guy was test riding and crashed and no he doesn't have insurance. So I'm what out what screwed ? That's EXACTLY the issue...? if they want to test ride.... SEE a dealer....? they should ALREADY know how it handles before they show up for a private sale....? private sales are no familiarization/testing grounds....
I agree. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 62
San Diego, CA | That Allstate commercial says it all...................  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Complete ASKING price in hand. If it comes back unscratched, we can dicker on the price. If you're gone more than about 20 minutes, the bike is yours. If you need to ride it farther, buy it. If you decide you don't like it, resell it yourself. Where I live, you can get on a 4 lane, 60+mph road in 1/4 mile and the nearest interstate is an hour and a half away. Anything other than cash and we'll conclude the sale before you hop on...at MY bank. Better yet, when we get to the bank, cash the check and give me the cash. I'm paranoid, my insurance only covers me and I've been burned before. If that means nobody will buy my bike, I'll continue to ride it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Depends n how bad I want to sell it. Generally to protect my investment, if they pull up on a touring bike and hand me the keys, they can ride the Vision till the sun goes down. If they b.s. me about being scheduled to take a riders ed course in a few months, they need C.I.F.(Cash In Fist) |
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Tourer
Posts: 457
Green Bay, WI United States | I only rode one bike before I purchased it and had the bankers note of intent in my hand at the time. I have a rule, I don't ride anyone else's bike and no one including my two blood brothers ride mine. I am determined to continue to practice the KIS method, Keep it Simple. I have seen friendships and partnerships desolve because of a simple "Can I take it for a Spin"? JMHO Twister was shipped in from Colorado and Hotrod was at a dealership in Waukesha and I never rode either one until I had "signed ze papers old man".
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| NO, no, no... Oh, did I say NO. Any experienced motorcycle owner / rider wouldn't even ask if they could take it out for a ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | sgiacci - 2012-07-15 7:06 PM NO, no, no... Oh, did I say NO. Any experienced motorcycle owner / rider wouldn't even ask if they could take it out for a ride. That's right. Look it over, start it up. Maybe I would drive it up the block, and back to show the buyer it does run. Pay me the money - you get the bike. I don't sell stuff that doesn't work. It worked when you got it - don't bring it back. You want promises? Go to a dealer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 189
Baltimore, Md | Great responses, and much in line with my own thinking. Thanks again for all the input. And yes, I am seriously considering selling my 08 Vision, though the final decision will be mostly based on the results of an upcoming MRI on my shoulder and potential surgery. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I don't allow test rides on my motocross bikes. Even though they are much less expensive vehicles the personal liability is equal to a touring bike.
I was riding over to the gf's house last night. A police car pulled in front of me and blocked the road. I had to U-turn and take another route. I read in the paper today that a motorcyclist was sitting at a stoplight and got hit by a U-haul truck going the opposite direction. The rider died today. Obviously not the riders fault, but what if that guy was test riding my bike? I would feel horrible for the rest of my life.
No one rides my bikes for their own safety. Too bad it has to be that way, but you never know what could happen. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 77
Bainville, & Mesa, AZ, MT | Guess I won't be buying any bikes from most of you as I wouldn't even consider buying without the test ride. Just bought another a couple weeks ago, the test ride sold it. Tried to buy from a guy that wouldn't allow a test ride, laughed at him and walked, stopped back to show him my purchase though. He still had his too, had to laugh about that.
To answer the question, yes I do allow test rides, in fact I highly recommend it. |
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When selling bike, what is your test ride policy