Selling a bike, Do you let people test drive it?

MrBrownTX · June 1st, 2011, 09:07 AM

So when you sell a motorcyle do you let just any old hilljack test drive it if they have cash? I don't want to mess with that hassle but figure people want to see it work. I figure I could drive it around a parking lot for them to see it run. What is your experience with this?

Vampyre · June 1st, 2011, 09:17 AM

Most of what I see is, if you have cash in hand, then you can go for a test ride. If not, the seller can start it and demo for the buyer.

CmichRider · June 1st, 2011, 09:17 AM

A lot of people around here do "cash in hand" tests, as in, you have the cash in your hand while they are driving, if something happens, they bought the bike. They also check for CY endorsement.

Bosgarage57 · June 1st, 2011, 09:22 AM

Yup, cash in hand, if not you dont touch the bike. You drop it, it's yours. People might get upset with that, but they would be the same way if it was their bike. Like the new Allstate commercial.

n4mwd · June 1st, 2011, 09:24 AM

I haven't sold one yet, but I've been on the buying end twice. Both times the seller allowed us to test drive the bike.

However, I have seen ads that say "Bring cash for a test drive" and other such stuff. I have heard of guys taking it on a test drive and not returning. Cash

If I was selling one, I would probably make the decision once they got there and probably make them show or leave there driver's license. If you have insurance, its probably covered to a certain point.

Bosgarage57 · June 1st, 2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4mwd

If I was selling one, I would probably make the decision once they got there and probably make them show or leave there driver's license. If you have insurance, its probably covered to a certain point.

I wouldnt even do that, I had a friend (older guy in his 40's whos been around a while) decide to sell his, guy wanted to see it so they met at a local bike shop. Guy looked at it and asked to take it for a spin. So my friend got his DL # and everything and about an hour later guy never showed up. They finally found the frame of the bike, but it had been stripped. Guy got jail time, but my buddy had to file a claim with insurance. So unless you get your cash in hand I wouldn't do it. I've bought and sold on CL for about 5 years and about 6 bikes. I've never had a problem and most the people out there are decent. Its that handfew that wants to screw it up for the rest of us that really sucks.

Live2ride · June 1st, 2011, 09:50 AM

If I were to sell my bike, I would require my asking price as cash in my hand, a motorcycle endorsement and proof of at least a basic knowledge of bike skills, whether that be a recent msf course certificate or answering a few questions of my choice.

When I bought my bike I showed the previous owner the cash (didn't hand it to him) and my moto license. I inspected the bike and he told me about it's history. He let me test drive it and I made sure to go through every gear, made sure the brakes worked well, etc. I won't buy a bike without test riding it.

Alex · June 1st, 2011, 10:03 AM

Here's how I handle all of my used bike sales. Basically, the new owner buys it before the test ride, with an agreement to void the sale if it is returned within an agreed upon time period in the same condition. All parties are protected, nothing is left to chance, and if there is an unfortunate incident during the sale, the seller isn't left holding the bag.

Link to relevant thread

HKr1 · June 1st, 2011, 10:09 AM

If they wanna ride it, they can buy it.

kkim · June 1st, 2011, 10:11 AM

when selling, never let someone ride the bike unless the legal paperwork has been signed and transferred over to them.

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75024

ricochet08 · June 1st, 2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosgarage57

Yup, cash in hand, if not you dont touch the bike. You drop it, it's yours. People might get upset with that, but they would be the same way if it was their bike. Like the new Allstate commercial.

that commercial makes me sad

I had a guy let me test ride a suzuki gn125 w/o having cash in hand, or even an endorsement on my license. But I will NOT let anyone test ride mine w/o cash in hand at the very minimum.

MrBrownTX · June 1st, 2011, 10:34 AM

Thanks for the feed back everyone. That AllState commercial is definitely what is going through my mind.

I am going to sell this pregen though to get a new gen.

Bosgarage57 · June 1st, 2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBrownTX

Thanks for the feed back everyone. That AllState commercial is definitely what is going through my mind.

I am going to sell this pregen though to get a new gen.

Wish you were closer, Im looking for a pregen I can streetfighter and dont wanna spend an arm and a leg.

rockNroll · June 1st, 2011, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Here's how I handle all of my used bike sales. Basically, the new owner buys it before the test ride, with an agreement to void the sale if it is returned within an agreed upon time period in the same condition. All parties are protected, nothing is left to chance, and if there is an unfortunate incident during the sale, the seller isn't left holding the bag.

Link to relevant thread

This is what I do as well. Unless she's hawt

slolane · June 1st, 2011, 01:35 PM

I meet in parking lot, offer to demonstrate the bike. If they want to test ride I get the cash first... no cash, no test ride.

Also, dealers can help facilitate a sale for a fee by doing the paperwork and all in case your not 100% comfy doing it yourself.

Toly · June 1st, 2011, 01:37 PM

A friend of mine, who's a somewhat experienced rider, was buying a bike recently. He asked for a test ride, and the owner agreed, saying: you drop it - you buy it. And my friend dropped the bike at the end of a ride, turning back into the driveway (it wasn't a Ninja, but a heavier bike). If it weren't for frame sliders, someone would have been out a grand or two. However, nothing legally obliged my friend to buy the bike or repair it. We could have walked out, and the owner would have no way to enforce the sale or repair (other than with a shotgun, lol).

With that experience in mind I would either demo ride the bike myself or let 'em ride it only with cash in my hands. Nothing else.

Sailariel · June 1st, 2011, 02:04 PM

I'm with Alex.
Some dealerships allow test rides--you drop it--you pay.
A friend recently dropped one of those super-fast Bimmers at a dealer. That ride cost him $500. Plastics are not cheap.

n4mwd · June 1st, 2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailariel

I'm with Alex.
Some dealerships allow test rides--you drop it--you pay.
A friend recently dropped one of those super-fast Bimmers at a dealer. That ride cost him $500. Plastics are not cheap.

The local dealership has been hounding me to take a test ride on this or that. I've refused so far. I didn't know they make you pay for damages. I thought they would have insurance to cover that sort of thing.

"A" · June 1st, 2011, 11:51 PM

I always let people test ride, but I ride along with them on another bike.

June 1st, 2011, 09:07 AM	#1
MrBrownTX ninjette.org member Name: Brown Location: Caddo Mills, TX Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1995 Ninja EX250 Posts: 65	Selling a bike, Do you let people test drive it? So when you sell a motorcyle do you let just any old hilljack test drive it if they have cash? I don't want to mess with that hassle but figure people want to see it work. I figure I could drive it around a parking lot for them to see it run. What is your experience with this?

June 1st, 2011, 09:50 AM	#7
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	If I were to sell my bike, I would require my asking price as cash in my hand, a motorcycle endorsement and proof of at least a basic knowledge of bike skills, whether that be a recent msf course certificate or answering a few questions of my choice. When I bought my bike I showed the previous owner the cash (didn't hand it to him) and my moto license. I inspected the bike and he told me about it's history. He let me test drive it and I made sure to go through every gear, made sure the brakes worked well, etc. I won't buy a bike without test riding it. __________________________________________________

June 1st, 2011, 10:03 AM	#8
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Here's how I handle all of my used bike sales. Basically, the new owner buys it before the test ride, with an agreement to void the sale if it is returned within an agreed upon time period in the same condition. All parties are protected, nothing is left to chance, and if there is an unfortunate incident during the sale, the seller isn't left holding the bag. Link to relevant thread __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 1st, 2011, 02:04 PM	#17
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I'm with Alex. Some dealerships allow test rides--you drop it--you pay. A friend recently dropped one of those super-fast Bimmers at a dealer. That ride cost him $500. Plastics are not cheap. __________________________________________________ Ninjette, Sold. New Bike: 2010 Honda NT-700V/VA, 73 Honda 550, 74 Honda 550

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
question on selling my bike	james250ninja	Motorcycle-related	12	August 31st, 2014 12:28 PM
Selling Bike Question	checho323	General Motorcycling Discussion	2	August 16th, 2013 03:17 PM
selling my bike. ???	jeffreys24	General Motorcycling Discussion	22	October 24th, 2012 03:59 PM
Selling a Bike Questions	ScraitT	General Motorcycling Discussion	21	March 26th, 2010 12:39 PM
What do people THINK is in your bike?	adouglas	General Motorcycling Discussion	46	October 3rd, 2009 09:48 AM

June 1st, 2011, 09:17 AM	#2
Vampyre ninjette.org sage Name: Joseph Location: Winter Park, FL Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 250R Black, 2005 ZX-6R Blue Posts: 623	Most of what I see is, if you have cash in hand, then you can go for a test ride. If not, the seller can start it and demo for the buyer.

June 1st, 2011, 09:17 AM	#3
CmichRider ninjette.org member Name: Jacob Location: Michigan Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250 Posts: 227	A lot of people around here do "cash in hand" tests, as in, you have the cash in your hand while they are driving, if something happens, they bought the bike. They also check for CY endorsement.

June 1st, 2011, 09:22 AM	#4
Bosgarage57 ninjette.org sage Name: Luke Location: Sevierville, TN Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Buell Uly, 05 VStar 1100 Posts: 577	Yup, cash in hand, if not you dont touch the bike. You drop it, it's yours. People might get upset with that, but they would be the same way if it was their bike. Like the new Allstate commercial.

June 1st, 2011, 09:24 AM	#5
n4mwd ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: D Location: Palm Beach, FL Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	I haven't sold one yet, but I've been on the buying end twice. Both times the seller allowed us to test drive the bike. However, I have seen ads that say "Bring cash for a test drive" and other such stuff. I have heard of guys taking it on a test drive and not returning. Cash If I was selling one, I would probably make the decision once they got there and probably make them show or leave there driver's license. If you have insurance, its probably covered to a certain point.

June 1st, 2011, 10:09 AM	#9
HKr1 IC2(SW) Name: Kerry Location: Pensacola Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.	If they wanna ride it, they can buy it.

June 1st, 2011, 10:11 AM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	when selling, never let someone ride the bike unless the legal paperwork has been signed and transferred over to them. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=75024

June 1st, 2011, 10:34 AM	#12
MrBrownTX ninjette.org member Name: Brown Location: Caddo Mills, TX Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1995 Ninja EX250 Posts: 65	Thanks for the feed back everyone. That AllState commercial is definitely what is going through my mind. I am going to sell this pregen though to get a new gen.

June 1st, 2011, 01:35 PM	#15
slolane Motorcyclist Name: James Location: Maryland Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.	I meet in parking lot, offer to demonstrate the bike. If they want to test ride I get the cash first... no cash, no test ride. Also, dealers can help facilitate a sale for a fee by doing the paperwork and all in case your not 100% comfy doing it yourself.

June 1st, 2011, 01:37 PM	#16
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	A friend of mine, who's a somewhat experienced rider, was buying a bike recently. He asked for a test ride, and the owner agreed, saying: you drop it - you buy it. And my friend dropped the bike at the end of a ride, turning back into the driveway (it wasn't a Ninja, but a heavier bike). If it weren't for frame sliders, someone would have been out a grand or two. However, nothing legally obliged my friend to buy the bike or repair it. We could have walked out, and the owner would have no way to enforce the sale or repair (other than with a shotgun, lol). With that experience in mind I would either demo ride the bike myself or let 'em ride it only with cash in my hands. Nothing else.

June 1st, 2011, 11:51 PM	#19
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	I always let people test ride, but I ride along with them on another bike.