I am trying to sell my BMW. What do you guys who have sold bikes before do in regards to letting someone test ride your bike? I'm torn, I know I'd have a hard time buying a bike that I couldn't ride but then again I really don't want some tire kicker joy riding my bike.
A test ride is sure risky, if you don't already know the test rider. A bike could disappear around the corner, be stripped to the frame within hours and posted for sale on ebay piece by piece. I recently sold a bike, and I solved the dilemma by posting in the advertisement that anyone who wanted to test ride the bike should bring a valid MC license and cash for the full purchase price. I don't care if they disappear around the corner and strip the bike after they have already paid for it. If they like it, they can come back for the title, if not, they can bring it back undamaged and get their cash back. Tire Kickers won't show up with the cash, and they won't bother wasting your time if they know in advance that they won't be getting a joyride. In my case, I sold the bike to a stranger with no license, who didn't feel a need for a test ride. Now licensed, he loves his new bike, and I have a new riding buddy. My 2 cents.
Some thoughts: Seen it done/done it this way......... 1. Serious (guy asks/does the right things) buyers only, with the understanding "you drop it, you bought it...." For most of us (honorable), this is understood, but spell it out 2. WITH MOTO endorsement on DL, no rookie rides.....(so you're at least covered by your own insurance) 3. If you're not asking alot of cash, it is reasonable to have cash in hand/"hold it" during the test ride ride...... 4. Test "ride" with them (another bike/follow in car)
Is the really a concern? I have sold many many bikes over the years and have never had someone show up to just "test ride" a bike. Fairly easy to judge if someone is serious or not. If they really show up and push the test ride ONLY don't let them. If you must check their endorsment and insurance (follows the driver in Colorado) If they steal the bike or wreck it GREAT!!!! Either way I get my money out of the deal. That is what insurance is for.
Extermely risky for sure. No good answer. If they ride your bike, you are liable for whatever they do! So if they stub thier toe, or somebody elses toe, they will own your house and your future paychecks. The lawyers will see to that! But having money in hand, a MC endorsement, thier own insurance, and a signed waiver similar to what the dealers use should help. The follow on another bike. Very scarry.
How do you figure that? In order to sue you they would have to PROVE that there was something wrong with your bike that caused the crash and NOT rider error. I can't imagine that would ever hold up in court, seriously!!
I'm sure with how America is today and how crooked Lawyers are (sorry to the three or four honest ones) that is one of my biggest worries. A lady spilled coffee on herself (in Albuquerque no less) and was awarded millions.
If you do a little homework you will find that the "millions" was later overturned and she only got a few thousand for medical bills. (which of course was not published anywhere with the same zeal as the first part of the case) It was also proven that in an effort to keep their coffee warmer longer the company was keeping it at an unreasonably high temperature. The coffee was so that the lady dropped it and it burned her. So you see there is proof of the restaurant causing the reaction and the spill by having the coffee too hot for a human to hold reasonably. In the case of a motorcycle test ride the first thing that would come out in court was the test riders OWN CHOICE to get on the bike and test ride it. So in the absence of a mechanical problem there is no suit. If anything you could probably sue the test rider for misrepresenting his riding ability and wrecking your bike.
The last test ride I took I gave the guy cash in hand and followed him around for a while...then I bought the bike!
While I'm sure that is probably true it still cost McDonalds a bunch of money to keep up the fight and get the case overturned. In the long run it's just not even worth the risk to me. I'd just rather not be in that position to start with, ya know?
I have had two people injured on two seperate occasions test riding bikes I have sold. One guy broke his leg in 5 places on a yz80. No test rides, ever again on my bikes. I let them hear it, sit on it, and I assure them the trans/clutch, brakes work correctly. Besides, a test ride rarely sells a bike, the guy already wants it, so tell him he can ride but has to buy it first. Anyone who does not understand can take a hike.
+1 I sold my KLR, CB500, and Ducati each to the first person to look at them and with test rides expressly prohibited. They all gave me the cash first with the understanding that they could go around the block once and when they came back they could either pick up the title or the cash pending ZERO damage to the bike. If the buyer doesn't like those terms they can find another bike to buy. There's no way I'm going to assume all the risk. I don't care what the courts would eventually decide as I'm not interested in going to court over something that's completely preventable.
I've sold many bikes and never had a problem. If the prospective buyer gives you the wrong vibes, just say no test rides... Though I've only done that a couple of times. If they want to give it a ride, they gotta have gear as well as agree that there going to be responsible if they do any damage. I did have a clown come to look at a bike once that I let take on a short ride (with gear), then he wanted to give his girlfriend a ride on the back, no helmet, no gloves, no jacket, well you get the picture. Needless to say, it didn't happen.
Wow this theme again....... I've sold a couple of bikes now...... I almost always allow a test ride well if it runs...., right dusty Show up with gear or not, I probably have something to loan that shoud fit. Show me an endorsment. Best yet show up on a bike and we'll swap up . Or I'll ride with you, there's a couple of bikes to choose from. Maybe leave you keys and ID, current insurance. It's all on feel. Talk like you know at least a little about bikes. If I smell calimari, no go. I kinda wonder what the 18yo (hey acted a bit older) who showed me his endorsment and left his stuff finally ended up with. Took the SVS out for a bit. Wasn't too sure, worried about not controlling the throttle... asked about the KLR..... sorry not for sale..... but hey take it for a ride and see what you think. Pretty sure (I know) what pushed the sale of the R100RS and the SVS were getting to go for a ride. The guy on the beemer didn't think people let that happen so he didn't bring gear.... that's ok, we russled some up. We're talking sub 8K bikes tho..... not sure how I'd feel about big dollar items. Oh and no, unless it's not an option (like fly and buy) I won't buy with out a test ride. And no I won't bother with a ride unless I'm fairly sure I'm interested............... Oh yeah.... and no bad stories to date.
I gotta go with Mountain on this one... the test ride is what sells the bike. I have ridden a few street bikes since I bought the R11S and I must say what a smooth bike. BMW does it right and if you really want to sell your bike I would suggest a test
I have never bought a bike because of the test ride but I have certainly NOT bought a bike because of the test ride. I have seen a couple of nice looking good sounding bikes that rode like crap. Slippy clutches,notchy gear boxes, wiggly/sticky headsets, carbs that run will until they are under load. I would not by from anyone that won't let me run it down the street and back. I always suspect they are trying to hide something if they are that concerned about a test ride. I always show up with my gear.
