When selling a bike, do you let them test drive it?

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revrandy said:
When I sold my bike in California I called the Insurance Company and asked them about test drives. They told me to let folks test drive as long as it was reasonable (not a couple of hours). I was required to get a copy of their DL prior to them taking off. If an accident were to happen, the insurance company would go after the person who test drove it, and it would not count against me.

Given the U.S. is far more sue happy than Canada, can't see why it would make a difference here.
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because with Ontario's no-fault insurance, the claim is made against the vehicle owner's policy.
 
danarchy said:
I get the insurance concerns but this all seems EXTREMELY unfair to the buyer. Without a test drive you have no idea what you're buying. For all you know the transmission might be completely messed up. I've never bought a car without a test drive, I can't imagine buying a bike without one. The frauds can work both ways.
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it's not worth the risk of theft or the damage. bikes are pretty different in this regard.

would you let someone test drive your car alone? would you let them test drive your car on a race track?

I've offered to 2up potential buyers so they can feel what the bike is like without actually riding it themselves. I've also offered to meet them at a mechanic's shop, if they wished to pay for an inspection.
 
I've never test rode any bike I've bought, I've had owners ride it down their street and asked them to cycle through as many gears as they can.
Worked out well for me so far!
 
I seem to be the opposite of most here. I have bought and sold several bikes over the years and have never bought one I did not test ride. When a purchaser comes to look at a bike I am selling, I allow test rides as part of the sale because a test ride will show the purchaser that there are no issues with the operation of the bike. I have also allowed prospective buyers to test drive a couple of cars I had for sale as well. I would not buy any vehicle I could not test drive / ride and would simply walk away from the sale if one was not allowed.

Now my sale process goes like this. Purchaser looks at vehicle. Condition / price is discussed. Once sale is completed I will allow a test ride with a money-back guarantee should they feel the bike is not what they were led to believe. If they dump it during the test ride, it is their problem since the paper work is already signed.

I have never had any issues with this process and have sold several bikes and cars following this procedure.
 
jeffjones said:
First off, if they get into an accident its your insurance that will be affected.
Second, NEVER without DL copied down and money in my hand.
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its alot more serious than that too.

worst case, and im sure the insurance specialists can be more detailed but I heard from my SF agent that its a real no-no to let your friends ride, let alone a stranger.
if something really bad happens, you are liable for everything.

I say these days, most dont do it.

thats a good idea malks. im guessing takes the some of the liability away.

I have sold 6 bikes so far, no testers...
 
Dude took off out of the gas station without a helmet...., Awesome... - i want to see a video of that happening....does insurance cover such a thing....?

I'm laughing thinking about it...
 
Depends on the bike I am selling and the person. Some require cash in hand (My hand while you test drive) Others no so much so yes I filter.
 
Malks said:
Now my sale process goes like this. Purchaser looks at vehicle. Condition / price is discussed. Once sale is completed I will allow a test ride with a money-back guarantee should they feel the bike is not what they were led to believe. If they dump it during the test ride, it is their problem since the paper work is already signed.
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This is a decent approach in terms of protection of the bike, but you are still taking the insurance risk.
 
If the test rider is properly licenced, your insurance coverage will extend to them. However, a claim may affect your rates at renewal. If the test rider already has bike insurance for another machine, they can make a claim on their own policy and not impact your own. However, that isn't common.
 
Wasted said:
So here's a scenario:
Guy comes and says I want to test ride before I buy and hands over $4000.00 in cash (ya right) and a copy of his full M license. You say okay go nuts. The guy goes for a rip down the street but pullng back into the driveway he dumps it. He says no worries the cash will cover the damage see you later (again, ya right). 23.5 months later you get slapped with a statement of claim because buddy was 'injured' as a result of the crash. Guess who's insurance policy is paying out. Guess who just go screwed.

OR how about the same situation - Guy gives you cash and license and is willing to pay for the damage to the bike if he drops it. Guy pulls out loses control and hits another vehicle, or worse a pedestrian. Guess who just got screwed again.

Maybe you didn't notice the crack in the brake line or frayed clutch cable and that causes an accident. Guess who's getting sued.

No test pilots ever!
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My thoughts exactly. The difference between a car and a bike is that most cars handle somewhat the same and don't fall over if you goof up a bit.

When a person is buying a bike it very typically is a move up. If the person in new to a bike they are more likely to goof up.

Some people stress test a bike to see if they can break it on a test ride. Lots of test riders = lots of stress.

Test riding a bike to see if one likes it doesn't wash for me. Do your research on your own dime. You don't go into a restaurant to see if you like the taste of their food. You make up your mind and pay up front.
 
If I have money in hand and the guy has M and FULL gear with him i might depending on what vibe I get. IMHO full gear shows that they are a serious rider.
 
nakkers said:
If the test rider already has bike insurance for another machine, they can make a claim on their own policy and not impact your own. However, that isn't common.
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If the test rider causes damage to the sellers bike and/or to another vehicle (at fault or not) ONLY the sellers insurance policy can be used for that. If you're talking about injuries that gets more complicated and can involve the test riders policy as well but the bottom line is that if there is an accident the seller gets screwed. The driver (or in this case rider) AND registered owner are responsible.
 
OpenGambit said:
maybe some time this summer when i have a chance I'll draft up a 1 pager agreement that you guys can use when you do this. (if someone reminds me to do this. )
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This is a great idea, and its pretty cool of you to offer. I look forward to seeing it if this happens. :thumbup:
 
This is really great advice as I am currently in the process of selling my wifes bike and a couple people have asked to ride. I told them that I would ride it and they could ride on their bike beside me or in their car - if they wanted to ensure it runs. The bike I'm selling is a 2009 bmw with only 1600kms on it so the bike is virtually brand new and couldn't see why someone would need to ride.
 
I have test rode every bike I've bought... 3 of them
Also let ride every bike I've sold ... 2 of them.

That being said, both the test riders bought the bike and I knew they were serious. The one's I bought I just rode around the block, basically in sight of the owner for the most part. One of the bike had a real shaky engine, and problems shifting, and I didn't buy it based solely on the test ride.

These were all <$3000. I would ask to see a licence and insurance and cash if I had any doubts...
 
Hand over full cash payment as a deposit.

You break it you bought it.
 
boo4842 said:
I have test rode every bike I've bought... 3 of them
Also let ride every bike I've sold ... 2 of them.

That being said, both the test riders bought the bike and I knew they were serious. The one's I bought I just rode around the block, basically in sight of the owner for the most part. One of the bike had a real shaky engine, and problems shifting, and I didn't buy it based solely on the test ride.

These were all <$3000. I would ask to see a licence and insurance and cash if I had any doubts...
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This is exactly what I was talking about. If you don't test ride it you never know about these issues. As far as I'm concerned no test ride no deal.
 
OpenGambit said:
This is a decent approach in terms of protection of the bike, but you are still taking the insurance risk.
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How is this still an insurance risk? Technically I no longer own the bike because the ownership has been signed and is in the hands of the purchaser. It would be no different if the new owner crashed on their way home after purchasing the bike. Once it is in their possession, it is no longer my property, or liability.
 
OpenGambit said:
This is a decent approach in terms of protection of the bike, but you are still taking the insurance risk.
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I don't think you are taking the insurance risk. Once the bike is legally sold, it is the new owner's responsibility to insure the bike. Insurance is no longer valid on a vehicle you don't own.
 
Oops... I see Malks has already replied to that comment. +1 to what he said. :-)
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