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

Forum Sponsor
On the flip side, I have test-driven most of the used bikes I've purchased privately. I figure if the seller is willing, I'm going to do it. Now, when it comes to me selling one, I'm not willing to personally assume the risk so I don't allow it. Guess it all comes down to what you're comfortable with, but I'm NOT comfortable assuming the risk of someone riding my bike when I have NO IDEA how good a rider they are.

As an aside, this is one reason I prefer to trade in if I can find a good deal at a dealership. That, and the fact that I save on taxes.
 
Malks said:
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.
Click to expand...

For this to take place, you would have to remove the plate and insurance off the bike and let the buyer know that there is no insurance on the bike.
 
jeffjones said:
For this to take place, you would have to remove the plate and insurance off the bike and let the buyer know that there is no insurance on the bike.
Click to expand...
Bingo
You can't sign the ownership over and not accept any liability, while still allowing the test ride to occur with your plates and insurance. If it were me I'd sign the ownership, complete the bill of sale on the UVIP and have both parties sign, remove my plates, and call my insurer. Then you can go nuts and do whatever you like. Any lawyer will rip you apart if all you have is a signed ownership and the accident happens with your plates and full knowledge that the person is riding illegally.
 
arek1200r said:
A friend was selling his mint R1,met with the potential buyer at the gas station...
Click to expand...

Your buddy should have stopped right there. I can't say I feel sorry for him, it takes a considerable amount of gullibility to be swindled like that.

BusaBob said:
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.
Click to expand...

That's a fair enough approach for those that absolutely won't let anyone ride their bike before it's in their full legal possession. I will rarely buy a bike I am not allowed to test, but above is reasonable and I would take it into consideration if everything else pans out.

As for selling my own, I'll go on a case by case basis, taking many parameters into account and making sure ground rules are set either verbally or in writing. If I allow them to test ride the basic rule is "if you even scratch it - you bought it at the original asking price".

Use common sense:

Case 1: Selling a five year old non-chick/thief-magnet bike to a 40 year old buyer who came in a Chewy Lumina accompanied by his wife and a mechanic/biker friend, with a full helmet, gloves and jacket in hand.

Case2: Selling a brand new supersport to a 20yo with flipflops at a Walmart parking lot.

Which case has the more potential of going awry? Which potential buyer would you let test ride your bike (after establishing some basic ground rules) and which one would you run away from?
 
Malks said:
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.
Click to expand...

I don't agree with that unless you are removing your plate and he has his own insurance.
 
Vlad said:
If I allow them to test ride the basic rule is "if you even scratch it - you bought it at the original asking price".
Click to expand...

My issue with this is, if it happens, it's virtually impossible to enforce especially if there are injuries involved.
 
Wehn I bought my F4i in Ottawa, the owner was willing to let me take the bike out but I wasn't comfortable doing it as it was my first bike so he rode it down the street and back. We then put the bike on a rear stand and I ran it through all the gears.
 
personally, i wouldn't allow it if i am the seller unless the buyer agrees to put down a decent amount of deposit and is willing to sign a waiver stating that i wouldn't be liable to any injuries or dead during test riding...
 
MR-Kyo said:
personally, i wouldn't allow it if i am the seller unless the buyer agrees to put down a decent amount of deposit and is willing to sign a waiver stating that i wouldn't be liable to any injuries or dead during test riding...
Click to expand...

If things go wrong it will be your waiver against a legal insurance document written up by a million dollars worth of lawyers. Also the buyers wife and kids might decide to sue for loss of support etc. They didn't sign a waiver. Not sure if that's a possibility.
 
BusaBob said:
My issue with this is, if it happens, it's virtually impossible to enforce especially if there are injuries involved.
Click to expand...

+1. Too true, especially if injuries involved.
 
OpenGambit said:
I don't agree with that unless you are removing your plate and he has his own insurance.
Click to expand...

During the "test ride" my plate is not on the bike. As far as I am concerned, the bike is no longer mine and the purchaser is on his or her way home. Whether they have insurance is not my concern, because it is now their property and responsibility. If they return within 30 minutes or so and want a refund then we can reverse the sale process, but this has not happened with any bike or car sale I have made over the past 20 years.
 
BusaBob said:
My issue with this is, if it happens, it's virtually impossible to enforce especially if there are injuries involved.
Click to expand...

I understand your concern and it is indeed a valid one. Just in case I wasn't clear enough, the "damaged=bought" rule comes into play only if I decide to let them take the test ride in the first place. I wouldn't let some kid in flip-flops test ride a skateboard, let alone my bike.

We are talking about extreme cases here. Some diligence and precaution is of course warranted, but I would trust my logic and judgement and wouldn't model my behavior on the worst case scenario. On the other hand, I can't blame those that got scolded with hot milk for blowing on yogurt...
 
Sometimes its all based in your gut feeling if you want to test drive your bike to the buyer. If you feel he's not a trust worthy guy then dont do it (doesn't have proper riding gear, bad attitude or character, seems kinda shady like the way he looks or the way he's acting) but if you both have that trust then sure. Just use your common sense and make sure you get his DL and photocopy it just to be safe. It does help sell your bike if you can test ride it to the buyer. You can never be safe but like all motorcyclists say, "You take the risk".

Another solution is if you don't feel comfortable letting out your bike, like one person said you can accelerate and stop back and forth and let him hear the bike and how it performs and go through all the gears. Or if he wants to be on the bike and make him happy, get him to sit behind you so he can actually be on the bike.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom