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

DraginMiFeet

DraginMiFeet

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I recently purchased a new (used) bike after a truck tboned me and destroyed my old one which I really liked. When looking at bikes 1300cc and up at private sales (kijiji), a few of them wouldn't let me test drive the bike. Different reasons but the norm would be that the owner owns it and if I take it for a ride and drop it, he still owns it and would likely get stuck paying for the damages. And others would say here's the keys, see you in half an hour or so.

Have you sold a bike? did you let riders test drive it? Or did you filter who you would let test drive?
 
DraginMiFeet said:
I recently purchased a new (used) bike after a truck tboned me and destroyed my old one which I really liked. When looking at bikes 1300cc and up at private sales (kijiji), a few of them wouldn't let me test drive the bike. Different reasons but the norm would be that the owner owns it and if I take it for a ride and drop it, he still owns it and would likely get stuck paying for the damages. And others would say here's the keys, see you in half an hour or so.

Have you sold a bike? did you let riders test drive it? Or did you filter who you would let test drive?
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No test pilots - no exceptions
If someone won't buy it because they can't ride it, there will be someone right behind him who will.
 
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.
 
I would not let them test ride unless, cash in hand, drivers licence and their vechical keys in hand. If they show up on foot, not a chance until paperwork signed.....

But thats just me...
 
I use the search button first....
 
When selling my cbr125 a guy showed up in his Echo hatch... he agreed to buy it if he like how it rode. I asked him if he had ever ridden a bike, and he replied yes, he had used a 125 in his license course. Wearily I agreed to let him take it up and down the street (100m or so), but this was not good enough for this young lad. " No I want to test the high speed capabilities of this bike. I want to make sure you are not trying to screw me over" (after I disclosed it had been dropped and shown him all receipts for repairs and maintenance) I laughed and told him no. He said he would come back with his "mechanic friend" and guess what...he never did. For the future, it depends on the rider, bike value and how much cash is placed in my hands prior to the test. Maybe write up a "test ride contract" to cover any damages that my occur?<<Not a lawyer so don't know how well something like this would hold up.
 
I sold a bike recently for $2500... with a $1000 deposit I let him test ride the bike.

On my other 1800CC no joy riders. No test rides. Depends on how much money you have on the line I guess! I've never test rode any of the bikes I've bought.
 
Given the possibilities of fraud/theft/etc. I think most people would be reluctant with or without a deposit. Search and you will find some stories here.

aside from manuf demo rides, do any dealerships offer test rides if you are considering a purchase? If they do not offer you a test ride, would you chosse to not purchase?
 
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. )

Generally though, you still want cash in hand and a licence.
 
I work at a shop and when I sell a bike, I give the keys of my customers bikes to some people or kids who want to try the bike but don't have any gear. I don't require them to show me their license or even wear a helmet. Then if they drop it, I'll call the cops to find their address and call them to threaten them.
 
Kuro said:
I work at a shop and when I sell a bike, I give the keys of my customers bikes to some people or kids who want to try the bike but don't have any gear. I don't require them to show me their license or even wear a helmet. Then if they drop it, I'll call the cops to find their address and call them to threaten them.
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This makes the most sense.

Did your HR dept come up with the policy?
 
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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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.
 
Nope no test riders, ever... You want to see it go, i'll drive it down the road and show you it works....you can hear it and see it in action.

Its what everybody above says, your insurance foots the bill for someone elses lack of abilities. I am pretty sure dealers don't let you test ride bikes either...
 
A friend was selling his mint R1,met with the potential buyer at the gas station...he looked at the bike,liked it a lot,did not ask for a test ride,sat on it ,asked my buddy if he can start it,asked about rear tire and chain...my buddy looks at the tire and chain,says its all perfect....guy puts it in first and guns it out of the station(no helmet...)...my buddy stands there with his mouth open....never seen his bike or the guy again....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRUST NO ONE!!!!!
 
bikermahn said:
Nope no test riders, ever... You want to see it go, i'll drive it down the road and show you it works....you can hear it and see it in action.

Its what everybody above says, your insurance foots the bill for someone elses lack of abilities. I am pretty sure dealers don't let you test ride bikes either...
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Depending on model and dealer yes they do. When I was looking at the CBR250 I went to the dealer and he gave me the keys and told me have fun. Also recommended I come Saturday morning so I can check it out on the highway.
 
arek1200r said:
A friend was selling his mint R1,met with the potential buyer at the gas station...he looked at the bike,liked it a lot,did not ask for a test ride,sat on it ,asked my buddy if he can start it,asked about rear tire and chain...my buddy looks at the tire and chain,says its all perfect....guy puts it in first and guns it out of the station(no helmet...)...my buddy stands there with his mouth open....never seen his bike or the guy again....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRUST NO ONE!!!!!
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HA!

Your buddy is an idiot I'm sorry... LOL

Guess there is a sucker born every min...
 
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.
 
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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I'm feeling you... (sexually... let it happen)

but really, I'd gladly take the insurance fault to allow more folks to allows test rides. Bought my last bike with tons of problems, the ****er lied right to our faces. Lesson learned I guess.
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