How do you handle test rides

[smilam]

I need to sell one of my motorcycles to make room in the garage. I am keeping the GL 1800 trike and the Shadow and selling the Sportster. What I need to know is how do you handle somebody that wants to take it for a test ride. I know I wouldn't buy one without test riding it first. I know I need to see their motorcycle endorsement and I would still have insurance coverage on it but it would still cost me the deductible if they were to have an accident. What have some of you done to sell bikes before?
Steve

[harvey01]

I have done the test rides two ways. One based on the fact the testor knows the area where I hop on another bike and follow him.

The other way is if he is not from the area I lead the ride trying to create situations where I might want to test the acceleration or push the top end but not getting too far ahead.

In either case, yes I check his license, and my bikes are insured till they are sold. I also chat with him about riding, what does he ride, what has he ridden and so forth plus what type riding gear did he bring or the lack thereof before I agree to a test ride. If I don't trust him on my bike he won't get a test ride.

[WingAdmin]

I do it one way: First, I confirm the potential buyer has a motorcycle endorsement AND insurance.
Second, the potential buyer pays cash for the bike in advance. If he drops/wrecks/otherwise crashes it, he just bought it. If he doesn't damage it and doesn't want to buy it, he gets the cash back.

[golden highway]

I do the same as Harvey01. I check the license and my insurance covers the the bike and who ever is riding as most do. I agree on a price and as long as it runs out ok we have a deal. I do the same when I am the buyer. I laugh at the people who say hand me cash and you can ride it, seriously we just met and you think I trust you with my cash and that you will be giving it back when I find an issue with the bike during the ride. I have never had a problem.

[smilam]

Thanks for the answers. I think I will do as Harvey01 and golden highway do and ride along with them. I do like what WingAdmin does but that might be to much money to ask for up front, but I might ask for the 500 deductible up front to hold.
Steve

[dingdong]

Hop on dude and I'll take you for a spin. I have sold 3 bikes (to strangers) without a test ride. No one has ever asked for a test ride. No free rides here unless I know the person well.

[smilam]

Can't take them for a spin. I have solo seats on both the Sportster and the Shadow.
Steve

[tandem54]

When I bought mine from the dealer, they said no test ride no way!
Buy it then you can ride it!
So if that's what you get at a dealer then that's what they get from me.

[garwil]

I took a test ride on a gold wing with my brother here in MS. The seller asked to see our license and went inside and photocopied it on his printer. We were both allowed to ride the bike separately. We did not end up buying that particular bike. The seller was very cordial. It was in a rural setting and we rode around a block about a mile.

I have also taken test rides at dealers, but only on used bikes. (except when they were having a big promotion and advertized test rides on a new bike. That was a 79 Kawasaki 750 the biggest baddest bike I had ever ridden and I nearly dumped it . . . but I digress) When I was looking for my first Gold Wing, I went to Sunrise Honda in Searcy, Arkansas, and I test rode three or four bikes. On one of them (1800) I got lost and it took me about two hours to get back (after I figured out how to use the GPS). The salesman did comment on how long I was gone that time . I did end up buying my '99 GL1500SE from them.

[brenniac]

I do it pretty much the same as WingAdmin...Cash in hand. You break it, it's yours. You don't bring it back, it's yours. Come get the title

[smilam]

Thanks for all of the replys. They seem to fall into two categories. Either get their money up front or ride with them. I am going to combine them and get enough money deposit to take care of my insurance deductible and then ride along with them.
Steve

[redial]

Some people here, (I assume they dont have a means of copying), hold your licence until you return the bike in good condition - or at least as good as it was when it went out. That way you know that they are likely to come back, but holding their 'deposit' should also keep their focus about returning.

[brenniac]

Sounds like a plan. Just follow your instincts.

[dingdong]

Just curious. Has anyone ever asked for and received "cash in advance" for a test ride? I doubt that is going to happen. Cash up front to cover your deductible isn't the entire costs involved. What about the additional cost of your insurance when they raise your rates? If the test rider has an accident, even if you have a copy of his license, do you really think you will be able to get restitution through his insurance or out of his pocket? He's just going to walk back get in his car and be gone. I see only negatives in this situation.

[brenniac]

Every bike I've sold has gone out that way. It's a deterrent to looky-loos, novice riders, bad riders and possible thieves.

Here in NY, motorcycles are not covered by the no-fault law, therefore personal injuries in a motorcycle accident are not covered. I am not willing to to take a chance of someone I don't know getting hurt on "my" bike.

It's a used bike. I go over it with the prospective buyer and point out all of the flaws I'm aware of, show my service history and talk freely and honestly about the condition of the bike including problems I had with it. I will start it up, let their mechanic look it over in my driveway. When they put money in my hand and I sign over the title, they can ride all they want.

[dingdong]

Every bike I've sold has gone out that way. It's a deterrent to looky-loos, novice riders, bad riders and possible thieves.

Here in NY, motorcycles are not covered by the no-fault law, therefore personal injuries in a motorcycle accident are not covered. I am not willing to to take a chance of someone I don't know getting hurt on "my" bike.

It's a used bike. I go over it with the prospective buyer and point out all of the flaws I'm aware of, show my service history and talk freely and honestly about the condition of the bike including problems I had with it. I will start it up, let their mechanic look it over in my driveway. When they put money in my hand and I sign over the title, they can ride all they want.

And that I absolutely agree with. I was wondering about cash in advance for a test ride.

[brenniac]

My point exactly. I haven't allowed a "test" ride.

[Happytrails]

This is a touchy issue and totally understand where the buyer would feel strongly about this. I've had bad experiences with this so no I dont allow test rides at all. Even if he puts all the money in my hand and is licensed and experienced. Until the paper work is final its still legally my bike. And I think if a potiential buyer wrecks on my bike that it goes on my insurance just like if I lent someone my truck. I've sold a few bikes over the years and know full well that I may lose a potential sale because I dont allow the bike to be test driven. I'm ok with that I'll sell it to the next guy. The only time I see this as a problem is if I had a bike that cost $20,000. I don't know if I'd buy a bike that expensive without having actually rode it either.

[smilam]

A lot of help you guys are. I thought I would get a few simple answers and now I have all of these other issues to think about. I hadn't thought about my insurance going up if a test rider crashed it and it never crossed my mind that I could possibly get sued. I guess it seems to be the thing to do nowadays. Sue anybody you can even if it is you that makes a mistake. It reminds me of the woman who had an argument with her boyfriend and thru her drink in his face. Half a minute later she slips in the drink that she had thrown at her boyfriend and then she proceeds to sue the establishment. She wins thousands of dollars for something that was her fault in the first place. It's a wonder she didn't sue her boyfriend for making her so mad that she had to throw her drink.
Anyway thanks for the answers and I will call my insurance agent for his opinion as well.
Steve

[dingdong]

A lot of help you guys are. I thought I would get a few simple answers and now I have all of these other issues to think about. I hadn't thought about my insurance going up if a test rider crashed it and it never crossed my mind that I could possibly get sued. I guess it seems to be the thing to do nowadays. Sue anybody you can even if it is you that makes a mistake. It reminds me of the woman who had an argument with her boyfriend and thru her drink in his face. Half a minute later she slips in the drink that she had thrown at her boyfriend and then she proceeds to sue the establishment. She wins thousands of dollars for something that was her fault in the first place. It's a wonder she didn't sue her boyfriend for making her so mad that she had to throw her drink.
Anyway thanks for the answers and I will call my insurance agent for his opinion as well.
Steve

That's what we're here for. To help make life simpler.

[Viking]

The only time I see this as a problem is if I had a bike that cost $20,000. I don't know if I'd buy a bike that expensive without having actually rode it either.

Anyone who buys a brand new bike is in exactly this situation. I know of no dealerships that allow test drives on their $20,000 brand new bikes, although there may well be some. Most dealerships allow test rides on used bikes, if they know the buyer.

[tandem54]

The only time I see this as a problem is if I had a bike that cost $20,000. I don't know if I'd buy a bike that expensive without having actually rode it either.

Anyone who buys a brand new bike is in exactly this situation. I know of no dealerships that allow test drives on their $20,000 brand new bikes, although there may well be some. Most dealerships allow test rides on used bikes, if they know the buyer.

That's why I always figured IF I ever were to buy a new one I would rent one for a few days first! A lot of money to be sorry about.

[golden highway]

Lexington Kentucky Harley, Honda will let you test ride any bike you want. They do a ton of business because of it.

[gsanders99]

Instead of asking for cash up front, I have always just offered to perform a test ride for the buyer in their sight. Up and down the street with fast throttle action to show there is no smoke, some quick braking when I come back. I feel like that demonstrates most of the things that people are really interested in. No complaints so far.

[T=Trouble]

I have a bike up for sale right now (2007 HD Sportster XL883L) and had been wondering about the same thing. When I bought the bike from the dealership, they allowed it to go on a test ride. When I bought the bike I upgraded to (1993 Honda GL1500 Aspencade Goldwing), I bought it from an individual. Since it was a big jump for me, I took along a friend who has rode bikes almost all his life and is accustomed to riding big bikes. The individual had no problem letting him take it for a test ride. Now that roles are reversed though, I have been worried about this subject. What I plan to do is: 1) Make sure they are licensed for motorcycles and 2) Have them sign a form agreeing to that if they dump or wreck it, they have bought it for X amount of money.