Test ride when selling-Yes or No?

[RydeOn]

So when you are selling your Spyder, do you allow people to test ride?
I'm a little leery of allowing anyone on my Spyder that I don't know (heck, I don't even let people I know ride), but wanted to get y'all (or is it all y'all) opinion.

[Gray Ghost]

Would you be willing to purchase a motorcycle that you were unable to ride before handing over the money?

I personally would expect to get a test ride, and would expect to offer that if I were the seller. The question is how to best satisfy your need for security and liability issues while allowing the prospective buyer to verify the bykes running condition. If you have a large parking lot nearby that would normally be empty when you are showing the byke, maybe take them there to prove (along with motorcycle endorsement on license) that they can do the start/stop/turn, etc without issue before letting them get on the road. Then I would make sure that I was in possession of some ID and their vehicle and keys while they were on the trip.

[Bob Denman]

You've got to "Read" the prospective buyer, and then let your "gut" tell you how to proceed...
A Large parking lot will give you the opportunity to see if they even belong on a bike... Give them watever instructions you feel are necessary tor the safe operation of the bike...
A test ride out on the highway; out of your sight and control??
Keep their license, registation, and any passengers that they brought with them; as hostages!
Agree to a Route that they'll have to follow. You might also want to consider following them, in your own vehicle...
(After handcuffing anyone that they brought along with them, to a tree! )

[spyder3]

Just to confirm its a test drive...

[RydeOn]

Ya, I go back & forth on this one. I'm not worried about theft as much as I worry that they will run into something (or someone) then come back with a "uh, so sorry...but I don't want it now".
I just don't want to be liable for some idiot and be left holding the bag.
I do have the option of adding them to my insurance for a day for a few bucks. I guess I could do that to cover myself fully. This current guy that is supposed to see my Spyder today called me last night about 8:00pm, spoke very broken english and wanted to come over to my house that night. I said "NO" but scheduled a meeting in a parking lot this afternoon. We'll see how this one goes...

[Denny B.]

Every one has to make their own choices. I came out of the Harley world and I can assure you the protocol there is "No way." You can hear it run. I can even demonstrate a ride while you watch. But no way are you riding this thing until you buy it."

[0992]

I get an insurance waiver signed, a copy of their motorcycle license and throw them the keys and tell them to come back before closing.
I have sold quite a few bikes that way.

[Eagle1]

Ask to see the mtc endorsement and hold the license or keys while they ride. Take a picture of the car license plate. I would also recommend Having a friend in the parking lot with a car just in case of a runner. They could also take pictures of the people, car etc. Just a couple of suggestions for you.

[Bob Denman]

Is it wrong, to mention that a Scoped-.270, on your front seat, will help to deter the "runners"?

[vided]

Every one has to make their own choices. I came out of the Harley world and I can assure you the protocol there is "No way." You can hear it run. I can even demonstrate a ride while you watch. But no way are you riding this thing until you buy it."

Any reasonable person that understands bikes
will understand NO RIDES.

[GunDoctor]

Well, I just dropped 25,000 on a bike (F3) I haven't even seen...

[BajaRon]

A Catch 22 situation for sure. It is unreasonable to ask a buyer to pay big money without riding the vehicle. And there are the inedible risks involved in doing this.

I saw a news reporter get on a brand new Spyder for a 'Demo' ride at a dealer event. He proceeded to ride, full throttle, right into a tandem flat bed trailer that was nowhere near where he should have been riding.

I always feel better if they ride up on 2 or 3 wheels. If they don't, it helps if they tell me they ride (if you can believe them). And if they have never ridden, I'd take them to an open parking lot, give them a quick course in what to do and take my chances.

[DrewNJ]

Every one has to make their own choices. I came out of the Harley world and I can assure you the protocol there is "No way." You can hear it run. I can even demonstrate a ride while you watch. But no way are you riding this thing until you buy it."

Agree!

[revjvegas]

Let them ride "b*tch"

Bottom line, its your ride till the cash is in hand. Your ride, your rules.

[Bob Denman]

Well, I just dropped 25,000 on a bike (F3) I haven't even seen...

[NJArachnyd]

I've sold several bikes (wish I didn't have to but can't keep 'em all ), never granted a test ride. I agree with vided - if they potential buyer has been around bikes, they should understand.

Now, if you feel so inclined, you can negotiate a price with the buyer, get cash in hand for the agreed-on price (it's essentially theirs at that point), and they can test-ride it.

[rtotten]

Give them the keys, set up uclear comm system on their helmet, pair to mine, jump on the wifes identical bike, got for a ride. That way I can answer any questions, and lesss worry about theft.

[ChasCS]

Can't you hop onto the back seat first...

Away he goes, with you...

Chas

[Bob Denman]

Unless I've ridden with somebody...

I wouldn't ride with them...


(If you can understand that phrase...)

[ARtraveler]

A very difficult question with many possible outcomes.

We have heard of people riding off and never coming back.

We have heard of inexperienced people wanting to go for a 10 minute joy ride. That can end with bad consequences.

The couple motorcycles I have sold, people were given the option to take a ride on the back of the cycle while I drove. They told me where they wanted to go and what they wanted me to do. The Spyder makes the whole process much easier.

Hanging on to the drivers license--onc you have noted that's who they really are, following the in a chase car (but if they wanted to--they could ditch you in a hurry), both seem like logical alternatives.

Know you know why I usually trade em in instead of going through a big hassle.

[BikerDoc]

Would you be willing to purchase a motorcycle that you were unable to ride before handing over the money?

I personally would expect to get a test ride, and would expect to offer that if I were the seller. The question is how to best satisfy your need for security and liability issues while allowing the prospective buyer to verify the bykes running condition. If you have a large parking lot nearby that would normally be empty when you are showing the byke, maybe take them there to prove (along with motorcycle endorsement on license) that they can do the start/stop/turn, etc without issue before letting them get on the road. Then I would make sure that I was in possession of some ID and their vehicle and keys while they were on the trip.

[gparr]

I have purchased 3 bikes...the first purchase the gentleman let me test ride on his property only. The other 2 did not allow any test rides.

I have sold 3 bikes...and get this...NONE of them asked for a test ride!

I have been to my local dealership that sells Spyders...and they will NOT allow a test drive unless I am going to sign on the dotted line that I am buying. So guess what....I won't be buying there!!!

[GunDoctor]

The Allstate Mayham dude rode off on the old school Harley and dumped it at the end of the block...stuff happens

[vided]

I'm not really concerned if the bike never comes back.
my problem with test rides is the bike and rider could come back in pieces

[Bob Denman]

The Allstate Mayham dude rode off on the old school Harley and dumped it at the end of the block...stuff happens

Yup...