Test ride when selling-Yes or No?

[Chupaca]

it's a case by case situation. Have they ever ryden before..?? What if anything..?? etc...
Can't see letting anyone ryde if you have to teach them. Let them out on the street even less. You could ryde with them (risky..) tough call...
I trade or put on consignment...

[YIRYDE]

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.

I purchased my first (used) Spyder by test driving it in a large empty parking lot while the owner watched. I rode for a while at various safe speeds, stops, turns, braking and backing. The owner was patient, answered any question and gave me some tips while I was test driving my first Spyder. I had been wanting a Spyder for a while and this was the one, so I wasn't going to do anything to damage it during the test ride.

We agreed on the deal, he drove the Spyder to my house since I had just got my M endorsement and I didn't own a helmet. We exchanged money and title, I gave him a ride home and picked up the remaining Spyder Accessries that he included in the sale . Now it's plenty of rides and smiles.

[Bob Denman]

The point is, if something about the meeting doesn't sit right in your stomach; put on the brakes!

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

i wouldn't buy without a test drive, i will go where you say, give you license copy or whatever but i want to make sure
there are no problems. transmission, engine whatever i want to feel it run without clunking or rattling. i can understand if
you don't have m/c license then no way are you going anywhere.

[GunDoctor]

Nice Bob...Mayham

[Bob Denman]

The insurance guy, who stares back at me in the mirror; always thinks of the stuff that can go wrong...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

...No way Jose'..............No really, this is a Spyder . Even if they drive up on a MTC. ,to me that's actually a bad thing. They are not the same , the person is MORE likely to crash it. IMHO if they want to be a Passenger NO Problem..... Some people will show up just to drive it around because they have never driven one and think it would be cool to try it out. . But a Driver ......Not until they own it ...................Unless they drive up on a Spyder ....Mike

[jScotD]

letting someone test ride a motorcycle I put up for sale...
He gave me the keys , as I was at work In a foosball, pinball parlor..said wasn't what he was looking for.. I went outside to go home.. he had wrecked it...

can we say as the old song goes Once Bitten Twice Shy


story being ending.. you want it, you buy it.. I have never test ridden any motorcycle before I bought it..

scott

[dndfindley]

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.

Easy solution - the Spyder seats two. Go with the person.

[jScotD]

they are the passenger ...... not me....

[Motorcycledave]

I would never buy any vehicle without test riding or test driving it... ever... I guess it's the
old school mechanic in me. When the person want to test it out he must leave his car or truck
maybe even his wife with you... ALWAYS !!! look at his or her's drivers lic. before riding.
Dave

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.

[Bob Denman]

There's always the,
"Great! Just give me your wallet, and we'll talk when you get back..." approach.

[cognaccruiser]

Maybe I would take a prospective buyer for my Spyder as a passenger for a test ride but they aren't taking it for one even if I'm with them. I have never been asked to test ride a bike that I was selling and have never offered because I won't allow it. I always thought it was a given that test rides of bikes was not done. Have never had a problem selling a bike that way. If someone is bent on doing a test ride then they can buy somebody else's bike.
I view cars differently but still go with them. Of course if I don't feel warm and fuzzy then it doesn't happen either.

Gary

[Art Mann]

I recently sold my Goldwing after I let several people try it out. They all rode up on a cruiser or other large motorcycle and they all had a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. All but one guy was over 50. If someone had wrecked the motorcycle then my insurance would have paid for it. That is not a lot of risk. I couldn't expect someone to pay $10,000 for a motorcycle and not test drive it. I would never ever pay for a motorcycle - or Spyder for that matter - without riding it first.

A Spyder test drive is much more problematic, especially for motorcycle riders (as someone already mentioned). I know that when I test drove the Spyder RT, the salesman knew I was a Goldwing rider and insisted I ride it for 30 or 40 miles to get used to it. Actually, it took a couple of additional test rides before I finally decided the vehicle was safe and stable. I think 15 years of long distance touring on two wheels was what caused my problems. I am not sure what I would do if I decided to sell my RT-S and someone rode up on a Goldwing wanting to try it.

[MRH]

Assuming they are really there to buy, they'll have the cash with them. If they expect you to trust them with your Spyder, they have to trust you with their cash. I'd consider a short, simple agreement they sign that says if they damage the Spyder, they buy it at the full asking price. I'd also make sure your insurance covers you for whatever might happen, as it is your responsibility (at least in CA).

If they don't have the cash to purchase, they aren't real buyers, anyway. Make the policy clear before they come by.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

If they don't have the cash to purchase, they aren't real buyers, anyway. Make the policy clear before they come by.

I don't agree, at least not if you mean they need to be carrying $10,000 in cash money. I would not do that. I would expect to make arrangements with them to get a cashier's check to them, and would expect a buyer to give me a cashier's check.

[MRH]

I don't agree, at least not if you mean they need to be carrying $10,000 in cash money. I would not do that. I would expect to make arrangements with them to get a cashier's check to them, and would expect a buyer to give me a cashier's check.

We live in different places. Money orders and cashier's checks can be, and often are, forged. In LA, I've always done these kinds of transactions in cash.

[Arachnida]

My rules are simpel. Cash in my hand, Helmet, license and riding gear. You brake it you just bought it. Works every time.

[OJ UK]

So how is it in the UK....if anyone is interested?
First, obviously the prospective buyer needs to have a relevant licence.
Then if the guy/gal insists on riding my bike they give me the full purchase price
in cash in advance and I keep the vehicle documents until they return and decide
to buy. That person must have all risk insurance cover to even think of getting on the bike!
Reason?? In the UK it's an offence to allow anyone who is not insured to ride a bike on the highway.
There have been many cases of people feigning an interest to buy arriving in a very expensive
but stolen car, and riding off into the sunset having given you the keys to the stolen car as
security.
Never have I been asked for a test ride when selling a bike but I'm happy to take someone
on the back and demonstrate what the bike can do.
The Spyder falls into a different class. There are so few people who know how to ride one
that a pillion ride is the only way they're going to sample the joys before buying.

[ataDude]

Assuming they are really there to buy, they'll have the cash with them. If they expect you to trust them with your Spyder, they have to trust you with their cash. I'd consider a short, simple agreement they sign that says if they damage the Spyder, they buy it at the full asking price. I'd also make sure your insurance covers you for whatever might happen, as it is your responsibility (at least in CA).

If they don't have the cash to purchase, they aren't real buyers, anyway. Make the policy clear before they come by.

I agree. That's exactly how I sold my bikes/trikes.

[PCBeachBum]

Every time I bought used whether car, truck, boat and bike, I also bought their problems. Granted! When I bought my 2008 GS, I had steering problems as many here also had and BRP took care of that problem. I still have the 2008 and it runs great and every time I go to the dealer for Anti-Corrosive spray or want a BUDS test and printout, they want me to trade it for a new one. I was told there is a high demand for the older GS/RS models and knowing I'm an easy sell, I now can only laugh at the offer I'm given. If I buy another one it will be from a dealer and not from a private sale and my '08 is already spoken for by a very close friend, who knows how well I take care of my vehicles. She often reminds me 8 years later and counting of the sports car I sold, while she was visiting her family in another state for a few weeks.

[Art Mann]

From my perspective, I didn't care much whether the test rider or the insurance company paid for the bike in case of an accident. I don't know what all the worry is about. I spend hundreds of dollars a year so I don't have to worry about wrecking my bike. Before someone rode off my my Wing, they had to show me they had riding skills (by riding a motorcycle to my house) and a valid motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license. That is what it takes to verify I am covered in case of an accident.

[billrob71]

Yup...

This video about sums it up and as most of us know the Spyder is riden NOTHING like a motorcycle, if you have a very fluent bike ride wanna try your spyder there could be a disaster!

And it comes down too it this is your bike , your responsibility

[Kwalsh]

I once had a guy crash a 4 wheeler i was selling and threaten to sue me, was nothing but a headache ever since. I now trade in everything and avoid the hassle