Test Ride, do you let them?

[Flyboyron]

My wife is selling her Spyder RT Limited and someone wants to buy it and take it for a test ride.
He said he has never ridden a Spyder before. He just sold his Goldwing and now wants to ride on 3 wheels because his family is concerned about 2 wheel accidents.
I was thinking of following him on my bike so if he gets into trouble, someone is there.
What about if there is any damage to the bike? Do I make him sign an agreement to pay for damages?

 

[Copperman]

Unless he rides up on his Spyder, he doesn't ride mine. Even at that, I don't even know if I'd let him ride mine. Tell him to go to a dealer for a demo ride.

 

[fatboy]

do you want to sell it

 

[Greven]

If he is happy and wants to buy it, and just want to take it for a spin before sealing the deal. Then have him pay a deposit (like 20-30% of the trade perhaps), and the only way he gets the deposit back is if he finds a dealbreaker by something not beeing as adverticed. That's how I'd do

 

[happyspyder2039]

Tell them you can take him/her as a passenger or just up n down the street only by self. Worst that could happen is they hit another car or mailbox. Even crash into garage lol

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Tell them you can take him/her as a passenger or just up n down the street only by self. Worst that could happen is they hit another car or mailbox. Even crash into garage lol

:agree: to take them for a ride .... this will establish your Spyder functions as it should .... Spyders arn't anywhere near to TWO wheel Mtc's. in they way they handle ..... An expert on a two wheeler could easily lose control or overcontrol a Spyder .... Someone who already has a Spyder is a different story .... I highly recommend to any seller .... Contact your insurance company or agent and find out EXACTLY where they will stand if someone damages or wrecks or DIES operating your Spyder.... An owner could lose EVERYTHING they have if this goes really bad ..... good luck .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Grandpot]

If it is really necessary to close the deal and you are willing to take a chance, take him to a wide open parking lot.

 

[Rob Rodriguez]

I would let them if I felt comfortable they were seriously looking to purchase after I met them.

If they can ride a 2 wheel bike they can ride a Spyder.

As long as you have full coverage insurance on the bike they will be covered if they are in an accident

If I had 2 bikes (or could use a car) I'd follow them just to be sure they didn't run into any issues or need help. As an example. They stop and turn the bike off. Then it doesn't start because they didn't push the mode button or step on the brake or something stupid like that.

Personally I very rarely meet the person at my house if I'm selling something. I find a neutral place to meet, like a nice big empty parking lot and let them give it a spin around that.

 

[canamjhb]

Absolutely NO! Many reasons have already been mentioned here. First time Spyder riders coming off a 2-wheeler usually don't do well and take several hundred, if not more, miles to be comfortable. You can go over your service records with the potential buyer. Or offer to take the bike for a buyer's inspection at a dealership (at the buyer's expense). But under no circumstances let a buyer take your bike for a ride, even just around the block.

I sold my Spyder a few months ago to a gentleman whos' first time on a Spyder was when he pulled out of my driveway to ride it 80 miles home.... AFTER he paid for it in full with CASH. I spent some time with the buyer going over the bike and demonstrated how things worked. I advised him that there is a learning curve to riding a Spyder and told him to just go slow. This buyer responded to my ad within an hour of me posting it and I had 2 others wanting to see the bike if he didn't buy it. A month or two after selling the bike, I saw him passing by in the opposite direction. I do believe he had a big smile on his face....... Jim

 

[Flyboyron]

Ok, it looks like our Insurance "Progressive", has Permissive Coverage. That allows someone to ride it and they are covered if they hit someone or crash the bike.
We would have to pay the deductible, which I would make them pay, plus reimburse us for any costs of repairs.

 

[TicketBait]

Great question, gosh I would be apprehensive also. If I give advice here would it make me also liable? I remember to test ride the Spyder first I had to watch a video, and then the instructor went over all the safety protocols, Then they showed me how all the basic stuff worked and then I took a little test course ride, practicing stoping and turning. (important cuz now they have to get use to stoping with there right foot.) I signed a wavier, showed my license, and I would probably want to see they had valid insurance. They could also familiarize themselves with a test ride at one of the local dealerships first. Then try yours out once they became semi familiar. No worries about loosing a potential sale because yours would be a much better price than the dealership.

Looks like you have a 2014 RT, and you bought it you said from a friend. How did that go for you?

So for me I would let a new potential rider ride mine after we met in a big empty parking lot

 

[Flyboyron]

TicketBait,

The friend we bought it from, knew we had been on multiple Spyder Demo rides. Anytime one would be within 50 miles, we would go.
She was also a member of our Goldwing Chapter, but unfortunately her husband passed away and could no longer go with the Chapter on rides, so she bought the Spyder.
Our friend expected us to buy it and dropped it off at our house and said, ride it for a week or so and if you want it let me know.
I think I will ride my Goldwing ahead of them and lead the way around our neighborhood at a slow pace so he can follow.
We have a parking lot at our retirement center clubhouse, I will take him there first and let him ride it in circles and also practice using reverse. Then head down the street about 1/2 mile and then back again.
If he rides the bike home, I believe he lives about 20 miles away.

 

[PMK]

Casually ask the intentions of the test ride. If to see if they like a Spyder, then maybe not. If serious and just mechanically checking it out, then I would allow it if I truly wanted to sell it.

 

[MONK]

Absolutely, I'll let them test ride the bike........as long as I have the full asking amount IN CASH in my hand. Otherwise, they can watch me ride the bike up and down the street.

 

[PGDoug]

Maybe I'm just paranoid but who says he comes back once he leaves . Unless you have the cash in hand I wouldn't feel safe letting it go .

 

[ARtraveler]

I think the best way to do it is to take the person for a ride as a passenger. They can then verify that everything is working.

If you are brave, let them drive and you be the passenger.

It is a scary world out there. What used to be a given, now gets twisted around and the good guy (you) usually gets the short end of the stick.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I agree with ARTraveler but, bottom line is Do You Want to Sell It or NOT. Put the shoe on the other foot. What if you were wanting to buy.....wouldn’t you want to test ride it before shelling out thousands of dollars? jmho wtfdik

 

[triplethreat]

This has been my policy for years and years, regarding a test ride of one of my bikes that is for sale. When they show up, I get to see their driver's license and check for a Motorcycle endorsement. I also check to make sure it is a valid (not expired) license. The understanding is this....whatever price I'm asking for the bike, they hand over to me in cash....cold hard cash. They also understand that if they bring the bike back, totally undamaged and they decide NOT to buy it, the only thing I'm out is a bit of my time and a few ounces of gas. Any damage to the bike, and I hold all the cash until which time the repairs have been made. I will then return whatever is left from the original amount they gave me..minus the repair cost. If the bike is damage beyond repair or totaled, they just bought a totaled bike. If they return and say they want to buy it, I already have the cash, we sign the necessary paperwork/title and they can take it home. Pretty simple and it cuts way down on the tire kickers and joy riders.

 

[Navydad]

This has been my policy for years and years, regarding a test ride of one of my bikes that is for sale. When they show up, I get to see their driver's license and check for a Motorcycle endorsement. I also check to make sure it is a valid (not expired) license. The understanding is this....whatever price I'm asking for the bike, they hand over to me in cash....cold hard cash. They also understand that if they bring the bike back, totally undamaged and they decide NOT to buy it, the only thing I'm out is a bit of my time and a few ounces of gas. Any damage to the bike, and I hold all the cash until which time the repairs have been made. I will then return whatever is left from the original amount they gave me..minus the repair cost. If the bike is damage beyond repair or totaled, they just bought a totaled bike. If they return and say they want to buy it, I already have the cash, we sign the necessary paperwork/title and they can take it home. Pretty simple and it cuts way down on the tire kickers and joy riders.

:agree:

 

[JP58]

Maybe I'm just paranoid but who says he comes back once he leaves . Unless you have the cash in hand I wouldn't feel safe letting it go .

If he came in a car. I would think he would come back. If he walked to my house then no. When I sold my 15 RTS the guy was taking the 3 wheel course. Couldn't ride yet. He bought it and trailered it home. It still had over 2 year warranty left so he didn't worry I guess.