Test Ride, do you let them?

[glennm]

All valid comments however having recently been through the process of buying a used Spyder this is what I experienced.
I did read this (and the Australian) forum for some time before joining especially tips and tricks and experiences of new to Spyder owners. I also read all the do's and don'ts and downloaded the operator manuals for the models I was considering (Ryker and Spyder).
We have quad bikes (and 2 wheelers) which helped me to feel a little more at ease when preparing for the test ride.
My son (honestly I think this boy can ride/drive anything) and I went for test rides at a dealer on a Ryker 600 and F3 LTD. We were obviously extra careful given how different they are to 2 wheelers however the test rides went really well.
I rode a used RS on the way home and had no issues and then test rode a few others in the following months. One I was not allowed to ride and I went as a pillion. Not a great experience as I did not like the way he rode so it actually put me off the trike.
I did notice when I did get to ride others just how different the feel was even on Spyders in the same model range. One in particular just didn't feel right and I would only be able to tell this if riding it myself.
Finally travelled some distance to ride a ST-S and that one ticked all the boxes especially the comfort and riding position. The RS/RSS s all caused a twinge in my hip so I am glad I persisted and rode a few.
Having said all that yes it is with some trepidation I let anyone drive/ride a vehicle I am selling. I think Flyboyron you are on the right track (and others have suggested it) taking them to a parking lot and ensuring you are comfortable with their abilities on the Spyder.
Don't know what I will do if there comes a time to sell the ST as I know if any relative or friend other than aforementioned sons ask to ride it the answer is NO.
Good luck with the sale.

 

[Bugsplatt]

So when buying out of town or out of state, do you guys take actual cash even if the amount is over $10k (meaning government forms to fill out at the bank)?

 

[ARtraveler]

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

There are many dealers out there that will not even allow a test drive. When Spyder first came out, 2007/08, one of the news reporters took a new 2008 SM5 for a ride. It was crashed and totaled.

These days, it's a crapshoot. If you have bad vibes, DON't let them take the bike alone. I am still in the take them for a ride or let them take you for a ride on the Spyder, as a test drive.

That way, you are always with the bike and the potential buyer. People walking up with $20K cash in hand are very rare these days. Most likely not going to happen.

 

[BajaRon]

I would not purchase a used motorcycle without riding it first. If this were me. I'd take my Spyder to a large, open parking lot. Explain some things to the perspective buyer about operating it. And have them ride around the parking lot until I was confident that they could take it for a spin.

There are risks in everything we do every day. You can mitigate the risks. But you'll never eliminate them.

One thing I have learned when test driving/riding anything is. #1, make sure you know how to stop the vehicle, and that it will stop. Stopping is always your go to solution. Yet, many just assume that pressing on the brake will get it done. Make sure this is true before you do anything else. I always strive to impress this on anyone I'm showing a vehicle to.

Good luck with the sale!

 

[PaladinLV]

You have insurance, no?
You have a large parking lot or open area somewhere, no?

AJ

 

[canamjhb]

I have to respectfully disagree with those who would let a stranger, who is not familiar with a bike, NEVER ridden one, and is not properly trained take any bike of mine for a spin. What is the purpose of test riding? Is it to see if everything works as it should? How would this guy know? He knows NOTHING about Spyders. Having never ridden one, he would not know if it handles correctly or not. Is the test ride to see if he likes Spyders? As far as I'm concerned, do your window shopping elsewhere. There are some dealers who do demo rides and even places to rent a bike. But to have an inexperienced, uneducated person take off on MY bike? No thank you. If he is concerned about the bike functioning correctly, have him do a buyers inspection at his choice of dealership. He can then learn how to ride the bike when it is HIS. Most people with no Spyder experience and just coming off years of 2-wheel riding do not initially like how Spyders handle. This has been discussed on this forum many times. Why risk the sale on a prospective buyers very first exposure to the unique riding experience on a Spyder? I bought my last 7 bikes WITHOUT test riding them. I did my research and knew what I wanted. The only time there was ANY concern was ME learning the different riding technique for Spyders. It took me longer than most.

So, to each his own. No free rides at my house until the cash is in my hand..... Jim

 

[EdMat]

One thing i haven't seen mentioned is did they even show up with a helmet? That would stop me from even offering to give them a ride.

 

[ned64]

I totally agree with canamjhb. If the guy had total amount of cash I wanted for my bike Id sell it to him but he wouldnt get his test ride till title was signed over an spyder was his. If he hurts himself test riding it, WHO do you think he is going to SUE. Yes ME ! I never got to test ride any of the motorcycles from dealers before I bought them. Didnt even test ride a Spyder. I just bought it an rode it home 3 1/2 hrs at the speed limit. Just felt natural riding it no problems.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I’ve test driven every vehicle I’ve owned, BEFORE I’ve purchased them. Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles and yes, my Spyder. Before I’d part with my hard earned cash.....I test drive. Everyone who says NO, did you not test drive any of the automobiles before you bought them? Bikes and Spyders are NO DIFFERENT. And I would walk away from any seller who says NO to a test ride!

 

[Peacekeeper6]

I’ve test driven every vehicle I’ve owned, BEFORE I’ve purchased them. Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles and yes, my Spyder. Before I’d part with my hard earned cash.....I test drive. Everyone who says NO, did you not test drive any of the automobiles before you bought them? Bikes and Spyders are NO DIFFERENT. And I would walk away from any seller who says NO to a test ride!

You would even let someone test drive your Spyder WHO HAS NEVER DRIVEN ONE BEFORE ??

You got more cojones that I do, LOL.

So do you have any conditions and stipulations ?? I'm curious to what they are.

If *I* was forced to give a test ride to some inexperienced buyer, I'd have his cash in my hand with the condition "if you crash it, you just bought it".

 

[bigbadbrucie]

You got more cojones that I do, LOL.

Maybe not.....if you’ve read my two comments on this thread, you’ll see that i’m speaking as a ‘Buyer’. Any bike I’ve sold privately has been to other riders. All the others I have traded in at a dealer, so I haven’t been faced with the problem. I stand by my comments as a purchaser....I would “walk away” if no test ride, and that stands true at a dealers also. “NO TEST RIDE, NO SALE”!

 

[Peacekeeper6]

Maybe not.....if you’ve read my two comments on this thread, you’ll see that i’m speaking as a ‘Buyer’. Any bike I’ve sold privately has been to other riders. All the others I have traded in at a dealer, so I haven’t been faced with the problem. I stand by my comments as a purchaser....I would “walk away” if no test ride, and that stands true at a dealers also. “NO TEST RIDE, NO SALE”!

Speak as a seller then. If some buyer who has the same “No test ride, no sale” philosophy as you (which I think is a good one), how would you solve your dilemma ??

Would you just say, “Sorry bud. No Spyder riding experience, no test ride” ??

 

[Peacekeeper6]

Btw, I take back my statement “If *I* was forced to give a test ride to some inexperienced buyer, I'd have his cash in my hand with the condition "if you crash it, you just bought it"”

One can damage the bike without crashing it, then I’m SOL.

 

[ARtraveler]

Good opinions ALL. There are good arguments for both sides. Let em ride without to much heat back and forth.

In the end, if the seller decides to let someone ride, what happens, happens. It's your Spyder, do what YOU think is right.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Speak as a seller then. If some buyer who has the same “No test ride, no sale” philosophy as you (which I think is a good one), how would you solve your dilemma ??

Would you just say, “Sorry bud. No Spyder riding experience, no test ride” ??

Too many variables for a cut and dried answer. That would have to be after speaking with the prospect, gut feeling, etc. Each individual possible sale would have its own answer to that. NO blanket answer, other than I, personally, would try not to place myself in that situation.

 

[canamjhb]

For those that do test rides, I am curious as to why? I'm not trying to be antagonistic. Just curious. In the past, I have purchased 6 different Goldwings including my current trike. I didn't test ride any of them. One of them was purchased from a private party. That bike still had over a year left on the transferable factory warranty. And, I was given all the service records. The other 5 Goldwings were purchased from dealers. I also bought my Spyder from an out of state dealer. It was also covered by warranty. My test ride was riding it 1200 miles home. Additionally, In the last few years I bought a CanAm Outlander and a CanAm Commander. These are off road vehicles that I bought new from a dealer. No test rides. And I'm pretty certain if a prospective buyer insisted that the dealer take the vehicle out of town to test ride on a trail he would be told to take a hike.

Maybe I'm a different kind of purchaser. I just research and decide upon what I want. Then shop for what suits me, make sure any know issues have been addressed, look at vehicle history, condition, and negotiate my best price. For me, there is no reason to test ride. Especially the Goldwings. I know how they ride.......

My take on the situation from the OP is the purchaser probably wanted to see if he liked riding a Spyder. The chances are that he most likely would not for reasons previously posted and discussed many times here. Lots and lots of Spyder riders here who thought they made a big mistake buying a Spyder on their first ride. Why would the OP want to take the risks involved with a first timer with no skills or knowledge? When I sold mine the situation was exactly like the OPs. The buyer was an elderly gentleman who was giving up 2-wheeling after many decades of riding. He did a lot of research and knew what he wanted. He knew the things on my bike like car tires, BajaRon bar, upgraded shocks, etc. addressed areas of weakness on the Spyder. He asked to take it for a spin and I declined. I was honest and told him he probably wouldn't like it until he has had a chance to develop the different skills needed on a Spyder. He knew exactly what I was talking about because he had researched that too. We spent over an hour going over the bike, it's history, service records, and talked about riding technique and learning curve. He gave me a cashiers check for my asking price and rode away with his wife following in their car......

And the debate goes on....... Jim

 

[ARtraveler]

For those that do test rides, I am curious as to why? I'm not trying to be antagonistic. Just curious. In the past, I have purchased 6 different Goldwings including my current trike. I didn't test ride any of them. One of them was purchased from a private party. That bike still had over a year left on the transferable factory warranty. And, I was given all the service records. The other 5 Goldwings were purchased from dealers. I also bought my Spyder from an out of state dealer. It was also covered by warranty. My test ride was riding it 1200 miles home. Additionally, In the last few years I bought a CanAm Outlander and a CanAm Commander. These are off road vehicles that I bought new from a dealer. No test rides. And I'm pretty certain if a prospective buyer insisted that the dealer take the vehicle out of town to test ride on a trail he would be told to take a hike.

Maybe I'm a different kind of purchaser. I just research and decide upon what I want. Then shop for what suits me, make sure any know issues have been addressed, look at vehicle history, condition, and negotiate my best price. For me, there is no reason to test ride. Especially the Goldwings. I know how they ride.......

My take on the situation from the OP is the purchaser probably wanted to see if he liked riding a Spyder. The chances are that he most likely would not for reasons previously posted and discussed many times here. Lots and lots of Spyder riders here who thought they made a big mistake buying a Spyder on their first ride. Why would the OP want to take the risks involved with a first timer with no skills or knowledge? When I sold mine the situation was exactly like the OPs. The buyer was an elderly gentleman who was giving up 2-wheeling after many decades of riding. He did a lot of research and knew what he wanted. He knew the things on my bike like car tires, BajaRon bar, upgraded shocks, etc. addressed areas of weakness on the Spyder. He asked to take it for a spin and I declined. I was honest and told him he probably wouldn't like it until he has had a chance to develop the different skills needed on a Spyder. He knew exactly what I was talking about because he had researched that too. We spent over an hour going over the bike, it's history, service records, and talked about riding technique and learning curve. He gave me a cashiers check for my asking price and rode away with his wife following in their car......

And the debate goes on....... Jim

My opinions are above. But...for what it is worth, out of almost 30 bikes over the years, I have only test driven TWO. A new 78 Kawi 650, and a 650 Beemer. The Kawi won. In 84, I tested the Yamaha Venture and a Gold Wing. The Venture won.

All my Spyders were purchased sight unseen. I did kick tires at a different dealer from the one I purchased on my latest (2019 F3L). Have never had buyers remorse.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

I test rode my current ryde, having never ridden a tryk before. I rode maybe 15 km’s total at speeds never over 60 kmh and then bought it. For those who have never test ridden a bike prior to purchase, what about cars? Did you purchase all of them before test driving? As a buyer, why should there be a difference?

 

[ARtraveler]

I test rode my current ryde, having never ridden a tryk before. I rode maybe 15 km’s total at speeds never over 60 kmh and then bought it. For those who have never test ridden a bike prior to purchase, what about cars? Did you purchase all of them before test driving? As a buyer, why should there be a difference?

Interesting point BBB. RE: Cars....test drove every one I bought. and some I decided not to buy based on the drive.

The thing that might be present here, is that NOT everyone can drive a motorcycle from the get go. The Spyders with three wheels a little easier, but two, the hand clutch, the hand brake....that can be a problem for some. I was scared to death on my first mc ride and it showed. I got to ride it after I bought it. They were not so dumb.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

For me, it’s a case of having to try it out because of my arthritis. In some cases....F3 for example, the brake is not as accessible as on the RT, hence my insistence on a test ride (more than just up and down a parking lot), and we’ve all agreed that without an m/c license there is NO test ride. Common sense must prevail.