The cost of test rides

[Meanie]

Never realy thought to ask the dealer the terms of the insurance to be quite honest
The wife is starting to look around at a bigger bikes so i,ll be sure to look into it before she gets to ride any
Thanks for the heads up, a worth while thread amonst all the crap

[FJRider]

I wonder what would happen if you were test riding a bike in a private sale and had an off?

Cross and very impolite words may be said... of/by/to either party.

[Maha]

Never realy thought to ask the dealer the terms of the insurance to be quite honest
The wife is starting to look around at a bigger bikes so i,ll be sure to look into it before she gets to ride any
Thanks for the heads up, a worth while thread amonst all the crap

A dealer would normally ask you sign a document surely?
They have done so to me in the past.
The excess varied from shop to shop I might add, I think $1500 was the dearest but it was two years ago.

[sosman]

Damn! So if i crash one i don't get to own one

[McJim]

The excess will depend on how much the bike shop wanted to pay for their policy. (and it's got to be some policy - cover ANY rider regardless of history on ANY bike so long as they have a full licence. Wow.).

As for the private sale thing. Have a 3rd party you both trust to hold the cash while the potential purchaser takes the bike for a ride. If it gets dropped the seller gets the cash an the buyer bought the wreck.

[placidfemme]

Yeah $2500 is about average for test rides (and sometimes loner bikes too)... Also for the more expensive bikes some shops are installing GPS trackers that can be monitered from the shop while your riding the bike. Tells them everything, including speed, updated once or twice a minute...

Big brother is always watching... and covering his own ass...

[rainman]

So does this also apply to a loaner bike the shop gives you while they're servicing yours?

Never looked at the small print. But will do so when this happens next week...

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Good post Pete. It certainly does raise an interesting scenario does'nt it and one that i'm sure many of us had never thought about. The figures mentioned probably only cover the insurance excesses on behalf of the bike shops and i'm sure that the insurance company covering it would then go after you personally for the balance of repairs or write off cost.
You would almost be best advised to get a personal liability cover (if such a thing is available) before you go out test riding any motorbike whether from a dealer or a private seller.
Has anyone on here been caught up in this situation at all ??

this could be its own thread but any way what if the structure of insurance changed like this we have 2 cars 3 bikes now if the rider or driver was insured not the car or bike for argument sake then you could pay for fire and the likes
on the vehical and road related clames by the driver/rider liadilaty policy

[James Deuce]

What if the other party responsible for causing 'hypothetical off' doesn't have insurance. We all know someone who has had to carry the can because the person who was at fault didn't have insurance of their own (as far as they're concerned, why should they need it if you've got it ).
Guess you are right though, it would pay to check the details with your own company as well as looking into what the dealer's "small print" says before jumping on and taking off into the sunset.
A timely post I'm sure!

Err.

A reply that was a touch too serious perhaps?

If you aren't happy with the bike shop's insurance then don't test ride them or take a loaner.

[Robbo]

this could be its own thread but any way what if the structure of insurance changed like this we have 2 cars 3 bikes now if the rider or driver was insured not the car or bike for argument sake then you could pay for fire and the likes
on the vehical and road related clames by the driver/rider liadilaty polacy

Now that's an interesting thought and it makes great sense. If we as indivuals have an insurance policy that covers us for all situations (a bit like having public liability) so that we are fully covered for what we are riding or driving provided that we are licensed correctly to do so and are not breaking any laws or rules then that would make great financial sense as currently we have to have insurance on each and every vehicle that we own and operate.
Just a thought i guess but probably would'nt be accepted by the insurance companies as it would mean less money in premium payments.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

just rang my insurance company and i am not coverd for the test ride only the third party damage .if i get a loner from holeshot for my 24k service i am insured on that in full if i ring them up from the shop before leaving at no charge

[Trudes]

Interesting, thanks Pete. Knew there was a reason I don't like test riding as a fun thing to do on a Saturday!!

[alanzs]

Great post. I never let anyone ride my bike, even when selling it. I'll meet you at the mechanics if you want, you can sit on the back if you want, but unless I have the money in cash, in hand before you ride it, you aren't riding it. This was back in the US.
Why the hard line you may ask? Years ago, while selling a bike a guy took it for a test ride and scraped the pipe. After a looong hassle (threats of violence, lawsuits, etc..), basically all I got was a big "I'm sorry." Lesson learnt. Had to reduce the price eventually to cover for what was a pristine bike.
I tend to agree with the saying "If you break it, you bought it." Totally reasonable as far as I am concerned.
So, what do YOU do to protect yourself if selling your bike privately here? I'd like to find out, as I may be selling my bike in the near future.

[Kornholio]

Just do what I do and hand over Gordon's license so when the inevitable happens run(or crawl) like fuck and let him worry about it

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Just do what I do and hand over Gordon's license so when the inevitable happens run(or crawl) like fuck and let him worry about it

nah tryed that but they knew who he was........