The ethics of test riding

[Smorg]

Well the time has come for me to sell my baby.....:crybaby:
I was hoping this day would never come but alas it has arrived.
Im selling my bike because im off on my O.E and need the cash so...........
Seeing as this is my first time selling a bike i am unsure of how to go about allowing people to test ride it, do i get them to sign some sort of disclaimer saying "if i drop your bike my arse if yours" or do i just send them on their way and hope like hell they dont drop it and bail.

So what Im asking is what preventative measures have you guys gone about before allowing test rides to go ahead??????

I DONT WANT MY BABY TO END UP LIKE THIS!!

[froggyfrenchman]

Firstly... SINNER!
just kidding, whatever you need to do.

I personally take the keys to whatever they are driving, or hold onto their wallet or something that may help me recover funds should the unthinkable happen. Best of luck with a quick and damageless sale

[Wasp]

ooohh and im looking for a new bike too, only problem is im on me learners and am broke :(

but atleast you'd feel safe letting me test it cos ive rideen one before.

[JimO]

i would say make shure you know who you are dealing with, as in get a id you want to see their full bike licence, be aware there is nothing to stop them taking a cheap car from a carsales for a test drive, handing you the keys and riding off into the wild blue yonder.

[hunt]

it's a tricky one i reckon, heard of a bloke who let a bike out on a test ride, had the keys to the test riders car, test rider never came back and turns out the car was stolen, ya deffenitely want to see i.d, can you take them 2 up, then if they still keen ask to hold the cash while they test ride and if any probs arise at least you'r holding the money

[Zed]

Make sure you write down test riders drivers licence number, ask to look at it and copy down the number on paper, also ask him/her to leave something valuable with you like a car or summat? Make sure you verbally say something like "if you bin it you own it" and get a positive response when potential buyer asks to test ride. You'll have to make a judgment call if you suspect someone is just a time waster, there's no problem refusing a test ride cos as the seller you are under no obligation, remember there is no insurance if they bin it.

[marty]

been done to death here before. check with your insurance first. they probably won't cover anyone other than you.

that leaves 2 options:

1. pillion them.
2. get a bank cheque for the purchase price prior to test riding. if they want it, they can ride it away. if they crash it, it's theirs.

[ZeroIndex]

hold onto the driver's licence... therefore he won't go far, and won't boost it too much in fear that a cop will stop him and he'll get a $55 fine for not having his licence on him...

[matthewt]

I had the keys to his Porsche while he was on the bike.

[ZeroIndex]

I had the keys to his Porsche while he was on the bike.
was there any tread left on the porsche by the time he came back with your bike?

[Smorg]

Yeah i think the drivers lisence and a down payment is the way to go.
That why i know who they are and can check if they have a full lisence:psst:

[TerminalAddict]

I've been one of the "lucking ones" that has had the pleasure of dropping a bike while I was test riding it.

Comes down to trust ultimately.

I coughed up for the repairs, and the seller was happy, but I'm sure plenty would have ditched the bike and ran.

[ZeroIndex]

I've been one of the "lucking ones" that has had the pleasure of dropping a bike while I was test riding it.

Comes down to trust ultimately.

I coughed up for the repairs, and the seller was happy, but I'm sure plenty would have ditched the bike and ran.
Good on ya, have some green rep for your honesty

[Ixion]

Mate of mine did that, binned the bike on a test ride (Norton Atlas) . Always reckoned it was the most embarassing moment of his life going back and confessing. Course, back then if you crashed you were reckoned a plonker, wasn't cool then.

Double irony, he wasn't interested in the bike himself, he was checking it out for someone else , and it was the only time he ever binned a bike .

[GR81]

Smorgen... like i said, you throw in some steak knives and ill take it.

on a more serious note. i have test ridden this bike and will probably buy it, SO HANDS OFF PEOPLE! :Playnice:

[kiwifruit]

been done to death here before. check with your insurance first. they probably won't cover anyone other than you.

that leaves 2 options:

1. pillion them.
2. get a bank cheque for the purchase price prior to test riding. if they want it, they can ride it away. if they crash it, it's theirs.

+1
good calls

[Genesismatrix]

why dont you try taking the riders licence then following in a car. They wont get fair on 2 wheels with a ton of metal chasing them

[imdying]

Selling mine at the moment, if you look at my trademe auction, you'll see my terms... No money, you're a passenger. Quite happy to take them for a long ride, and if they like if, they get the money and then they can go solo. Inconvenient, and probably cost me sale already, but if they crash it or steal it, I'm stuffed.

I've weighed up what my stance has potentially cost me, and I'd rather trade it in for slightly less, than have something happen, and have no trade in at all.

[imdying]

why dont you try taking the riders licence then following in a car. They wont get fair on 2 wheels with a ton of metal chasing themYou reckon? My 6R would leave my poor little MR2 behind in an instant :lol:

[Smorg]

Smorgen... like i said, you throw in some steak knives and ill take it.

on a more serious note. i have test ridden this bike and will probably buy it, SO HANDS OFF PEOPLE! :Playnice:


I'll chuck in a pack rack mate.........how does that sound?:niceone: :niceone:

[ManDownUnder]

Get them to leave their keys with you, and make sure they understand any accidents will be their full liability... and the first step of claiming will be their car.

Other than that - it's a tough one

[gamgee]

You reckon? My 6R would leave my poor little MR2 behind in an instant :lol:

yeah i want your 6r but i can't buy it till the end of the year when i get my full

[imdying]

yeah i want your 6r but i can't buy it till the end of the year when i get my fullSadly son, my new bike will be here (or maybe just in NZ) on the 20th! If noone buys it, trade in she is! If you find a way be sure to let me know, might be able to look after you :)

[gamgee]

what would the lowest possible weekly repayments on finance i could do? haha i want a nasty big ninja

[imdying]

You would be best to PM me. Remember that a finance company would want the bike fully insured, so factor that in to any costs. Find out how much to insure it, then PM me, and I'll get my finance guy (member of this site) to work it out for you :)

[GR81]

I'll chuck in a pack rack mate.........how does that sound?:niceone: :niceone:
sweet as, i didnt need two knife sets anyways. :kick:

[Shadows]

The simple answer is no cash no ride.
Without the money in my hand it wouldn't be going anywhere.
Unless I was selling my rat in which case I wouldn't give a fuck and probably wouldn't notice if he'd dropped it anyway.

[El Dopa]

I have test ridden this bike and will probably buy it, SO HANDS OFF PEOPLE! :Playnice:

Shame. I was about to ask how much he was wanting for it.

Good luck with the O.E, mate.

[Smorg]

Shame. I was about to ask how much he was wanting for it.

Good luck with the O.E, mate.


haha sorry mate should have let you know i was thinking of selling it...........

forgot you'd been on the back and experienced the weapon of mass destruction:Punk: :Punk: :Punk:

If GR81 backs out you'll be the first to know:done: :done:

[EZAS]

Well I'm abit insulted you didn't just ask to burrow my bike while they tested it. Just tell them to take if for a Kane on East Coast Road, then back down the motorway ... (except this time you wont want to be leading).

I'm very very p*ssed off your selling your bike, Who will come with me now for my midnight-COPB8-high-speed-runs down the motorway now :(

YOU BETTER GET A BiKe WHEN YOU GET BACK!!!!!

[gamgee]

You would be best to PM me. Remember that a finance company would want the bike fully insured, so factor that in to any costs. Find out how much to insure it, then PM me, and I'll get my finance guy (member of this site) to work it out for you :)
therein lies another problem, i couldn't get insurance as i don't have my full yet.
another problem is, i'd be way to tempted to ride it and i'd end up with a few $400 fines
i might just wait it out, good luck with the sale tho, they are a very desireable bike!