View Full Version : Selling a bike -test rides Yes/No?
Omega1
23rd July 2004, 15:32
Hi Everyone,
Just need your collective advice,I was wondering what everyones attitude was to prospective buyers taking their bike out for a test ride? e.g is it wrong to say "No test ride until you agree to buy it and front up with the $$ then I'll allow you to take her out, if you dont like it I'll hand back the cheque? or just handover the keys and let em go? maybe grab their car keys or Something as security? I have heard of people takin photo's?
I'd just like to know the fairest and most secure way of doing this without coming across as a prick so to speak,
Many Thanks
riffer
23rd July 2004, 15:42
I wouldn't let them. Even if they give you their keys, you still don't know what they are doing.
I made the mistake of doing this with my GT-B, and the guy came back and told me the turbos were stuffed, as they were growling, and refused to buy it.
Turns out, after I checked it out, there wass no problem with the turbos. This clown had managed to twist the mainshaft in the gearbox - no idea how...
Ended up costing $4000 for a new gearbox...
Never again.
If I had a 1999 ZX7R I sure as hell wouldn't let anyone play test pilot.
kerryg
23rd July 2004, 15:49
Hi Everyone,
Just need your collective advice,I was wondering what everyones attitude was to prospective buyers taking their bike out for a test ride? e.g is it wrong to say "No test ride until you agree to buy it and front up with the $$ then I'll allow you to take her out, if you dont like it I'll hand back the cheque? or just handover the keys and let em go? maybe grab their car keys or Something as security? I have heard of people takin photo's?
I'd just like to know the fairest and most secure way of doing this without coming across as a prick so to speak,
Many Thanks
It's tricky ' cos you need to be helpful and cooperative etc etc and it's not that easy to sell a motorbike....so I am very amenable to letting a genuinely interested prospective buyer have a ride BUT....
Last weekend this f*****g Pommy :finger: tosser on a little Suzuki cruiser took my precious gleaming FZR1000 for a 1 hour (I kid you not) ride and after coming back told me it needed gas (had plenty of gas in it when he left), what a wonderful bike it is and thanks for the ride......and that was it. Buggered off, muttering about having to sell his (poxy) bike first and thanks a lot and have a nice day. Didn't even offer half what it's worth or anything. I was, well.....taken aback :spudwhat: . I didn't know I was offering free rides on my bike to all comers. Silly me. I just hope the wanker didn't get a speed camera ticket while he was out
So in future I'll not let anyone ride my bike until I've established that they're genuinely interested, have the money and that the ride is the last (not first) part of the process. I reckon that's reasonable.
Suppose it beats hiring a bike for a ride......
Actually, just thinking about, it probably is very sensible to get some details of the guy (eg at least sight his licence and note the number and name) to establish he is who he says he is, in case he does get a speed camera ticket or even worse bugger off on your bike and leave you with his (probably stolen) crappy little cruiser.... . IN FACT I WILL DO EXACTLY THAT IN FUTURE
FROSTY
23rd July 2004, 16:04
Hi Everyone,
Just need your collective advice,I was wondering what everyones attitude was to prospective buyers taking their bike out for a test ride? e.g is it wrong to say "No test ride until you agree to buy it and front up with the $$ then I'll allow you to take her out, if you dont like it I'll hand back the cheque? or just handover the keys and let em go? maybe grab their car keys or Something as security? I have heard of people takin photo's?
I'd just like to know the fairest and most secure way of doing this without coming across as a prick so to speak,
Many Thanks
Dude Ive been in this vehicle sales game for a few years and I still don't always make the right call all the time.
U can usually suss out the genuine buyer from the test driver within a couple of minutes.
The serious guy is asking a shit load of questions about you,your maintainence etc.
The BS artist is busy selling himself and overkeen to go for a test ride.
You will NEVER get it 100% right but like if the guy turns up in a 10k car and is happy to leave you the keys you're probably pretty safe .
Watch their reaction to the money questions and thats a dead givaway too.
bungbung
23rd July 2004, 16:16
Frosty is right, you'll have to make a call on the guys character minutes after meeting him/her. The car key approach is pretty good when possible.
On the other hand, I'm not about to buy a bike I can't ride first (mostly).
Offer to take the guy as a passenger around the bloke. Check the car out too, had a guy throw me the keys, and when I looked in the back seat, had a car sales window card sitting there, :eek: There was a tale going around the traps awhile ago about a sales man going out on a ride with a keen young guy looking at a RC45, the last the salesman saw was the RC45 slowly pulling away from him at 200km/h on his borrowed bike. RC45 never seen again.....not sure if its just a legend or what?
Devil
23rd July 2004, 16:22
Dude Ive been in this vehicle sales game for a few years and I still don't always make the right call all the time.
U can usually suss out the genuine buyer from the test driver within a couple of minutes.
The serious guy is asking a shit load of questions about you,your maintainence etc.
The BS artist is busy selling himself and overkeen to go for a test ride.
You will NEVER get it 100% right but like if the guy turns up in a 10k car and is happy to leave you the keys you're probably pretty safe .
Watch their reaction to the money questions and thats a dead givaway too.
Heh, it'd be twice now that ive come onto a car yard with the sole intent to Tyre Kick, having the sales person TELL me to take X car for a drive then ending up buying the thing heh. mmm impulse buy!
Posh Tourer :P
23rd July 2004, 16:26
He can agree to buy it conditional on a test ride of it.... I wouldnt let anyone go for a test ride unless I knew they were serious, and the car/bike wasnt 1) not worth testing ie a cheap dunger - not worth taking risk on - or 2) very expensive. There are risks, get security from them possibly? but you still dont have legal standing in that case. Or if you are really cheeky, offer to follow them round on their bike/car with them in yours... :D
Hoon
23rd July 2004, 16:41
I've never had a problem when buying bikes with people giving me a test ride....but then again I've always been genuinely interested with cash in back pocket. If I plan on taking it for a test ride I will either ask the guy on the phone first or turn up with the cash.
What I really hate is when you are real keen on buying a bike and oozing excitement, but after you take it for a test ride, it's a real lemon and you come back all disappointed and have to tell the guy "sorry pal".
750Y
23rd July 2004, 16:56
my last 3 bikes i bought without ever riding them.
I advertise & sell my bikes around my bottom line so i get more bites & it sells quicker. I had one pommy git come round to tyre kick my nice but cheap bike trying to knock a bargain down to a giveaway, imagine my suprise 2 years later when selling my next bike (cheap again) i get a call from the same dickhead wanting to test ride it. he didn't remember me but i remembered him. i told him if he wanted a test ride to go find a shop with one then come back to me if he liked it. never heard from him again.
bros400
23rd July 2004, 17:30
as subject says...
But i also understand the atraction in going looking for a bike to take for a cain... and i did look(and test drove) at bikes at bike shops before buying my bros, but wasnt particular intresting in buying from a shop as aposed to privotly.
Most time's ive test driven veicals was when helping a friened find a car.
FROSTY
23rd July 2004, 17:37
one advantage ive go is I can do a hook/ownership check in under a minute.
a demo is a strict nono if the cage he turned up in torns out to belong to someone with a different name
aff-man
23rd July 2004, 18:15
well hand over the keys to his vehicle is a must as well as showing a bike licence ect.
p.s. if you looking at selling a zx7 talk to CK
Wenier
23rd July 2004, 18:47
Wut i was doin is they have to agree on a price b4 a test ride and sign a contract with me and a flatmate as a witness (this had their licence number on it so no hiding), and it said that they unconditional accepted all liability to damages and speed tickets while on my bike test riding.
My view? Vehicle keys are all well and good - but as more than one person says, they could be keys for a stolen vehicle.
IF it is a serious buyer, then they're going to have the cash to buy the bike, are they not? So, if they want a test ride, they have to hand over the FULL AMOUNT. If they haven't got it on them that day, then OK, hand over a reserve/holding fee and you'll hold it until they can come back the next day with the full sum (always offer a receipt for the holding fee). And it is made clear that if it doesn't come back in the same condition it left, it is considered sold - again, worth putting that on any receipt for the money.
That will stop the tyre-kickers who just want a play on a bike they've never ridden before.
DEATH_INC.
23rd July 2004, 20:57
Offer to take the guy as a passenger around the bloke. Check the car out too, had a guy throw me the keys, and when I looked in the back seat, had a car sales window card sitting there, :eek: There was a tale going around the traps awhile ago about a sales man going out on a ride with a keen young guy looking at a RC45, the last the salesman saw was the RC45 slowly pulling away from him at 200km/h on his borrowed bike. RC45 never seen again.....not sure if its just a legend or what?
Yep,this happened.The bike was used in a robbery a while later.......
I'll let people test ride,but I'll follow on another bike.Try only having a litre or so of fuel in it"don't go too far mate"and follow,if he runs at least he won't go far.....
dangerous
23rd July 2004, 21:03
Well I think that it is one of those judgment call type situations. As this has always been something that has bothered me.
The last three bikes that I have sold the buyers have not asked to ride em maybe I scare the shit out of them or something.....duno but one was a back up bike that I had a 86 VFR and a 21yr old student looked at it with his g/f and said I'll take it (offered me less, I would of let him ride it)
The next bike was the CX500 turbo and there was no way any one was going to ride that as it was a bloody handfull just parking it up let alone riding it. I dident realy want to sell it so had an extra $1500 on it over what I paid and a Aucklander took it at the full price with out even hereing it run.
The last bike I sold was the 1100i Guzzi and once again that bike is a handfull as it feels/rides like no other bike does and with a 5 speeder in it, it realy gets away with out you relising, but once again the buyer dident ask for a ride (but offered me heaps less $)
Now if anyone of them had asked for a ride, then I would of followed them on my 2nd bike or theres thats all there is to it. Its a pitty that we cant trust our fellow humen bikers more aye.
I did not test ride the Guzzi as I brought it of the net ex Auck from a shop so I think that I had some come back if needed, nor did I ride the VTR as the shop refused a test ride on there demo..... wankers
ps: sorry bout the long winded post.
Stevo
24th July 2004, 00:26
Why would the shop not let you run their demo?? What is their criteria for test riding?
Firefight
24th July 2004, 09:14
Like most I guess its a judgment thing, more importantly for me is the issue of not selling from home, A few years ago I was selling a bike from home (we lived in Manly On the HBC) had a few dudes came round, and one inparticular seemed a bit of a scrot, never thought too much about it till a week later, you guessed it we were robbed ! he didn't get the bike, but cleaned out my tools etc, (Mr :Police: was round in two hours) not bad !
Ever since If I sell privately I make a deal with second home(local bike shop),I pay for advertising, they display the bike, If they get a contact I come down and do the deal(no OBO) and then I sling them NZ$ 100.00 for their trouble.
Firefight :crazy:
SPman
24th July 2004, 09:21
I think it is important to test ride bikes.I've ridden bikes I was sure I was going to buy and come back totally the opposite, and taken bikes for rides that I thought I would hate and bought them. In a private situation, it could come down to intuition as well as the other things mentioned above, but, also, how about a details and insurance form like most shops have you fill out and sign, before they go off and cane your pride and joy!
FROSTY
24th July 2004, 10:49
Actually from a buyers point of view ive generally pretty well decided I'm going to buy a bike before I ask for a test ride.
I've usually checked it over and really I'm riding it to make sure it doesn't have any nasty habits.
moko
24th July 2004, 15:24
There`s been a bit of a problem here with bikes being stolen on test rides so you`ll get the same advice in most of the mags,if possible get the potential buyer to turn up somewhere other than where the bike is garaged,not unknown for someone to take a look then the bike disappears the same night now they know where it`s kept so dont give your address out over the phone either,just the address where you want to meet up,mate`s place,family whatever.Try and have a mate with you for back-up and witness,full price in your hand or no test ride,probably best to draw up a brief letter beforehand saying damage will be paid for and money returned in full if potential buyer dosnt want it and returns it with no damage,covers both parties.Also important to have photo i.d.,passport or driving licence,anything without a pic can be stolen and passed off as i.d. for a crim.Any car or bike left while it`s "owner" goes for a test run is not nescessarily proof they`ll come back ,could well stolen.another biggy,not sure whether this applies in N.Z. or not but here for sure it`s vital to have proof that any test-rider has valid insurance for your bike,many here now only cover a rider for a bike he actually owns and usually the specific one in the insurance papers,o.k. so you`ve got the money for the bike in your hands if you`ve done it right but if he piles into the back of someone`s Ferrari on your bike you could be in all kinds of trouble,here at least you could well be charged with aiding and abetting someone to ride an un-insured machine.
Posh Tourer :P
24th July 2004, 15:42
I think it is important to test ride bikes.I've ridden bikes I was sure I was going to buy and come back totally the opposite, and taken bikes for rides that I thought I would hate and bought them. In a private situation, it could come down to intuition as well as the other things mentioned above, but, also, how about a details and insurance form like most shops have you fill out and sign, before they go off and cane your pride and joy!
Yes it is important to test ride bikes, but I assume here you are talking about distinguishing between models not looking for faults on one you are about to buy. I agree that riding a few bikes before you pick which models you want is a good idea. That can be done at a dealership, and then testing before buying private should be (to be polite) a quick check over for major faults.
moko
24th July 2004, 15:59
I think it is important to test ride bikes.I've ridden bikes I was sure I was going to buy and come back totally the opposite, and taken bikes for rides that I thought I would hate and bought them. In a private situation, it could come down to intuition as well as the other things mentioned above, but, also, how about a details and insurance form like most shops have you fill out and sign, before they go off and cane your pride and joy!
to be honest I prefer to buy from dealers,rather pay a bit extra and have some comeback if anything goes wrong,plus I`ve met some real dorks both buying and selling privately.Worst buyers are those who ask loads of questions,come back from the test-ride then slag the thing off totally to try and knock you down.Sellers?I once looked at a really nice CB250 advertised as o.n.o.,all was well then i made an offer slightly below the asking price and the guy got all offended,told me i knew what the price was when I asked to look at it.I pointed out to him that o.n.o. meant or near offer and why put that if he was going to stick to his price?He got the hump,things got heated and at my suggestion he did indeed piss off.Silly part was that it was well worth the asking price but his ad stated that he`d haggle a bit,didn`t know what o.n.o. meant would you believe,so why stick it in the ad?now I always ask over the phone"what`s the least you`ll let it go for because that`s how much I`ll bring with me",saves a lot of hassle,I`ll either have it at the stated price or not.ifthey wont budge at all I`ll still take a look as twice I`ve done that and found the bikes for sale to be in exceptional condition,just like to get the potentially awkward bit out of the way before meeting face to face.
dangerous
24th July 2004, 19:21
Why would the shop not let you run their demo?? What is their criteria for test riding?
Cos they are wank's
Four years ago I brought my Guzzi 1100i sport, but before I did I was in the local Honda dealer looking at a VTR1000, serious I was it was time to ask for a ride but the idiot sales guy was sitting on it side saddle the hole time, so it was very hard to even see the bike so I was thinking that a ride was out of the question. I buggered of thinking that he was one rude SOB and went and brought the Guzzi.
Now my current VTR came from the same shop (the pricks have ya by the balls here as there is only one other Honda shop in the S/I that sells these bikes and they arnt much better) After I'd been in there a few times looking at the bike I asked for a ride as one was not offered, I was told to come back on Sat and I was booked in. Well on that day I rocked up at 11 as booked in and was told that the 'D' plate was out on another bike....... after waiting for ever I pissed off.
The next Sat I booked a ride in at 11 again, rocked up and waited for the demo bike to arive 45min later, after the salls guy finished wanking on to that guy he nattered to a mate of his till 12:15 and then said "ohh you can take the bike out now but we close in 15min so just go around the block"
Now no bastard is going to buy a bike after just going around the block hell ther aint even time to get it warmed up, but I did and I'm still not impressed by this shop but as I said they have us south Islanders by the balls.
sorry but you asked :D
geoffm
24th July 2004, 19:36
Before I got the beemer, I was lookign aroudn at seveeral bikes. Red Baron had a ZZR11 I was interested in. Test ride sure. Have to follow this route - out of shop, on at Newton gully to motorway, off at Western Springs and back a gain. About a 5km loop. at 5pm, in Auckland traffic. First gear was ok, never used any of the others... Insurance reasons apparently.
There was no way I was going to spend $10k on a bike I couldn't ride. Especiallly since the main reason I was changing was that the missus had problems going on the back of the GSXR, so a once around the block wasn't going to cut it.
The BMW was here are the keys, please be back before we leave...
Geoff
dangerous
24th July 2004, 19:50
The BMW was here are the keys, please be back before we leave...Geoff
Sport zone Suzuki Chch will often say pick up the bike on Sat and have it back on Mon, now thats good PR work and if I was after a Suzuki then I'd pay more just to deal with them.
Jackrat
24th July 2004, 19:53
I don't normaly let people ride bikes I have for sale but I have let a couple.
The price I advertise is my bottem doller and I don't budge.
Most of my triumphs,my Ducati and an HD I never let the buyer ride them.
I don't mind taking people for a ride but if your buying a bike like that you shouldn't even need to ride it,These things are not bought by newbies so they should be able to tell what they need to know without riding it.
When I look at a bike myself I ask to ride it but if they don't want me to I don't mind.I think the situation is different for a shop because people might be trying to make up their minds between models ect,but for a private sale they should be past that.Of the twenty odd bikes Iv'e sold about four of them I let people ride.One was my last Bonnie that a girl arranged to see an then came up from Nelson riding a 500 Daytona.she actualy stayed the night and a friend from AK rode back to Nelson with her after she bought it.Iv'e had a few sales where the buyer took one look and just handed over the bucks.My SD 900 ducati,The guy listened to it start up an run,walked around it a couple of times and pulled the cash out of his back pocket,deal done.
I sold a mint TR6R Triumph the guy wanted before I even kicked it over.
They should all be like that,but their not.
A good mate had his uninsured Goldwing found in the Tamaki river a month after the scum bag didn't come back.
I NEVER TAKE CHEQUES.
MikeL
24th July 2004, 20:09
Before I got the beemer, I was lookign aroudn at seveeral bikes. Red Baron had a ZZR11 I was interested in. Test ride sure. Have to follow this route - out of shop, on at Newton gully to motorway, off at Western Springs and back a gain. About a 5km loop. at 5pm, in Auckland traffic. First gear was ok, never used any of the others... Insurance reasons apparently.
There was no way I was going to spend $10k on a bike I couldn't ride. Especiallly since the main reason I was changing was that the missus had problems going on the back of the GSXR, so a once around the block wasn't going to cut it.
The BMW was here are the keys, please be back before we leave...
Geoff
I have test ridden lots of bikes from Red Baron. The salesmen suggested that circuit as being appropriate but I was never given to believe that I had to stick to it (I didn't). One of the guys there even told me that it was a bit pointless trying to get a test ride done after 4 pm because of the traffic and suggested I come back the next day at 10 a.m. - good advice (managed to get into second gear! - j/k)
No complaints at all about any of the bike shops in Akl when it comes to test rides. Each bike I have bought was ridden at least twice (sometimes 3 times) before I made my mind up. Indecisive bugger that I am...
Firefight
24th July 2004, 20:17
Was down at Greg Boyds a few weeks ago, took a new VTR out for a test ride, all I had to do was show my DL, sign disclaimer form thingy, and away I went, Gregs said "yeah ,go were you like", so I did .No restriction on distance, speed or route, Shot out to Gordonton road, half way to Morrinsville and returned, guess I was gone about an hour.
Firefight :wacko:
dangerous
24th July 2004, 20:25
Was down at Greg Boyds a few weeks ago, took a new VTR out for a test ride,
*sorry O1 gone a little of topic here
So FF what did you think of the Storm? was it a F3 and were you just tyre kicking or ya keen..... seen the light, man :rolleyes:
Jackrat
24th July 2004, 20:30
I took a bike for a test ride on behalf of a mate in Papakura once.
The sales man said he would follow me on a 900 Kawa' Ninja.
I went up the Hunua gourge and this guy rides around the outside of me an dissapears into the distance, I didn't even see him again until I got back to the shop about 15 minites before he did.
He asked me why I didn't keep up and I told him I couldn't :o
dangerous
24th July 2004, 20:38
I took a bike for a test ride on behalf of a mate in Papakura once.
The sales man said he would follow me on a 900 Kawa' Ninja.
I went up the Hunua gourge and this guy rides around the outside of me an dissapears into the distance, I didn't even see him again until I got back to the shop about 15 minites before he did.
He asked me why I didn't keep up and I told him I couldn't :o
They ride with ya in Brisbane aswell but as I found they just injoy riding as the weather is so good. One guy said the same thing to me but as he passed he was on the rear wheel and spent half the ride on it. What a job aye!
Firefight
24th July 2004, 20:41
*sorry O1 gone a little of topic here
So FF what did you think of the Storm? was it a F3 and were you just tyre kicking or ya keen..... seen the light, man :rolleyes:
Not much good at the reveiw caper, but I'll give it a go, Yeah I guess it was a F3, obvouisly alot diff from my normal ride(last 3 road bikes been 600s).
Bloody noisy, twin scorps , cornered nicely, hard to get use to the vibration having always ridden 4cyl 600s.,Liked the power,, front brakes were absoulte shit, not sure why, all up nice bike, if I had the dosh for two bikes, yeah I think I'd get one.
Have owned 8 or 9 hondas, always liked them , , Not kickin tyres this time, am looking, but I think it will be another 600 !
Firefight
Racey Rider
24th July 2004, 20:59
The last bike shop I tested a bike from made me fill in insurance type form.
One clase said 'I won't do anything illegal'. Does that mean No Speeding?? :no:
HELLO! :spudwhat: I'm TESTING the bike!! :buggerd:
Guess that means if I was to have an 'Off ' while testing above the speed limit,, I'm up for the bill? :moon:
Sensei
24th July 2004, 22:21
I'v alway's put them on the back & taken them for a blast up 1 of my favorite road's .That way not only do they get to see how well the bike goes but you don't have to worry about them binning it or fucking off with it . Work's every time Sensei NP :eek:
dangerous
24th July 2004, 23:02
I'v alway's put them on the back & taken them for a blast up 1 of my favorite road's .That way not only do they get to see how well the bike goes but you don't have to worry about them binning it or fucking off with it . Work's every time Sensei NP :eek:
Yeah.... a couple of you guys said that you'd take the buyer for a ride, but I wouldent be prepaired to take a pillion that I dident know, shit what if they are some kind of nut case with a death wish...... It dosent take much for a pillion to bin a bike either.
Jackrat
24th July 2004, 23:26
Yeah.... a couple of you guys said that you'd take the buyer for a ride, but I wouldent be prepaired to take a pillion that I dident know, shit what if they are some kind of nut case with a death wish...... It dosent take much for a pillion to bin a bike either.
LOL,When I sold my duke I lived at the top of the Manukua heads an a guy rang me who sounded super keen an said all the right things,he couldn't get out to my place so I went into Pukekohe to meet him.
When I got there he turned out to be a sixteen year old with a deep voise but no money.It was a nice day so for a lesson I took him for a ride an scared the shit out of him.He got off the bike looking grey.Was a mean thing to do but he won't do that again in a hurry.
Disclaimer/
I wouldn't do that again,honest :whistle:
moko
25th July 2004, 14:13
The shop I bought the Fazer from gave me a nice long test ride accompanied by one of their mechanics on a 900 Kwak,he led the way at the start,guess he was watching how I handled it,then waved me by for the second half of the test-ride before passing me and leading the way back to the shop near the end.Thing is,if I hadn`t had the test-ride I doubt I`d have bought it,was quite happy with my XT so the shop`s little gamble paid off that time.Good test ride as well,we took in some fast stuff,some twisty stuff and went through the town centre on the way back.Got back and they told me the bike was ready to roll if I wanted it and had the money,haggled up to over book price for the XT,they filled the tank to the top and off I went,simple as that.If only all dealers were that good there`d be less complaints,10 months on and 9000 miles(bout 19000km I think)and she still goes like a dream with nothing more than basic maintenance.Sign of a good saleman,no hassle at all,I came away knowing I`d got a good deal,bloke was a tubby,scruffy little guy,not like the smooth,slick bastards in the local main dealers,"Any problems Dave bring her straight back and it`ll get sorted but I can promise you there wont be",geezer was right as well.Ask for a test-ride at the rip-off merchants down the road and you`d think it was their wife you`d wanted a go on.
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