Advice for selling a motorbike?

**vince25** · 15th January 2011, 12:58

Hi all. I hope you are enjoying the kiwi summer. Today is a cracker day for riding. I am about to take my last ride on my beloved GSX600f, as i intend to sell it (Due to family commitments.). I am very nervous about selling it and would love some advice from those who have done it.

My main concern is when potential buyers want to take it for a test ride. How can i prevent them from stealing it, and how am i protected if they crash it? I have thought about asking them to park the vehicle they came in down our driveway, and then park my car behind it, so they cant get it out. Call me paranoid, but it just seems to easy to take off on the bike and not return. In some ways the same as a car, but at least with a car, you can go for a drive with them. now whilst i could always go on the back, to get the real feel for the bike they really need to ride alone.

I would very much appreciate any comments and suggestion.

Thanks and happy riding.

**White trash** · 15th January 2011, 13:38

How do you know the car they arrived in isn't on a test drive too?

See my point?

Ask them to place the cash or a bank cheque made out to you for the value of the bike in your hand before they leave the property with your bike. If they don't like the bike and return it in the same condition, you can give them their cash back.

**BMWST?** · 15th January 2011, 13:52

Ask to see their drivers license to make sure they have got a bike license,and at the same time check their ID.Keep it til they come back.Dont give it back if they say "but i need it".I am sure it would be a valid explanation for not having a license on their person

**cbfb** · 15th January 2011, 14:30

Maybe ask for proof of address (recent bank statement, electric bill etc) as well as photo ID.

I guess your problem is gonna be that the test rider isn't going to know that you're not gonna run off with his/her cash/cheque deposit either.

Have you thought about getting them to sign a bit of paper saying they will cover and damages/losses? Dunnno if that's going a bit far but might be worth covering your arse.

Don't forget speeding/traffic fines and convictions that might come back to you to e.g. cameras or people reporting dangerous driving. Make a note of the day & time and person riding.

**Swoop** · 15th January 2011, 14:36

Originally Posted by vince25

I am very nervous about selling it and would love some advice from those who have done it.

My main concern is when potential buyers want to take it for a test ride. How can i prevent them from stealing it...

Quite simple.
Take a clear, high resolution photograph of the person who wishes to test ride. Make it clear what you will do with the photo if any naughtyness ensues. Straight to the police, onto crimewatch and posted on the interdweeb as a "fucking bike theif bastard who needs a good stabbing".

If someone is genuine, they should not have any problems with this approach. If they become nervous, however...

**vince25** · 15th January 2011, 15:30

I like this idea. I could always photocopy their drivers license, as i would demand it back if it was me, as i would not want to get a ticket for not having license on me. Some great ideas here, thanks.

Originally Posted by cbfb

Maybe ask for proof of address (recent bank statement, electric bill etc) as well as photo ID.

I guess your problem is gonna be that the test rider isn't going to know that you're not gonna run off with his/her cash/cheque deposit either.

Have you thought about getting them to sign a bit of paper saying they will cover and damages/losses? Dunnno if that's going a bit far but might be worth covering your arse.

Don't forget speeding/traffic fines and convictions that might come back to you to e.g. cameras or people reporting dangerous driving. Make a note of the day & time and person riding.

**notme** · 15th January 2011, 16:37

THe bikes I have sold privately (3 of them) I have always done this:

1) in advance, before the test ride let them know that they need to turn up with a driver's licence with bike class on it, which I will be scanning or taking a pic of (takes all of 2 sec with a cellphone)

2) When they turn up - most importantly, if your instincts are telling you something is wrong don't let them take it for a ride! Many ways to do this politely if you don't want to say "i think you look like a dodgy bastard", like "losing" the key and so on.

3) Agree how long they will be gone, and have your cell numbers swapped - a good way to swap numbers and at the same time check that they are not giving you a fake it to ask for thier number then call thiers then and there "so that you have mine too".

A fourth point but not something I have done, is meet at a gas station as they will then be on security cameras....oh and another one i heard is to offer to turn up at thier place for the test ride so that you know where they live, and can also make an assesment of their character (e.g. someone living in a state house in otara is probably not genuine if they want to test ride a high value bike!)

In general i think point 2 is the biggie.

**cbfb** · 15th January 2011, 16:53

Originally Posted by allun

A fourth point but not something I have done, is meet at a gas station as they will then be on security cameras

Good point, would be a piece of piss to stick a webcam looking out of your house window looking down the drive too.

**PirateJafa** · 15th January 2011, 17:20

Originally Posted by vince25

I would very much appreciate any comments and suggestion.

I found a poem worked well.

Originally Posted by cbfb

Good point, would be a piece of piss to stick a webcam looking out of your house window looking down the drive too.

Don't be sneaky about it. Take a picture of their face, directly in front of them, so that they know exactly what you are doing. Photocopy their license. Take a picture of their car (especially the numberplate) as well. If it feels dodgy, when you go back inside to "get the keys" call the cops and check the car isn't reported as stolen. Ask to hold onto their keys if you feel that iffy about them - though in that case, you really shouldn't be allowing a testride at all.

**Katman** · 15th January 2011, 17:40

As has been said, hold on to their license while they're gone.

If they don't want to leave you their license then tough shit for them.

**Gremlin** · 15th January 2011, 18:56

- Photo of person
- Proof of funds to purchase bike
- Drivers License
- Signed piece of paper laying out terms and conditions if something happens on the test ride
- Person staying behind, or vehicle (be aware vehicle may be stolen or on a test drive itself, and/or person wants to "dash up the road briefly"
- Don't allow them to come to your house (then they can case it)
- Offer to go to their house
- Have another mate accompany you, to give you a better position, if not meeting at home (or home alone)

Any combination of some or all of the above is good. Be open and honest.

If successful, signed piece of paper from them saying ownership has been transferred, they now own etc (over and above the standard transfer of ownership forms). Make sure of funds, cash is best, or fast cheque payment like from ASB. Bank cheques etc can all be revoked.

**Little Miss Trouble** · 15th January 2011, 19:11

Shit some of this stuff sounds complicated.
With the last bike I sold the guys partner and I sat in my lounge drinking coffee while he took the bike for a quick testride. We then went down the road together, he got the cash out and we did the change of ownership at the postoffice.
In saying that, he called me twice from Canada before he arrived to chat about it and make his offer conditional on the testride.

Edit: I've also been afforded the same sort of trust when purchasing bikes too

**davebullet** · 15th January 2011, 20:24

Insist on cash or a bank cheque plus hold their license.

If they aren't happy with that - they are NOT genuine. Either they are untrustworthy or not a serious buyer.

Don't feel bad if you turn someone away who refuses the above conditions.

Advertise with the conditions for a ride - so anyone turning up better be prepared and won't say "but you never told me" shit excuses.

It's your bike and you need to protect it from scum that prey.

**bsasuper** · 16th January 2011, 12:21

Its a tough call as to giving a "test" ride to a maybe buyer.Make it clear to them when they call you that there will be a test ride only if once they have inspected it, heard it running etc, and they are serious about purchasing it, a test ride will be given with the amount agreed on , given cash (a bank cheque can be cancelled) in hand, and that after test ride if they have changed their mind ,cash is given back.The last bike I sold was done like this, dont be afraid to do this, afterall its your pride and joy being riden by a complete stranger.A serious buyer will have no problem doing this, and it keeps the tyre kickers away.