Selling your bike - do you allow test rides?

[rod h]

Selling the bike privately for the first time - do you allow test rides and how do you protect yourself against damage caused by the buyer ????

[BMWST?]

several discussions about this.You have to decide,but i would not buy a bike without test riding it first.

[imdying]

Sure, bring your money though. No money, no ride.

[sil3nt]

Anyone test riding should have had a good look at the bike beforehand and be prepared to buy the bike at the end of the ride. Otherwise they are just joy riders.

I recently purchased a bike. Went to check it out. Looked good so made a time to come back and test ride it with full cash (bank cheque) to the owner. Liked the bike so he kept the money and i kept the bike.

He also kept my licence when i went for the ride.

So asking price in your hand and take their licence as well. Chances are pretty good they won't get pulled over.

[boman]

It seems, upon reading other threads, that it is a major risk to let others ride the bike. There was a trend, not so long ago, of well dressed respectable men, stealing bikes they were taking for a ride. I personally do not know the correct answer to your question. I could be wrong, but can bank cheques be cancelled? How do you check the authenticity of the cheque. What is to stop someone handing you a fake licence and fake cheque, and then making off with your bike?

I would not buy a second hand bike without riding it first.

So it would seem a very good question..

[Flip]

You have to make the call, you can grab their; licence, car keys, bank cheque, wife. But if they want to rip you off there is probably very little you can do as all of the above can be faked.

Even the wife could be a fake.

[racefactory]

If they've come a long way with cash in hand or a deposit then sure...

otherwise they are all test pilots and can fuck off.

[rod h]

Cheers - I appreciate the comments, I have always expected to test ride the bike myself and have never been denied that but when the boots on the other foot.....??
I will have to make my mind up when they appear (if they actually do) but you're right if they want to scam you they will. thanks

[MaxCannon]

I've sold three bikes privately. Two with test rides and one without.

The first was the GN250
Two people rode it.
No one is likely to steal it but I made sure I saw their licenses first.
One came with family so it would have been hard to do a runner. The other rode his own bike over (ST1300).

I sold my Kwaka sight unseen and met the buyer half way so he could trailer it home.

My bandit 600 had two test rides. The first left his car (with me holding the keys). the second came on his own bike with his girlfriend on the back.
I figured if he didn't bring my bike I was going to keep the girl.

Neither bike would be hot target for theft and neither was worth a great amount.
There was the risk they'd bin it.
If I was selling mt current machine I'd be very reluctant to give anyone a test ride.

[NinjaNanna]

call the insurance company and tell them the bike is for sale and will have different people taking it for test rides.

[wysper]

call the insurance company and tell them the bike is for sale and will have different people taking it for test rides.

off hand do you know if generally your bike would be covered if stolen in that manner?

[Swoop]

Please do a "search" of this site, as there are a few threads on this subject and plenty of good advice for a seller.
Rule #1 is get something that will identify anyone who takes off with your bike, and make sure your insurance covers all eventualities.

If you do manage to identify a bike theif, killing them slowly with a blunt shovel is quite legal.

[Spearfish]

Please do a "search" of this site, as there are a few threads on this subject and plenty of good advice for a seller.
Rule #1 is get something that will identify anyone who takes off with your bike, and make sure your insurance covers all eventualities.

If you do manage to identify a bike thief, killing them slowly with a blunt shovel is quite legal.

Take a photo hopefully it wont turn into a mugshot.

[YellowDog]

The buyer of my last bike sent me a $200 deposit before flying up from Hawkes Bay to see the bike.

I guess it could have been an elaborate scam to get a bike for $200, however he had a trustworthy look about him and left his gear with me; so I was happy for him to ride the bike and give me the cash afterwards.

I think I'd want to test ride a bike before riding it back to Hawkes Bay also

[Mokadah]

The general conclusion from all these threads: cars, bikes, photographs, bags of personal gear, mates etc left behind are not protection for you as seller from the determined thief.

Only the agreed sale price in cash in your hand is. If they are genuine but don't want the bike after the test, they get their money back and everyone is happy.

If you want to give them the benefit of the doubt then that's up to you.