The ethics of test riding

[Smorg]

Well the time has come for me to sell my baby.....
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

[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!