Tyre kickers and test rides

**mynameis** · 19th October 2008, 16:04

Yeap some very good valid points made there, I especially like the idea of giving them a 24 hour period.

Thanks.

**EgliHonda** · 11th December 2009, 14:54

Nice advice on this tricky issue here. About to put a $15k bike up for private sale so hope no-one minds if I steal some phrases for the test ride policy bit on my advertisement...

**Trudes** · 11th December 2009, 15:22

When we were selling the Gixxer, all interested potential buyers wanted ti gave a test ride, our insurance doesn't cover others so we said no. Kendog is a soft touch and let one guy ride it while he followed on my bike, and a lady was interested and was sorting insurance through her insurance company, but in the meantime a guy bought it just from the pics on trademe. So yeah, I don't necessarily think test rides are necessary.

**Sidewinder** · 11th December 2009, 15:30

its called show me the money, its easyer selling a car because you can go with them if they want a test drive

**FROSTY:Me** · 11th December 2009, 17:25

I must say you get a pretty good sense of whois genuine and whose a test driver pretty fast in my line of work.
With bikes and sports cars if the first thing out of their mouth is --"can we go for a drive" then its a clear indication of their intention.
Generally a genuine buyer will look the bike over and ask a whole heap of questions about the bike

**avgas** · 11th December 2009, 17:38

License, wallet, partner and balls.
They leave these with me and I give back when I get the bike back

**Sidewinder** · 11th December 2009, 17:39

Originally Posted by avgas

License, wallet, partner and balls.
They leave these with me and I give back when I get the bike back

you didnt ask for them when carver test rode ya fz1

**BMWST?** · 11th December 2009, 17:45

Originally Posted by cs363

If you must sell privately then insure the bike, full licence holders only, be happy with ID (ideally two forms of ID such as drivers licence plus a recent phone/power bill showing their address) and if possible accompany them on the test ride on another bike or whatever.

Personally I would prefer to sell OBO at a dealer if you can find one that you can strike a good deal with or trade the bike, that way you avoid all that hassle.
The other thing that is probably worth pointing out is that if you sell on Trademe, often people will buy the bike sight unseen with no test rides.
Another suggestion is don't offer test rides but offer a 24 hour money back guarantee or something.

I think test rides are over rated - most people know what they are buying as they have researched it, probably ridden a mates in the past etc. The only real thing that is in question is the mechanical state of the bike, so you could preempt this by having the bike checked obver by a reputable dealer and getting a written valuation & inspection report.

i will never ever buy a bike without riding it.Not one like it...the actual bike.If i cant ride it and take it for at least 1/2 hour forget it

**no_8wire** · 11th December 2009, 19:34

mmm

When I sold my bike, I sold it like I sell my cars.

1st you can see what sort of person they are.
2nd If they want to have a ride/drive sure no problems - if you leave wallet and keys here thank you very much.

I was actually surprised when a guy came and gave me cash in hand before he took it for a ride...

If the seller wanted cash upfront prior to a test ride and wouldnt be happy with my keys, I think I would just look elsewhere tbh. No test ride no buy....

**crazyhorse** · 11th December 2009, 20:45

I sold my SV650 2 months ago, and the insurance had not long lapsed. I told them that the onis was on them

You drop it - you own it. That's what I was taught in the motorcycle world, you don't take anyones bike for a ride, unless you can afford to buy it if dropped.

**SMOKEU** · 11th December 2009, 23:16

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

You drop it - you own it.

Nice theory, but in reality you'll most likely end up getting $10 a week for the next 5 years after you've taken them to court.

**crazyhorse** · 12th December 2009, 05:21

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

Nice theory, but in reality you'll most likely end up getting $10 a week for the next 5 years after you've taken them to court.

yeah.... but I do no of a case that they have bought it when dropped.

And if I ride someone else's bike, its only because I can afford to buy it, or replace it.

Golden Rule no.1

**bsasuper** · 12th December 2009, 06:07

Last bike I sold I used the yanks system of, you buy the bike subject to a test ride, That is they give you cash for the asking price, go for a test ride, if they dont like it you give the cash back.serious buyers will have no problem with it, otherwise I take them for a spin on the back.

**crazyhorse** · 12th December 2009, 06:50

Originally Posted by bsasuper

Last bike I sold I used the yanks system of, you buy the bike subject to a test ride, That is they give you cash for the asking price, go for a test ride, if they dont like it you give the cash back.serious buyers will have no problem with it, otherwise I take them for a spin on the back.

Actually that sounds like a great idea too