These questions are in reference to used motorcycle sales transactions between private individuals.
Seller's Perspective
When you're selling a bike, do you insist on holding the asking price in cash while the prospective buyer takes a test ride? Or do you let the prospect take a test ride without holding any security? Are you concerned about the possibility of your bike being dropped or wrecked by a rider whose skills are unknown to you?
Buyer's Perspective
Are you understanding of a seller who wants to hold cash during the test ride? Or are you put off by the expectation and refuse to work with a seller who has that requirement?
I’ve been both numerous times and have only test rode one bike while allowing a test ride to one person I felt comfortable with. I tend to buy nearly new condition with low mileage from first owner so there isn’t much to worry about. As far as letting sellers test ride I need that money in hand before you get to ride. I’m not taking chances of the buyer taking off with my bike or dropping it.
These are very good questions.
Looking back, I never held money. I usually kept their wife/girlfriend and sometimes their car keys when selling and they are test riding. Everytime the test ride resulted in the sale.
As a buyer, I never gave cash to be held, nor car keys, ID, a testicle, etc. I every case I either bought the bike after a test ride, or my buddy did (who did not test ride it, but wanted it
).
I suppose the ride comes in play when engaged parties detect serious interest. Never has a bike been dropped in either situation, but that is merely gauged luck.
Would I do the same today? Probably. Again, gauge the potential buyer and respect the seller. I believe in every case when the spouse is involved to watch, the test rider is very respectful.
As a seller, you are in an awkward position in allowing test rides. A few years ago, a 30-something potential buyer parked his late model Saab across the street to see my Triumph Bonneville. Everything seemed okay, he left me his cluster of keys, and proceeded to take a ripping test ride through the neighborhood, back and forth, through the gears, having a blast.
I felt pretty stupid, as I walked across the street and could see that the guy was clearly living in his car. He finally came back after about 20 minutes, said thanks, but no, gave me the keys, and took his, and left. Absolutely nothing I could do or say, all legal on his part.
Now I am much more careful, and will give a test ride only with cash in hand, with the clear understanding that the bike is his if the bike functioned as it should, not how he expected or hoped. The test ride is the last step if everything is working properly.
About 10 years ago a guy and his girlfriend came to my house to look at one of my VF1000 R's and took it for a test ride. The girlfriend NEVER said a word to me and was looking very upset. When the guy came back and bought the bike he softly mentioned to me that he was using money put aside for her wedding ring ! I told him to look for another girlfriend as this relationship was coming to an end.
(09-17-2019, 01:43 AM)Houtman_imp Wrote: [ -> ]About 10 years ago a guy and his girlfriend came to my house to look at one of my VF1000 R's and took it for a test ride. The girlfriend NEVER said a word to me and was looking very upset. When the guy came back and bought the bike he softly mentioned to me that he was using money put aside for her wedding ring ! I told him to look for another girlfriend as this relationship was coming to an end.
Indeed. Quite the death knell.
In my experience the female spouse sanctioned the used bike purchase for her man and she was paying every time. Lucky couples.
(09-16-2019, 12:57 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]As a seller, you are in an awkward position in allowing test rides. A few years ago, a 30-something potential buyer parked his late model Saab across the street to see my Triumph Bonneville. Everything seemed okay, he left me his cluster of keys, and proceeded to take a ripping test ride through the neighborhood, back and forth, through the gears, having a blast.
I felt pretty stupid, as I walked across the street and could see that the guy was clearly living in his car. He finally came back after about 20 minutes, said thanks, but no, gave me the keys, and took his, and left. Absolutely nothing I could do or say, all legal on his part.
Now I am much more careful, and will give a test ride only with cash in hand, with the clear understanding that the bike is his if the bike functioned as it should, not how he expected or hoped. The test ride is the last step if everything is working properly.
This is exactly my thinking. As a buyer, I would have empathy with the seller that he's handing over to me thousands of dollars worth of personal property that is uninsured when operated as a loaner vehicle. It's reasonable for me - if I'm truly a serious buyer - to reciprocate by handing the seller thousands of dollars of cash as collateral on his property while it's in my possession and control.
Some buyers seem think the seller is obligated to give them a no-strings-attached all-risk-on-the-seller test ride as the first - not last - step in the buying process.
I’ve always required my asking price in cash and check for a motorcycle license before allowing a test ride on any bike I’m selling. When I’m buying, I’ve encountered all types of sellers. A few have just handed me their bikes with no money or collateral. Hadn’t even brought someone else with me. I must look trustworthy.
I’ve been lucky not to have any unpleasant or unscrupulous situations as a buyer or seller of vehicles in private party transactions.
I saw the ad for my current CB on a Saturday night, and looked at it on Sunday before leaving on a business trip. Since I didn’t have access to cash for a purchase, the seller politely declined to let me ride the bike and I completely understood. We made a gentleman’s agreement that I’d come back with cash after my trip intending to purchase the bike.
When my wife and I came back a week later with the money, he had been having second thoughts about selling. He sent me off on a test ride, and when I came back just a few minutes later, he had his hopes up that the short ride meant I didn’t like the bike. When I said I did like it, he insisted that I take a longer ride. “These bikes get really uncomfortable after a while. Take it for a long ride, and take it out on the freeway, and you’ll see that you probably won’t want it.”
His wife and mine were having a pleasant conversation so I went for a longer ride, which of course didn’t make me like it any less. We sealed the deal once his wife overrode the owner’s hesitation to sell it. “If you like it so much how come you’ve hardly ridden it since you just had to have it six years ago?”
So in this case, the female spouse, albeit not mine, was on my side. Mine was supportive as well of course.
(09-17-2019, 01:06 PM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I’ve always required my asking price in cash and check for a motorcycle license before allowing a test ride on any bike I’m selling. When I’m buying, I’ve encountered all types of sellers. A few have just handed me their bikes with no money or collateral. Hadn’t even brought someone else with me. I must look trustworthy.
I’ve been lucky not to have any unpleasant or unscrupulous situations as a buyer or seller of vehicles in private party transactions.
I saw the ad for my current CB on a Saturday night, and looked at it on Sunday before leaving on a business trip. Since I didn’t have access to cash for a purchase, the seller politely declined to let me ride the bike and I completely understood. We made a gentleman’s agreement that I’d come back with cash after my trip intending to purchase the bike.
When my wife and I came back a week later with the money, he had been having second thoughts about selling. He sent me off on a test ride, and when I came back just a few minutes later, he had his hopes up that the short ride meant I didn’t like the bike. When I said I did like it, he insisted that I take a longer ride. “These bikes get really uncomfortable after a while. Take it for a long ride, and take it out on the freeway, and you’ll see that you probably won’t want it.”
His wife and mine were having a pleasant conversation so I went for a longer ride, which of course didn’t make me like it any less. We sealed the deal once his wife overrode the owner’s hesitation to sell it. “If you like it so much how come you’ve hardly ridden it since you just had to have it six years ago?”
So in this case, the female spouse, albeit not mine, was on my side. Mine was supportive as well of course.
Haha...that's a great story.
(09-16-2019, 12:57 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]As a seller, you are in an awkward position in allowing test rides. A few years ago, a 30-something potential buyer parked his late model Saab across the street to see my Triumph Bonneville. Everything seemed okay, he left me his cluster of keys, and proceeded to take a ripping test ride through the neighborhood, back and forth, through the gears, having a blast.
I felt pretty stupid, as I walked across the street and could see that the guy was clearly living in his car. He finally came back after about 20 minutes, said thanks, but no, gave me the keys, and took his, and left. Absolutely nothing I could do or say, all legal on his part.
Now I am much more careful, and will give a test ride only with cash in hand, with the clear understanding that the bike is his if the bike functioned as it should, not how he expected or hoped. The test ride is the last step if everything is working properly.
I understand the need to protect yourself as an owner, but I would never agree to the test ride if only granted "with the clear understanding" that the bike is mine if it functioned as it should.
Of course you as seller have the right to sell under the conditions you want, and if the bike is an easy one to sell, offered at a good price, you'd probably find a taker soon enough...it just wouldn't be me. There have been a few bikes that I was positive that I would like, and then once I test rode thought..."ugh, no way does this work for me".
(09-16-2019, 12:57 PM)pekingduck_imp Wrote: [ -> ]As a seller, you are in an awkward position in allowing test rides. A few years ago, a 30-something potential buyer parked his late model Saab across the street to see my Triumph Bonneville. Everything seemed okay, he left me his cluster of keys, and proceeded to take a ripping test ride through the neighborhood, back and forth, through the gears, having a blast.
I felt pretty stupid, as I walked across the street and could see that the guy was clearly living in his car. He finally came back after about 20 minutes, said thanks, but no, gave me the keys, and took his, and left. Absolutely nothing I could do or say, all legal on his part.
Now I am much more careful, and will give a test ride only with cash in hand, with the clear understanding that the bike is his if the bike functioned as it should, not how he expected or hoped. The test ride is the last step if everything is working properly.
I understand the need to protect yourself as an owner, but I would never agree to the test ride if only granted "with the clear understanding" that the bike is mine if it functioned as it should.
Of course you as seller have the right to sell under the conditions you want, and if the bike is an easy one to sell, offered at a good price, you'd probably find a taker soon enough...it just wouldn't be me. There have been a few bikes that I was positive that I would like, and then once I test rode thought..."ugh, no way does this work for me".
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It is hard for a buyer to know what to expect of a bike, especially if he or she hasn't ridden a lot of different ones - "this bike doesn't have any low-end torque", or "this one doesn't turn easily" or "this one feels heavier than I thought it would be".
I get it, you don't know until you actually ride it. But you would have to look to your friends or a dealer for that. It's not my job to provide test rides for someone to figure out what they want, only to make sure what I'm selling is safe and operating as it should be. Lately, I've left my bikes on consignment at a dealer and lose a little rather than put up with the risk and inconvenience.