Test rides

[StuMiller]

If you were selling your pride and joy privately, would you let just anyone off the street test ride your bike

Your thoughts

[Kishy]

Not if I wasent covered by my insurer in case of them doing
a runner.. & even then if I was, I'd be up for an excess worth
coupla hundred..

Not worth it. I'd rather they pillion..

[dave#3]

We made up a simple waiver stating that the bike was insured and the test pilot was liable for the excess. It might not hold up in court with a good solicitor, but most people would rather cough up the excess than have their day in court.

Also, make sure you see their license, make sure they're licensed to be on your bike and if possible follow them (or have someone else follow them) on another bike ... preferably somebody who's quick

It's easy to make comments like "they can pillion", etc, but, would you buy a bike you'd never ridden, particularly a second hand bike ? I know I wouldn't and for most of us if you decide to sell your bike you probably actually want it to sell .... though, if your selling it on the mandate of a significant other you might consider asking approx 60% more than the going rate and refuse test rides

[Burky]

When i sold my bike the condition was .5 the purchase price + riders licence. The guy even left his misses while he did the ride. One thing i did was take down the details (speed cameras can be expensive if you can't prove who rode the bike at 180km/h). The bike was sold without any problems.

[Kishy]

It's easy to make comments like "they can pillion", etc, but, would you buy a bike you'd never ridden, particularly a second hand bike ?

I did.

Guy told me to ride his bike but I told him I wouldnt because I'd neva
ridden a bike B4 & only had a learners; so he took me for a ride.

The inspection report & purchase price were the deciding factor as to
whether there was going to be a sale or not.. & not the actual 10min
ride.

[QLDZX6R]

We made up a simple waiver stating that the bike was insured and the test pilot was liable for the excess. It might not hold up in court with a good solicitor, but most people would rather cough up the excess than have their day in court.

Also, make sure you see their license, make sure they're licensed to be on your bike and if possible follow them (or have someone else follow them) on another bike ... preferably somebody who's quick

It's easy to make comments like "they can pillion", etc, but, would you buy a bike you'd never ridden, particularly a second hand bike ? I know I wouldn't and for most of us if you decide to sell your bike you probably actually want it to sell .... though, if your selling it on the mandate of a significant other you might consider asking approx 60% more than the going rate and refuse test rides

Great,also take their pic with mobile phone so you at least have their mug-shot if they nick off

[StuMiller]

Th reason I ask is I am selling my 05 ZX10, less than 12 months old. I told the prespective buyer I don't know him from a bar of soap and there will be no test rides. He was happy with that until he pays half the purchase price.
Time will tell if he really wants a new bike for $12,500.....

[SenNey]

When i sold my bike, the only person who i considered letting go for a test ride was a young lady.
She wasn't cocky, she wasn't bragging about her riding ability and she wasn't a ricer wannabe.

Hubby followed on his bike, as he would have more chance of catching her had she tried to do a runner.

She bought the bike on the spot, hubby even dropped it off at her work for her.

I wouldn't buy anythng unless i could test ride/drive it first, if i had to put money down to do so, so be it.

[hammer]

The guy even left his misses while he did the ride.

Did you get to keep her if he didn`t come back?

[red_dave]

The guy even left his misses while he did the ride.

Did you get to keep her if he didn`t come back?

He could have been trading up...

[L-A]

I test rode both of the bikes I have purchased - one through a dealer and one privately. I wouldn't buy without a test ride. I'd be happy to give the seller my licence while I'm out on his/her bike - that ensures that if I do go AWOL its not going to be that hard to have the police track me down.... As far as dropping it - if Idrop/bin it I get to pay the price that the seller is asking. Simple. Haggle after you test ride it. All the same conditions if I'm selling my bike - I'll hold your licence and you pay my asking price if you drop it. If you take off it with so what, I have all my bike insured for theft.

L-A

[Buck]

I found it very difficult to get a test ride when looking privately
down here in Victoria late last year .One guy selling a GXR was a copper I went to his work
Mornington Copshop to see and test ride the bike
and he wouldnt even allow it but said nothing over the phone.

Wasted 2 bloody hours though.

I dont buy without a test ride.
You wouldnt dream of buying a car without a spin?

The dicks I met not a real motorcyclist among em showed me
that buying from a shop was the best bet and same price or cheaper
and you dont get treated like a thief or stupid enough to hand over cash
without a taste.. Its not as if these jappos are rare or carry significant price
drops in the private market.

One poser in Oakleigh had a mint ZX7 at trade dollars did the no EFT no ride and when asked about the tyres
that looked like a older set of Bridgies
commented that the bike was as new with original tyres.
Same rubber on the rims for 8 fuggin years!!
Didnt bother asking him about oil changes.

[Buck]

If you were selling your pride and joy privately, would you let just anyone off the street test ride your bike

Your thoughts

Pride and Joys arnt seriously for sale thats the problem.and MOTOGP test rider buyers are hard to find when your selling a massproduced jappo.

Ask yourself did I buy it without a ride?
Good luck with the sale anyway sounds like the boot
is about to be on the other foot soon whats the next bike.

[Johnnie5]

I test rode both of the bikes I have purchased - one through a dealer and one privately. I wouldn't buy without a test ride. I'd be happy to give the seller my licence while I'm out on his/her bike - that ensures that if I do go AWOL its not going to be that hard to have the police track me down.... As far as dropping it - if Idrop/bin it I get to pay the price that the seller is asking. Simple. Haggle after you test ride it. All the same conditions if I'm selling my bike - I'll hold your licence and you pay my asking price if you drop it. If you take off it with so what, I have all my bike insured for theft.

L-A

you will find it difficult to get the $$$ out of someone

and as to insurance if they dont come back, check your insurance and bet your arse there is a clause that they wont payout

also check for clauses about test rides when selling

[Glen]

The other bit of advice that I think is valuable is to always insist on a landline number and call them back when they ring and never let them know where you live. Arrange to meet somewhere populated (outside a police station is a nice little touch).

A mate of mine had two bikes pinched the day after a test ride. He couldn't pin them down either as the only contact info he had was a mobile number which was pinched.