Any advice on selling a motorcycle? Should I allow Test Rides?

Tidybuoy · 05-07-2019, 07:07 AM

Believe it or not, in my 57 years I have never sold a vehicle. Yep, I've worn everything out and never had to sell an old car or bike.

Times have changed and I want to buy a new, different bike. I'm going to sell both my 2016 BMW R Nine T and my 2018 BMW G310R.

My concerns:
The big bike is not safe to let anyone ride it unless they are an experience rider. I'm also worried about someone stealing it. I also am worried about collecting funds as I have been scammed with a counterfeit cashiers check a few years ago.

I could trade the bikes in at the dealership but I think this will result in a substantial discount. I need this money to buy the next bike BMW R1200RS.

Any advice would be appreciated.

javadog · 05-07-2019, 07:25 AM

Absolutely not, do not let anybody take a test ride. Selling motorcycles is not like selling cars, the risk involved is too great and I would say very few serious buyers expect to be given the opportunity to test ride a prospective bike purchase.

javadog · 05-07-2019, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteremsley

They bring enough cash to cover your full asking price, and leave them with you if they want to test ride. If they crash it, they own it. Been on both sides of this kind of transaction.

On the + side, you have an expensive non "sport bike" to sell. unlikely to be too squiddy - if you were selling a 2000 R1, that might be a different story.

One thing you’re forgetting is personal injury. If some idiot crashes your bike and hurts himself, who is he going to look for to pay his medical bills?

NFW

Eric 951 · 05-07-2019, 07:27 AM

Motorcyclist had an article on this years ago--per their advice.

Test rides only if buyer shows a valid MC license, and gives you the money up-front. They crash it, they own it.

Zeke · 05-07-2019, 07:30 AM

Tricky question. The easy answer is no. But how can you demonstrate the quality of the bikes? A prepurchase inspection at a dealer or shop will go a long ways in selling with no rides.
Another easy answer is, well, 2 bikes — just trade them in on the one and be done with the worries. Selling any motor vehicle can be somewhat intimidating and complicated.

You mentioned theft. If you copy a prospective buyer's DL with endorsement and his insurance policy, you will be on the safe side. 2 bikes, ride the other one until one is sold.

Then there's consignment. Too many answers.

aschen · 05-07-2019, 07:31 AM

Do bike dealerships let walk ins drive preowned MCs?

Evans, Marv · 05-07-2019, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric 951

Motorcyclist had an article on this years ago--per their advice.

Test rides only if buyer shows a valid MC license, and gives you the money up-front. They crash it, they own it.

Plus, I don't know how legally binding it is, but you could make up a statement for potential buyers to sign stating the above and relieving you of any liability. I would consider that before letting any potential buyers I don't know take a bike for a test ride.

javadog · 05-07-2019, 07:34 AM

And proof of insurance doesn’t necessarily mean much, as it means you had insurance when that certificate was generated but does not guarantee that you continue to have it. It also doesn’t discuss any policy limits, typically, so it’s value is very little.

gizmofixer · 05-07-2019, 07:34 AM

i've always played it by gut feel.
racers, kids, newbies, NO WAY,
older guys, guys with their wives, retired LEOs,, OK, no prob.
haven't had any issues in 40 years.....

908/930 · 908/930's Garage

No, I would not let anybody ride it.

You can take them as a passenger, or let them set up an inspection with a licensed mechanic if they need to check condition.

In CA would it have to be safety inspected for ownership transfer anyways?

996AE · 996AE's Garage

Never, ever ever.

No safety inspection in socialist calif, yet.

Dont give the criminals in our fleece the taxpayers anymore ideas for fees.

71T Targa · 05-07-2019, 08:19 AM

The last time I let someone test ride a motorcycle it went out with nearly perfect plastics on a 27 year old bike and came back like this:

He decided he didn't want it after all and I sold it to the next guy... (Who I also let test ride it.)

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

No, never, not ever, NFW

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Absolutely not, do not let anybody take a test ride. Selling motorcycles is not like selling cars, the risk involved is too great and I would say very few serious buyers expect to be given the opportunity to test ride a prospective bike purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

One thing you’re forgetting is personal injury. If some idiot crashes your bike and hurts himself, who is he going to look for to pay his medical bills?

NFW

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

And proof of insurance doesn’t necessarily mean much, as it means you had insurance when that certificate was generated but does not guarantee that you continue to have it. It also doesn’t discuss any policy limits, typically, so it’s value is very little.

All of the above. Test rides on MCs are not very smart for either party with one exception, at the dealer. Most dealers I've been to here, (which is only the BMW and Ducati dealer), allow test rides w MC license/endorsement. They must have some kind of umbrella policy that covers anything/everything that could go wrong(?)

If you go to Pro Italia, (Ducati/Aprilia dealer), they always have a large selection of used bikes and you can sample just about anything in a pretty nice area for riding. I don't know how they do it, to be honest.

In your case, you are selling very late model BMW bikes and the buyer can visually inspect them for damage or evidence of being dropped, talk to you about your maintenance habits and go to the dealer if they want to know what an R9T rides like. I would never in a 100 years let some stranger who just rolled up ride one of my bikes. I'm about to sell one of mine, if they say they need to ride it first, no deal. I've never expected a test ride when I bought a bike from a private party but I've been offered a couple times.

There is just too much potential for completely avoidable, catastrophic mishap. At the very least, they could drop your bike which is a real possibility if the person is not skilled/experienced on an unfamiliar bike. Just don't do it.

jwasbury · 05-07-2019, 09:08 AM

I test rode the last used bike I bought, and have allowed test rides on a bunch of machines I have sold.

Agree with the gut feel approach like gizmofixer, above.

I've bought new bikes without a test ride and been happy. The one time I did that with a used bike, I got burned. I won't be buying anybody's used bike without a test ride again.

Zeke · 05-07-2019, 09:10 AM

I would not buy a motorcycle w/o riding it. Case in point: in the 90's when I had this crazy idea that I might get on a bike again, I found a Honda dirt bike for really cheap, like just take it cheap. Less than what it could be parted for by a good margin. I can't tell you the model, it was that long ago.

Anyway, it did need quite a bit of work to get it serviced and running and when I did get it running I rode the thing down the alley and back and it was off balance. I thought WTF? I had a bicycle that wouldn't track straight if you let go of the handlebars. I had to lean over to one side. It was tweaked. Got rid off that in a hurry.

Seems like the same thing was going on with the MC. I took one more lap down the alley to be sure and got off. It too was tweaked but I couldn't see it even after a major cleanup and going over.

I called a charity to come pick it up. I could not sell or give away that bike in clear conscience. I assume the charities simply sell them for scrap. I took the battery out to make it difficult to pass on as a viable bike. Haven't sat on a MC since.

Eric 951 · 05-07-2019, 09:13 AM

As a follow up, the last (3) I bought used I did test ride. I showed my MC endorsement and had my gear with me. And although I had it with me, none of them asked for the cash up front. I personally wouldn't buy without test riding.

Chocaholic · 05-07-2019, 09:20 AM

Didn't read through all of this, so apologies if duplicate.

I've sold many bikes over the years and have never offered a test ride (and have purchased many that way also)...and with any serious buyers, that's not been an issue. At best I would take the bike for a ride and allow them to follow or ride along on their own bike, just so they could see that it runs ok...but have only done that one time. If a buyer requires a test ride and is not willing to put cash in your hand first (and show a valid MC endorsement), kindly back out of the deal. That's not a serious buyer.

Arizona_928 · 05-07-2019, 09:33 AM

Full cash asking price in hand. You drop it. You own it. Funny thing. I've only had two people do that offer, both never dropped either bike. Most of the time buyers bring a truck and don't even bother asking. A very thorough static inspection with the bike running is usually enough...
I had a triumph that I sold, and took it to a local dealer for a PPI. Their mechanic rode it, and I still had the buyer give me the asking price in cash just in case anything happened.

Tidybuoy · 05-07-2019, 09:35 AM

Thanks for al the tips. I'm leaning towards not allowing any test rides but I will use my gut feeling - might allow someone that shows up on another nice bike and definitely has a license. But, my general plan will be to not allow or even mention a test ride and will assist with a dealer inspection if necessary - both bikes are in mint condition and serviced.

Question on payment: if buyer wants to pay with cashiers check, do you go to the bank with them? ask for wire to my bank?

I've also made an offer on a bike from the dealer and I'm waiting for their offer for trade-in. Who knows, maybe it will be within reason and hassle free.