Why can’t anything be normal?
 

I’m selling the Harleys. Twenty messages and one guy comes out to look. We talk for a few minutes, he seems to know what he’s doing. So I tell him to take a test ride.

Ten minutes go by. My wife and his are talking. The dogs are playing. Twenty minutes and I guess he must really like the sportster. Thirty minutes and we’re all a little concerned.

He pushes the bike back into the driveway covered in blood. Skinned knees, hands and a nasty head wound. We grab the first aid kit and get to work. My dogs are licking up the blood.

He mans up and says “I think I just bought your bike”. Thank God for that. He’s ultimately okay. Came back with cash and a trailer. The bike had a busted turn signal and some road rash on one pipe. Maybe $100 to fix. But otherwise good. Think his wife is really pissed.

Wow, crazy.

I'm glad that the guy manned up, and I'm glad that the bike and the guy were basically ok.

I did not need to read this to know why test rides of used motorcycles are extremely problematic. It’s not like a car, where you can go with the guy and know that he’s not abusing your ride. And of course, a little sand on the road or a good old lack of riding skills can result in your scenario, or a lot worse. You are lucky that the guy bought it, you had zero leverage in that situation.

I sold a Ducati recently and a guy drove down from Santa Clarita w his wife, seemed pretty serious. He had been making offers via text and I told him that I’d only consider offers in person from people who have seen the bike, (standard procedure for me).

We look at the bike in my parking garb and then I ride it up the ramp and outside into the light for him. The bike is nearly perfect, BTW. He looks it over outside and then starts putting on his helmet, saying, “just need to go for a short ride and we probably have a deal.”

Ah...no, dude. No test rides. It had never been discussed and if he had told me that he needed to ride it first, I would have told him that it would happen only w the full purchase price in my hand in cash. That’s SOP for MC test rides from private parties, BTW.

He handed an envelope to his wife that appeared to be filled w cash and I explained that them handing money between themselves changed nothing...was I supposed to beat it out of her if he wrecked my bike? He got huffy and I asked him, “what if you drop my bike?”

“Then I’ll buy it.”

Sure you will, pal. You won’t hand over the $$ when the bike is perfect but you will once it’s destroyed...sure thing. He acted all offended and left in a huff. I told him to have a nice drive home, (20 miles each way). People are schit. You got lucky.

Glad it worked out Varmit. I take it you have more to sell? What have you learned ;)? I sold my Sportster a few years ago... but no way in hell was a stranger who drove up in a car gonna ride it....nope! Strange bike, unknown riding skills... yer lucky!

edited: I would not have replied a few minutes later.... Speeder nailed it.

I've heard of a story just like this earlier today. Glad this one worked out too.

From the stories I hear of motorcycle sales, that is a normal experience.

My business partner has bought and sold several motorcycles. He always tells any potential buyer that no rides until the money has changed hands. He told one guy, I know this motorcycle is perfect, and if you don't like it for up to an hour, bring it back with a full tank of gas and I will refund the money. He figured someone was not going to go out and abuse a motorcycle they just bought.

I once took a demo bike out for a spin from the Ducati dealer in Laconia. I think it was a 999S. Got lost on the way back (couldn't remember exactly which small street on which to turn). I don't think I had a cellphone at that time. Eventually found my way back. I think the dealership owner was somewhat relieved. It probably had helped that my riding buddy, who had been hanging out at the shop in the meantime and was well-known to the owner, vouched for my riding abilities during the delay.

I've purchased cycles without test riding them.

Nothing high end or expensive.

Usually you can pretty much see what you're getting.

We do start it and check out the instruments, etc.

Ouch, that doesn't sound enjoyable for him. Hope he has room in the garage next to bike to sleep.

I am the same way as it relates to selling stuff, unless it is someone I know.

When I bought a fellow Pelicans 900SS he rode it to my house, I looked it over and paid and gave him a ride home in Westy.

Speeder (Denis) is right. The only thing I would add is they also would have to show me a valid driver license with a motorcycle certification on it.

There may be one or two denizens here that I would not be that trusting with, but for the very large majority I'd be very trustful. I must say that I've never been burned by a Pelican.

Nope. I was going to buy a MC dirt bike and when I rode it I noticed if I took my hands off the bars it immediately went left. Bent frame and you couldn't see it Ho ride, keep your damn bike.

Half the stuff I have ever bought in any category had something hidden wrong. Why do people sell stuff? Ask yourself that.

It's not an honesty thing... it's skill set on a strange bike imo. What's the point in a test ride... no reasonable person is gonna "test" it.... the owner can do that for them .... unless the cash changes hands first ;).

edit: The offer to buy it back within an hour (as sold) seems reasonable too.

Why a head wound? Did you let the guy ride without a helmet or was it open face and he split his chin?

I just sold my KTM Enduro and my rule was that you are not leaving the parking lot (showed it at the grocery store) It isn't ideal for sure but at least it avoided high speed activity and death / major damage to the bike. Nice dad picked it up for himself to go ride with his kid. He was rusty but took it very slow.

Many horror stories, including people without MC license riding and getting killed.

G

NO TEST RIDES

Pay me and you can go for a ride, if you don't like it, we can talk about why you don't like it and reversing the transaction.

Someone hurts themselves on a test ride on my bike, who is on the hook for that? I never want to find out.

Timely thread, I’m selling an FLHX Street Glide for my neighbor. Good reminders for test ride protocol.

Posted this on the "oops" thread
Holy sh.t that's crazy! Several years ago my F.I.L was buying a new car at a Ford dealership locally. The manager goes out to test drive his trade on 309 which is a 2 lane highway. As he's pulling back into the dealership, a car rear ends him and total's my F.I.L's trade. He got top book for the trade but just NUTS.
Glad things worked out for you and no one was seriously hurt.

I sell stuff because I’ve moved on or I’m getting something new. I’ve never sold a motorcycle because it’s defective or hidden its condition. I’ve also bought plenty of fine, used machines, including one this week. :)

I get the difference in a motorcycle, but "no reasonable person is gonna "test" it.... the owner can do that for them" when buying a car, I wouldn't trust anyone but me to drive it ahead of time, and I also need to be able to get it up to highway speed. Bike's may be simpler in a way that a thorough ride is less important, but I once found an issue in a vehicle (Ford Aerostar) on the test ride. You could sedately drive around all day and it seemed fine, but if you ever got into the throttle, it made a horrible noise. I'm sure it was bad motor mounts that allowed the fan to contact the radiator which gave up the ghost when we parked it.

We've never been asked for a deposit or to pay in full before a test ride. Have been asked (and have also asked for) license with MC endorsement. Full coverage insurance on the bike when we are selling it and someone tests it.

Have had zero issues. Maybe just really lucky. After reading this...next bike we sell will have at least a deposit in the amount of my insurance deductible before the test ride.

angela