word of warning on test rides selling a cycle

[cookiedough]

I talked to my neighbor whom I thought sold his 2003 ultra classic for around 10K but he told me today NO go.  The lady 3-4 weeks ago I saw over there near age 60 took it for a test drive and came back told him she will think about it and left on his husbands 30K HD trike near new.

He told me he was going to ride his bike back into the garage and noticed all kinds of oil under his cycle and upon closer inspection cluth lever was bent and side bag scratched along with crash bar and even exhaust on that left side. 

He immediately called the lady who he knew in town and she said it fell over 'all by itself' at the gas station in town NEVER telling him she dumped it in the first place.  They both have dairyland cycle insurance and she never even offered to pay his 500 deductible even though she is rich apparently.  He just got it back after 4K in damage and new paint job and vowed to NEVER let anyone else ride his bike unless he is riding it with the potential owner on back.

UNREAL,  takes all kinds of brass ball idiots to not even tell the owner he/she dumped the person's bike and then walk off after test riding like nothing happened.  Especially since she drove off on her husband's 30K HD trike since I saw her leaving the scene of the crime. 

What would one do in this scenario?  I'd make darn sure since she admitted to him it tipped over to at least force her to pay his 500 deductible and sounds like since it has been damaged to the tune of 4K or tad more,  the wreck apparently even if repaired right thru a HD dealer might go against his driver's record with the same insurance company the lady who tipped his bike over which is NOT right.  Since she admitted she did it,  I would think my neighbor could file a claim against her or not since HE gave her permission to test ride his cycle???  The right thing to do is she should at least pay his 500 deductible since she obviously can afford it. 

My neighbor also said his 10K asking price since now has been in an accident for all to see has reduced it's value even more so to say 9.5K tops or so even though the repairs and new muffler/bags/paint job are better than what was on the bike since was a 2003 model year. 

[BigMac (SoCal)]

I've sold a few bikes and when I do I tell the buyer Cash in hand before they ride it. I give them 10 minutes and if it comes back in the same condition and they don't want the bike I will hand them back the cash. If they drop it or do any damage at all they bought it.

Dave

[Robert]

I've sold a few bikes and when I do I tell the buyer Cash in hand before they ride it. I give them 10 minutes and if it comes back in the same condition and they don't want the bike I will hand them back the cash. If they drop it or do any damage at all they bought it.

Dave

  YUP

[Rams]

My boss tells a story of his 69 Mustang Shelby being taken on a test drive.   As I remember, it had a 428 four speed and a real hot rod.   The guy even gave him a $500 deposit to hold while he test drove it.   His story, not mine so, I'm not sure of all the details.

He never saw the car again.    Well actually, he could have seen it again if he wanted to go to the salvage yard.   The guy stole it, proceeded to wrap it around a barrier while running from the police.    

I agree with the previous poster, you want to ride my Valkyrie or drive my hot rod, put cash in my hand up front, full price.   We'll go from there.

[old2soon]

Cash in hand BEFORE they can ride!  Got a sneakin hunch the gal she no gonna cough up a single centavo.  Would it be worth pursuing in small claims court?  Hope your friend can git in the "ladies" wallet!  RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

yah,  you may have cash in hand but what if the guy comes back asking for his money back?  You still gave that person 'permission' to ride your cycle and is YOUR bike by law right with YOUR insurance, right??

What about a signed letter as well as cash in hand before riding stated in that letter if you crash it then you are held responsible for repairs and have it signed and dated, that would hold up in a court of law right?

I've only sold one cycle in my lifetime and that was leery as well letting a stranger test ride my bike even though was only 1500 bucks at the time in 1997.  I think my 7K valk I/S would not let anyone test ride it especially since i DO NOT have medical expense on my cycle insurance.  He could sue me for medical payments in case he gets in a wreck on my cycle since is MY cycle and MY insurance.  Unlikely to happen, but then again happened 3-4 weeks ago to my neighbor so anything is possible.

[john]

        ???                 
only a dipshit would allow a 60 year old lady to test their motorcycle       
only a dipshit would allow anybody to test drive .. test ride anything     
   you can take them for a ride but never ever let anyone test ride your vehicle     
this is a perfect example  as to why

     

[Steve K (IA)]

Growing up, my Dad told me countless times, "never let anyone ride your motorcycle".  

That is/was good advice.

[solo1]

Never let any one ride your motorcycle, never ride some one elses. No exceptions. Take them for a ride.

A number of years ago, I was at a dealer in Ft. Wayne (the dealer went out of business in a very short time)

A man came in and wanted to ride "the fastest damn motorcycle that you have"  They put him on a Susuki 1200, even lent him the helmet.  He had trouble finding first gear, should've been a clue, revved it up, let out the clutch (on gravel) did a partial wheelie before he slammed it into the ground, denting and scratching this new motorcycle. He jumped off the bike, SLAMMED the borrowed helmet on the ground, and ran to his car and took off.  The salesman was left with his mouth open.

Never let someone ride your bike .

[Patrick]

I think I would recommend talking to the gal again to see if she will still admit the fall and record her. Then I'd at least file a small claims action against her. Even if the claim is lost, I'd do what I could to aggravate the heck out of her.

[Rams]

Some interesting responses.

Putting myself in the buyer's position, I'm thinking there's no way I'd consider buying a motorcycle I hadn't ridden first.   

My guess is, some of you won't sell too many motorcycles.   Just a guess, not trying to start an argument.

[Tundra]

Based on her character, (which she has already shown a glimpse of) I wouldn't expect her to pay a red cent. Best chalk it up to lesson learned. If she comes through, count that a  surprise.

[Jack B]

yah,  you may have cash in hand but what if the guy comes back asking for his money back?  You still gave that person 'permission' to ride your cycle and is YOUR bike by law right with YOUR insurance, right??

What about a signed letter as well as cash in hand before riding stated in that letter if you crash it then you are held responsible for repairs and have it signed and dated, that would hold up in a court of law right?

I've only sold one cycle in my lifetime and that was leery as well letting a stranger test ride my bike even though was only 1500 bucks at the time in 1997.  I think my 7K valk I/S would not let anyone test ride it especially since i DO NOT have medical expense on my cycle insurance.  He could sue me for medical payments in case he gets in a wreck on my cycle since is MY cycle and MY insurance.  Unlikely to happen, but then again happened 3-4 weeks ago to my neighbor so anything is possible.

A few weeks back didn't you say you would not buy another bike unless you and your wife could go for a long ride first?
Now has your thinking changed?

[Rams]

yah,  you may have cash in hand but what if the guy comes back asking for his money back?  You still gave that person 'permission' to ride your cycle and is YOUR bike by law right with YOUR insurance, right??

What about a signed letter as well as cash in hand before riding stated in that letter if you crash it then you are held responsible for repairs and have it signed and dated, that would hold up in a court of law right?

I've only sold one cycle in my lifetime and that was leery as well letting a stranger test ride my bike even though was only 1500 bucks at the time in 1997.  I think my 7K valk I/S would not let anyone test ride it especially since i DO NOT have medical expense on my cycle insurance.  He could sue me for medical payments in case he gets in a wreck on my cycle since is MY cycle and MY insurance.  Unlikely to happen, but then again happened 3-4 weeks ago to my neighbor so anything is possible.

A few weeks back didn't you say you would not buy another bike unless you and your wife could go for a long ride first?
Now has your thinking changed?

Of course not, that was buying, this is about selling.............. 

[fudgie]

A little off topic but this spring we had a fire run which was a wreck on a highway. Little to far for me so I didn't go. That night on another run they were telling me about the wreck. A shop guy at a local Chevy dealer took home a new Corvette that they just got in for a customer. He hit a dip in the road and rolled it at 120 mph. 

[solo1]

I can sure see how a buyer would be turned off.  I guess that I was lucky.  I sold my Vstrom to the dealer for only 500 bucks less than I paid for it ,three years before.

I had a bike that the dealer wanted. We both came away satisfied. 

[Bighead]

I wouldn't buy a bike I couldn't ride first period. But then again I would be man enough to step up and take care of damage ( if occurred ) . I have sold only a couple to individuals and the first one was a guy buying for his teenage son and I wouldn't let the son Ride it but did let the Dad and when I sold my street Glide the guy I sold it too didn't want to ride it but wanted a freind to ride it as he hadn't ridden in a few years,but both the ones that test rode the bikes showed up on bikes. Hell the Guy I sold the Street Glide to wouldn't even ride it home after I had the money and he had a bill,of sale and a signed title I rode it to his house for him

[da prez]

I have sold several and my policy is cash in hand in full. If they do not want it , an inspection is done and only then will I return the money. I usually ride behind and also ask for their drivers license . So far , I have not been stung. If they do not produce , they do not ride.

                            da prez

[Beardo]

I bought my valk last year. I really liked how the seller did the test ride. He had bought a newer Goldwing, was selling the Valk.  I looked at the Valk, started it in the garage, was 99% sure I was going to take it. But buying a 17 year old bike, even a Valkyrie, without riding it first wasn't something I wanted to do.  I would have, but didn't want to. He asked if I wanted to go for a ride, I said yes. I offered him the envelope of cash I'd brought for him to hold or maybe the keys to my truck, he declined, he said he'd come with me. He fired up the Goldwing and led me on a great 30 minute test ride. I had brought my son with me to drive the truck home. He was going to wait for us while we were on the test ride, the seller gave him a helmet and said lets go. I was expecting to go on a short ride around the block, but he took me to the highway where he got us up to well over the speed limit to test the bike in all conditions. And he wasn't wanting me to ride slow, he goosed the Goldwing and I had to go hard to keep up.

I was so thoroughly impressed with the seller (and the bike obviously), that I gave him his full asking price, which through my research was very reasonable, actually quite low. I told him its customary to dicker, but he was so honest and fair, I didn't see the point.

After the deal was done, I asked him where the nearest plate issuer was. He started to explain, then said never mind, hop in my truck, I'll take you.  Great guy, great transaction, great bike.

I've never allowed a test ride when I've sold my bikes except one that I traded to a dealer, but if the buyer insisted, that's probably how I'd handle it. Although you have to get a feel for the person first. If there was any uncertainty, I'd ask for the cash first.

[fudgie]

When I bought my valk new I never test rode it. They did let me drive another demo valk after I said I would take it.

[Chippy01]

Love these test ride stories, and I too have mine.

I've always been told, ''If you test ride and dump it, you've bought it - no questions''

So, years ago, after being off of bikes far too long, I took a test ride on an old Honda 400 Dream. Made a rookie mistake and hit a steel manhole cover on a corner. Luckily, I managed to lay it down easy and kept the damage to a bent gearshift lever and footpeg. Went back to the seller, told him what had happened and offered to close the deal. He tried to say that because the damage was so minimal and the bike was still rideable, there was no need to proceed if I didn't want to. My conscience wouldn't let me walk away, so I ended up with 400 Dream. I had that bike for about 6 years before selling it on to a good friend who knew the bike (and it's owner).

From there I went to a Kawasaki Z750, which I bought from and sold back to another friend. No need for test rides.

In 2001, I went to a dealer to check out their '88 750 Magna. It was buried at the back of the shop, covered in dust and with a flat battery. And I had to ask for a test ride!
It took them over half an hour to dig it out, and another 10 minutes to get her fired up. ''Off you go'' he said, ''but be careful as it hasn't been serviced or even moved for a few months''.
I didn't drop that one, but I knew within 500 yards that she was coming home with me. And I still have it.

In 2007, I went to another dealer to check out a '98 Valk. Standard, black and with only 2,800 miles on the clock - she was as near to new as you could get.
''Test Ride''? says I. ''No problem'' says the dealer - ''Jump up on back''.
Now, it's been years since I was a pillion, but what the hell - if up on back was the only way to get a feel of a Valk, then that's the way it'll have to be.
About 10 to 15 miles up the road, he pulls into a lay-by and says ''Right, your turn. But take it easy until you get the feel of it''.
Then he proceeds to direct me the long way back to the shop, so that I can 'get the true feel of it'.
Yep, bought that too, and I still have it.

At the moment I am selling my buddys GL1500 GoldWing. Had a call from a guy on holiday in France saying that he will send his mate down to look at it and put a deposit on it if it matches the advert I posted.
The guy comes to my house on a Pan European. Checked the bike over. Refused to take it on a test ride. Refused to come with me on a test ride. Then dropped a 20% asking price non-refundable deposit on it for when the guy returns from holiday at the end of August.
Go figure, eh?

In case you're wondering - here's the ad ....

https://www.donedeal.ie/motorbikes-for-sale/1989-gl1500-honda-goldwing-sold/12879818

[Misfit]

I sold a bike about three weeks ago. The dude came, looked, we agreed on a price. He handed me the cash and I handed him the title. He never rode it. He came here in a car so he left the bike here and said I wil pick it up later. That was the last that I have heard from him. The bike is still in my garage three weeks later. 

[scooperhsd]

Most of my Bikes have been bought at the dealer. They have had various policies on test ride ( however, none  refused) .

My first CB750F (the SOHC 76), I bought from a friend, and we had been riding together awhile.

When I bought the PC800 in '94, I took the wife and we went to the dealer - Coleman Powersport in Falls Church VA ( the DC suburbs). The salesman got on a bike and we were on the PC 800 and went for a ride. However - he ran out of gas (oops), while I returned to the dealership.

Buying the Valk - I'd been in the dealership before, on my PC800, so they knew me. I came in to test ride the Valk with my helmut, and they had me sign some papers that I had persmission to be riding it, then let me go (unaccompnied) . I took it down the feeder road to a big empty parking lot, did some test manuevers, then got on the mainroad to head back (was VERY impressed with the acceleration ) . Put down my deposit. We were refinancing the house at the time. When we knew would get the loan we wanted, we activated a new credit card  (hate Capital One) - TOLD them that was what we were going to do - and we still had trouble.  nevertheless - I DID get to ride it home that day for the pickup (yes I paid for it with a credit card - that got paid off when we got our funds from the refinance).

[3fan4life]

Found this on another web site (Google search for Motorcycle Test Ride Contract):

Test Drive Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement

I hereby represent and certify that I am at least 18 years of age and that I possess a VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE issued by the state of [xxx] that authorizes me to operate the SPECIFIC TYPE OF VEHICLE that I intend to test drive. I understand that the improper operation or use of ____________________________, such as failure to observe and obey all laws and safety rules, may pose a risk of serious injury to the operator of such vehicles. Although I am aware of the possible risks incident to operating such vehicle, I wish to take a test drive on a demonstration unit or other unit not entitled as a demonstrator unit. I desire to test drive a ____________________________ vehicle at the SELLER LOCATION named below to decide weather or not I wish to make a purchase.

I AM VOLUNTARILY REQUESTING A DEMONSTRATION RIDE AND I EXPRESSLY AGREE TOO ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF ANY AND ALL ACCIDENTS OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, WHETHER DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OR NOT.

I participate in the ride knowing the existing weather conditions, terrain conditions, and other conditions and factors which might affect this ride. For and in consideration of the opportunity to engage in a free demonstration ride of a ____________________________, on behalf of myself, heirs, personal relatives, successors and assigned, I give the following releases and agreement not to sue:
I DO HEREBY AGREE TO RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND NOT TO SUE the SELELR named below, the manufacturer of the vehicle or vessel and each and all of their related companies, officers, directors, and employees, for injury, damages or death which occurs during, or as a result of my test ride. I forever release and discharge the SELLER named below, the manufacturer of the vehicle or vessel and each and all of their related companies, officers, directors, and employees, from any and all claims, demands, causes of action or liability of any kind whatsoever, which I may now or in the future have, known or unknown, which in any way result from or arise out of or during course of my demonstration ride of a ____________________________ vehicle when arising from the NEGLIGENCE of those persons released herein.
This Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement extends to any and all claims I may have with respect to the NEGLIGENT design, manufacture, repair, or maintenance of the vehicle which I will be riding, or with respect to NEGLIGENT conditions, qualifications, instructions, rules or procedures under which the demonstration ride is conducted. However I do not release any party from any intentional misconduct, recklessness, gross negligence or product liability claims.
I HAVE READ AND VOLUNTARILY SIGN THE RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT, AND further agree that no oral representations, statements, or inducements apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made. The Release and Waiver of Liability Agreement will be construed only as broadly as is permitted by applicable law.
DRIVER NAME (please print): _____________________________________________________________
DRIVER SIGNATURE: _________________________________________________________
DRIVER LICENSE #:__________________ EXP: ___________
DRIVER STREET ADDRESS: _____________________________________
DRIVER CITY: _______________________________
DRIVER STATE: ____ DRIVER ZIP: __________
DRIVER PHONE:__________________________
DATE: _________________________________

SELLER NAME: _____________________________________________________________
SELLER ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________
CITY: ___________________________ STATE: ________________________ ZIP: _____________

I've had good luck with test rides both as a buyer and a seller.

Riding along with them on a separate seems to be a pretty good option.

[Dave Ritsema]

I guess the truly safest way to handle this transaction is simply trading your bike into a dealer. You will in most cases get less for it than had you sold it outright. When I traded my Valkyrie in on my F6B it was a no brainer, the dealer gave me nearly what the original purchase price was 15 years prior.

When I sold the F6B, it was too a gentleman that I had never met. He drove about 300 miles to pick it up with a looming snowstorm on his drive home. (Roads were dry at the time.) I let him ride it around the block, he handed me $15K in cash and I helped him load the bike. It was a good experience and worked out fine. Had he said no when he came back from the ride I would have gone over that bike with a fine tooth comb before he ever left the driveway.

I have another 15 year bike now so I don't even have to ponder on how to handle it next time, will likely be my last bike. 

[Oss]

some good advise in this thread

The first interstate I sat on it started it

Gave the man his money (He also had 2 harleys that he said he rode in the humongous garage) and rode it home. He followed in his car and took off the plates once we reached my house

The present interstate was also an ebay seller and he met me over the bridge at a diner. he was a NJ LEO and had some friends with him
I had ridden over on my 750 and he let me ride the bike a few miles with his buddy in a car behind me.  Then they followed me home where I had the buried mason jar with the balance of the 12k waiting.  I just didnt want to be ripped off in case he really wasnt a cop

When we got home the 1st thing he says to my wife is I was speeding on the Saw Mill Parkway tight sweepers.

Asshole.

Of course I was speeding I was on a Valkyrie again

When I sold the 750 I told the buyer if he handed me the $ he could ride it and if he didnt crash it and changed his mind he could have the $ back.  I miss that bike

The police bike I got off ebay sight unseen, got lucky

[cookiedough]

yah,  you may have cash in hand but what if the guy comes back asking for his money back?  You still gave that person 'permission' to ride your cycle and is YOUR bike by law right with YOUR insurance, right??

What about a signed letter as well as cash in hand before riding stated in that letter if you crash it then you are held responsible for repairs and have it signed and dated, that would hold up in a court of law right?

I've only sold one cycle in my lifetime and that was leery as well letting a stranger test ride my bike even though was only 1500 bucks at the time in 1997.  I think my 7K valk I/S would not let anyone test ride it especially since i DO NOT have medical expense on my cycle insurance.  He could sue me for medical payments in case he gets in a wreck on my cycle since is MY cycle and MY insurance.  Unlikely to happen, but then again happened 3-4 weeks ago to my neighbor so anything is possible.

A few weeks back didn't you say you would not buy another bike unless you and your wife could go for a long ride first?
Now has your thinking changed?

good point Jack indeed.  I just am not too trustworthy of most people I guess?  I honored the guys word that he would pay me 4 years or so ago when he hit my truck from behind doing 20 mph doing over 1K in damages which took 10  months of hastle to get it paid having to go to small claims court and filing with DMV to get his license suspended as well if he didn't pay me with a deadline date. 

Yah,  I did say if buying a used Wing, etc.,  I'd want to test ride it for 30-60 miles or so before buying.  That is one of the reasons on why this spring when I came across a used 2001 red Wing for 7.9K with only 30K miles on it the dealership in March would not allow me to test ride it so walked away on the deal.  At the time it snowed 3 inches and salt was still on the roads all over not even 40 degrees out as well but cleared away a few days later and used cycle dealer still said NO test ride until salt is off the roads later in March/early April.  Now that I look back on the deal,  I see a lot of used 2001-02 Wings with 30-40K miles for 8K or so all over the place. 

[Firefighter]

I can recall three test ride crashes that I responded to. One was a young guy on a crotch rocket: went about 40 feet in a wheelie straight into a railroad crossing signal. Tore him up well as I remember, no helmet.

One left a friends driveway, test ride, another crotch rocket type, the bike wheelied over within site of the launch point, broke the engine case, oil everywhere, can't remember the rider or condition.

An elderly man on a brand new Indian pulled out of the dealership and in front of an oncoming car. He was broken up but probably survived, the bike did not.

Motorcycles, especially modified ones are different from each other. Someone who rides a scooter and then tries to ride a heavy Valkyrie or high powered sport bike will probably have trouble, not to mention a darkside bike.  Surprised we don't hear about more wreckes like these.

[da prez]

The last bike I sold, an 18 year old with cash in hand wanted to test ride and wanted to have the bike.

 I asked him how long he has been riding and he said he just signed up for the M/C riders course.

  I will not sell you the bike , but if you bring a parent or guardian , I will transact with them. I do not feel right selling a bike like this to a new rider with no experience. He left and I never heard from him again.

                            da prez

[Bassfisher]

I've sold a few bikes to private individuals over the years.  Even have sold a couple to close personal friends (that are still riding them to this day).  I do make the potential buyer sign a agreement to pay for any damages incurred during a test ride, request 10% cash up front, look at the DL to insure they have a MC endorsement.

During the test ride, I'm on my bike following the buyer. 

And I'm very careful on the bill of sale -  NO WRITTEN OR IMPLIED Warranty   SOLD As Is

I had a guy buy a Honda 750 from me. The bike was a great shape - I rode it to work a couple days a week.  He did the test ride, the buyer was happy and we made the deal.  He was a novice rider, but the test ride went well and he buys the bike at my asking price. Two weeks later he calls me and says I owe him money .  I asked for what, the guy tells me he blew a head gasket a couple days before and I had to pay him back for his repair bill.    I asked him if there was anything wrong the day he bought it, he said no.  I asked him if it was running hot or any smoke from the motor the day he bought it,  answer was no - I then said to him, how do I know how hard you were riding the bike after it left my driveway -  Sorta silence on the other end of the phone.  Then I finally said to you have your bill of sale?  He said yes.  I told him to read what he had signed -  silence again.  I told him to have a good day and hung up.     

[b/mp]

I'm not trying to scare the guy but just trying to take care of him.........Have him get it on tape the bike fell over, make sure he gets her to say she wasn't hurt.

It's a shame but these days you can't trust people as she's already proven. #1 she didn't say anything about the damage. #2 not stepping up and at least paying his deductible. #3 she apparently lied about how the damage occurred.

Here's the kicker.....she has a year to come back with a civil lawsuit saying the bike failed in some way causing her to crash. Of course she'll claim she was injured. If the bike has been repaired his proof is gone the bike was roadworthy and safe. It could be a bigger loss. Any statements he made to the repair shop could come back to haunt him also. Example...... telling them who crashed the bike, etc. If she waits until the last minute to file, he'll be caught unaware and with the time lapse his end would be harder to prove than her end.

I'm not a lawyer and I don't play one on TV but I did spend 31 years in Police work and have seen people try everything.

Hope it all works out for the best, Blake.

[cookiedough]

I just think it is a crying shame for a local person whom he knew somewhat (or her relatives) in our small town pulls up on a 30K HD trike obviously she can afford his 500 deductible at least and doesn't say a word about the accident.   She admitted to him it tipped over but where who knows but highly doubt she could not see 4K in damages especially to sidebags, crash bar, exhaust, and bent clutch lever.  I guess as is with most HD's,  was leaking oil all over as well on left side... 

Something to be said about having cash in hand or following him/her while test riding or signing a paper first before riding or even just giving the potential buyer a test ride is all for the first go around with him/her sitting on the backseat.  Paying a 500 deductible was the right thing to do in her case.  My neighbor said NO more test rides after this one will have to sit on backseat for 2 accidents then will depreciate even more so although after repairs and paint job,  looks brand new again with no minor scuffs/paint chips, etc.