Selling a bike

 What's the best way to sell a bike. I am reluctant to let every stupid
moron who wants to try it out take it by their selves. Should I take
them for a ride? Just start it and let them hear it? Let them just try
it in the yard? Or just sell it as is where is.



--
All is as it is.

 
This topic comes up frequently here.  Here is my recollection of what others
have said:

a)There are numerous scammers who will hand you fake ID, go off for a test
ride, and never come back.  I guess you'd need an accomplice for this who
arrives with you and drives your vehicle back.

b)The general consensus here is that anyone who wants a test ride should
hand you the purchase price in cash, and you hold onto the cash until they
bring the bike back undamaged.  If they damage the bike or don't come back,
you keep the cash.

It goes without saying that you shouldn't let anyone without a cycle rating
on their license operate your motorcycle.

DFC

P.S.--


http://cornerjunkies.com/forum/showthread.php?pY684

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Street/Resources/LockItOrLoseIt.aspx

---------

Be Wary of Test Rides

Some thieves pose as buyers of used bikes. AMA member Bob Krus was selling
his off-road motorcycle a few years ago, and a potential buyer showed up
after dark, on foot, claiming a friend had dropped him off at the corner.
The buyer took off on a test ride. When he didn't come back, Krus chased him
down. Krus got the bike back, but he only caught the guy because the "buyer"
got lost on unfamiliar streets.
"Buyer beware" has always been good advice, but sellers should be careful,
too. Instead of a test ride, some sellers get payment first and offer a
money-back guarantee if the buyer brings the motorcycle back in the same
condition within an hour. It's a no-risk test ride for both sides.
If you let someone test-ride your bike, at least ask for identification.
Take down the person's drivers license number and the license plate number
of the vehicle in which the person arrived, and gather any other information
possible.

 wrote:

Also, make them show you their insurance card.

--
TJH
tjhiggin.at.hiwaay.dot.net

 wrote:

Better yet, meet them in a public place and enforce option b).  When
they go on their test ride, you can go home.  Guaranteed sale and the
gas for their joy ride doesn't cost you anything!

 
What's the best way to sell a bike. I am reluctant to let every stupid
moron who wants to try it out take it by their selves. Should I take
them for a ride? Just start it and let them hear it? Let them just try
it in the yard? Or just sell it as is where is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No test rides.

The only thing a test ride can tell them is whether the tires are balanced,
the conditions of the wheel bearings, and whether the transmission pops out
of gear.  None of these are major issues, and the condition of the rest of
the bike is usually a good clue as to the condition of the rest of the bike.

A serious buyer has already made his mind up by the time he's looked over
the bike, and a test ride won't make a significant difference in his
decision.

If the prospective buyer insists on a test ride, it's almost a sure bet he's
just a looky-loo who wants to ride different bikes to see what he likes, and
probably has no intention of buying yours.

Selling a vehicle is a pain in the ass, mainly because of guys like these
who see nothing wrong with wasting your time.

Specify "NO Test Rides!" or, if you absolutely positively feel obligated to
allow some stranger to play with your valuable property, insist they allow
you to hold on to the money, allow you to hold on to their drivers license,
and have them sign the Release of Liability or similar form your department
of motor vehicles requires to transfer title.  Then, allow him a 15 minute
ride, after which, if he doesn't come back, you keep the money and drop his
license in the mailbox.

This may sound harsh, but when I was selling a truck, I allowed a neighbor
to take a test drive "around the block".  After 10 minutes I called him to
ask just which block he was driving around, and he said he was at a mechanic
having it checked out.  After 45 minutes I drove by the mechanic, and he
wasn't there.  I finally got the truck back an hour later.

He didn't buy it.  He DID waste my time, got a free one hour 'rental', and
did who-knows-what with it.  Did he rob a store?  Rape a baby?  Throw turds
at police cars?  Are the cops on their way to my house right now?

I learned my lesson.  With cars, I go with them on test drives.  With bikes,
since I have no idea what their experience level is, I'm sure as hell not
getting on with them, and they sure as hell aren't taking it out of my sight
until it's paid and signed for.

CS