Have you ever sold a motorcycle? I’m thinking about selling mine this spring but I’m nervous about letting people test drive it. I don’t trust people not to dump it. I will require them to have a motorcycle endorsement, but that doesn’t mean they have experience and aren’t a moron. How have you handled this? I’ll never sell it if I don’t let them test ride it. And it’s not a bike that can be rode with a passenger. So I can’t just let them ride on the back while I drive.

I apologize for not marking this as OT. I’m posting this with my phone and don’t know how to mark it as OT.

The standard expectation is that you will have cash in hand before letting anyone test ride the bike...many bike ads say this right in the ad. Years ago I mistakenly let a kid test ride a Triumph of mine with right side shift and he dropped the bike and that will not happen to me again.

justpaddlin: "The standard expectation is that you will have cash in hand before letting anyone test ride the bike...many bike ads say this right in the ad. Years ago I mistakenly let a kid test ride a Triumph of mine with right side shift and he dropped the bike and that will not happen to me again. "

+1

I recommend all ads say cash in hand that immediately weeds out the browsers, you can't expect anyone to buy it without a test drive so make sure the insurance is up to date, not just for the bike but for personal injury as well. Question all potential buyers about their level of experience and actually insist on the cash in hand from any you are leery about. I'm in a similar situation as I have two bikes that don't get ridden as much anymore, both over 1100cc's, and I have the added problem of living on a 1/4 mile long loose gravel driveway, cross your fingers and close one eye, holding your breath may help as well...

I won't sell a motorcycle to anyone under the age of 18 years old; even if they are motorcycle qualified.
The only type of payment I accept is cash. That's how I bought mine; that's how they will get sold.

NO, I don't want to trade bikes; unless you have an excellent conditon, low mileage, Kawasaki KZ 1000. We'll be visiting the mechanic who works on my bikes before any money changes hands.

NO, you're not going to take a bike I have for sale out for a test ride, unless you lay the amount of cash in my hand that I'm asking for the bike. Even then I will be following you on another bike. You drop the bike; you bought it!
Only option is I take my bike out; you follow me in the vehicle you arrived in, and see if you can keep up with me. You crash your vehicle; that's your problem.

I don't vary from those simple rules.
So, which one do you want to buy? I have 3 currently for sale.
No, I don't have a helmet, jacket, or gloves, that you can borrow.
What kind of rider shows up to buy a bike without riding gear????

BOB

I just opened the thread hoping you weren’t cutting in half and making bookshelves... haha.

"I’ll never sell it if I don’t let them test ride it."

hmm. brings up a memory...
Decades ago, I purchased a used 750 motorcycle from a trusted friend--without a test drive. Paid him, loaded it on the pickup bed, strapped it down and drove home. I field tested it in our cow pasture without incident. Had never climbed on a motorcycle before that day.

In your dilemma, Goldenbadger, I wouldn't trust either. Maybe meet someplace nearby (cow pasture or park) once you are assured you'll get the cash in hand, plus have a visual at all times. Times have changed.

I have brought two in the last couple of years.

I bring my own gear.
I bring cash.
I bring a friend who is a lot more knowledgeable then I am about MC's . I am a old/ new rider rode years ago gave it up started again.

I would not have brought them with out a test drive both my friend I test drove them.

If I was selling one I would take pictures of them and their DL before I let them test drive. it.

If they didn't bring there own gear I wouldn't let them.

If they show up with poor gear I wouldn't let them test drive it.

Talked to a fellow a few years back buyer showed up on a really nice bike seller let buyer test drive his bike.

Buyer never came back bike he left was stolen.

Make sure your bike is fully insured.

Thank you, everyone. This is all excellent advice. I will be requiring cash up front for a test drive. It may make selling more difficult, but I don’t want to risk the alternative.

nctry: "I just opened the thread hoping you weren’t cutting in half and making bookshelves... haha."

Lol!!! No, not cutting it in half.

Use an empty parking lot

Good advice here. In case anyone's looking I'm putting mine up for sale in the Spring too. Very clean, fair price, just don't ride much anymore.

Goldenbadger: "

nctry: "I just opened the thread hoping you weren’t cutting in half and making bookshelves... haha."

Lol!!! No, not cutting it in half. "

Whew! How’d your other project turn out?