Need advice on selling a motorcycle

popo · 07-01-2011, 03:04 PM

Thinking of advertising my TS-125 on Craigslist. It doesn't seem smart to allow "lookers" to ride it before they buy. Some "expert" will wreck it or tear it up doing wheelies, etc, and then just walk away. I'm thinking of telling them (before they come to look at it) "You must give me the cash before you ride it". Does this work? Any ideas from you experienced riders/sellers?

JROBER · 07-01-2011, 10:01 PM

If you think the person is jerking you around dont let a test ride without cash in hand( it dont have to be all of it) its simple. If the person is serious they are not going to care. They may have to come back but again if they are "real" customers who cares. Thats my .02, ive never had a problem.

vistavette · 07-05-2011, 06:11 PM

Do not let someone ride your bike; if they crash it you can be held liable for their injuries and your insurance will usually not pay for anything. Unlike a car, bike insurance usually does not have an "authorized driver" clause.

popo · 07-05-2011, 11:37 PM

Thanks for pointing that out VV. It had crossed my mind, but I did not know for sure. Will probably post my ad in about a week.

popo

DoktorJazz · 07-06-2011, 06:09 AM

When I sold my bike, I had the guy (yes, only one person came to look/test ride it) sign a paper that:
1. released me from liability for his injuries if he wrecked;
2. stated that he agreed to buy it if he damaged it

Don't know how legally binding that all is, but at least it's something.

DevRev · 07-07-2011, 08:20 PM

I'm selling my dirtbikes currently and won't let anyone test ride them without counting the money and handing it to me before even thinking about getting on the bike. One person has done it so far no problem, no problems when he rode, so he got his cash back.

DachshundUberAlles · 07-11-2011, 09:53 AM

Get the CASH money in your hand and make them sign a bill of sale first. Make it clear that damage means it's theirs, period.

That has always worked for me.

Intensifinity · 07-12-2011, 02:29 AM

One of my buddies once let a guy test drive his crotch rocket and he put it in the ditch. When he asked him for his motorcycle license he said he never got one. Well my friend sold him the bike since he had cash in hand before the dude went in the ditch. So I'd say check to make sure they're a legitimate rider also.

aaronrkelly · 07-17-2011, 07:38 PM

I've never had a problem.....I allow test rides and just feel the guy out a bit.

Some 18 year old kid shows up to buy my 600 Ninja.....he aint riding it. He can follow behind me while I ride it......bring someone else to ride it......etc.

Some 30 year old guy shows up on another bike to ride my 600 Ninja and hes going to get the go ahead.

Just gotta use some common sense and get a feel for it.

I do like the release form.....not sure how binding it is....but its probably not a bad idea.

NorCalKid · 07-18-2011, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DachshundUberAlles

Get the CASH money in your hand and make them sign a bill of sale first. Make it clear that damage means it's theirs, period.

That has always worked for me.

I don’t think anybody is going to sign a bill of sale first. I wouldn’t. Would be happy to sign some kind of agreement that stated that if I wreck it I will buy and a release of liability, but I’m not going to sign a bill of sale.

I’m kind of surprised there isn’t some kind of standard form you can download off the net. But I have never heard of one.

914Driver · 07-18-2011, 09:08 AM

I just sold a Naked GoldWing for $1800.

"Mind if I test it?"

Not at all, got $1800?

"Well, we're going to negotiate on that right?"

Yeah, we are; but for you to take it down the road and drop it or get hit by a truck because you don't know what you're doing, I need $1800. I have no idea who you are or how you ride.

He bought it for $1750 without a test ride.

Dan

07-01-2011, 03:04 PM	#1
popo Motorcyclist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SW MO Posts: 11	Need advice on selling a motorcycle Thinking of advertising my TS-125 on Craigslist. It doesn't seem smart to allow "lookers" to ride it before they buy. Some "expert" will wreck it or tear it up doing wheelies, etc, and then just walk away. I'm thinking of telling them (before they come to look at it) "You must give me the cash before you ride it". Does this work? Any ideas from you experienced riders/sellers?

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07-01-2011, 10:01 PM	#2
JROBER Verified Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: upstate ny Posts: 92	If you think the person is jerking you around dont let a test ride without cash in hand( it dont have to be all of it) its simple. If the person is serious they are not going to care. They may have to come back but again if they are "real" customers who cares. Thats my .02, ive never had a problem.

07-05-2011, 06:11 PM	#3
vistavette Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 691	Do not let someone ride your bike; if they crash it you can be held liable for their injuries and your insurance will usually not pay for anything. Unlike a car, bike insurance usually does not have an "authorized driver" clause.

07-05-2011, 11:37 PM	#4
popo Motorcyclist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SW MO Posts: 11	Thanks for pointing that out VV. It had crossed my mind, but I did not know for sure. Will probably post my ad in about a week. popo

07-06-2011, 06:09 AM	#5
DoktorJazz HellBilly Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dirty Vegas Posts: 243	When I sold my bike, I had the guy (yes, only one person came to look/test ride it) sign a paper that: 1. released me from liability for his injuries if he wrecked; 2. stated that he agreed to buy it if he damaged it Don't know how legally binding that all is, but at least it's something.

07-07-2011, 08:20 PM	#6
DevRev 1999 CBR 600 F4 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 357	I'm selling my dirtbikes currently and won't let anyone test ride them without counting the money and handing it to me before even thinking about getting on the bike. One person has done it so far no problem, no problems when he rode, so he got his cash back.

07-11-2011, 09:53 AM	#7
DachshundUberAlles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 844	Get the CASH money in your hand and make them sign a bill of sale first. Make it clear that damage means it's theirs, period. That has always worked for me.

07-12-2011, 02:29 AM	#8
Intensifinity Verified Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cold Spring, MN Posts: 83	One of my buddies once let a guy test drive his crotch rocket and he put it in the ditch. When he asked him for his motorcycle license he said he never got one. Well my friend sold him the bike since he had cash in hand before the dude went in the ditch. So I'd say check to make sure they're a legitimate rider also.

07-17-2011, 07:38 PM	#9
aaronrkelly Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: southern Iowa Posts: 2,449	I've never had a problem.....I allow test rides and just feel the guy out a bit. Some 18 year old kid shows up to buy my 600 Ninja.....he aint riding it. He can follow behind me while I ride it......bring someone else to ride it......etc. Some 30 year old guy shows up on another bike to ride my 600 Ninja and hes going to get the go ahead. Just gotta use some common sense and get a feel for it. I do like the release form.....not sure how binding it is....but its probably not a bad idea.

07-18-2011, 09:08 AM	#11
914Driver Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 10	I just sold a Naked GoldWing for $1800. "Mind if I test it?" Not at all, got $1800? "Well, we're going to negotiate on that right?" Yeah, we are; but for you to take it down the road and drop it or get hit by a truck because you don't know what you're doing, I need $1800. I have no idea who you are or how you ride. He bought it for $1750 without a test ride. Dan