Selling? Handling Test Ride Requests

So I'll be selling my 2014 one of these days, I hope. In fact I'm "selling" it now, but so far no calls. But when I get a call, I expect somebody will want to try it out instead of handing me a wad of cash. I have a couple misgivings about that, and an appreciation for the no-test-rides rule most dealerships stick to. Nobody wants to buy sight unseen--almost anything, let alone a used motorcycle. So of course you have to show me your motorcycle-endorsed license, which I'll copy, and probably in my case ride along with you for a reasonably short ride, since I at least have another FJR, but what other precautions have you used or heard about? Guess I should contact my agent to see about coverage. Can't think of much else. Thanks.

I've sold a few bikes, one a couple weeks ago. Once they have taken a look at it and have cash in hand,I hop on one of the other bikes and lead or follow.

I gave a guy I bought my '06 from the keys to my Subaru. Then he got on one of his other bikes and led me on a fairly comprehensive ride. Curvy roads with some climbing, urban traffic, finally a few miles on the interstate.

How about something like this:
https://flowhound.com/2018/03/05/motorcycle-test-ride-agreement/

Offer to let the buyer ride on the back with you driving. That demonstrates the working condition of the bike.

Have them give you half the cash (kind of a deposit) and he/she can have the money back if it comes back clean but doesn't like/want it... Or he/she can pay you the other half and drive it away.

Diablo1 said:

Offer to let the buyer ride on the back with you driving. That demonstrates the working condition of the bike.

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No way. I would rather have them crash it that be liable for some dumb accident. Especially since the average fjr rider outweighs my normal passenger by 100lbs +.

SacramentoMike said:

So I'll be selling my 2014 one of these days, I hope. In fact I'm "selling" it now, but so far no calls. But when I get a call, I expect somebody will want to try it out instead of handing me a wad of cash. I have a couple misgivings about that, and an appreciation for the no-test-rides rule most dealerships stick to. Nobody wants to buy sight unseen--almost anything, let alone a used motorcycle. So of course you have to show me your motorcycle-endorsed license, which I'll copy, and probably in my case ride along with you for a reasonably short ride, since I at least have another FJR, but what other precautions have you used or heard about? Guess I should contact my agent to see about coverage. Can't think of much else. Thanks.

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Ive sold a number of bikes over the years as probably many here have as well.
I have two.ways of handling this:
First - no test rides is the first option. Most understand this and don't fuss about it. They can come look an poke.around the bike in my presence, but that's about it.
Second - buyer insists on a ride. Well, I offer my deal: Handover the payment in full, no negotiated amount just as if you have purchased the bike for the asking price, and with the required release and 'as-is' documents signed - hold off on title and title signature. I take a picture of the driver's license which must have an endorsement. At this point they have purchased the bike. I take my plate off (in FLA the plate belongs to the owner, not the vehicle). Whatever happens at this point is not my responsibility - including riding the bike without a plate. It's their risk, and if they happen to get stopped and the bike gets impounded, which is not likely to happen, they own the bike.
I allow a 5~10 test ride in which I will accompany the buyer on one of my other bikes. If they change their mind, and the bike is in the exact same condition as when they took off, I'll take it back less a $50 fee for my time, fuel and risk. The only reason for me to accompany the person is that if I'm going to get the bike back, I want to make sure it was not abused in the process.
Only one has taken this offer - he bought the bike.he other just buy the bike without a test ride.
This gives the buyer a good feel that if I'm willing to do that, I must be confident about the bike.
I would never ever let anyone ride one of my motorcycles if it's not somebody that I know well, and I'm confident of their riding skills and financial stability to be able to pay the bike back if something would happen.

I was looking at a Suzuki Bandit for my son. I pulled in the sellers driveway on my FJR and parked it. He looked at my bike, handed me his keys and said have fun !

When I bought my FJR, the owner had a newer one he had just bought so we both went out for a ride. I showed him my endorsed license. He was obviously reluctant, but he allowed me to ride it. I had never ridden an FJR before, so I wanted to see if it was a fit for me in addition to wanting to make sure it seemed ok mechanically.

I have to say, if I couldn't take it for a spin, I wouldn't have bought it. Some things can't be assessed in a driveway.

I have sold and bought a number of bikes. The way I dealt with purchasing the current FJR from the individual seller was to insure it, then leave the seller a deposit equal to the deductible. This not only shows that I am serious about purchasing the bike, but also protects both me and the seller financially if there is a mishap.

As for selling a bike, I have done everything from receiving a full cash deposit to simply handing the perspective buyer the keys.

From my perspective, there are two issues with allowing someone to test ride a motorcycle for sale: Liability and loss. Reducing loss comes down to a cash deposit or insurance coverage (yours or theirs - yours probably does not cover other riders). To reduce liability I think verifying license status is a very good idea. Hopefully all the liability for the other parties damage/injury would fall on them. But still... it is dicey.

Bobnos said:

I was looking at a Suzuki Bandit for my son. I pulled in the sellers driveway on my FJR and parked it. He looked at my bike, handed me his keys and said have fun !

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Yeah...if they roll up on a bike without pulling stunts,,no questions...we trade keys and I get the driver's license to hold.
Must prove m/c license regardless and depending on my gut, I might take keys to there ride if it's worth more than the bike.

MotoMike said:

How about something like this:
https://flowhound.com/2018/03/05/motorcycle-test-ride-agreement/

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Now that looks legal..thanks for sharing it!
If my gut doesn't fell right, I ask for cash first. They can return it for a refund if not wrecked. The refund is after my inspection and I test drive.
I give them a bill of sale but no title until they come back.. Plan on adding something like this agreement and a bill of sale...Thanks again MotoMike!

Azor50Ron said:

Yeah...if they roll up on a bike without pulling stunts,,no questions...we trade keys and I get the driver's license to hold.
Must prove m/c license regardless and depending on my gut, I might take keys to there ride if it's worth more than the bike.

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Guy who bought my DL1000 pulled up on a gold wing. Figured he could handle a top heavy bike. First person who looked at my fz1 pulled up on a 125 scooter - I had some apprehension.

I never considered buying a bike without riding it first. In fact I have never had the conversation whether a test ride was even in question. Although I can understand the reluctance due to the nature of riding a bike, have the folks not allowing a test ride ever bought without riding one? I do not mean this to be contentious, I am really curious. The last bike (FJR) I bought the guy told me the best roads to go on and said to not come back for awhile and even was happy to let my wife who must like a bike before I buy, go for a second ride with her on the back.
He was aware of the bike I already owned which was a large cruiser and I am not a kid, so maybe that mattered?

The first bike I ever purchased was a Yamaha 400. I had only ridden dirt bikes and a few Honda Trail70's up to that point. I did not ask for a test ride (from the dealer) and almost dropped it when leaving but didn't thankfully. Rode it for a couple of years and decided to find a bigger engine (Yamaha 800 twin). Listing it for sale, I had a few inquires but a woman came over with her girlfriend and said she wanted to 'try' and ride it. It was going to be her first bike. There was a small Dallas park behind my house (Lake Cliff in Oak Cliff) and I had them follow me over there. Gave her some instruction and let her ride it around on the grass so *if* she fell or dropped it, no real harm. She did great, bought the bike and rode away happy. Reading all this in hindsight, I guess I was lucky. Bought and sold a few other bikes in the intervening years and no mishaps. In fact, the last tow FJRs I bought, I didn't really need to test ride them. Had been on ST1100 and ST1300s so knew what to expect and of course, was never disappointed! But I suppose in today's litigious world, some of the advice above is prudent.

Around here we had a spate of people showing up on X and leaving it behind when they steal yours during a test ride. Fake D/L, etc. Cash-in-hand before a test ride with parameters for how to get a refund.

No insurance or no security cash or bond, NO RIDE !
It just isn't worth it imho

Bounce said:

Around here we had a spate of people showing up on X and leaving it behind when they steal yours during a test ride. Fake D/L, etc. Cash-in-hand before a test ride with parameters for how to get a refund.

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If the cash is in your hand - how did they steal it? They paid for it and forgot to get the title at that point.

Oldjeep said:

If the cash is in your hand - how did they steal it? They paid for it and forgot to get the title at that point.

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perhaps you didn't get the gist of his post Oldjeep (?)