The best and safest way to sell a bike
Discussion
Well its gonna have to happen in the next couple of months due to a move to a new house,yes its a shame but i've not ridden it for at at least 2 months so its not getting used and i've only done 110 miles since july so what is the safest way to sell my bike as any buyer will want to road test it.So do i ask the buyer to get on the back and i'll take him or her for a ride for insurance reasons, and the best place to advertise it would be? any advice will be most welcome 
micron750 said:
Well its gonna have to happen in the next couple of months due to a move to a new house,yes its a shame but i've not ridden it for at at least 2 months so its not getting used and i've only done 110 miles since july so what is the safest way to sell my bike as any buyer will want to road test it.So do i ask the buyer to get on the back and i'll take him or her for a ride for insurance reasons, and the best place to advertise it would be? any advice will be most welcome
Sell it to one of the mechanics at your local garage that does you bike servicing after phoning them on the off chance!
Thats what I did yesterday. Takes all the hassle away seeing as they service it every 4000miles, no need to test ride! I have to say I was somewhat fortunate. The other non hassle approach sell it to the trade, you loose some dosh but test rides and insurance arn't something to worry about.
If u do get some one wanting a test ride just make sure they give you the full value of your bike , dont accpet cheques or them leaving there car keys or whatever it could be stolen as well .when it comes to insurance thats not your problem its down to the person riding the bike .then if they do ride of into the sunset you have the money , if they do crash it or what ever they just bought themselves a wrecked bike . (i sold my last bike and my brothers bike on piston heads best place to advertise imho..
If u do get some one wanting a test ride just make sure they give you the full value of your bike , dont accpet cheques or them leaving there car keys or whatever it could be stolen as well .when it comes to insurance thats not your problem its down to the person riding the bike .then if they do ride of into the sunset you have the money , if they do crash it or what ever they just bought themselves a wrecked bike . (i sold my last bike and my brothers bike on piston heads best place to advertise imho..
Sorry, but if you allow someone to ride your bike and they don't have insurance you are likely to be prosecuted as the owner who permits the use.
I guess if they hand over the money then they have 'bought' the bike. If they don't like it they can always bring it back. Just get a signed reciept saying they have bought it to cover the 'test ride'.
Personally, there's no way I would trust a stranger with my pride and joy.
I guess if they hand over the money then they have 'bought' the bike. If they don't like it they can always bring it back. Just get a signed reciept saying they have bought it to cover the 'test ride'.
Personally, there's no way I would trust a stranger with my pride and joy.
I have never let any prospective buyers test drive my bikes. I have just offered them a pillion ride to show that everything works.
The only person to take me up on it was the guy who bought my Ducati and that was to put his mind at rest with regard to the clutch noise - 'they all do that'.
The only person to take me up on it was the guy who bought my Ducati and that was to put his mind at rest with regard to the clutch noise - 'they all do that'.
wassy said:
Sorry, but if you allow someone to ride your bike and they don't have insurance you are likely to be prosecuted as the owner who permits the use.
I guess if they hand over the money then they have 'bought' the bike. If they don't like it they can always bring it back. Just get a signed reciept saying they have bought it to cover the 'test ride'.
Personally, there's no way I would trust a stranger with my pride and joy.
I guess if they hand over the money then they have 'bought' the bike. If they don't like it they can always bring it back. Just get a signed reciept saying they have bought it to cover the 'test ride'.
Personally, there's no way I would trust a stranger with my pride and joy.
Totally agreed. I didn't want the hassle of having to deal with the test ride issue and the timewasting that generally goes on with private sales. I also wanted a quick sale as I'd already sorted out the replacement so was quite prepared to take a few hundred hit to sell it to the trade.
Test rides are a difficult one as I wouldn’t want to buy a second hand bike without a test ride unless I am buying it as no MoT/not roadworthy. (In which case the price will reflect the risk I am taking.)
I expect to have to hand over a substantial deposit in order to take the bike on a test ride but I also take someone with me to stay with the seller while I’m on the test ride. This gives a legitimate seller the security that I’ll be coming back for my mate but also ensures the seller hasn’t just nicked the bike and is about to make off with my substantial deposit leaving me with a nicked bike!
I also expect to have to show my insurance details in order that the owner does not get prosecuted for aiding and abetting riding with no insurance.
As regards advertising, I would suggest that both MCN and Bike Trader are a good place to start but local free ads etc. are also worth a try (they’re free after all). You can also use e-bay with the caveat that the bike is for sale else where and that you reserve the right to withdraw. If the bike doesn’t make enough money then withdraw before the auction ends.
Good luck with the sale.
I expect to have to hand over a substantial deposit in order to take the bike on a test ride but I also take someone with me to stay with the seller while I’m on the test ride. This gives a legitimate seller the security that I’ll be coming back for my mate but also ensures the seller hasn’t just nicked the bike and is about to make off with my substantial deposit leaving me with a nicked bike!
I also expect to have to show my insurance details in order that the owner does not get prosecuted for aiding and abetting riding with no insurance.
As regards advertising, I would suggest that both MCN and Bike Trader are a good place to start but local free ads etc. are also worth a try (they’re free after all). You can also use e-bay with the caveat that the bike is for sale else where and that you reserve the right to withdraw. If the bike doesn’t make enough money then withdraw before the auction ends.
Good luck with the sale.
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