Test rides when selling
Discussion
A difficult one this as often the advice given to sellers is completely at odds with the advice given to buyers.
The thing to remember is that both the buyer and the seller could be a crook but that in the most part, both the buyer and the seller are honest people, worried about undertaking a high(ish) value transaction with a complete stranger.
Whatever you do, go with your gut feel. If you're not comfortable offering a test ride - don't. As has been said, having the cash in hand is a great way forwards but remember that the buyer will be concerned about handing over a bag of notes for a bike they've not yet ridden. It's all very well saying they can do the test ride and get the money back if there's an issue but why should they trust you with their money when you didn't trust them enough to allow them to confirm the bike was OK before handing over the money?
I like to see how they've arrived and who they are with. Wife and kids sat in the car waiting and I'm much more likely to say yes to a test ride. (They have to show they are licensed and insured to ride it and have to accept a simple "you bend it, you mend it" agreement.)
The thing to remember is that both the buyer and the seller could be a crook but that in the most part, both the buyer and the seller are honest people, worried about undertaking a high(ish) value transaction with a complete stranger.
Whatever you do, go with your gut feel. If you're not comfortable offering a test ride - don't. As has been said, having the cash in hand is a great way forwards but remember that the buyer will be concerned about handing over a bag of notes for a bike they've not yet ridden. It's all very well saying they can do the test ride and get the money back if there's an issue but why should they trust you with their money when you didn't trust them enough to allow them to confirm the bike was OK before handing over the money?
I like to see how they've arrived and who they are with. Wife and kids sat in the car waiting and I'm much more likely to say yes to a test ride. (They have to show they are licensed and insured to ride it and have to accept a simple "you bend it, you mend it" agreement.)
I've handed over £1000 or £2000 (can't remember) in cash to a seller as security for the test ride; I was clear that this was security for a test ride, not an agreement to buy the bike. Obv I only did this because it was at the guy's house; I wouldn't do it to some random who arranged to meet me in a supermarket car park.
Personally, as a buyer, the things I'd consider are, other than a straight no-questions test ride:
- Getting the seller to ride it while I sit on the back
- Full purchase price (maybe -£500 as I'd ask for money off the advertised price) but with agreement that it can go back for any reason, other than I just crashed it, following the test ride.
- Deposit as per my earlier comment.
This would all depend on what the other party acted like when I met them.
Personally, as a buyer, the things I'd consider are, other than a straight no-questions test ride:
- Getting the seller to ride it while I sit on the back
- Full purchase price (maybe -£500 as I'd ask for money off the advertised price) but with agreement that it can go back for any reason, other than I just crashed it, following the test ride.
- Deposit as per my earlier comment.
This would all depend on what the other party acted like when I met them.
On sub £3k bikes I used to just "hold their car keys" but when a bloke didn't come back after 20 minutes I started thinking - what if he's hurt / killed himself, what if the car's on finance etc
I decided then it was full price or no test ride
He did come back after 40 mins and bought it
I've been surprised that many don't want a test ride and I've sold several bikes to people who never saw the bike "as you sound honest" so just sent a courier
Top tip - Conmen became conmen because they're convincing !
I'd also mention on FB groups several bikes have been stolen after the owner has been assaulted or they have ridden off the second they've started it - so it might be worthwhile insisting they bring a drivers licence and you take a pic before they even see the bike
I decided then it was full price or no test ride
He did come back after 40 mins and bought it
I've been surprised that many don't want a test ride and I've sold several bikes to people who never saw the bike "as you sound honest" so just sent a courier
Top tip - Conmen became conmen because they're convincing !
I'd also mention on FB groups several bikes have been stolen after the owner has been assaulted or they have ridden off the second they've started it - so it might be worthwhile insisting they bring a drivers licence and you take a pic before they even see the bike
Is a test ride going to tell you much apart from showing up any problems in the gearbox?
A 5k mile bike in immaculate condition like the OP’s is highly unlikely to have a problem that will show on a test ride.
An older high mileage bike is best judged on condition and a good look round will tell you most of what need. If you think there might be problems either walk or price for suspension/ bearings etc accordingly.
As for ‘I want to see if I like it/ am comfortable on it’ that’s not the sellers problem.
In a private sale I’d never give a test ride, or expect one. You can take cash as a deposit, but you won’t know it’s real. Keys as a deposit, the car could be stolen. If a buyer wants a test ride he/she can head off to a dealer. In the event it’s an older bike then it’s a case of buyer beware. It’s not difficult to suss out a bike. When I have been asked I’ve made a video going through the gears etc.
Drawweight said:
Is a test ride going to tell you much apart from showing up any problems in the gearbox?
A 5k mile bike in immaculate condition like the OP’s is highly unlikely to have a problem that will show on a test ride.
An older high mileage bike is best judged on condition and a good look round will tell you most of what need. If you think there might be problems either walk or price for suspension/ bearings etc accordingly.
As for ‘I want to see if I like it/ am comfortable on it’ that’s not the sellers problem.
I'm sorry but that's rubbish it could have a vibration issue, overheating, poor fuelling, lack of power, jumping out of gear, pulsating brakes etc or just be plain uncomfortable.A 5k mile bike in immaculate condition like the OP’s is highly unlikely to have a problem that will show on a test ride.
An older high mileage bike is best judged on condition and a good look round will tell you most of what need. If you think there might be problems either walk or price for suspension/ bearings etc accordingly.
As for ‘I want to see if I like it/ am comfortable on it’ that’s not the sellers problem.
It becomes the sellers problem if the buyer won't buy without a test ride.
I've bought over 10 bikes in the last 6 months all privately, I've turned up with the money and had a test ride on every one before buying.
I've rejected three because they didn't ride right, one had a massive lack of power, one had a vibration and noise until it was warm, one sounded like a sewing machine. I negotiated a discount on another due to worn headstock bearings
Iminquarantine said:
That’s just putting overhead costs onto a business, when there is no intention to do any business with them.
Dealers are properly insured and staffed to deal with test rides. The are also paid to sell them and better them deal with timewasters than someone selling privately. Never had an issue with any of the bikes I have sold. How do people here avoid 'test pilots'?
It's a nightmare a lot of the time in my experience. Last year i sold several 150-200 bhp bikes i had decided to move on and i had quite a few people turn up with the attitude of ''no test ride no sale''.
Looking at at least 3 of them they simply wanted to see what a Hyabusa, Brutale 1090 and R1 went like. Cheap helmets, jeans and trainers and in one case no gloves. I sensed they weren't going to buy at all.
What do others here say when people want to take your sports bike out for a test ride?
It's a nightmare a lot of the time in my experience. Last year i sold several 150-200 bhp bikes i had decided to move on and i had quite a few people turn up with the attitude of ''no test ride no sale''.
Looking at at least 3 of them they simply wanted to see what a Hyabusa, Brutale 1090 and R1 went like. Cheap helmets, jeans and trainers and in one case no gloves. I sensed they weren't going to buy at all.
What do others here say when people want to take your sports bike out for a test ride?
BroadsRS6 said:
What do others here say when people want to take your sports bike out for a test ride?
Not a chance from me, I'll happily let a mate have a go but not some unknown random, there is no way of qualifying their experience or ability, I have sold dozens of bikes and never let anyone test ride a single one, I'd rather lose the sale.Jazoli said:
Not a chance from me, I'll happily let a mate have a go but not some unknown random, there is no way of qualifying their experience or ability, I have sold dozens of bikes and never let anyone test ride a single one, I'd rather lose the sale.
Exactly. If they want, you can easily take a clip of the bike running etc. With the R1 buyer the conversation got really heated. He wanted to take the bike out ''for 20 or so miles as i never buy any vehicle without a test ride''.
I said i had no idea if he would be insured or even if he has a licence. His reply angrily was ''i am insured on THAT, pointing to his SV650 so i'm insured on your bike''. Aggressively.
I said maybe insured and only third party, so any crash would be my loss. He made it clear he wasn't buying without a proper test ride and i forfeited the possible sale and tbh told him after a few minutes to ferk off my land and fast.
Trainers, no gloves, a beaten up SV650 and he wants my 2018 R1 for half an hour? Possibly genuine, but i think he was a test pilot.
Surely the chances could be he'd never return and leave me with a tired old 650 he'd nicked! You never know.
I said i had no idea if he would be insured or even if he has a licence. His reply angrily was ''i am insured on THAT, pointing to his SV650 so i'm insured on your bike''. Aggressively.
I said maybe insured and only third party, so any crash would be my loss. He made it clear he wasn't buying without a proper test ride and i forfeited the possible sale and tbh told him after a few minutes to ferk off my land and fast.
Trainers, no gloves, a beaten up SV650 and he wants my 2018 R1 for half an hour? Possibly genuine, but i think he was a test pilot.
Surely the chances could be he'd never return and leave me with a tired old 650 he'd nicked! You never know.
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