- This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 8 months ago by JackTrade.
Test Rides
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August 2, 2010 at 3:10 am #4146MD_TomParticipant
I’m starting to shop around for my first motorcycle, mainly on sites like Craigslist and dealer websites. Have also visited several dealers, sat on several bikes to see what fits but have not test ridden anything. Most dealers around here don’t offer demo rides, and I get the impression that the ones that do are reluctant to let new riders take a test ride. As for private sellers I see many ads like “no test rides”, or “no test rides unless you have cash in hand”. Does anybody really buy a used bike without testing it first? I can certainly understand them wanting to protect their investment against a rider of unknown skills, somebody looking for a joy-ride, etc. But there’s no way I’m going to meet a total stranger in a strange part of town while carrying thousands in cash. Yeah, I’m a little nervous about riding somebody else’s bike, even around a parking lot, given my limited riding experience, but I have to protect my investment too. I’m definitely not going to buy anything I’m not comfortable with. So I guess my question is, what are reasonable expectations for a newbie to have concerning test rides when shopping for a first bike? I appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences.
August 2, 2010 at 4:20 am #27877MunchParticipantAhh welcome to problem we have here in my area. No demo’s or test rides known in the area… unless your looking to spend $200+ at the HD dealership in which case your really renting rather then test riding.
Is one of the reasons why I bought both my bikes new. Only risk at that is wether or not it feels just as good moving as it did sitting in the show room. For used…whole new issue. I would ask the seller if they would be willing to split the bill on a check up at a respectable motorcycle repair shop. Or find a friend, or relative that knows enough about bikes to go with you to look. For me if the seller has nothing to hide and is serious about getting rid of the bike they should have no problems with an inspection. Just be careful also what you tell the service center that your taking the bike to and what you expect.
I hate that there seems to be a no test ride rule but I can fully understand the lack of willingness. Especially in the severe increase in sport bike interests and especially from those that do not frequent sites like BBM and are looking to get a bike on the cheap….. whats cheaper then free…. and how hard is it going to be to get away if you are on a bike that can out run most police package cars?
Just do your homework. Ask a lot of question…. some of them twice in between chit chats to see if the responses line up with the previous ones…. look the bike over… in shadow and in the sun. Look at the parts independently…. not as the whole sparkling package. Make them start it up… rev it…. heck get them to ride it for ya even.
August 2, 2010 at 6:39 am #27878Gary856ParticipantLocally it seems only dealers of the more expensive makes (Harley, BMW, Aprilla, etc.) grant test rides; I don’t know if/how they screen the potential customers for test ride.
For private party this is a potential headache for both the seller and the buyer. For every serious buyer there are lot of tire kickers and joy riders who are just wasting a seller’s time, and vice versa. I’ve bought 4 bikes and I’m trying to sell my first. It’s as much about finding the right buyer/seller match as about the right bike and price.
My belief on test ride from a private seller – it’s not a chance for you to have a joy ride and see if you “like” the bike; that’s taking advantage of the seller and wasting his time. You need to do your homework before that. Rather, a test ride is for you to see if there’s anything wrong with the operation/ functionality of the bike, so you should be ready to buy the bike after the test ride if there’s nothing wrong with it. But of course, in a private party sell the only rules are what’s agreed upon between the two parties.
Here’s what I’d do when buying my next bike –
1) Go “look at” the bike first and not bring any cash (safety concerns). Looking, touching, and starting the bike should be free, but I won’t expect a test ride, unless the seller is totally cool with it and lets me. After seeing the bike, meeting/talking to the seller in person and checking out the paperwork (pink slip), I should get a pretty good idea if I’d want to go ahead with the purchase. Discuss with the seller and agree on a purchase price, pending a test ride. If we can’t agree on a price, then what’s the point of a test ride?2) Go back to the seller with cash in hand for a test ride. If no issue with the operation of the bike, close the deal.
With my beat up GS500 I would let a newbie test ride it if I feel ok with the guy. With the newer bikes, I would only allow test ride for more experienced riders.
August 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm #27885TrialsRiderParticipantIf I was selling a street bike and saw someone ride up on a real nice bike to ask for a test ride, I would be inclined to allow it, based on how well they rode their own ride. While yours is out of site, it helps to know theirs is parked there, ( assuming it’s not stolen ). Or even better, I would ride along with them on theirs. If some kid arrived riding shotgun in his friends pickup truck, no helmet, looking for his first bike, no chance, too many people are inclined to ‘see what she’ll do’ and that is NOT what a road test ride should EVER be.
I have often let people test ride my dirt bikes, even when they’re not for sale. Never just prior to my riding in a competition, but very possibly right afterwards. On two occasions it was a bad idea, but for the most part not a problem.
Since this will be your first motorcycle ever and you are buying used, be ready to buy it as is where is based on the how well it starts and idles. BTW starting and idling, sights and sounds are often far better indicators of the motors fitness, NOT what she’ll do at top speed !!! Every bike I purchased new was paid for before I started it.
August 2, 2010 at 3:33 pm #27887ranetteParticipantA friend was selling his Triumph. Guy shows up with his dad, definitely serious, not a tire kicker. Said he wouldn’t buy without a test ride. My friend hops in his car with the potential buyer’s dad and proceeds on a nice little 5 minute loop, a few minutes in he checks the rear view, no Triumph. Turned around to retrace their tracks and find him a few hundred yards back. Guy apparently had target fixated and hit a curb. Nothing that serious, somewhere in the range of $200 damage. Thankfully the guy owned up to it and just bought the bike as he was planning on doing before he crashed. Actually my friend probably made a few bucks on the deal, as the guy and his dad were a little embarrassed and just paid the asking price rather than seeing if he might come down a few $$$. However, a different type of buyer would have meant a much less pleasant outcome.
August 2, 2010 at 6:24 pm #27888JackTradeParticipantIs to, in your bill of sale, offer an immediate-only (like 1 day) money back guarantee. That way, you both sign the papers, you get the money and the buyer has bought your bike.
He can now test ride it, you’re legally not responsible for him (it’s not your bike), and if there’s a problem, you’ve both agreed that you’ll give him his money back.
Gives the buyer more confidence that you’re not selling him a POS, and gives the seller cover if there’s a problem during the test ride.
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