Do you let people test ride your Monster?

[Blue]

I agree. I would never buy a bike or car without test riding/driving myself. I've seen it happen, partsd rubbing or grinding that you can't hear, but could feel. Having the cash or money order on hand should allow a test ride.

I agree.  I have never bought a bike that I did not take for spin first.  I either show up on a bike, or with the cash in hand, or with my family as a sign of good faith (as I did when I bought my Monster).  If the seller treats me like a crook, then I will not deal with them (this usually can be determined over the phone).  I understand that people have had bad experiences selling bikes in the past, but you are trying to sell something.  That being said, I have never gone to look at a bike that I was not going to buy (unless it was not as advertised or didn't feel right).  I don't have that kind of time to waste.  I think it all comes to personal preferences on how quickly you want to sell the bike.

Also, when selling the bike, make sure to date the title or bill of sale along with writing down the TIME of the sale as well.  This was a tip from the DMV when I called about selling a car to someone.  This way, there is no dispute of ownership when the new owner rides/drives away. 

[wernja]

I just let someone ride my bike last Saturday.

I was at a demo day at the local harley dealer and one of the workers had been bugging me all summer that he has never rode a ducati before.  So this time I thought I would let him have his chance.  It was pretty neat having about a dozen of us testing out new harleys and him riding right with the group on the monster.  After our short ride everyone was more interested in the ducati then any of the harleys.  The questions went like -

Wow, why does the bike sound so different than other sport bikes? (referring to the deep exhaust sound, I can't imagine what it would have been like having a dry clutch  )

That thing must be really fast.  It has about 170-180 hp, right? (It's a 696  )


Granted I do know this guy and trust him with my bike.  However, if I was selling it and didn't know the person I would have a hard time letting them test ride it.  I would probably want cash up front and make a copy of their drivers license.

[Triple J]

I agree 100% with Motocreations post.

Test rides allowed with an endorsement AND cash for full purchase price. Otherwise, no way. An exception would be if it was your buddy wanting to buy the bike, and you knew how they rode.

A local guy (ex-DMFer) sold his M900. The guy claimed to have moto experience. Handed him the cash and signed the bill of sale/title...then got on his new bike, popped the clutch, rode over the sidewalk and neighbors lawn, and crashed. Bike wadded. Seller would have been SOL if that was a test ride.

The guy who bought my 848 had a friend selling an R6 allow a test ride without cash in hand. The potential buyer hopped on, pulled a wheelie down the street...and the bike was never seen again.  The license he showed the seller was fake.

Those who said they'll only buy a used bike if they get to test ride it will likely be buying from dealers, which have insurance for this type of thing...or very trusting private parties. I've bought 3 used bikes from people...never once asked to ride them, but did watch the seller ride them. I've also sold 3 bikes...never been asked for a test ride.

[caboteria]

As a buyer, I wouldn't buy a bike I hadn't ridden.  I've bought two used bikes from individuals and in both cases we were able to work out an agreement that worked for both of us.  In one case, the guy left the bike behind his apartment building with the keys in it and told me over the phone where it was   That might be a little too trusting.  When I bought my monster, the guy made sure I knew how to ride and had my "M" endorsement then let me take a spin after we shook hands on the deal.  Needless to say, after 100 yards I knew that I NEEDED that bike.

[Frosty_spl]

I bought my bike and rode it after I paid the seller.

When I get ready to sell it, I will let the person ride it after signing the bill of sale and giving me cash. If they ride it around and don't like it, I will give the cash back and tear up the BOS.

Its not like I can take their money and run, they know where I live.

[orangelion03]

I just bought a used Monster at a very reasonable price, knowing that it would require the valve/belt service.  The buyer had adjusted the price accordingly and he had new tires on the bike (receipt to prove it).  He agreed to ride it to Valley Ducati Service (over 60 miles from his location)..he got bonus points for that...and Nick looked it over for me.  I then gave the seller the money (cash) and took it for a brief test ride.  Prior to meeting the seller, I had arranged for my insurance policy to include the bike and only needed a call to my agent to activate it once I had the milage and Nick's blessing to ride it.  Had I decided not to purchase, it would have cost me $35 to cancel the policy, but I thought that was reasonable.

My local Suzuki dealer had a couple of used bikes I was interested in, but they would only let me test ride if I "bought" it first.  They had a complete contract ready to go, with financing in place.  IfI decided not to buy, they tear up the contract.  If I had crashed it, it was all mine =)

Good luck with the sale.  FYI, it is a buyer's market out there...a lot of folks are selling off their toys because of the economy so there is a lot of product competing for scarce dollars.

Cheers!

R

[sbrguy]

personally i bought a used 03 620 off someone on craigslist.  went to meet the guy with my friend with a pickup, he rides bike for years. i was new.

owner saw that we were not a bunch of joy riders and basically let me take it out for a short spin, i basically went around the block and was back in 5 minutes, said i wanted it after that.  if he would have said go up the block and back that would have been fine too.

i only had 100 dollars on me that day  was just going to see if i hated the bike.  rode it 300 ft and i was sold, it wasnt' the speed that sold me, it was the brakes.

agreed to pay the guy cash the next day and do the deal, he was good with it gave him the 100 to hold for me for the day.

honestly if the guy didn't let me ride it i woudlnt have bought it.  if i broke it i would have bought it, bu tthat is just me.

use your best judgement, its one of those things, where you use your gut, if have a hunch the guy is going to wad it up even if he has ridden for 10 years don't let him do it wihtout cash in hand, if you the guy is new and you have a hunch that they wont' wad it up you can probably let him ride it up the block and back and things will be fine.

use common sense.

[Stella]

Really great info. that I will use – thanks!  Since I just, coincidentally, listed my '04 620.    

[NorDog]

If you allow test rides, make sure they have the endorsement on their license and provide their own helmet and proof of insurance. Not uncommon to hold a check made to a specific sum while they ride, hand 'em back their check when they return it undamaged.

In the past I've required CASH deposit for the full price of the bike, NOT A CHECK.  I tell them, let's do this deal and you can then ride the bike.  IF after the ride you change your mind, then fine, the deals off.

DO NOT take a check (unless it's a cashier's check; maybe).

[ab]

If can't ride the bike, would you let the potential buyer ride pregnant dog?   

[junior varsity]

Hey! Its big-hug-buddy!

[scott_araujo]

If they crash the bike you may be held responsible for damage and any injuries depending how insurance works in your state.  Keep that in mind.

When I sold my 650 cruiser to a new rider he brought his more experienced friend along to test ride it.  I checked his license and got a good vibe so I let the experienced guy ride it.  It worked out and he bought the bike.  I also sold my Kawasaki ZR-7 but that was to a good friend who I took the MSF course with. 

For selling sport bikes to strangers I feel a bit different.  With a powerful engine, brakes, and aggressive handling even an experienced rider can make a small mistake and drop the bike if they're not familiar with it.  The most common damage to Monsters with metal tanks in a parking lot tipover is a tank ding.  A new tank costs around $1000.

The nicest solution I've seen proposed is sale with full price paid in cash up front.  Additionally write up a little contract that if they don't like the bike and bring it back undamaged in half an hour, you'll buy it back for the same price.  You may get fewer people interested since it's cash up front but if someone is serious it will work out.

Scott

[somegirl]

If can't ride the bike, would you let the potential buyer ride pregnant dog?   

Not too much point, you can't really feel how it handles from back there.

Plus if they fall off you'd have other issues.

[RUFKM]

I wouldn't even consider buying (used or new) without a test ride.  Rode my S4RS for 45 miles before I went back & bought it.  Little putt around the block twice to get the feel of brakes, throttle & clutch - then out to the highway for 100+ mph cruising.

It's a buyers market so you have to accommodate the buyer.

[jwoconnor]

When I was selling my FZ1 a couple years ago, I allowed test rides. The first guy was gone almost an hour, long enough for me to get worried. The second guy took a shorter ride. Both said they would, "Talk to their bank." never heard from either one. The guy that finally bought the bike didn't even ride it. He started it up and listened to it run, gave it a walk around, then handed me cash.