It is up to the seller, it is still his bike. When I sold mine I only allowed test rides for people with an endorsement and that left me 100% of the cash.

 

A bike is easier to steal too and you generally can't go with them on the test ride. I haven't bought or sold a bike privately so I don't know what I'd do. I think it would likely depend on the kind of person that showed up.

 

Curious as to what happened Dog; were they just joyriding with no intent to buy, did they wreck it, steal it or what?


If I am the seller I'd be reluctant to let anyone just ride off with it. Maybe I'd do like the dealership does and ride beside them or something? However, If I'm the buyer you better believe I'm riding before buying.

 

I get what you are saying, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one. The way I look at it is once I have verified funds in my hands, you are free to test ride it. If you don't like it, and come back undamaged, I'll hand you your money back. If you dump it, it's now your problem, not mine. I'm not asking you for a full commitment purchase without riding it, I'm just taking the liability out of my hands with it.

 

A cycle endorsement, as for cash, my deductable.

 

I bought all 3 of mine (used) with no test ride. All 3 were from dealers and the stipulation was after "buying" I had a guarantee if I wasn't satisfied, I could get my money back. Worked out ok everytime. Myself, selling I would need cash in hand before letting a test ride.

 

I don't see any issue asking the potential buyer for a valid endorsement and at least a large cash deposit (to cover deductibles and inconveniences) as a prerequisite for a test ride. As a note I would state these requirements in the ad at least the potential buyer (if they read the ad as opposed to looking at pictures) would know what to expect when they show up.

 

If you have cash in hand the old saying goes you wreck it you bought it.

 

When I sold bikes I did not allow test rides. I told the potential buyer he could follow me while I rode it. I would consider the endorsement and cash in hand option. Many years ago I was selling a Suzuki RM465 (bad@ss moto crosser). I had it at my brother's house. He lived on a busy road so a lot of people could see it. Someone came to him and was interested in purchasing it. My brother allowed him to test ride it. Thank the lord the guy was honest. He did run it out of fuel and walked it back to my brother's house. He didn't buy it, just took it for a joy ride. He could of easily just stole the dirt bike. My brother caught an earful from me.

 

When I bought my first Harley (not my first bike by any means) a 1999 Ultra Classic, the owner let me test ride it. However, he was an old high school friend of my fathers and I had known him for years myself also. They graduated from high school in 1940 something and I bought the bike from him in 2013. If I was selling my current bike, 2014 Limited, I would require 100% cash in my hand before they got on it to test ride it. Like others have said, a car or truck is a lot different from a motorcycle.