Remember this? I've never let anyone test ride without cash in my hand and a valid endorsement on their license... no cash, no ride and you trash it, you bought it...

 

No test rides when I sell. Even with cash in hand there is too much potential liability should the buyer have an accident on your bike.

 

I've always just played this by gut feel.

Some get a ride, others don't. Last bike I sold the buyer was the friend of a friend, so he rode. Bike before that, some young fool shows up. No ride.

If I don't let them ride, I do offer to ride it up and down the street a few times to demonstrate that it runs and shifts and such correctly.

 

Cash in hand and an MC endorsement is my criteria.

 

When I bought my road king I met the guy at his house, he threw me the keys and then he hopped in his truck and said he would be back in 45 minutes. I was a little shocked and said "are you sure". He said I don't give a shxt, it's insured. When I sold my 03 FXST the guy didn't even ask to ride it. When I sold my Meanstreak I met the guy about an hour away and the guy said well it made here so there is really no reason for to ride it and we threw it on the trailer.

 

its only a bike...my god

Only a bike?!...ONLY A BIKE???!!!

Dickey's rule...You buy my bike without a test ride, if you don't like something about it, you bring it back within an hour for a full refund..Cash only, new hundreds,no exceptions. Dickey don't trust NOBODY!

 

Then what's the difference with this and a test ride with cash in hand? Not much.

 

I sold two Harleys privately over past year a new 2014 Ultra Classic and a used 2014 Heritage, In both cases I let the rider take the bikes out In both cases the first buyer bought the bikes. I lost $1500 on the Ultra and $500 on the Heritage. I told the buyers if they want a test ride , they would have to pay the asking price. In both cases they did and they did. I ate a bout $700 in accessories I transferred to the Heritage from the Ultra

I didn't ask for a test ride when I bought my Sportster. I had already been on three of them at the Harley Boutique.

 

A ton.

If the test rider has purchased the bike, insurance, liability for an accident is on him/her.

If you are just holding cash, you are on the hook for insurance, liability etc.

 

I'll let the buyer sit on the bike, start it up, feel the clutch engaging a little (maybe a few feet) but thats it.