When I decided to buy a bike, I searched the pre-owned inventory at the local dealers as well as other online dealers. Knowing I am a Craigslist addict, my daughter suggested I look there. On my goodness, I couldn't believe how many Harley "toys" were for sale. I still browse Craigslist on a daily basis just for curiosity. I see a lot of ads they say "no test rides, no joy rides, etc.". I guess I understand "no joy rides" where sellers only want serious buyers, not those just looking to ride a Harley.

Here's my question. Would you buy a bike without getting to test ride it? I wouldn't. To me, that's like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first.

 

Nope. What I would ask the seller is if you let him hold what the two of you feel is a fair price for the bike then could you take it for a test ride. I would also bring a friend.

 

That's pretty common around here. If I let a stranger test ride my bike I'd require that I hold payment while they're gone with the bike.

 

Most CL ads I've seen indicate that a test ride is only possible if you have cash with you. Probably the seller holds it while you ride the bike. I agree to having a friend along and doing it during daylight.

 

i would never buy a bike or any other vehicle without a test drive

 

All very good advice. I guess the sellers of the ones I test rode were really trusting. They didn't ask for anything. I rode one at night and even went back the next day during lunch and rode it when only the guy's wife was at home.

 

Nope, If I don't test drive, I don't buy. Main reason I rule out new metrics. No way to test drive those. Dealers in Michigan and here in Arizona do not allow test drives on metrics. The only ones I have seen that let you test drive bikes are HD and BMW.

I would let the CL owner copy my License and have the keys to my car to ensure I return.

 

No one is test riding my bike without putting the cash in my hand first. You bring it back in one piece and don't wanna buy then you get your money back. Learned that the hard way after watching my buddy have 3 grand worth of damage done to his bike. The guy came back while he was inside and dropped the bike off in his front yard and took off.

The worst part is I was gonna buy it that weekend until I took a look at it all smashed up and told him good luck with that. Oh yeah, do not take any type of check, cashiers, certified or anything else without calling the bank first. There are so many scam artists on craigslist it's unreal. Just got done selling a jeep wrangler and after the 10th tire kicker I just started telling people to not even show up unless they had the cash in hand.

 

Hand me 11,000 in cash and ride for 15 minutes. Its o.k.

 

To me that sounds strange. Before I bought my Harley, I test rode some metrics. Not an issue around here. I was tempted to buy a white 06 Heritage with only 5K miles on it in a town about an hours drive away. I went there to look at it and he would not let me test ride it. (indy dealer). Put a bad taste in my mouth and walked away.