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Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 02:52 pm Jun 03 2017
by Tedh98
After many months, I guess even a couple of years, of debating whether I should sell my hybrid and KDX, I have finally decided to get rid of them.

It has been a long time since I have sold a bike. In looking at CL ads, I have seen some people say that test rides will only happen if they have cash in hand.

So how many of you require cash to test ride a bike you are selling.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 04:19 pm Jun 03 2017
by jjavaman
No cash, no ride. If the person has cash, you know they are serious.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 04:32 pm Jun 03 2017
by Tedh98
So do you have them hand it over to you or just show that they brought cash?

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 04:47 pm Jun 03 2017
by 4Fords
Depends on what you think their ability is. If you think they are trustworthy then ok If it's questionable, I'd say hand me a hundred and they wreck it the $100 is yours regardless. Or more if they clearly don't know what they are doing or there is a fear they will ride it down the road and not come back.

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Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 06:28 pm Jun 03 2017
by Keystone
In the ad, I always post "cash only" and then "cash in hand for test rides". But, when people show up to look, I can usually tell if they are serious and use my best judgment.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 07:50 pm Jun 03 2017
by KDXGarage
I would ask for Your cash in MY hand when you ride my bike. What is more secure than that. Do put it in the ad as Keystone mentioned.

Are you getting a different bike or out of the hobby or what?

Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 08:49 pm Jun 03 2017
by SS109
Cash in my hand or no ride. Seen too many people that think they can ride but can't plus it is common here for people to just take off and steal your bike.

Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 11:17 pm Jun 03 2017
by raygun
Cash in your hand, I've heard stories of folks riding off on a bike never to be seen again.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 02:49 am Jun 04 2017
by KDXGarage
Yes indeed, and check to make sure they are not counterfeit, either.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 10:16 am Jun 04 2017
by Tedh98
Thanks guys for the feedback. My gut told me that holding cash in MY hand was the way to go, but I wasn't sure if that was asking too much. I've never been asked to do that when I've looked at bikes, but it has been many years since I last bought a bike and maybe things have changed?

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 10:33 am Jun 04 2017
by KDXGarage
I see that your location says ATL. Do you not know about all the bikes that get stolen round SX time?? They stole around 10 of the KTM minis. CAREFUL in ATL!!

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 11:18 am Jun 04 2017
by Tedh98
I'm about 40 minutes south of Atlanta. Usually just far enough away to separate the serious people from the not-so-serious.

Luckily a neighbor down the street is an ex-cop / ex-army, so I've checked to make sure he is home when I've had people come to the house.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 01:33 pm Jun 04 2017
by david
Doing the deal in the police station parking lot is another option. Some stations have a couple of parking spot designated just for it, next to the handicap spots.


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Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 06:50 pm Jun 04 2017
by pumpguy
david wrote:Doing the deal in the police station parking lot is another option. Some stations have a couple of parking spot designated just for it, next to the handicap spots.


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That's a good idea.

At the very least, ask the potential buyer to let you hold their drivers license while they take a test ride. That should discourage any crazy riding that might get them pulled over, and you're holding their ID. You can also see if they are licensed to ride a bike.

Of course, if they really want to just ride off with it, nothing less than the full purchase price in your hand will protect you.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 11:02 am Jun 05 2017
by ohgood
the last three bikes i sold were purchased without the new owner riding them, as they were new riders and didn't want to drop it. i actually delivered them to the new owners home, to save them having to rent a truck or bring a friend to ride it home.

the test rides were "my riding buddy", while I held the full purchase cash in my pocket. all were very easy transactions. one owner said it developed an oil leak about a month later, to which I offered to fix it (valve cover leak) but he said it was fine and he wanted to do it himself to learn how.

honestly the majority of the cycling public is very honest/decent. you can usually tell my the phone call if it's a thug trying to get away with your bike. i only do phone calls for that kind of thing.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 11:09 am Jun 05 2017
by KDXGarage
Good idea to talk with them on the phone before meeting in person. :bravo:

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 11:24 am Jun 05 2017
by Tedh98
ohgood wrote: you can usually tell my the phone call if it's a thug trying to get away with your bike
The last KDX I bought the seller asked me to call him to get his address. When I did, he told me he just wanted to hear my voice. I knew what he was getting at.

Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 02:53 am Jun 09 2017
by ICRage42
never

let me repeat NEVER!

and a good bulk of income for me is selling bikes/quads.

One if title is involved your almost always screwed.
(if buyer gets speeding ticket you can as well....its your property.)
(if on your property then its obviously your fault)
(there is NO insurance coverage to sell a bike that just covers you )

your talking kdx no title more then likely but I would simply state or say to the person. You can watch me ride it here and see it shift however with all the legalities nowadays its impossible to allow test drives.

There is dealership insurance setups however your talking selling one maybe two bikes so isnt worth it.

I know whatever Im selling is ready to go and serviced. If there is anything ANYTHING that draws my attention I let the buyer know...tires etc. But I tell them no test rides but they can see me ride it. I tell them the legalities and just how it is and also offer an immediate return if not satisfied however once in their name Ive havent had one want to return bike or quad.

Just be honest and get the bike ready for sale and make it proper to get a good nights sleep. No one wants to take a kdx sale and make it a larger lawsuit or huge headache. Theres alot of ambulance chasers watch yourselves. :partyman:

If you say cash in hand your basically telling them you have to buy it first to ride it. Putting that in the add makes the add sound like your a ****. You dont want that putting it in the manner I did above makes you more welcoming for the sale. Your eliminating the riff raff around the block and gone already and being more polite direct brings more customers. Trust me I can write a book on sale ad posting rules. :rolleyes:

Like never post what all work you have done. State some things but wait for buyer to show or notice the rest. Stating a huge list of new parts only makes the item seem far off to begin with so no one calls. Leave just brief on that and you get tons of more calls. Top it off they come and look and whatever and notice more done on it and are more pleased. Its weird but I have screwed myself tons of times waiting around wondering did I post the right numbers? Just changing the wording and doing things slightly different brings more responses.

Just going by voice really doesnt work.

BIGGEST THING IS COUNTERFEIT MONEY and I got around this by doing all transactions at the bank. They have a notary there and they know real money so its a win win even no titles ......(yea they hate me there). Cars.....trucks.. fook sakes even a couch. Cops respond to banks and theres a **** ton of cameras. You can even notorize a bill of sale for the no titles. Which is a requirement here otherwise its just a piece of paper.

Hope this helps.

Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 12:22 pm Jun 09 2017
by Friedom
How can they steal your bike if their vehicle is sitting there in the driveway? I usually let people ride after some conversation to assess them. Never had an issue.

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Re: Selling a bike - how do you handle test rides?

Posted: 01:47 pm Jun 09 2017
by Davenay67
Friedom wrote:How can they steal your bike if their vehicle is sitting there in the driveway? I usually let people ride after some conversation to assess them. Never had an issue.

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As long as it's their vehicle, and they didn't steal to get to your place. :)