Selling an expensive motorbike............the test drive?

admirable

admirable

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Just wondered what the format was for selling a motorbike and what happens when it comes to the test drive.
How does the buyer get a test drive before purchase and how does the seller know the buyer isn't going to ride off into the sunset without paying?
 
admirable said:
Just wondered what the format was for selling a motorbike and what happens when it comes to the test drive.
How does the buyer get a test drive before purchase and how does the seller know the buyer isn't going to ride off into the sunset without paying?
Click to expand...

The buyer brings the cash with him (the full amount) and you hold it in your clammy paws whilst he takes the bike for a spin.
It's the only way my husband has EVER allowed a test ride.

*Edit* And no serious prospective purchaser has ever objected.
 
As Ruth says ^ it has the added side effect of dissuading time wasters.
 
FWIW, get a couple of pics of the buyer & any associates + the keys to whatever transport they arrived in/on. Also double check any relevant insurance.
 
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viv1969 said:
The buyer brings the cash with him (the full amount) and you hold it in your clammy paws whilst he takes the bike for a spin.
It's the only way my husband has EVER allowed a test ride.

*Edit* And no serious prospective purchaser has ever objected.
Click to expand...
Plus you get his licence details written down yourself , should he want to open it up. You don't want a ticket a week later. Plus as already mentioned above , keep hold of cash He drops it, he keeps bike you keep cash.
 
Make sure he is insured to ride it too!
 
If he is insured, insurance only may cover third party only. The bike not be covered in the event of a claim.
 
jonbeeza said:
If he is insured, insurance only may cover third party only. The bike not be covered in the event of a claim.
Click to expand...
Yeh, that's what I mean, make sure he is insured to ride YOUR bike!
 
As above but make sure you make your conditions 100% clear to the purchaser before he/she sets off to view the bike! Personally, I'd want photo ID - some people still have the old paper licenses. If you're holding his/her folding, he/she bends it, he/she's bought it!
 
perhaps the China shop line applies

"Lovely to look at, lovely to hold but if you break it consider it's sold..."
 
Thanks everyone :)
 
when I sold a car and 2 of my motorbikes I was inundated with 'when can I arrange a viewing/test drive' messages; when my replies mentioned 'please make sure you have the asking price in cash for me to hold whilst you take your test drive in case of damaging vehicle' it weeded out the serious potential buyers from the rest.
 
strumstrum said:
please make sure you have the asking price in cash for me to hold
Click to expand...
And yet most people are suspicious of large amounts of cash these day's preferring to deal in bank transfers for fear of forgeries or laundering ;)
 
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