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Advice on selling a bike

tlr-boise

tlr-boise

Member
Member
As many have found out, I'm selling my C-14. Question: I'm going to get inquiries and people are going to want to come over, see it, and ride it.

1. I'm reluctant to let someone get on it and ride it away, or "around the block." Unless, I suppose they rode up on a Gold Wing, or big BMW, and I know they can handle this 700 lb bike we all know is a little tippy.

So, what would you advise about that? What do you say to someone who wants to ride it first, (which is a perfectly reasonable request, from a buyer's point of view)?

How do you refuse? How do you handle that?

2. Money: When we settle on a price, would you ask for cash, check, money order? Dumb question, seems to me, but it's been so long since I've sold anything like this, with a title that has to be transferred, etc., that I've forgotten how best to do it. $7k in cash, of course, would be fine, but then what? He rides away with the signed title? What about the plates?

Thanks for any advice.
 
I've asked for full payment prior to a test ride with the condition that if the bike comes back undamaged but the buyer was not satisfied with the bike the money is refunded in full. This way you're not taking the chance that the buyer is just out for a ride - or worse, wrecks the bike. No check - cash or bank check only.
As a courtesy I'd allow the plates to go with the bike for the ride home - then return the plates. The plates depend on the state's laws - usually the buyer can get a transfer plate (cardboard) pretty inexpensively.
 
Cash in your hand before keys in their hand. Any damages? you just sign the title and hand it over and tell them to enjoy their new bike. Easy peesy.
 
I've sold multiple bikes and usually ride along on another bike during test rides. I also make sure they have a MC endorsement and usually have a good feel for the person from prior conversation.

IMO that's a lot of cash to require someone to fork over prior to sale just to have a test ride.

Here are some devil's advocate scenarios that would give me pause and probably keep me away altogether as a potential buyer:

Someone takes my $5,000 so I can go on a test ride. I leave for the test ride and discover the bike has serious issues. I return and the 'seller' has disappeared.

Someone takes my $5,000 so I can go on a test ride and I have a mishap, perhaps a tip over in loose gravel on a strange to me bike. The seller says 'you just bought it', and then I find out there's no title or a problem with it.

Carry physical damage insurance and / or lower your deductible and ask for that amount as some form of security for a test ride?

Might get more buyer interest.
 
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I sold a 13k bike about 6 weeks ago. I met him in the parking lot at a Kroger about 70 miles from my house. But it could be any distance, just not at my home. I chose that Kroger because they had a bank inside, open at 3p on a Saturday with a notary. . I went in early and talked to the manager to be sure they had a notary working. Also asked if the had a money counter. The guy showed up, I already told him no test rides. 5 minutes later we're in the bank, 13k counted by the bank, notarized title and done. He rode it home without a tag. With an escort vehicle.

I've told others in the past no test rides, that I would do several drive by passes so they can hear the motor and hear it shift thru the gears. Seemed to make them happy. The only other payment I would take is a cashier check. Tell them to buy it and send you a picture of it so you can call the branch where it was purchased.
 
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Thanks very much guys! I appreciate your good advice.

I called my DMV and, fyi, in Idaho a new buyer has three business days to get plates on a vehicle. So, I keep my plates and he can ride off, as long as he has a bill of sale and title if stopped by a cop.

So far, two have expressed interest. The first guy told me he was 5' 10" and has had a ZX14 and other bikes in the past; he'd be a good buyer. Good guy; asked whether I'd be intersted in trading for some firearms. We'll see what happens. I don't know if it's Boise, Idaho or I've just been lucky, but haven't encountered any crooks in all the stuff I've put on Craigslist.
 
Thanks for all the advice!

Bike sold. From the Craigslist ad. I continue to have good luck with Craigslist ads, having met good people every time.

Sold to a good guy, Scott, who might be showing up here soon. He's a very experienced rider. He asked to ride it, and gave me $6k in cash, and that's was what I sold it for.

He looked good on the bike and he felt comfortable with it, and we completed the deal.

Very mixed emotions about seeing that bike go away, down the street and gone.
 
Good news! I like stories like that, where people can treat and respect others with a handshake and an agreement. I watched this thread as I'm getting close to selling my 2001 C-10 and also was not sure about a few thigs, I do know though that no test ride will take place as too many times I've been the nice guy and have gotten burned. Plus, I would think a majority of the people who may be interested in the bike, know about the bike and have either ridden one before or know someone else with one, most. My bike is my bike and you don't touch it until it's your bike with legal tender in my hands.
 
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