Any advice on selling a bike to a private buyer?

[mrlmd1]

Any advice on selling a bike to a prospective private buyer? What do you do if he requests to take it out for a short ride?
It had been suggested by someone to collect the cash first after he's satisfied with the initial inspection and offer a 30 min ride and if the buyer's not satisfied, return the purchase price. Any other good ideas to avoid a ripoff or getting the bike damaged, and not piss off a buyer in the process?

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Any advice on selling a bike to a prospective private buyer? What do you do if he requests to take it out for a short ride?

I think this concern is sometimes overdone. Does the buyer have an M endorsement? Do they ride a bike now? Have they ever before?

Find a quiet street or parking lot and let them ride far enough to test the seat and pedal positions......if they appear competent.....and hold something of value to prevent a drive-away, like driver's license and car keys.

Other than some unexpected hassle, if you have full coverage insurance AND the rider is properly licensed, you shouldn't have any problem with damage or liability since they would be riding with your permission.

Just use good judgement and don't ignore that little voice that says "Don't do it for this guy; something doesn't feel right".

Selling your GZ ??

[5th_bike]

I wouldn't let any prospective buyer ride the bike unless I would have all cash (or cashier's check) in my hand - what if they drop it ? "sorry 'bout your bike, dude, take care".

[kaput]

I'm with Easy on this one. Take his car keys and make sure he/she has a license. Under 18 is a NONO as they can not be heald legally responsible.

[dhgeyer]

I guess it depends upon the amount of risk you are willing to take. I posted a bike for sale on Craigslist a while back, and got some responses. I made it very clear that there would be no test ride unless I had cash (Craigslist cautions against bank checks now, as they can be forged) in hand, and an agreement that if there is any evidence of damage or abuse they just bought a bike. No one objected to this. I don't think a serious buyer would.

I would stay away from Ebay, of course, and stick with Craigslist or other means of attracting local buyers. I would want to see a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license, and check to make sure they are of age unless it's obvious.

But, it's really a personal decision on your part. Like a lot of decisions about riding, it is about the degree of risk that you, personally, are willing to take.