Interesting timing, I’m actually trying to sell a bike on craigslist now. I would not allow someone to test ride it without collateral equal to the value of the bike. Think about it…if you put it on its side, crash into a tree, whatever…there goes my bike and you’re off scott free. Not to mention its not insured for you to ride it and hence illegal to operate on the road.
If you’re interested let me know, 2001 Honda XR650L, awesome bike.
Agreed - I sold a workhorse motorcycle in the UK a few years ago. The buyer took it for a test ride, but only after he left me my full asking price in cash. When he returned the bike safely, he got his money back and we then negotiated a better deal for him - he bought it for a couple of hundred less than my original price.
I don’t get the idea that the buyer would say “I know I’m a complete stranger, but I demand that you allow me free access to several thousand dollars worth of motorcycle! I promise I’ll bring it back - you can trust me, honest guv!” UK buyers do not expect this.
Even dealers here are wary of allowing test rides.
I have nothing to add to the motorcycle discussion other than I have my handbook, and was prepared to get my license, but the cost of insurance stopped me in my tracks. Ick. We’ll see how much it drops after I turn 30.
On the topic of test driving vehicles, I’m shocked. Where are you guys from? I’m in Ontario, and the last time we went looking for a car, the dealerships practically PUSH you in to the vehicle. One dealership even went to far as to say ‘Its a beautiful day… put the top down, cruise around, and we’ll see you in a few hours.’ When we returned after 45 minutes or so, they were shocked we were back so soon. And we ALWAYS take the vehicle on the highway. Its part of the test. 
And the salesperson has never come with us. A photocopy of a license, and we’re free to drive off with $$$'s worth of vehicle.
It varies depending on the dealership/salesman. At one place I was looking at Ford Explorers and the saleslady decided I liked a black Limited edition, and insisted I take it and drive it for the weekend. I did, but I didn’t buy it. She wasn’t so chipper after that.
Other places will only let you take a test drive if they ride with you. When I test drove my Mazdaspeed3, the salesman had to come with me, it was a limited edition high performance car that they didn’t like to have test driven much. I was mostly ok with that, and the salesman didn’t mind me testing the performance a bit.
As far as motorcycles, I can empathisize that if I ever sold my bike I wouldn’t like people riding it. It’s a big risk. I’d definitely ask to see their license with a “M” endorsement on it. If I deemed a buyer was serious and able, I’d ask for a sum equal to my deductible and refund it if the test ride went fine.
Does that really work?
Sounds like the eBay auctions that say, “If you’re not going to pay, don’t bid!” I understand the frustration with deadbeats, but, come on, is venting in your auction really going to dissuade them from jerking you around?
Really? Motorcycle insurance is dirt cheap everywhere I’ve looked. I pay something like $300 for the entire year.
Yeah mine through Progressive is about $280 a year. Of course I’m in my 30’s, perfect driving record, and on a Honda Shadow 750 cruiser. Someone in their 20’s with a sport bike and a ticket or two might have different results.
Liability insurance is cheap, it is the new rider on a rocket or a $23,000 BMW and is 95% owned by the bank that pays a bit more. They want good collision & comprehensive and stuff and such.
I had one of my choppers setting out as a ‘come on’ for a yard sale and some fool with a wad of cash showed up. He really wanted that bike. He had ridden dirt bikes 20 years eariler on some kids farm.
After talking to him, it was way obvious that he was very lacking in experience and seeing as JB was a hard tail, with rocker foot clutch and jockey shift, a kicked out front end with bad geometry, (way too much trail) kick only, and the head light switch is in a bad place, + open 3" belt primary, well I had to refuse to sell to him. He would be dead before the end of the block. JB would be hurt and I did not really want to sell and he did not have really stupid amounts of money, just a realistic amount for the bike and I would have needed a LOT more to cover my guilt at getting the guy killed.
Ride my bike, even if it for sale? Bawahahaha
When I drape my vest on it, in 19 years, only been 2 women stupid enough to even touch it. No male has ever made that mistake. 
You weren’t in Reno, Nevada about two months ago by any chance, were you?
If you have to ask about the Yakazuki 9000, you wouldn’t understand.
I love my Triumph Tiger, a friend has a Sprint, another a Trophy. You will be satisfied and happy with any Triumph. Good choice and I hope you find one.
I did get to test drive the Tiger before I bought it, but I was a passing aquaintance with the seller. I showed up to look at it on my CBR1000 in full riding gear and the guy trusted me. It got hairy because he got on his Ducati and said follow me. No way in hell was I going to try to keep up!
Every other bike I bought and sold was no test rides.
Don’t get me started on market values. PT Barnum wasn’t always right there are suckers out there but I’m not I’m not one. You can hold out as long as you like looking for one asshat.
Man, I miss my panhead chopper. rigid frame, stretched and raked, hippie killer springer with a halcraft 21, rocker cluch and jockey shift…coffin tank.
30+ years ago I drove over two hours to check out a Kawasaki Z1-900 (a bit of a road-rocket, back in the ‘70’s) being sold used by a private party. I was disappointed when the owner refused to let me test-drive the bike. I told him it passed my visual inspection and I had no problem with his asking price (even fanning the stack of hundreds for him to see), but I really wasn’t prepared to close the deal until I could see the bike in action. He said, “oh, that’s no problem. Keep your eyes on the bike…if you can”. He mounted the bike, then raced up, down, back and forth the side streets by his house for the next 5 minutes or so, finishing with an impressive wheelie and gravel skid. Needless to say I bought that bike, and when I sold it 4 years later, I used the exact same sales technique on the next buyer.
Every used motorcycle I’ve purchased I’ve taken out for a test ride first. And good thing too – because there was one bike I didn’t buy that died while I was riding it.
When I’ve sold bikes, if people want to ride 'em, I find out where they took lessons and how long they’ve been riding. If I don’t think they’ve got enough experience, I’ll tell them so – then offer to have 'em ride as a passenger while I take it for a spin.
In either case, hanging onto some serious ID, such as their drivers license (or complete wallet) is standard.
Wow…Yeah, i especially wouldn’t allow someone to test drive a Z1. My FIL had one of those, they were a lot faster than their brakes.
Oooh…An Amen Savior frame.
Sold mine! Put it on ebay and I got an offer within two days to come buy it outright. I did let him test ride it since I had his truck and his daughter with me (plus 2k in cash).
Now that’s collateral.
Yeah, if Bongmaster didn’t bring her back in good condition, the guy got to keep his bike!
