Selling bike - test ride

Ive never sold a bike privately before, I was just wondering how I would go about allowing someone to test ride my bike without demanding they give me a large wad of cash before taking it out! Has anyone here sold bikes privately in the past and if so what did you do about allowing people to test ride your bike? thanks

[rictus01]

Sold loads of bikes privately before.

as to the test ride, unless they have the cash to hand you before riding it they don't.

Any damage you either take the amount out of the cash and give it back or they just bought the the bike off you.

no, hang on to my car/bike keys stuff either, you can show good intentions by offering to let them be pillion, but that's as far as I'd go.

Make this clear before they come to view the bike and you shouldn't have a problem.

Cheers Mark.

[carelesschucca]

Its the only way I'd do it... Take a good bit of cash off them... If they are interested they'll be willing to stump up the cash!!!

[northwind]

I took a £500 deposit before I let the lassie who bought my 125 out... Then chased her on the SV

[timwilky]

Boots has been on the other foot as well.

When I bought the SV I took it for a test ride and brought it back after 200yds and asked him to put some air in the front tyre. Hate to think what would have happened at the first corner

So if test riding make sure the thing is roadworthy first

Thanks for that everyone, I reckon the full amount in cash before they ride it plan sounds like the one to go with, that way they definitely are gonna come back with it! If not, I dont care

[M.C.]

sold 1 bike and the chap came and looked i started it up in the back garden so he could'nt jump on it and ride away etc but he did'nt even ask for a test ride but if he had it would be full amount in cash or no ride also worth getting driving licence details because if they go through a speed camera you can pass on the info.
you could also take there pic
i think most people understand this anyway so you should'nt have anything to worry about.
good luck with the sale

thanks mate, good advice i reckon

If you can, arrange to meet them at a non-bike owning mate's house... that way you don't have someone look the bike over, hand over cash for a test ride, then walk away saying they've got to think it over... then pop back at 2am and nick it!

Or maybe I'm just too cynical.

When i sold my Aprilia RS125, a couple of lads came in a car with the cash. They however asked me to ride it for them to London and they would give me a lift back to Kent! I said that i was unable to do this and that if they wanted the bike, they would have to ride it back themselves.
They then opened the boot and brought out a brand new leather jacket and helmet (which they had obviously just purchased as the jacket still had its labels)
One of the lads reluctantly got on the bike, proceeded to wobble up the road, and at the top of the road promptly dropped the bike! By then, fortunately, i had already received the cash!
I still, to this day, do not know whether they made it back to London O.K.

Lets hope so, although i doubt the bike is still in one piece!