Selling tips

I recently moved up to a new bike, so it's time to sell the old one. Any tips for selling to private parties? Specifically, I'm looking for advice on test rides. Do you allow a test ride? What recourse do I have if it comes back with a ding... or worse?! Any input would be appreciated!

And if you're in the Minneapolis area, and looking for a good bike, here's the ad link:

http://www.carsoup.com/used/detail.asp?usedVehicleID=2890519&searchID=36687390&vehicleTypeID=3&UVViewID=4&Page=4&DealerGroupID=&srt=Make&Fltr=562

That being said, you should first off ask your insurance company if you are covered while allowing someone to take a test drive. Some insurance policies limit their payouts in these types of situations.

Irregardless of your state laws, make the test rider have proper safety equipment before allowing a test ride. Helmet, hard shoes, eyewear, and no shorts. Thsi may help to limit your liability if they do happen to take it down.

Make sure that they are properly licensed. Look at their drivers license, make sure that they have the proper endorsements. If possible, make a copy of the license just in case they happen to obscond with your ride.

Take a picture of the person on the bike before you allow them to take the test ride. Make sure that it shows any faults in the bike. This will protect you at a later time if they say you did not disclose. I knaw that most private sales are " AS IS", but better safe than sorry. And this will also help if they bring it back damaged.

Last, but not least, be honest with the would be purchaser. Let them know of any problems that you are aware of. Better to adjust the price or haggle a little than to have someone sue you in civil court for problems that you knew about or should have known about. "AS IS" is only as good as the judge you get in civil court.

We have one local dealer who makes people sign a waiver of liability before any bike leaves the lot.

I tried your link:
http://www.carsoup.com/used/detail.asp?usedVehicleID=2890519&searchID=36687390 &vehicleTypeID=3&UVViewID=4&Page=4&DealerGroupID=& srt=Make&Fltr=562
It don't go there.
Most sellers don't allow test rides. They sell it AS IS. Most sellers won't tell a buyer the brakes are no good. They say "Running Bike" or "It ran when I parked it". If the motorcycle won't start, sellers say "Just a new battery", "Carb clean", "Just put a little Brand X in the gas/oil", or "Just a little tinkering". If you see a rust hole through the gas tank don't bid or buy it. Don't try to sell a Knuder valve job. If you have good product, know why you have good product and stand firm on your price. Good compression, good brakes, rust free gastank, valve clearance all of that for just poor "blue book". The rest is cosmetic. Not running is scrap price, 40 cents/pound. It cant have any major problems to be in poor condition. Good can have scratches blemishes, dents but no rust. Excellent condition can't have "Surface rust", dents, scratches, blemisheses, but it has to be mechanically excellent too. All the safeguards for test rides apply for money orders and checks. They can test ride it all the way home. If they take a one way trip up past 20,000RPM, they can push it all the way back for a scrap price refund.

Test pilots are always an issue when selling a motorcycle. I have always gone with the policy that once the bike is paid for I will allow the buyer a refund after they take the bike for a test ride. I like to go with them on the test ride (on another bike of course) so that I can address any issues they may have. The best policy is to be upfront about any and all issues with the bike you are selling and make sure the buyer understands what they are getting. This avoids the dreaded Monday morning knock on your door.

Underdog