by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 10/18/2017 at 14:31
by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 10/18/2017 at 14:31
No Tags
STARS: 0
Several years back, I bought a motorcycle. My thinking was to get an old cheap motorcycle that I can learn on and have it with enough CCs so I can grow with it. Well I bought it. It’s about 600lbs.
Where I lived, I did not feel comfortable taking out to learn on. Now that I moved, I have a little more space to take it. In the summer I dug it out of the garage. Took it for a spin. Landed it on my ankle. Wife gave lots of frowny faces with some PG13 frowny words.
In either case, I sorta want to sell it. It’s in good shape. Low miles. My ankle landing didn’t cause any damage to the bike.
Here is the dilemma. I put it up on craigslist. Someone shows up to look at it. Takes it for a road test.
1) I am nervous this person crashes it and it’s legal problems out the rear end.
2) Person doesn’t come back with it.
Normally when I buy car and I take it for a road test, owner comes with me to make sure they are present for the above so no issues. How do you deal with bike sales? Just trust a total stranger?
FYI. Bike is 1995 Honda Shadow 1100cc 4spd
"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
10/18/2017 at 14:39, STARS: 3
Ask to see their license to make sure they have a motorcycle endorsement. Then ask to take a picture of it with your phone. Also, assuming they arrive on a bike or in a car, they will have to leave it there while they go for a ride. You can also ask to hold their keys, trust is a two way street.
If they get dropped off by someone on a bike with no plates, be suspicious!
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
10/18/2017 at 14:40, STARS: 1
You don’t really need to worry about legal problems, just don’t be stupid. Demand to see a motorcycle license, and that should cover your butt. As long as your bike isn’t on-fire dangerous or something, even if someone hurts themselves, it’s their fault. Legally, it’s called assuming the risk. As long as you are careful and don’t let a drunk 12-year-old hop on for a ride, you’re probably good. P.S. that was NOT legal advice.
I’ve learned from my own bike shopping that most guys won’t give a test ride unless they have cash in their hand. So if someone just rides away with the bike and escapes the cops too, you at least have the cash.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 0
good point, but I don’t let anyone hold keys to my car so I wouldn’t expect them to part with their keys either. Pic of license might work assuming its real.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 0
haha. Yeah. That is definitely not legal advice.
Also drunk 12 year old comment brings up so many questions I am not ready to ask. The bike is 600 lbs. I struggle to hold it upright. Drunk 12 year old will be squished bug under it.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
10/18/2017 at 14:46, STARS: 0
You bought a 1100cc bike to learn to ride? Damn son!
If you’ll be offering test rides to potential CL buyers, insist they have a motorcycle endorsement. Record their DL and contact information. I probably don’t have the best advice about insurance and stolen vehicle recovery, so I’ll hold my tongue.
If you’re still thinking about learning to ride, have you considered an MSF class and starting with something small and easier like a 250 or 300cc?
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 0
Well, I already knew how to .... drive a 250cc bike around parking lot at MSF class. I even got me one of them motorcycle endorsement gizmos on my license. The thing I wanted to do was get more practice under my belt. Speaking with some bike owners, all like one they said they wished for more CCs. So that’s what I did. I bought all the CCs I could find not realizing how heavy the someofbitch is.
"Roadster Man" (roadsterman)
10/18/2017 at 14:50, STARS: 1
Always gotta cover my butt. I’m a lawyer, but not that kind of lawyer!
Going off the other reply, I think a photocopy of the motorcycle license and cash in hand will prevent most problems.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 14:52, STARS: 0
I hear ya.
“You don’t need a criminal lawyer. You need a CRIMINAL lawyer!”
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/18/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 1
When I bought my scooter, the owner demanded to have the cash in his hand before I test rode it. If I didn’t like it, he would give it back, but if I dropped it, then I just bought it. I thought that was very reasonable. We had met at the local police department at his insistence, so I didn’t think I was getting scammed. If I ever sell anything with two wheels, I plan to do the same.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
10/18/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 1
Oh, nevermind then. Yeah, stuff’s heavy...
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 0
This is a very good condition. My only issue is that I would have to get the motorcycle over to the police department without once again landing it on my ankle.
Might have to make it seem like one is getting scammed.
Shoot. Bring a spouse or a friend so they can make sure I don’t escape with the money.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
10/18/2017 at 15:16, STARS: 1
That would be a good solution.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
10/18/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 0
“No test rides” is a pretty common policy for selling bikes on CL. I wouldn’t allow teat rides when selling a bike.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 15:28, STARS: 0
How would one even know the bike is operational? It might start and run, but might have issues with driving
I don’t think forbidding test drives is a viable solution
"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
10/18/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
When I sold my Sportster I assessed the guy when he got there. He showed up in his pickup with his wife and daughter, and we talked a while about bikes, why he was buying it etc. It was pretty clear that he had a lot of riding experience and his wife stuck around while he took it around the block so I was pretty comfortable letting him ride it. I’d leave it an open point and assess the buyer when they get there, maybe make them at least show you they have a motorcycle endorsement, and if you’re not really comfortable with them riding it make them give full asking, in cash, before they test it with the condition that if they wreck it they bought it, and you’ll negotiate when they get back.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 15:41, STARS: 0
Yeah. All reasonable. Gonna have to be a little bit prejudice or something i guess.
Wad of cash overrides all preconceived notions I think. Damn it. Why is it that hard to sell something on two wheels that may or may not cause death
Damn it. Why am I so paranoid???
"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
10/18/2017 at 15:50, STARS: 1
Not every motorcycle buyer knows how to ride a motorcycle, or could be fairly new and inexperienced, which isn’t a bad thing, it just creates more risk. Things happen and a motorcycle isn’t a small chunk of change. It would really suck to have someone wreck or steal it and leave you on the hook. Being paranoid here is perfectly fine, and asking for proof of license and cash in hand is pretty common procedure when selling a bike.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/18/2017 at 16:09, STARS: 0
Thanks, Pickup_man.
"XJDano" (xjdano)
10/18/2017 at 17:31, STARS: 0
That sounds fun. I have a 500 that’s a cruiser and it’s enough for me. My coworker is thinking of selling his Valkyrie, which is a 1500. Asked if I was interested. I likely would die on it.
When I bought my bike I showed up in a box truck with a coworker. The old guy offered us a test ride, and I was pretty sure I was going to buy it as I had one a few years prior same model. I told him that and I guess he was comfortable enough with that. When I got back, made offer, bought it, signed papers, loaded it into truck.
I rode mine to work today, it was pretty chilly.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Seems like you had enough good advice from others. Sorry to hear you’re selling it.
"NojustNo" (front24200)
10/18/2017 at 20:00, STARS: 0
I heard you can get an insurance rider specifically to cover test riders. Check on that.
If I was buying a bike I wouldn’t leave cash OR buy without a test ride. What if its a piece of shit and not worth the money i left? What if its a stolen bike and the seller takes off with the cash while I test it? What if the seller pulls out a gun and straight takes the cash? Its happened.
If cash is ABSOLUTELY required by a seller I would meet at a bank and have them hold it in escrow during a test ride.
"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
10/18/2017 at 20:34, STARS: 0
No test rides is a common condition. I sold a bike that way once. Isold my last bike allowing a test ride with license.
"bob and john" (bobandjohn)
10/18/2017 at 22:25, STARS: 0
And now you know why i laugh at those ppl :)
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/19/2017 at 06:02, STARS: 1
NoJustNo is kinda similar to PartyPooper. My shenanigans apply to only parties tho. You’re just a No type a person for all occasions? =P
I kiddin. The insurance thing is interesting. Bank thing no so much. I don’t have much experience with this bike. Last time, Eleanor bucked me off and sat on my ankle. I am a bit gun shy taking her anywhere but to the end of driveway.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/19/2017 at 06:04, STARS: 0
The selling part isn’t 100% yet. I may just go take another MSF course.
I am just tired of frowny faces and PG13 frowny words from the wife about the damn thing.
Her: you gonna die as soon as you look at it
ME: crap. It just landed on my ankle. I better tell my wife a dinosaur ate my foot.
"Monkey B" (monkeyb)
10/19/2017 at 10:20, STARS: 1
Generally a motorcycle test ride is break it you bought it in a private transaction. I always take my insurance card, show them my endorsement and usually they are ok with that. I’ll usually try to ride there too so they see I’m capable.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
10/19/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
If a bike has an issue riding, then you definitely don’t want to find out while riding it. A bike should always be gone through before throwing a leg over. Any serious buyer is going to know what to check without riding it. Buying used bikes is risky, that’s why they’re cheap.
"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
10/19/2017 at 11:45, STARS: 0
I am too paranoid. I guess I’ll just take it to the grave with me. No sale!