imported post
A lot of people really get upset when they are denied a test ride and have their arguments. My stand is "No test rides"
You state a good case andhere are a few more.
If the test rider causes an accident he may get a ticket but you get the hit on the insurance for a good number of years up here. The surcharges could easily add up to more than the price of the bike. You also will not likely get paid for the damages.
If the buyer wants to see if they like it it is an indication that they are not familiar with the bike and therefore more likely to have a mishap.
Unless you have police connections you can not verify if the buyer has a valid licence. It may havebeen suspended in absentia.
How do you know the bike is coming back?
To many people a test ride is to see if they can breaksomething so they push it to the limit or beyond. Even if they don't bust something I would be suspicious of a bike that had been trashed out while for sale.
If the person is listening for noises and looking for mechanical issues while riding they aren't giving full consideration to the traffic and are more likely to have an accident.
Two common excuses for a test ride are: (A) I want to know if I will like it. (B) It may not be comfortable.
(A) If you aren't sure then do more research. It's not my job to risk my financial future because you can't decide what you want. Bike shops have legal departments and fleet insurance to minimize their risks. I would have to hire a lawyer to write up a claim and then fight any issues in court regardless. The buyers widow and children might stillbe able to go after me because they didn't sign any waiver.
(B) A ten or fifteen minute test ride will not likely induce cramps on any bike and a four hour test ride is unrealistic IMO.
If protecting the financial future of my family makes me a SOB then so be it.
I have never test ridden a motorcycle before buying.
A lot of people really get upset when they are denied a test ride and have their arguments. My stand is "No test rides"
You state a good case andhere are a few more.
If the test rider causes an accident he may get a ticket but you get the hit on the insurance for a good number of years up here. The surcharges could easily add up to more than the price of the bike. You also will not likely get paid for the damages.
If the buyer wants to see if they like it it is an indication that they are not familiar with the bike and therefore more likely to have a mishap.
Unless you have police connections you can not verify if the buyer has a valid licence. It may havebeen suspended in absentia.
How do you know the bike is coming back?
To many people a test ride is to see if they can breaksomething so they push it to the limit or beyond. Even if they don't bust something I would be suspicious of a bike that had been trashed out while for sale.
If the person is listening for noises and looking for mechanical issues while riding they aren't giving full consideration to the traffic and are more likely to have an accident.
Two common excuses for a test ride are: (A) I want to know if I will like it. (B) It may not be comfortable.
(A) If you aren't sure then do more research. It's not my job to risk my financial future because you can't decide what you want. Bike shops have legal departments and fleet insurance to minimize their risks. I would have to hire a lawyer to write up a claim and then fight any issues in court regardless. The buyers widow and children might stillbe able to go after me because they didn't sign any waiver.
(B) A ten or fifteen minute test ride will not likely induce cramps on any bike and a four hour test ride is unrealistic IMO.
If protecting the financial future of my family makes me a SOB then so be it.
I have never test ridden a motorcycle before buying.
