Would you buy a used bike you couldn't test ride?

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Me and all my friends bought our bikes without test rides. Buddy got to test ride one (without showing any money) but he didn't end up getting it anyways.

As long as you at least fire it up, rev it, maybe get him to ride it down the street and go through some gears (which really shouldn't be a problem for any seller) it'll be fine. Even if you end up finding something after an inspection and watching him ride it, it probably won't be big. Besides, these are used bikes..they all have problems in one way or another because they are not new..even new bikes have problems too but that's why we're paying 60% of the original price. You don't want any problems at all with a guarantee then buy a new bike at MSRP with a warranty.
 
bboySushi said:
Me and all my friends bought our bikes without test rides. Buddy got to test ride one (without showing any money) but he didn't end up getting it anyways.

As long as you at least fire it up, rev it, maybe get him to ride it down the street and go through some gears (which really shouldn't be a problem for any seller) it'll be fine. Even if you end up finding something after an inspection and watching him ride it, it probably won't be big. Besides, these are used bikes..they all have problems in one way or another because they are not new..even new bikes have problems too but that's why we're paying 60% of the original price. You don't want any problems at all with a guarantee then buy a new bike at MSRP with a warranty.
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I couldn't disagree more. Most people aren't as honest as most think. Let me give you three examples:
One guy i know bought a used dirtbike, guy told him it works perfect, no problems. Started it up for him but wouldn't let him test ride it.
He ends up buying anyways, first time he takes it out the engine blows lol

Another guy, buys a used gsxr. Buys it in winter and doesn't test ride it, seller tells him everything is perfect. Spring comes around and he takes it out for a ride. Rotors are bent like a mother****er, goodbye 700 dollars. Transmission was making some weird winding noise and was shifting hard. Kept it for a while and sold it as a result.

The next one tops the cake. Guy i know decides to buy a used volvo 670 tractor trailer. I tell him grab an oil sample, take it to a shop strap it to a dyno for starters. If that checks out theres a list of other things to do to make sure you're getting a good truck. Nope, truck looks good to him and the dealer told him it was a one owner well maintained. He buys it, within a month his engine goes kabooooooooom out in nevada. Goodbye 30,000$, and thats just for the engine rebuild lol +towing, down time etc...


And used bikes doesn't mean something has to be wrong. There are advantages to buying used vehicles of any sort. If you make sure it has been maintained and do all the necessary checks you can make an even better purchase than new. Why you say? Because brand new you don't know what problems the bike/car/truck might have from the factory, and theres plenty of examples of this. First gen r6 weak tranny, 2001 civics auto tranny made out of paper, first gen egr engines on heavy trucks pure egr problems 2,000$ a pop, etc...
 
Get your mechanic to do the safety - that should resolve any worries.
If there is already a safety that's a pretty good indicator as well.

I just bought 20 year old ST1100 on the other side of the hemisphere and it all worked out fine.
It had the right story and buddies here in Aus felt okay about it.
Never even met the owner - he was on vacation and left the bike with a buddy.
Long chain of trust all the way around but it had Roadworthy certificate which covered the basics and so far except for a rumbly front brake ( not really concerned - just annoying ) it's been a treat.

I think you get a feel for a seller and you certainly have the background to check the basics. But it's gotta be safetied before $ change hands in my view - and preferably by your own mech.
 
I've almost never ridden a bike before I bought it. Used or new.

I'm not about to let someone I don't know ride off on my bike.

BTW the bike is either insured, or its not. If its insured, anyone riding the bike is covered. Same as for a car. There might not be collision coverage and even if there was why would the owner of the bike want to risk a claim and the resulting increase in premiums because some loser crashed their motorcycle.

There are many other practical reasons not to allow someone a test ride. How do you ensure they aren't stealing it? How do you ensure they ride it with respect, shifting properly and not abusing the machine? It's the same reason almost no car salesperson is going to let you take their car for a drive without going with you.
 
MacDoc said:
Get your mechanic to do the safety - that should resolve any worries.
If there is already a safety that's a pretty good indicator as well.

I just bought 20 year old ST1100 on the other side of the hemisphere and it all worked out fine.
It had the right story and buddies here in Aus felt okay about it.
Never even met the owner - he was on vacation and left the bike with a buddy.
Long chain of trust all the way around but it had Roadworthy certificate which covered the basics and so far except for a rumbly front brake ( not really concerned - just annoying ) it's been a treat.

I think you get a feel for a seller and you certainly have the background to check the basics. But it's gotta be safetied before $ change hands in my view - and preferably by your own mech.
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Exactly.
 
For both of my bikes that I've bought and the one that I've sold, buyer comes cash in hand. Shows the seller that the buyer is serious and comes down to. You drop it, you buy it.
 
bskin said:
For both of my bikes that I've bought and the one that I've sold, buyer comes cash in hand. Shows the seller that the buyer is serious and comes down to. You drop it, you buy it.
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I'm curious how that's gonna work. So, bike price is $5,000. I have that in hand and you let me ride your bike; I total your bike and you then ask me for the $5,000? Or, you want me to put $5,000 in your hand before I ride the bike, trusting that you're going to give it back to me afterwards? I don't see how both parties are provided with any actual security in this situation.

If I don't know you, I'm not going to put $5,000 in your hands before I throw a leg over your bike. If I don't know you, I'm not going to trust you to pay for my bike if you total it, whether you have the cash in your pocket or not.
 
I've heard stories of people coming to purchase a bike, ask for a test ride, take it down the street, around the corner and never seen again,bye bye bike and the seller is **** out of luck. I have also bought and sold multiple bikes and never took any of them for a test ride
 
Griffin said:
There might not be collision coverage and even if there was why would the owner of the bike want to risk a claim and the resulting increase in premiums because some loser crashed their motorcycle.
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Its not the bike I would be worried about, It would be the damage he does to himself, another person or vehicle.
If he crashes himself then screw him, but what if he hits another vehicle or a little kid crossing the street, There is going to be a claim whether you like it or not and it is going to be on YOUR insurance.
 
I've never test ridden anything before buying. I've also not allowed test rides of the bikes I've sold.
You won't find too many who will let you test ride a beginner bike unless you have the full cash amount in hand
 
What about offering to take the potential buyer on a two up, What is people's opinions on that?
 
Paulhv1 said:
What about offering to take the potential buyer on a two up, What is people's opinions on that?
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If the boyfriend stays on the sidewalk, she is welcome for a 2up test ride...

In all seriousness...
Haven't had to sell my bikes, so no test rides yet.. Probably "money on hand for test ride and if you drop is yours". As for 2up test ride, as long as the 2up has his / her own gear n is not 3times my size, jump on!
 
Answer to original question.


NOPE. with a capital Nope.
 
I would not buy a used bike without test driving it. I have bought new bikes without a test drive, that is less of a concern. If something is wrong with the bike the warranty is there to cover you. I will not sell my bike to someone who has not test drove it. However, you must have a M2 minimum to drive my bike. If it a bigger bike (900cc+) it needs to be a full M (unless you are a big dude, I will exempt)
 
Why do i need to test ride it?

I can find out everything thats wrong with the bike by putting it on stands and running it through the gears while on it.

I've had people ask me to test ride a bike and i said no, but you can get in the car and follow me and i'll take it around the block.

In the end, what exactly can you tell about a bike while its running vs being on a stand?

If you cant tell the shape of a bike while its idling in front of you, you sure as hell wont be able to tell if something is wrong while riding it....tire kickers! THE LOT OF YOU! Now get off my lawn!
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