Selling powerful bikes to noobs...

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RetroGrouch said:
I'd have no problem if the noob ponied up the cash. I'm not his mom and I need the money. If he could afford it and went to GP Bikes, would the salesman refuse to sell him a new one? I don't think so.
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Funnily enough there's a sales guy at GP who questioned my riding experience when I was buying an R1 from him. He'd had a kid come in, new bike, new gear, new licence. Kid lasted about 6 weeks.

However, in saying that, in a private sale I'd do the deal. I sold my 1098 to a guy with virtually zero riding experience.
 
Its stuff like that, that proves there is hope for us all lol, actually taking someone else's safety and others on the road's safety into consideration rather then just taking the offer and turning a blind eye. Used to have a very misconstrued judgement of most bikers thinking they were all the rebel don't give a flying.. well we all know the expression, about anyone as long as they got by who cares right? kind of people. (obviously not the mind set lately)

Big up's to the OP and others with this mind set. So proud to be part of GTAM after reading posts like this.

Going to have to admit I was one of the pig headed, Bah I can handle anything and was going to buy a 600ss for my first road bike, but after reading the Countless posts by people saying "250 250 250" and "I bought a 600 for my first and it was much bigger then expected". 250 is definitely my first bike, get laughed at by show boaters on the road? screw em, rather be laughed at and able to ride then stuck in a hospital bed wishing i had listened if something happens.

Again, Props to the OP
 
I'd give a lecture and be rather stern. But after that I'm a big believer in a free world with self determination. I'd sell for sure after that, and have no regrets (although sadness if anything turned tragic). Like society has no problem with putting young people off to war, but doesn't trust them on certain vehicles? :rolleyes:

I would have missed out on half of my early life great experiences if the social engineering police were out. People need to realize that adults should be left to themselves in decision making and be ultimately responsible for their own decisions.
 
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Fiery254 said:
Funnily enough there's a sales guy at GP who questioned my riding experience when I was buying an R1 from him. He'd had a kid come in, new bike, new gear, new licence. Kid lasted about 6 weeks.

However, in saying that, in a private sale I'd do the deal. I sold my 1098 to a guy with virtually zero riding experience.
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How dare you sell something to someone that wanted to buy that same something, after all we must make decisions that others can not make for themselves since obviously were are so much better than them and their decisions.
 
Selling the bike is just as much your decision as buying it is his. You don't need to do him a favour and try and save him the trouble, but you don't have to do him a favour and sell the bike, either.

Don't want to see him drop it, then don't sell it. Tell him as much, or don't, but you're not obligated to sell.


You shouldn't be convinced to feel guilty for looking out for someones best interests.
 
I don't suppose you gave it any thought as to whether or not this potential buyer could actually afford the motorcycle? Will this purchase inevitably lead him to financial ruin? Did you inquire about any credit report on the potential buyer? It is no less silly for a "new rider" to buy a Ducati 1098, as it is for anyone to make a purchase as big as that without really being "financially capable" of affording it.

Who are you to judge?

Sell the bike.
 
Bagman said:
I don't suppose you gave it any thought as to whether or not this potential buyer could actually afford the motorcycle? Will this purchase inevitably lead him to financial ruin? Did you inquire about any credit report on the potential buyer? It is no less silly for a "new rider" to buy a Ducati 1098, as it is for anyone to make a purchase as big as that without really being "financially capable" of affording it.

Who are you to judge?

Sell the bike.
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Now it's about how much money the buyer has? Think you may have missed the point...

Regardless, do your due diligence then sell your bike if he still insists. Who knows - next year we could be reading his posts about the great year of riding he's had.
 
Stern warning on the capabilities of the bike...if he chooses to continue, who are you to tell him what to do...His money is just as good as anyone elses.

If he chooses to buy it from you then proceed to pour gasoline on it and light it on fire, he is free to do that...
 
Mad respect for the OP for thinking about the kid's safety... Bikers are not just known for their bikes but also the character and brother hood we bring to the table... If I had the money I would buy your bike right now even though it doesn't tickle my interest

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
kwtoxman said:
I'd give a lecture and be rather stern. But after that I'm a big believer in a free world with self determination. I'd sell for sure after that, and have no regrets (although sadness if anything turned tragic). Like society has no problem with putting young people off to war, but doesn't trust them on certain vehicles? :rolleyes:

I would have missed out on half of my early life great experiences if the social engineering police were out. People need to realize that adults should be left to themselves in decision making and be ultimately responsible for their own decisions.
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Bagman said:
I don't suppose you gave it any thought as to whether or not this potential buyer could actually afford the motorcycle? Will this purchase inevitably lead him to financial ruin? Did you inquire about any credit report on the potential buyer? It is no less silly for a "new rider" to buy a Ducati 1098, as it is for anyone to make a purchase as big as that without really being "financially capable" of affording it.

Who are you to judge?

Sell the bike.
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Red_Liner740 said:
Stern warning on the capabilities of the bike...if he chooses to continue, who are you to tell him what to do...His money is just as good as anyone elses.

If he chooses to buy it from you then proceed to pour gasoline on it and light it on fire, he is free to do that...
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Amen

If you explain to him what he is buying you're going the extra mile. In the end you're not the kids father/mother and have no business telling others what they can or cannot do.
 
I see it that you have explained the dangers of having a big bore bike for 1st time riders but if his heart is settled on it then sell it to him, what he does with it is his own decisions...he could be a very safe rider or he could be one of those guys who feels the need to show off by pulling stunts and eventually killing himself or others, you did your part to change his mind...the rest is up to him!

Good luck either way!
 
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I'm of the same mind as most everyone else here. You did more than you had to... gave him fair warning and tried to dissuade him from buying the bike. If he still wants it let him give you his money. I had a similar talk with the kid who bought my F4i.
 
Honestly, it all depends on the person buying the bike.
Age is definitely a factor but it's not the be all and end all.
You have to profile the buyer and get a sense of his/her personality.

You can tell a lot about a person from a 5 minute conversation.
If you have a 30 year old showing up to your house claiming they have all kinds of experience and you can tell by their attitude that they are irresponsible/immature hotheads and would likely do something to endanger their life, would you feel better about the sale? I wouldn't.

And on the flip side, if you have a 25 year old show up, telling you straight up that they're new to riding and they will take it easy and take training courses, buy all the right gear, etc, would you feel better about the sale? I would.

Based on first hand experience, there is nothing wrong with starting on an SS or a big CC bike.
My first bike is my current 2006 GSX-R 750, I took it easy, learned the bike, learned my comfort level and I'm here two seasons later going into my third.

I would say go with your gut, just keep in mind that a person could hurt themselves on any bike and the outcome could be fatal.
It's just that a big CC bike will **** you up faster. lol
 
OP - you got to listen to your heart on this one. From what you said I think you'll sleep better saying no.
Only you can weigh the finance against the angst. Good luck.....good heart....

The kid doesn't really understand the risks.....you really understand the consequences.

Would be easier if our system in Ontario matched that elsewhere .....you could not be in the situation in Aus...he could not license it for him to ride...period full stop.
 
Do you really know he has no riding experience? Has he ever ridden at all? Just because he's asking noob questions about the bike doesn't necessarily make him a noob. I've been told I shouldn't be on my street bike because it was too much bike and was told the same about my race bike. All that did was piss me off and make me leave the dealership/walk away from the person talking/give me the drive to want to win a race. Don't try and play mom, he's going to buy one wether it's yours or bobby joe's.
 
I'm in favour of selling the bike to the buyer. Like others said you've announced the disclaimer and its up to him in the end. Unless you don't care how long you hold the bike before it sells I would make the sale
 
MacDoc said:
OP - you got to listen to your heart on this one.
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I think that's what it comes down to. We can all say logically what the decision should be, warn him and sell him the bike. But if your gut is leading you in a different direction, trust your gut. If you're already thinking to yourself man, this kid is gonna wrap himself around a pole, and then he does... Some people would be fine with that outcome and some people wouldn't be.
 
Mina said:
Honestly, it all depends on the person buying the bike.
Age is definitely a factor but it's not the be all and end all.
You have to profile the buyer and get a sense of his/her personality.

You can tell a lot about a person from a 5 minute conversation.
If you have a 30 year old showing up to your house claiming they have all kinds of experience and you can tell by their attitude that they are irresponsible/immature hotheads and would likely do something to endanger their life, would you feel better about the sale? I wouldn't.

And on the flip side, if you have a 25 year old show up, telling you straight up that they're new to riding and they will take it easy and take training courses, buy all the right gear, etc, would you feel better about the sale? I would.

Based on first hand experience, there is nothing wrong with starting on an SS or a big CC bike.
My first bike is my current 2006 GSX-R 750, I took it easy, learned the bike, learned my comfort level and I'm here two seasons later going into my third.

I would say go with your gut, just keep in mind that a person could hurt themselves on any bike and the outcome could be fatal.
It's just that a big CC bike will **** you up faster. lol
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I'd much rather sell my bike to someone who will appreciate it and take care of it and respect it, than a dbag.

I'm wtih everyone who says as long as you give him a disclaimer your conscience is free. He is growing up and is responsible for his own actions. He may even end up like an acquaintance of mine; bought an R1 as his first bike, rode it 100 km and sold it because it was too much for him.
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