Selling a bike privately

[dannylt]

How do you do it? I've either sold to a mate, written off, or part exchanged in the past. I'd be exceptionally worried about letting someone go off on a test ride, from both the theft and trashing it point of view. Do people buy bikes privately without a test ride?

It's a 2002 (new model) 18k mile Triumph S3 if that makes a difference.

Any tips appreciated!

danny

[DennisTheMenace]

Ask for the full asking price in cahs (and count it !)
before letting them out on yer bike also ask them to bring ID driving license passport etc , It might seem a bit OTT but its better than seeing your bike go off down the road never to be seen again.

[dannylt]

Wow, and people agree to do that?

[DennisTheMenace]

Gonna have to if they want to test ride the bike , just make it clear to them when they ring up about it .

[tvradict]

just out of interest how much are you asking??

[dannylt]

Thanks Dennis. tvradict - err, wasn't sure how much to ask for yet. Just done 18k service (FTSH), new sprocket set & rear tyre, carbon exhaust, tank bag etc. £4250ish? Need to check other adverts I suppose. Fantastic bike though!

[Mad Dave]

DennisTheMenace said:

Ask for the full asking price in cahs (and count it !)

How many Cahs to the pound mate?

[B19 JAE]

Hi Danny,

Am in the same boat myself at the momentalways traded in or sold to a mate, get the cash in your mit before you let them drive and the pasport job is a good idea
Bit that worries me most is the fact of showin folk me Hyabusa and where it lives jus incase they are of the type that may jus pop back when your not in n tek it on the back of a pickup truk!!!!!!!

[davel]

Sold a BMW F650GS late last year.

Guy came up from London, deposited full asking prce with me before going for a test drive.

It seems the norm and the only way to ensure that he/she doesn't ride off on it.

If you can get a copy of his/ her driving licence too and note when they took it out and returned it, in case you get a nice letter from those lovely camera people later.

[dannylt]

B19 JAE said:

Bit that worries me most is the fact of showin folk me Hyabusa and where it lives jus incase they are of the type that may jus pop back when your not in n tek it on the back of a pickup truk!!!!!!!

Agree to meet at a pub, or somewhere like that?

[TheLemming]

dannylt said:

Agree to meet at a pub, or somewhere like that?

Only problem with that is it looks dodgy...

Catch 22

[dannylt]

I reckon people will understand that - I sold a 30k car privately without buyer coming near my house.

[Northernboy]

dannylt said:

How do you do it? I've either sold to a mate, written off, or part exchanged in the past. I'd be exceptionally worried about letting someone go off on a test ride, from both the theft and trashing it point of view. Do people buy bikes privately without a test ride? It's a 2002 (new model) 18k mile Triumph S3 if that makes a difference. Any tips appreciated! danny

Forst off, I'd say to be scrupulously honest about the state of the bike, ask for a sensible price, and you'll likely sell it to the first person who comes to see it.

Stretch teh truth a bit, ask too much, and you can be stuck with it for months, whihc is not good as we slip into autumn.

I always let people hear it, sit on it, and look it over, but not ride it without the full price paid in cash first. If they bring it back undropped, and don't like it, they can have their money back.

Most people buying are fine with this sort of arrangement.