What happens if you allow a test ride on a motorcycle you are trying to sell, and they crash/damage the bike?

Question

How does that work exactly? I live in Georgia if that helps. I assume a police report would have to be filed. But would they be required to pay damages? Would my insurance cover it? Thanks people

Answer 1

Ha !

This was how I bought one of my bikes !

It turned out that I came off because the front brakes were faulty. But the bottom line is you can't blame a collection of metal, rubber, and plastic for the damage; there was a person involved, me, and to me you just have to be a Man, and take responsibility.

The lesson I learned here is to test ride as if you were taking your bike drive test; I leapt onto an old bike I didn't had never ridden before and, looking back, stupidly assumed the brakes would work like my new gixxer; they didn't  - infact they needed to be totally rebuilt - and thus I ended up with a new, damaged bike.

Answer 2

It's a "cash on the barrelhead" thing.  They give you the cash before the test ride, and then it's a "you break it, you bought it" deal.

Answer 3

i sell several bikes a year, and i don't do test rides, i will demonstrate for them that it works, let them sit on it, rev it, or whatever, and give them a written guarantee, but the 1st time they ride it, it has their plate on it, not mine

Answer 4

Only a very generous (or an unnecessarily expensive) insurance policy would cover that situation and insurance company rarely appears in the same sentence as generous. Make an agreement as suggested, there should be no problem with taking cash to hold until after the test ride, do not accept a car or other bike – they could be stolen or owing on finance.

Answer 5

Well; if they are a serious buyer they should have some cash on them. Take part of it as a deposit on the bike before they 'test ride' it. If they drop the bike the money is yours.

"NO DEPOSIT - NO RIDE"

Answer 6

I really dont know the answer to your question but I have sold several bikes.

My rule is: Get the money upfront before the test ride period... I always say "if you are unhappy with the bike in anyway and it is in the same condition it was when it left my driveway I will gladly give you your money back".  "You crash / break it you bought it"......  

This also helps to weed out joy riders....

Answer 7

Hopefully your insurance would cover it.  And, by the way, Never, ever assume anything.....

Answer 8

you take them for the test ride,either that or youll have nothing but a parts bike to try and get rid of.state in your ad that there are no test pilots

Answer 9

Write up an agreement that if they wreck the bike, they will assume responsibility for the cost of repairs.  Also call your insurance company to make sure third parties are covered for occassional use.

Just a note, if you have a written agreement and it's insured, your insurance company would most likely take up the cost of a lawsuit and the person that wrecked it wouldn't want to deal with a lawsuit.

If you are looking for a legal agreement, for something this mundane, just typing up a regular paragraph stating that he agrees to take responsibility will be enough for small claims court.  Even a verbal agreement would be fine but you better have it recorded.

Answer 10

i would say they just bought it unless it really wasnt their fault

Answer 11

Make them pay you before the test ride.  If they don't damage it and decide not to buy the bike, then give their money back.

Answer 12

We have a saying in NYC, you broke it, you bought it.

Of course the problem is getting the money.  So comes the small claims court.

Good Luck...

Answer 13

You do it like this

1. Only allow a test ride if they have cash.

2 have a agreement written like this.

I............... agree that the condition of the.................... is in excellent shape with no cosmetic or mechanical damage whatsoever. I ....... agree to pay in full the amount of ...... if any damage to the ..........  is incurred on this test drive of the bike.

Read, understood and fully agreed to prior to the actual test ride taking place.  signed ...............

                                Date and time......................

Answer 14

Call the Heat file a report and let them tell you It can be weird

I know a shop that got sued by a guy that was test riding a bike and crashed it -No Stuff in court he said they didnt tell him how to ride it "weird sh-t"

Just file on them and see what happens

Answer 15

This is so weird because this happened to my husband a few years ago where he was selling his bike the guy took it for a ride around the block, he made a sharp turn lost control and crashed the bike. Nothing happened to the guy but the whole side of my husbands bike was completely damaged plus my husband did not ask the guy if he had a motocycle license. The guy knew he was in the wrong but even at that the guy did not want to take responsibility so my husband had to take him to small claims court and my husband won but for sure one of the things they told him he should have done was called the police to have that accident report on file. Your insurance will cover depending on what kind of coverage you have and yes they should pay the damages.

Answer 16

You can't force them to pay you anything. it would be all on your insurance. hopefully you have full coverage. that's why most sellers require 50% cash in hand to test ride.

That really sucks. make you mad enough to knock somebodies teeth out.

Answer 17

i would think they would owe you