If my gut feeling and research on the prospective buyer convinces me he's servious about purchasing, has made a deal agreed upon, has money in hand, and now for the very last confirmation of his buy decision, want a test ride - already owns a bike, shows me his driver's license and has a motorcycle endorcement, seems to definitely be an experience motorcyclist by his demenor and conversation of knowledge of motorcycleing, and we agree on how long and route he will take, I would agree on the test ride.
I purchased SouthernCruiser's '04 in September meeting him at the Yammy dealership where he was picking up his brand new '08. He knew I already owned 2 bikes and asked how long I was riding and why I wanted his FJR. We had already agreed on price and I had money in hand. I came with my wife in a cage, he asked her about my riding and her riding (she like to ride only on the back of my bike with me driving), but he had no question who and what I was. I asked to see his bike and then for a ride on it. He readily agreed and I said I would take a quick jaunt only on the road in front of the shop back and force, hardly never out of his sight. He said that wasn't necessary, but was extremely comfortable with my terms.
I did just that and ran back and forth (straight line other than U turns at the corners - about a half mile stretch) going faster and stopping harder at each pass. Did about 10 passes with a bigger shit eating grin involuntarily coming over me at each pass. Fell in love with the bike right there. Yelled a "whoop" as I pulled back into the parking spot. Jammed onthe brakes quipping "Hey Jay - Sold" with a chuckle.
As a buyer I would insist on a ride, even if the owner insisted on me riding on the back as he took the bike through the paces. I would have done my homework that this was the bike for me (in theory) and just wanted to know it was running well, handling as it should, and could stop as it was designed to. At least, I would want the owner to do what I did in my sight to see with my own eyes the bike is roadworthy.
Just my 1.5 cents.
Best of luck on your sale,
Mike in Ole Nawlins'
Check out my Gathering Ride March 6-9, everyone here is invited
https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?a...&pid=522878
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