Selling a bike

I am selling a bike for the first time and could use some guidance from
the pro's.

Its a 82 XJ750 Maxim with all the trimmings, faring, highway bar, travel
trunk, etc. Its a great bike but I don't need 2 bikes (I also have the
big brother, the XJ1100 Maxim).

I listed it on Craigslist this evening and have already had a couple of
emails but one was from a guy asking if that bike would be a good
beginners bike.

How do you answer that?.

I don't want to sell some guy a bike that he couldn't handle but I know
that everyone is different on their abilities, I learned on a old Harley
Highway Patrol castoff. I don't want a beginner taking a test ride on
it and ending up hurting themselves or others. Maybe a parking lot test
ride?

Appreciate any feedback.

Jack

 

be honest, be true, you can't go wrong.

Tell him it is a large, heavy bike, and as you say "everyone is different
on their abilities" Recommend taking the MSF class.

well, in this godforsaken state full of cheap litigation, someone should
point out to you that if prospective buyer hurts themselves on your bike,
you are liable to get sued.

that disclaimer out of the way, I have a very simple plan for test
rides. You hand me the value I am asking, in cash, and you can test
ride it. When you get back, we can sign the title, or return the cash.

Drop the bike, hurt the bike, etc. etc. and you bought it.

Hurt yourself, and I am closing the door and reporting it stolen during
test ride.

It seperates the wheat from the chaff.


--
Assuring you of my best intentions at all times,

Charles Statman
Rocket Scientist/Wonderboy/Women's Legs Shaven

DoD the Un-Numbered One

 

Thanks for these words of wisdom. I didn't think about my liability if
he is a newbie and hurts himself on a test ride (or even if he/she isn't
a newbie and gets hurt).

 

A 750 is usually not a good beginners bike. It's a bit heavy and
has more power than they often want in that first couple months.
If I'm recalling this bike right, it IS a long of bike. "all the
trimmings" reinforces that.

RE: test rides...
I've done test rides for friends who trust me. I've got the
license and years of experience and can get on a bike, spin it
around some and tell if it feels right. Then I take them with
me as passenger.

Not ideal, but fi they have no experience, they should bring someone
who does.

Liability: they put up money, they ride. They reject it, they
get the $$$$ back.

Good beginner bike I got for the GirlF was an 84 Interceptor 500.
Okay shape could still hit the speedlimit quickly. Not a rat bike,
but when it dropped (generally parking lot or coming from a stop sign),
eh? Who cares so much?

It moved on to another guy. Who bought a Harley. <Sigh>.

A (used) 500 or so can be a great first bike. Highway legal, enough
to not be bored in a year. Not so heavy that you can't handle it
at walking speeds.

 

Great info. Thanks