The last bike I bought, its owner must have read the same "internet motorcycle seller's scare article". I handed him cash but before he gave me the title he wanted my drivers license to copy plus he filled in, date, my name, as well as his signature on the title. He had 2 typed and dated bills of sale which we both signed, which was a good idea. This occurred in PA where they still cling to the outdated notion that title seller signatures be notarized. He already had that done, so I guess he was confident I was going to show up and complete the sale as I promised.
After I loaded it he came over and asked "now you're going straight to your WV DMV and put it in your name right?"
I said "no I'm not titling it until I need a plate and first I have to go over the thing. As I pointed out, at a minimum it needs tires, battery, and brake fluid flushed. But for heaven's sake don't worry, the bike is in my name."

No test rides... Even for those with a motorcycle endorsement on their license..... Cash price in hand..... Remove the license plate and you personally turn into the DMV for cancellation... Have buyer show up with a truck or trailer to remove the motorcycle from your possession. ...... Signed bill of sale... Title transfer signed... possible consignment sale will net you less money but a lot less headaches and aggravation. ...... As a former motorcycle rider this would have been my way to sell a bike........................ drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
I've both bought and sold private.
No way I am buying it without riding it first. I also allow rides and usually hold a license.
Either way you have to have had enough conversation for both to be comfortable.
Last bike I bought I had driven 600 miles and had tentatively agreed on price. I would expect similar commitment in return before a ride.
Would somewhat depend on the type of bike and how the buyer found me. I usually transact via MC sites similar how Sigforum is run.
I've always had my bikes fully insured through. That is another consideration. I'd be more hesitant to allow without at least liability coverage.

ETA: On the last purchase, I had built enough trust that the seller offered to let me use the plate. I had told him I was heading directly from Atlanta to Florida to get it registered and plated. Already had the insurance in place. His kindness gave me peace of mind that I wouldn't get stopped for lack of a plate. I greatly appreciated it. Was home in Indiana the next night. Plate was in the mail the next day.

Sold my last bike on rumbleon.com. Very easy transaction. They made a very fair offer and picked up the bike after payment.

I had one legitimate call about the bike over two years of trying to sell it. The rest were scam artists.

New Mexico had a form you could fill out and send to the state telling them you sold it. Although you are protected with a signed over title and bill of sale, this process removes your name from it in the state databases if the buyer delays in getting it transferred and registered. I thought this was a good idea. Not sure if your state has a similar thing.

I sold a bike in a school parking lot. I explained that I would demonstrate the machine started, ran, shifted, braked, etc. With that demo, the buyer handed me the funds, I signed over the title, and away he went.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
I can't imagine somebody pays real money and then doesn't do the paperwork.

That's because you're a law abiding citizen and think like one. I am too. However, I'm fortunate that I can bounce stuff like this off my neighbor in law enforcement.

Unfortunately, there are criminals (e.g. drug dealers) who will hand you the cash and never file the paperwork. Two of the reasons:

they don't want records of cash transactions

when they commit a crime they'd rather have your name appear when somebody runs plates for vehicles seen on security footage

---

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I would assume you can have your signature notarized without knowing the name of the buyer so that seems simple enough.
I've sold a bunch of bikes. I would never sell one without a bill of sale that at a minimum disclaims all warranties, provides that it "as is", etc. etc.
I would never let anyone test drive a motorcycle on a public road, and unregistered and uninsured its not even a discussion item.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Cash in hand before they throw a leg over it. Period.

This ^^^^