Online purchase

[geraldlanc]

Can someone give suggestions pro or con for buying a trike online. With the COVID situation, I can’t see shopping/test riding in person. I had an 08 Goldwing motortrike so I am familiar with those.

Gerald

[nucseal]

Can someone give suggestions pro or con for buying a trike online. With the COVID situation, I can’t see shopping/test riding in person. I had an 08 Goldwing motortrike so I am familiar with those.

Gerald

If I can't feel it or personally touch it, I don't buy. Been burned once on the net and never again! Especially, if you are laying out the money, I think you are.Only exception would be reputable dealer, no private individual.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

If I can't feel it or personally touch it, I don't buy. Been burned once on the net and never again! Especially, if you are laying out the money, I think you are.Only exception would be reputable dealer, no private individual.

+1 ... I have purchased rides from a dealer I use without actually seeing them, but, I always have a test ride caveat in the deal.

[CrystalPistol]

I've bought two bikes sight unseen. Sold one but did provide pics. No test rides.

One was a 1974 Triumph Trident advertised in Old Bike Journal in 1994, called the number on Friday, sent deposit on Saturday, drove 400+ miles one way on Monday with Wife & our Dog in our 4x4 F-150, checked into motel early AM, arose Tuesday, drove to owner's residence, exchanged check (balance) for bike, hauled it 400+ miles back home. After paperwork, etc, I did show him how to easily start it (after watching him try), then I rode "my bike" up into "my pickup" parked with rear wheels in roadside ditch.

Sold it in 2017 after advert on C-List, 1st caller was in Ireland, wanted me to hold it for his shipper? Next call was from Florida, I sent pics, his check was here a few days later, when cleared I sent title via secure mail, his shipper arrived a week later. We unloaded a Porsche 911 to load the Trident at front of trailer. He was happy when he saw it in Florida at the unloading.

Other was a 1985 GL1200A I heard about word of mouth at a class break in the academy at Richmond, came home Friday, called seller Saturday, drove down to Va. Beach with trailer & check Tuesday, bought bike, seller did start & ride it onto trailer and held it up as I lowered trailer & strapped down. Sold it in 2019. Buyer said it was sold before he got closer than 20 feet. He "test rode" it home about 130 miles after the deal was done and it was "his", his GF drove their car home behind him.

[cScjhb]

In 2007 I bought a used Goldwing GL1800 on Ebay from a private party and from a different state. I was the highest bidder in the last seconds before the bidding closed. The seller did a good job with bike description, maintenance records and lots of detail pictures. And the bike was still covered by factory warranty. I flew to Texas, met the seller at a motel, paid for the bike and rode it over 600 miles home. I kept and rode that bike until this year with no problems.

I also bought a used Can Am Spyder from an out of state dealer. Again, flying in and riding home. This time about 1,200 miles. This bike, too, had factory warranty in effect.

Bottom line is to know what you're buying, do your homework, only go through established channels you are comfortable with when placing deposits. Be aware that there are lots of scammers trying to part you from your money. Don't get emotionally involved with the transaction. Lead with your brain, not your heart. Be in control of the transaction from the beginning to the end. If you're buying from a dealer, check them out. If you're buying from an individual, try to get as much information about them as you can. The internet (facebook etc.) is full of information. Don't worry if you miss out on a deal because of caution. There will ALWAYS be another one just around the corner. Good luck..... Jim

[BrokenBackJack]

I have to physically see and ride or drive the unit before i will buy.

Too many scammers out there nowadays.

Heard a guy just this past week that bought a car online for 30+ grand and here it was a scam. It was on the news here.

[Jimer]

I have purchased several new cars and a couple of new bikes on-line sight unseen, actually I prefer to buy long distance over the phone, believing that get a better deal that way as opposed to in person! However, I would never buy any used vehicle that way and don't understand the OP's reasoning; maybe he'd be so kind to expand on his position.

Jim

[paid4c4]

Several years ago I purchased a 2012 Goldwing CSC trike from an advertisement I saw on the GL1800 forum. He lived in Falls City, Texas I live in Northern Kentucky. It only had 6000 miles with 3 years of factory warranty remaining. He sent a lot of photos and we had several conversations on the phone. We agreed on a price to be paid in cash after I inspected the trike. I hooked a trailer to my pickup and went and picked up the trike. He had the paper work ready and the trike was correct and as described. One of my smoothest transactions. I checked out the seller by checking the forums and Google. I could tell by his posts and talking with him he wasn't a scam artist. Do your homework, ask questions and if the deal is too good to be true it is a scam.

From the other side I just last week sold my 2017 Harley Davidson Road Glide Ultra on Ebay. I had plenty of photos and a video, one of the photos had my photo in it. The second week of the auction I had several offers which I declined. Then I received a message from a man called Joe from the Bronx, NY. He called and we discussed the bike, warranty and condition. He told me he wanted a Harley owned by an older adult and at 71 I qualify. We agreed on a price he then made the offer official on my Ebay auction which I accepted and the deal was done. Joe drove here with a trailer inspected the bike, rode it around the block paid in cash and loaded it up. We then enjoyed breakfast before he headed home.

I know both sides of the process if I can be of assistance please don't hesitate to message me for my cell number.

Bill