What would you do?

[Fire-medic]

I posted this bike for sale from a local used bike dealer I have known a long time. http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=29841

I have an employee who is looking for a bike. I told him about this one, said, "it's a fair price, the bike is clean, and you won't have a lot of $$ in it." He and his wife would enjoy it.

So, he knew where the shop was, I gave him an intro to my acquaintance who owns the business. He stopped-by and looked at the bike. He agreed with me, and said, "yes, a clean bike, I would like to get it!" He had cash and was ready to make a deal.

The owner wouldn't sell it to him!

The owner asked him, "how-long have you been riding?"

My friend answered honestly, "I just took the MSF course, I have my motorcycle endorsement." He admitted to not previously having been a rider.

And on the basis of that, the negotiation was done. Over, ended.

If you were the business owner, what would you do?

 

[88vmx12]

The Vmax is stock and the dealer is a Jack ASS!

G

 

[DMAN999]

I know that here in NY back in 2000 when my brother bought the VMax I own now, he was told that they weren't supposed sell it to him unless he had at least 5 years riding experience.
He lied and said he'd been riding in the dirt for years even though he had Zero experience.
So they sold it to him.
Within 3 months he laid the Bike down at speed and scared himself silly, which is why I got it for only the $3,300 he owed on it.

So ultimately, I'd say it depends on the rider and the seller was probably doing him a favor if he really doesn't have any experience riding on the street.

 

[marsmax85]

When I bought mine in 85 they never ask to see my license all tho I did have one . If I was to sell mine I would state NOT for inexperience riders and let them make that decision . Also would not let test drive without full money in my hand or They can ride with or follow me .

 

[SledHead]

Sell the man the motorcycle. He took an MSF course so at least he understands counter steering. That's better than many of the weekend warriors is see riding 900 lb hogs.

The Vmax is an easy bike to ride really, lots of torque, relatively decent handling. It's really pretty docile until you whack the throttle open.

I'd say the seller was being somewhat elitist.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

Seller probably had a backstory that might explain this. Maybe he had sold more bike than someone was ready for in the past with predictable results and his conscience is still bothering him.

I do think the Vmax is more bike than first time riders should be on but not for the reason most think.
Its the weight.
Personally I think that people should learn to ride on something that's lighter and gives more feedback.
That's why, in my mind at least, most of the REALLY good riders I know came up riding on the dirt.
But to each his own. Can't be any worse than all the middle aged first timers on 700+ lb cruisers.

I would have sold it to him.

 

[Rusty McNeil]

When I bought mine in 85 they never ask to see my license all tho I did have one . If I was to sell mine I would state NOT for inexperience riders and let them make that decision . Also would not let test drive without full money in my hand or They can ride with or follow me .

I'm completely amazed at the HUGE number of RUB's that do not have a motorcycle endorsement. I ask them how they got insurance and was told insurance company never asks.

 

[Rollie]

Unless the buyer is under age ( 18 ) , or has no motorcycle experience , Iwould sell it to him.

 

[mvmccreary]

The first motorcycle I ever drove was the vmax and I never had any trouble with it. I "test" drove the bike when I was 17 and my parents were gone, just up the street and back. And when I got my endorsement I rode it daily and like I said never had a problem. I think if I were to sell it, I would tell the buyer that if they respect the bike, and the fact that they could kill them selves riding it, they wont have any trouble.

 

[johnpclynch]

And the dealer is wondering why the bike has been sitting for so long without being sold... I wouldn't be suprised if there was an emotional attachment to the bike and he never sells it, after all, it is a Vmax

 

[KJShover]

unless the buyer is under age ( 18 ) , or has no motorcycle experience , iwould sell it to him.

+1

 

[Miles Long]

The man obviously has a strong conscious/moral principles.
It's becoming rare to meet a person, especially a business owner, that is not driven primarily by the love of money.
I would encourage this guy to run for political office. unk:

 

[kingman]

When I bought my 2010 the dealer asked if this was my first big bike "no' my current bike is a 85 vmax I bought in 85 and still have. Been riding over 40yrs. He said sold. As I look back I wouldn't sell a vmax to a first time rider either.

 

[ZackDaniels]

Caution against it, and if they really wanted it then happy trails. They'll either be responsible with it and be just fine, or they'll be retarded on it. If they're that kind of retarded then they'll probably end up killing themselves eventually, and I may as well make the sale before they go.

 

[Biker Dash]

I think I would have a real difficult time justifying the sale of such a powerful bike to a beginning rider.

Yes, I have heard of those who have started out on 600cc (and even liter size) supersports, and have been perfectly fine, but they seem rare compared to the numbers who start out big, and end up hurt or killed. It is just so very tempting to "see what she'll do" and hammer on it.

I know from experience, and I am glad that I spent four years on a Shadow 750 before I got Woona.

Yeah, the V-max is not a bad handling bike, and relatively easy to manage if your easy on her, but I can tell that it would be REALLY easy for one to become uncontrollable to an inexperienced rider if they got on it hard.

My personal recommendation would be to start on something like the Shadow, or a 500 Ninja, or something else of equivalent power. Mainly due to the fact that with the lower power levels, it is more likely in my opinion to stay within a new rider's limits if they get on it hard.

 

[gamorg02]

the truthfulness of the buyer would make me think it'd be ok. i'd also probably offer to show him how to disconnect vboost for the time being and even maybe go out on a ride with him to make sure he has it. but i'm not a dealer. but either way he seems kind of elitist as others have said.

 

[invalidsession]

Let's see here, you can buy cigarettes, alcohol and firearms with little or no restriction but "I won't sell you a V Max" ? Utter bollocks. The guy has done his best to learn from professional riders and wants to buy a powerful machine. Does he need a permission slip from his Mummy ? I don't think so. A few words of caution might be in order but other than that I don't get what the seller is having a problem with.


Chris.

 

[06VMAXIMUS]

He needs to close his shop if he's gonna determine who he sells bikes to and who he doesn't. You can get killed on any bike just as quickly as on a vmax, it doesn't matter what make or model it is.

 

[Fastatv]

Well, that's not the easiest of decisions. A few years ago, I had a 19 year old come to my place to purchase a 2001 Zuk 800. The kid said he hadn't ridden much. I had him ride it out of my driveway, to a store a half mile away and back, and I followed him. He did fine....but he was a kid. I sold him the bike and asked him to call me when he got home with it, and he did. I felt ok with it. A VMAX for the first bike, and someone that has no experience. Well, I would need to know more about the person before I sold it to them. The other thing here, you were in the middle. I would imagine that you may have felt a little uncomfortable in that situation. I would have anyway.

 

[Fire-medic]

Well, that's not the easiest of decisions. A few years ago, I had a 19 year old come to my place to purchase a 2001 Zuk 800. The kid said he hadn't ridden much. I had him ride it out of my driveway, to a store a half mile away and back, and I followed him. He did fine....but he was a kid. I sold him the bike and asked him to call me when he got home with it, and he did. I felt ok with it. A VMAX for the first bike, and someone that has no experience. Well, I would need to know more about the person before I sold it to them. The other thing here, you were in the middle. I would imagine that you may have felt a little uncomfortable in that situation. I would have anyway.

I went as-far as to meet the shop owner beforehand. I didn't mention the bike experience level of the guy who works for me to him, I did tell him he was a cash buyer and was looking for a bike, and that I told him to come to the shop to see the VMax. There were dozens of bikes in the shop, but for the money, I thought this was about the best thing there. I didn't want the new rider to buy a 800 cc v-twin and to be tired of it during his first riding season. I figured that with a bit of work, you could limit electronically or mechanically the rev-range or throttle travel to allow the guy to get-used to riding, and then 'de-restrict' it and maybe show him what the bike is capable of once he has more experience. I think that's plausible. After-all, if you only used a VMax to 6000 rpm, you would think, "what a nice bike, runs well, and at the upper-end, it feels like it wants-to keep-going!!!":rofl_200: