Yes — the test-ride theft is one of the oldest tricks in private motorcycle sales. A "buyer" shows up, seems genuine, asks to hear it run and feel the clutch, and the moment the bike is rolling with him on it, the deal is over. You're standing in a parking lot holding a fake ID photo while your bike disappears. Police can take a report, but without a location there's often little they can do.
The defense is simple and non-negotiable: nobody test rides until the full asking price is sitting in your hand.
- Cash for the full amount, held by you, before the kickstand comes up. If they ride off, you've been paid; if they return, they get it back and you talk numbers.
- Photograph their driver's license and confirm the face matches — but treat this as a supplement, not a substitute, since IDs can be fake.
- Meet in a public lot in daylight, with a friend present.
- If they refuse the deposit, that's your answer. Serious buyers understand; thieves argue.
A hidden GPS tracker on the frame is the quiet backstop. If the worst happens anyway, you're not describing the bike to police — you're showing them a live dot on a map. Never chase the rider yourself; hand the location to the police and let them do the intercept.
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