Question on Selling Bike

As you can see Rogie there are several different approaches to answer your question. All pretty good and valid. Having owned almost 40 bikes which means I've been through the process as buyer and seller many times, you have to find your comfort zone with each individual potential buyer. Keep in mind to make the sale most will wish to test ride it. Have faith and good insurance.
 
Just to spin it around...I went and looked at a 2014 Rocket with intentions to buy. It was drizzling rain...(must be keen!)...my friend drove me there(must be serious)...I took all my gear (must be serious)...I disclosed my current ride (shows I was a rider)...I also had the cash on me but didn't disclose this until I made my offer after the test ride and a wee talk...just dropped the loot down on the seat in folding! Deal done..rode her home!
 
when i buy a bike or anything i put the cash in there hand and tell them not to put it in there pocket till i get back. so if i work that way i will expect the buyer to do that.
also be careful taking lots of money to parking lot. also there was a story about someone buying and every other hundred dollar bill was counterfeit. sold bike for 1/2 price.
 
A friend of mine was selling his gsxr600, the buyer showed up and left his car keys as security to test ride. My mate saw the rider go up the bypass and heard the beautiful note of his race pro exhaust. 2 hrs later he got concerned ( I would of been suspicious after 10 mins) so he called the police. You guessed it the bike had been stolen and the car left as security - was also nicked. He never saw the bike again and has never been allowed to forget his stupidity
 
My father has sold cars most of his life, and yet is somewhat naive. A couple of years ago, a couple of big fellows showed up with a woman to look at a car, they laid down the cash, and drove off. My father went to the bank and they took the paper, and he was out a car.
 
I've just sold 3 bikes this week . People have to show proof of motorcycle permit. I hold on to their car keys ( They all came with someone else as witness and just in case they feel like taking off. ) and all are warned that if they damage the bike they've bought it " period " . Everything went really well!
 
I am willing to buy a bike without a ride, but if the seller is going to be that persnickety, I do want to sit on it, start in, and put it in gear and check the clutch action, working it back and forth as they made you do in motorcycle school. Although I understand the seller who wants to hold the money first, it ruins some of your ability to dicker....he will count it while you are riding and know you have what his asking. Part of dickering is that you give the impression that the price you are willing to pay is pretty much all you have brought, and only show that amount all balled up in roll so it looks enticing. Of course you have to be fair, but if he wants to hold onto his ask, I am going to think seriously about not riding it at all, and sizing it up where it sits. Of course that might make me shave more off.