Are bikers too gullible or trusting?

[yambabe]

Reading the saga of young Sean and his experience with D&K motorcycles got me thinking.

Are riders, as a breed, more trusting than most if the transaction involves another biker? Do we believe there is some sort of code of honour operating?

Shaun said, quite rightly, that considering what they have been known to do in the past it's a wonder they are still in business. So why are they? Why do we go back again and again and again, only to hear of some other poor mug who has been ripped off?

I think many of us are way way too trusting of others just because we believe they will be the same as us.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[T1z3R]

i think the situation with DK is not everyone is aware of their rep which is why folk still buy from them.

i also dont think we're gullible. ill treat a bike purchase or sale the same as anything else...always be very careful and make sure eveything checks out and ask the right questions.

you cant assume anything when it comes to large sums of money IMO.
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duck my sick!

[Delvard]

I think it's far too much of a generalisation to put bikers all in the same hat like that. People are people. And they will do you over, love you, hate you, rob you, give you, bla bla all manner of lifes offerings. Just because they're a biker doesn't mean I'd ask them to watch my pint and wallet whilst I go for a slash.
As for DK well plenty of people just haven't heard about there reputation and therefore buy bikes from them.
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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

[Shaun]

[MattEMulsion]

No I don't think that bikers are more trusting just because they are a biker, dealing with another biker. I certainly wouldn't be more trusting, but I like to think that I am too shrewd to get ripped off easily. Maybe thats just me though, I like to be 100% sure about things before I buy them (always have done) and the benefit of age and experience has a lot to do with helping in that respect.

Personally my opinion in the case of Sean, is that he is young, probably not got any experience in buying bikes/cars etc and he has made an impulse purchase without checking it out fully. I am not trying to criticise, I am just saying what I see. I think if he had taken someone along to look at the bike who knew whats what, then he would never had considered purchasing that bike. A little experience can go a long way. Also a little internet research on DK would have thrown up some horror stories too. Either of these should have been enough to start the alarm bells ringing.

I have sold bikes (and cars, but not so relevant) in the past, to people who are very nieve about what they are buying, I have never ripped anyone off though, they have always got exactly what was advertised and were made aware of any faults if there were any. But the potential to rip people off astounds me sometimes, I'm sure they would buy any piece of junk, its that see it and set your heart on it - must have it culture.

As for Sean, I think that the BCF members will get it resolved for him, because that bike looks dodgy as hell and DK haven't got much of a leg to stand on. But as to how they keep in business, with their reputation and dodgy activities is anyones guess.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[Delvard]

[Jack_Cheese]

I'd trust another biker in most situations, but not in a sale. I've got a guy coming to view my bike, and i'll be totally honest with him. However, i know that when i go to view a bike i'll have people trying to do all sorts to con me out of money, therefore i don't give them a great deal of trust, as it simple isn't worth the risk for a fifth of my annual earnings.

Neither would i trust another rider with my bike. Sorry, but i love the thing too damn much. It'd be like pimping my girlfriend

Jack
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Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[BorderHooner]

riders are not a breed.

like anything else in life you have a cross section from society. sean has been stung is all.

this false image of bikers being a family and all alike is utter drivel.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[BorderHooner]

people in general bend over and take it up the arse Siggi.. marketing hype - dodgy salesman - consumerism etc etc.

in life you have a choice, choices are the only freedom we have - choose to be a person generaly, who gets thrown over a barrell every day, or choose to be an individual and stick to your guns, come out firing when its necessary and have a peaceful existance.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[G]

I think people are far too trusting of motorcycle dealers.

In my experience there's only a few that are 'ok' - most are out to scam you.

[colin1]

[DEN MONKEY]

I think when it comes to the sale of a bike it can be quite easy to pull the wool over someones eyes. Could be that passion over-rides common sense when you spot something you want so much.

Easy to rationalise a few faults into something worth having.

We all know how easy it is to jump on the first p.o.s you spot that you can afford. Instead of waiting patiently for gold to turn up.

As for it being specific to bike riders, nah dont think so.
I think people in general can be quite gullible.
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meh

[quacker_boy]

[colin1]

Well siggi hints at being a murderer (quite possibly misleading) and lukevfr is always on about surprise sex, so murderers and rapists sounds about right.

Whether they would want to murder or rape you is another matter.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Zen Dog]

I dont think bikers are more or less trusting than anyone else.

What i do think is a factor though, is that when you love bikes, and you are going to buy a bike, you arent necessarily going to be entirely rational.

When i bought my VFR, i was lucky to get a decent deal, because even if the bike had been bolloxed and bloke had put the price up £200, i would probably still have bought it.

And a friend of mine is an excellent mechanic, he can spot a screwed bike a mile away. But disturbingly, he still always, always buys them, no matter how buggered they are!

People just love bikes, and love makes you dumb. End of story!

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[quacker_boy]