[ustfu]

This might be discussed before, but I couldn’t locate the search function on the forum.

I was wondering if dealerships let us test drive their bikes, if not, how can we tell if it’s the bike that we want?

[DK]

FL dealers do not allow test rides, even the used shops. Most private owners will let you ride if they know that it is the difference between making the sale and not. Certain manufacturers put on occasional demo rides that you can sign up for too. The ones in my area are always happen during the bike rallies.

[SantaCruzRider]

New bike dealers can’t usually offer test rides because the bike can’t be legally ridden on the street until it’s registered, and once registered, it’s a used bike.

The issue with used bike dealers is that you don’t insure the rider, you insure the bike. So if you take a used bike out for a test and crash it, it’s the dealer that is stuck trying to get his insurance company to pay and then not raise his rates. Then again, if you’re Joe Respectable who comes into a used shop several times (and especially if you arrive on a bike and don’t drop in the lot), sits on a few bikes and is then serious about buying a particular one, you have a fair chance of convincing the guy to hold your deposit while you take a test ride.

Personally, I would never buy a used bike without a test ride. But you do need to realize that alot of sellers get frustrated by hordes of wannabees who are out killing time with test rides. Some these tire kickers can’t ride and when they drop the bike, they walk away.

[molintorch]

In my case, I went into a dealer near my office and spent some time discussing what i wanted vs what I needed. I told the guy exactly what I was looking for, and he was more than happy to watch for a used bike for me. While I really wanted the ninja 650r, he respected the fact that I had enough sense to need to find a 250. About 2 weeks later, I got a call, and he had a gz250 come in as a trade. I ran down, and the bike looked great. It hadn’t been “cleaned” yet, so I could really see how the original owner had maintained it. The sales rep offered to let me ride, he knew I was ready to buy, and i respectfully declined. I didn’t trust myself enough to take it out on the road, plus the dealership was on a very busy intersection. instead I had him ride it for me. Bike looked great, I took it home!

fast forward to jan 09 and I get a call from the sales rep again. He wanted to let me know they had a 650R returned that was basically brand new. Someone else took the “new bike” hit, and I could easily save $2K on it if I wanted. I ran down there, checked out out, and once again he offered to let me ride it knowing I was a serious buyer.

In the end, I think it just like what SantaCruzRider was saying. If they think you are serious, then they will spend the time, and let you take it for a spin (assuming its used). If you are kicking the tires, then I wouldn’t be surprised when they dont offer the opportunity.

[Sed8Me]

Man was I glad to read this post, I thought they were BS’ing me when I made the comment at the dealership that I had not even had a test drive (as we were sitting to sign the papers)

[Author]

Posts