Test-riding a shop's bikes: is intended immediate purchase morally necessary?

[YellowDog]

I don't think it is unreasonable for the dealer to want to understand your siutuation and intentions.

I do think it is unreasonable for Joe Public to mislead the salesman.

Most new bikes are a big WOW, when compared with old ones.

It's tough not to grin broadly after a test ride and consider the tradein options.

IMO Test rides = potential for more unforecast business for the dealer.

[Smifffy]

When I test rode my bike I had to sign a $2k insurance excess. Is this normal?

It kind of puts one off just test riding for the hell of it.

[Ocean1]

When I test rode my bike I had to sign a $2k insurance excess. Is this normal?

It kind of puts one off just test riding for the hell of it.

I've had to sign for $1k -$1.5k, which as far as I'm concerned is too steep and demonstrates, (at best) a lack of understanding about the functions of insurance.

$2K is well over the top, for that he could cover himself at a tidy profit.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I've had to sign for $1k -$1.5k, which as far as I'm concerned is too steep and demonstrates, (at best) a lack of understanding about the functions of insurance.

$2K is well over the top, for that he could cover himself at a tidy profit.

Our excess IS actually $1000.00 for test ride insurance, but we'll only get the test rider to front with it if the accident is his/her fault. Hey...tip it over and snap a clutch lever, we may charge nothing. Case by case I guess.

[Ocean1]

Our excess IS actually $1000.00 for test ride insurance, but we'll only get the test rider to front with it if the accident is his/her fault. Hey...tip it over and snap a clutch lever, we may charge nothing. Case by case I guess.

I know. And I don't have too much of a problem with that, but I've also declined to ride, (and therefore quite possibly purchase) bikes where I've been asked to front for much more than that.

Hope you're polishing my CR in there of a morning dude.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hope you're polishing my CR in there of a morning dude.

Mine or yours?

[Ocean1]

Mine or yours?

Never owned on of dem. It's very very clean for a dirt bike innit?

I made a pair of shocks like that once upon a time, got them working just sorta OK. How do you reckon they work compared to a pair of traditional ones?

[White trash]

Mine or yours?

I'm telling ya fuggin landlord!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Never owned on of dem. It's very very clean for a dirt bike innit?

I made a pair of shocks like that once upon a time, got them working just sorta OK. How do you reckon they work compared to a pair of traditional ones?

Because this thread is all about test rides...I'll do my best to keep it on topic! Not one of my strong points at the best of times. Fox Air Shox are remarkably good for a 34 year old design. Come and test ride my RM400N that also has a set fitted and see what you think!

[jasonu]

A recent discussion brought this question up.

Mully's shy, and thinks he shouldn't ask a shop to let him test-ride one of their bikes when he doesn't really plan on buying it.

I argued in response that there is, in fact, the chance that he'd like it enough after a test-ride to change his mind on that question, and that I doubt the shop would mind under the circumstances.

In fact, in my experience (such as it is) decent shops, when a test ride is requested, don't usually ask questions that go beyond checking that one has a current licence and isn't a blackguardly incompetent scoundrel who'll bin the machine and run away.

So. Your opinions please, ladies and gentlemen (and, of course, I use both terms very loosely, in present company).

Is it morally reprehensible to turn up at a motorcycle shop and ask, mostly out of curiosity, to test ride a machine that one probably won't buy, unless some sort of unexpected epiphany occurs during the test ride?

Or is that perfectly all right?

Twice I went to Vinsens when they were downtown, to kick tires, no intention of buying. Ended up with an RZ500 then a year later a GSXR1100.

[tigertim20]

A recent discussion brought this question up.

Mully's shy, and thinks he shouldn't ask a shop to let him test-ride one of their bikes when he doesn't really plan on buying it.

I argued in response that there is, in fact, the chance that he'd like it enough after a test-ride to change his mind on that question, and that I doubt the shop would mind under the circumstances.

In fact, in my experience (such as it is) decent shops, when a test ride is requested, don't usually ask questions that go beyond checking that one has a current licence and isn't a blackguardly incompetent scoundrel who'll bin the machine and run away.

So. Your opinions please, ladies and gentlemen (and, of course, I use both terms very loosely, in present company).

Is it morally reprehensible to turn up at a motorcycle shop and ask, mostly out of curiosity, to test ride a machine that one probably won't buy, unless some sort of unexpected epiphany occurs during the test ride?

Or is that perfectly all right?

My $0.02...
I feel like theres more to test riding shop bikes than the purchase, I see it as a service, they are assisting you in making a decision on what you are going to purchase. If they provide that service to you, and treat you well, you are likely to go back there for servicing, parts, tyres etc etc (which arguably are more profitable than the sale itself anyway)

A bike shop down here (MCR) has in my experience always been awesome with this. I have on several occaisions been offered the keys to a bike, simply because Ive mentioned that 'xxx bike looks quite nice'
The owner of MCR has also given the keys to people for bikes KNOWING that person has no interest whatsoever in buying the bike. For him I think its about providing an open, friendly service to riders, building a rappore with potential clients, and generally being 'A good bugger'.

That practice has worked, I shop almost exclusively at that shop because im well treated, often given a small discount, and they always remember my name and take the time to chat to me for ten minutes before asking what I want to spend my money on.

Short answer, for me, Nah, you dont have to have any intention of buying THAT bike. But t would be rude to go round test riding just because youve nothing better to do that day.

[Katman]

Test rides? What?

Dealers will not allow me a fucking test ride.
Seriously interested in a gxsr750. Dealer = no. = OK, I'll spend $$$'s elsewhere.
Honda dealer = no.
Others = same result.
OK, being an ugly bastard is one thing, but I was serious on all bikes and would possibly have parted with reddies for the right bike.

Maybe that just says more about you than it does about the dealers,

[zeocen]

I always test ride bikes if given the opportunity. You never know what floats your boat until you ride it.

In the greater Auckland region I've found Honda to be the most accommodating with Suzuki and a local KTM machine a close second (I pretty much thrown on a KTM 690 one time!)

A Kawasaki shop in the later years (when I stopped getting my bikes serviced from them) was like getting blood from a stone, as a result I lost interest in the bikes (and they've lost their business). Although it wasn't really getting a test ride, they normally would, it was just actual attendance when I was in the shop!

Whenever I get the opportunity I'll throw my leg over and give it a bit of gas, even if around the block. As a result of those opportunities I've bought a good handful of bikes due to that test ride that was offered.

[Geeen]

I've tested a few bikes in the last year or so. Originally wanted a 'Blade but after riding a couple decided they didn't do it for me. Then on a whim took a S3 for a blast in Aucks, LOVED it. Things didn't quite click for money at the time but all fell into place 6 months later AND the bike was still there. The only reason I didn't buy it was the km's had doubled and price hadn't changed. Ended up with a newer S3 with less km's for less money. So yeah, test rides are the go.

[Swoop]

Maybe that just says more about you than it does about the dealers,

Possibly.
The new bike I purchased ended up being from a decent dealership whith whom I wanted to develop a relationship and get servicing, (etc, etc) done with.

A seriously interested buyer ended up spending dollars with a good outlet.