How do you do this test riding?

[Renegade]

i recently took a bike for a test ride from a local Tauranga dealer, i saw it and thought that could be a bit of me, now i want want want it

[Hitcher]

I've ridden heaps of demos or floor stock bikes over the years, many of those from dealers I've yet to buy something off. Fair dos too. If I've ridden the bike for more than an hour, it always goes back with a full tank of gas.

[Gremlin]

You're likely to not buy anything you haven't ridden... however, it's also possible you'll buy something you didn't plan to. Be honest, either do your research before hand on what you want, or listen to the salesman. If you have no interest in buying a bike, then I wouldn't expect to bother test riding it either.

Expect to sign up lots of dollars of excess (usually 2-3 grand) in case anything happens during the test ride. I've been offered far more test rides than I've actually done... just didn't see any reason, but the dealers would love to tempt me.

For my last purchase, I popped down to Mt Maunganui to inspect the bike and have a test ride (none available in Auckland). I assume the sheer fact of riding 2.5 hours one way made me a serious buyer, and slightly unplanned, I rode back to Auckland having signed a deal to buy the bike

Damn salespeople...

[ajturbo]

every bike i have brought this century i have taken for the day or weekend...

and i have taken many more bikes out than i have brought....

each goes back with a full tank..except for this one time.. we were running a bit late... but we brought the bike a week later...

so go and test as many as you need to.. just take care..! and if you crash... make sure you can blame someone else....

[gale_wolf]

$3000 excess I think it was. Which made me take enough care not to crash it...most places will make you sign an insurance excess doco - they'd be dumb not to.

Yep they usually make you sign one. I thought it rather odd when I test rode a GSXR1000 after testing various other bikes but I wasn't asked to sign for excess on the gixxer. Must be my honest face Had it for several hours then went back and rode it again the next day. End result, I bought the bike.

[bluninja]

Didn't test ride my bike, just had it delivered and then rode it. But then I did know the engine really well, and the seat was comfy in the shop.

I've had 6 brand new bikes and only test rode 1, er or 2 depending on how you look at it. I took out a standard rsv mille, then the rsvr. Grin a mile wide and bought the rsvr.

[Her_C4]

Do you know any bar/ bedtime/ campfire story regarding to that? Just curious...

I do

[slofox]

Yep they usually make you sign one. I thought it rather odd when I test rode a GSXR1000 after testing various other bikes but I wasn't asked to sign for excess on the gixxer. Must be my honest face Had it for several hours then went back and rode it again the next day. End result, I bought the bike.

I only rode the gixxer six for twenty minutes before I was hooked...like clamping on a body suit.

Rode the SV home, stuck it in the garage and left it there until I had the gixxer.


Which is why shops like you to test ride their bikes, OP.

[Swoop]

You're likely to not buy anything you haven't ridden...

Oddly I'm the opposite. The last three bikes have been bought without a test ride.

The current ride was a case of the bike being assembled and sitting on the shop floor, but not fully set up and ready to go. "Stuff it, I'll have it!" being the result.

Certainly haven't regretted it either.

[gijoe1313]

Oddly enough, the best bike salepeople I absolutely hate are the ones who just toss you the keys and say "have fun, don't crash it!"

And even if you don't buy anything, they know you know people and know it may all come back swings and roundabouts!

But then, I've heard of experiences from others who are treated with the disdain of a used piece of toilet paper (who promptly went and bought the same bike from a different dealer because of that experience!)

[Gremlin]

And even if you don't buy anything, they know you know people and know it may all come back swings and roundabouts!

I dunno... I walk in and they say "awwww man, the day was going so well".

That said, I rarely walk out having not bought something, or arranged to buy something...

[Laava]

A good salesman should be able to size you up and suss out what kind of bike/s you would best suit and go from there. ie if you have been riding for say 10 years he is not gonna try to sell you a GN125. Notice I said GOOD salesman.

[Zamiam]

Have only test ridden 1 out of 4 new bikes. Had never ridden a Harley until mine was delivered.

[gijoe1313]

I dunno... I walk in and they say "awwww man, the day was going so well".

That said, I rarely walk out having not bought something, or arranged to buy something...

No, just about anybody who has had any dealings with you or inkling of your rep says that! Usually with the as well ...

[ynot slow]

My experience,looked at new bandit 650 & 1250,sv1000 in suzuki fest in 2008,could take the 650 out,no sv to demo,saw an 18mth 1250 and bought it after 10mins ride.Went to trade,saw a cbr954 took out,took gsxr750,and also an sv1000 just to compare and curious,ended up with gixxer,so most I've ridden I was interested in at time,riding too many clouds judgement maybe.