No test rides thanks.

**slofox** · 9th October 2012, 10:12

Honda Hamilton have a nice 600rr on the showroom floor - 2009, near new (600 odd km).

I saw it a week or so back and indicated I'd quite like to test ride it. "Sure, come in one day." I told them it was outside my price range anyway but they didn't seem too worried.

Rang today to check it was still there thinking I might take it out to try the fit etc. This time, I was basically refused because I "might not be a genuine buyer."

Well, put it this way: Without a test ride I am definitely not a buyer. With a test ride I am only probably not a buyer.

Which situation has more chance of getting a sale?

**HenryDorsetCase** · 9th October 2012, 10:37

I'm going to tell you what the guy at Pykes Suzuki told me when I was a spotty 17 year old wanting to test ride their RD400G "No son, thats too much bike for you, you can't afford it"

Do you not yet realise that the normal rules of customer service do not apply to motorcycle shops? Things like engaging with potential customers when they walk in, actively being interested in them, and perhaps trying to sell them something. Yeahnar not so much.

**BigAl** · 9th October 2012, 10:51

You should have told them you'd just won lotto, betcha get a test ride then

**rapid van cleef** · 9th October 2012, 10:58

I was quite suprised to find out that my home town in the uk has a lot of big bike dealers, none of which allow test rides. insurance is too expensive for them to do this(inurance is compulsory in the uk, and for good reason) . so you gotta buy first! sucks for the buyers

**Banditbandit** · 9th October 2012, 11:06

Originally Posted by slofox

Honda Hamilton have a nice 600rr on the showroom floor - 2009, near new (600 odd km).

I saw it a week or so back and indicated I'd quite like to test ride it. "Sure, come in one day." I told them it was outside my price range anyway but they didn't seem too worried.

Rang today to check it was still there thinking I might take it out to try the fit etc. This time, I was basically refused because I "might not be a genuine buyer."

Well, put it this way: Without a test ride I am definitely not a buyer. With a test ride I am only probably not a buyer.

Which situation has more chance of getting a sale?

So .. the lesson from this story??? Lie to salesmen ... hey ... they lie to us ... "One careful lady owner ..."

**Gremlin** · 9th October 2012, 11:08

Originally Posted by rapid van cleef

I was quite suprised to find out that my home town in the uk has a lot of big bike dealers, none of which allow test rides. insurance is too expensive for them to do this(inurance is compulsory in the uk, and for good reason) . so you gotta buy first! sucks for the buyers

farken ouch...

slofox, happens more than you think. Mate of mine (twenties) was shopping for his first thou, pitched up on a hyosung 650 and several shops wouldn't let him test ride. Go buy an expensive bike, then you'll be able to test ride anything you like

**Str8 Jacket** · 9th October 2012, 11:12

I actually understand why bike shops do this now...... I was talking to a mate who is a bikes salesman at one of my fave shops......

People that test ride bikes that don't intend on buying them only wear out tyres, chains etc and get the bike dirty. They also clock up miles on them which devalues the bike. I get this and the shop at which you had told them that you were prob not going to buy it probably has "potential" buyers waiting to ride it and PAY for it.

Bike shops do not make $$ on the bikes, they can't just chop the margin and wear it or else they would go broke. New Zealand just does not have the market.

**imdying** · 9th October 2012, 11:29

Originally Posted by Str8 Jacket

I actually understand why bike shops do this now...... I was talking to a mate who is a bikes salesman at one of my fave shops......

People that test ride bikes that don't intend on buying them only wear out tyres, chains etc and get the bike dirty. They also clock up miles on them which devalues the bike. I get this and the shop at which you had told them that you were prob not going to buy it probably has "potential" buyers waiting to ride it and PAY for it.

Bike shops do not make $$ on the bikes, they can't just chop the margin and wear it or else they would go broke. New Zealand just does not have the market.

Do you know how slofox ended up riding what he has?

**Maha** · 9th October 2012, 11:30

Originally Posted by slofox

With a test ride I am only probably not a buyer.

Which situation has more chance of getting a sale?

This one, because, you may like it sooooooooooooo much, plus, the trade offer on the GSXR may well see you own it....any good sales person would know this.

No test does = no pruchase...any good sales person would know this.

**slofox** · 9th October 2012, 11:39

Originally Posted by imdying

Do you know how slofox ended up riding what he has?

Yeah. That one was "out of my price range" as well. But I still bought it...

**Crasherfromwayback** · 9th October 2012, 11:45

It's really simple..and it's down to how well the salesperson can explain it.

There is no bike in our shop you cannot ride. Even if it's the last bike avail new at that special price. But I'd ask you...that if when you ride it you decide that it's not you after all...FFS do me a favour, and don't go putting 300km's on it. Around the Bays etc for 10km's I don't mind and can handle. Hey...if you're liking it and going to own it...I don't give a shit if you do put 300km's on it...cause you're gonna own it.

Comprende?