Bike shops and Test rides

[curious george]

What's the best way to try new bikes out? (Including second hand ones)

I've seen a few bikes that look good in the window, but I would like to try them on the road.
I would feel a little guilty if would take one for a ride, then not buy it though.....
Wuss or what?
Out of curiosity, you guys that work in a shop, is there a limit to how many bikes you would let one customer ride?
Say I wanted to try three or four? Not a joy-ride situation, but a 'wonder what this goes like', with the intention to buy?
When does a tire kicker become a serious customer? When they hand over the cash, or just on potential?
I've worked a fair bit of retail, so I know both sides, sometimes seems a little more hostile in some bike shops though....
Whadda ya recon? Who would trust me with a test ride?

[Big Dave]

I know about dealers.

New Bikes.
Bike shops have demonstrator models of new bikes. Some are owned and sold on by the shop, some of the newer releases do the rounds of the shops while they are owned by the importer.
The best way to sell a new bike is to let people ride them. It is encouraged.
The salesperson should qualify that you have the means to make purchasing decision within a reasonable time frame and then furnish you every opportunity to make that decision in their favour. That includes a test ride if possible. (it's called the 'puppy-dog' close)
You will have to make a (returnable) surity of up to $2000 - a visa card swipe etc - to cover the insurance excess before you ride off. If you are seriously in the market - don't hesitate to ask for a ride. On 5 if it takes.
AMPS has an open day every 6 months where it's open slather. A fleet or latest releases for all comers too.

Used Bikes
Depends on who owns them. I wouldn't buy anything till i have ridden it - why should you is the attitude.
But some bikes on a showroom floor might also need a while to get roadworthy. batteries run down etc so sometimes it's not just a matter of throwing a leg over.
You probably need more of a shortlist than with new iron. Otherwise we want to do whatever will make you take the purchasing decision in our favour.

Just be straight up and you'll get it back.

[mstriumph]

What's the best way to try new bikes out? (Including second hand ones) ........ ? I've worked a fair bit of retail, so I know both sides, sometimes seems a little more hostile in some bike shops though....

hostile? i wouldn't say that some of the bikeshops i went to were hostile exactly when i was looking recently

-------- i'll just say that i'll only return to those shops while the current sales staff are working there when i've shaved my head, grown a full beard, lowered my voice 5 octaves, covered myself in tats and adopted the stage name 'Bubba' ........... ie NEVER

and, on reflection - nahh - don't think it was my gender particularly - think they were just an unprofessional, patronizing bunch of dickheads is all

[Big Dave]

and, on reflection - nahh - don't think it was my gender particularly - think they were just an unprofessional, patronizing bunch of dickheads is all

Why AMPS is NZ's largest motorcycle dealership. None of the above.

[zadok]

I hadn't bought a new bike for nearly 14 years since the last one. I rang the dealer and by fluke, happened to talk to the owner. He was happy for me to front up and take the 6 month old 1000GTR for a ride, and the rest is history.

[Gremlin]

Why AMPS is NZ's largest motorcycle dealership. None of the above.

Not only that, AMPS (or Lou really) are pretty active on the forums compared to other businesses, happy to answer queries and questions etc.

Always helpful and it sorta becomes easy to pop in there and get what you need.

For example, I'm looking at boots, Lou says the Oxtar on special (most stores don't tell you there are minor sales unless you go), I go, find they are not for me. Lou says stylmartins are coming. I look them up and like them.

Now Lou mentions they have 'em. In the next couple of days or so I'll pop in and have a squiz. If I really like them, I'll wait for a discount and probably buy them.

All about service...

[Big Dave]

Not only that, AMPS (or Lou really) are pretty active on the forums compared to other businesses, happy to answer queries and questions etc.

Always helpful and it sorta becomes easy to pop in there and get what you need.

For example, I'm looking at boots, Lou says the Oxtar on special (most stores don't tell you there are minor sales unless you go), I go, find they are not for me. Lou says stylmartins are coming. I look them up and like them.

Now Lou mentions they have 'em. In the next couple of days or so I'll pop in and have a squiz. If I really like them, I'll wait for a discount and probably buy them.

All about service...

Cool - do him a favour and cc all that to
ray@amps.co.nz
please.

[Gremlin]

Done.

btw, How does this help?? I mean I know that finding out your staff are good is good, but do they have reviews or something??

btw, if you know, when staff sell stuff do they get the percentage thing?? Just need to know for when I am buying stuff there.

[Big Dave]

Done.

btw, How does this help?? I mean I know that finding out your staff are good is good, but do they have reviews or something??

btw, if you know, when staff sell stuff do they get the percentage thing?? Just need to know for when I am buying stuff there.

thanks - just good feeback. Positive reinforcing - not neccessary, but when you put in, that sort of thing makes it all worthwhile.
Sorry - i dont know about remuneration.

[Brian d marge]

Sorry ..but Since i have been here ..I have learned that western people are crap at customer service
I am pretty good with people and I suck big time when compared to say my wife
( I worked along side of her for a while ,,,and she left me in AWE of the things she naturally thought of ) ...its natural for the japanese ,,nasake thinking of the other person ,,,
I cant do it ,,,,I try ..but its those small things that just make it ( like folding the toliet paper end into a diamond AFTER some one has used the toliet so the NEXT person wont be inconvieniced
If I ever start a bike shop ..I will employer her to be my boss in the customer dept ...when you see it ,,then you will know what I am saying ,,,,,

but in my humble opinion ,,,you the customer YOU the man ,,,I LISTEN to you ...and hen try to help you based on YOUR opinions ,,not mine ..and just because I am kicking tires ,,...I want to walk away feeling like ,,that was a nice man ,,,I like him,,,,,( I may not be buying a bike ,,,but I may need a tyre or two later ,,,,,,,)

oh ,,,,dear ..Ive started to foam again ,,,and split me drink .....Nurse wont like that ....must dash

Stephen

[SARGE]

hey George..

normally, i will have a few questions for prospective test riders.. what style (sport, naked, etc) what type of riding (commuting, weekend, pillion...)budget and experience

after i get some kind of idea on those, i can show you the bikes that i think will intrest you for what you want/ need

shouldt have to ride more than 2 bikes

i dont mind test rides, but if i'm flat out i usually rescedule the tire kickers

[Smorg]

hey George..

normally, i will have a few questions for prospective test riders.. what style (sport, naked, etc) what type of riding (commuting, weekend, pillion...)budget and experience

after i get some kind of idea on those, i can show you the bikes that i think will intrest you for what you want/ need

shouldt have to ride more than 2 bikes

i dont mind test rides, but if i'm flat out i usually rescedule the tire kickers

Thats what you did to me huh? Fact is though im quite serious .................any news on the Blade side of things yet mate??

[SixPackBack]

I think the salespeople in a lot of shops have a sixth sense when it comes to assesing a prospective buyer.
i personally only take bikes out on rides with the intention of buying, and recently when asked to assess a new model. i can honestly say i have never had a ride request turned down by a dealer....just the opposite.
Other factors come into play as well, as a dealer would you be happy to send an 18 year old still on a 250 out for a test ride on a brand new R1?
Would you be comfortable sending a born again biker out on a rocket 3 when he openly admits he has not ridden for 20 years.?
What about the person who has had there bike in your shop 5 times in the last year for smash repairs?

[Hitcher]

New bike demonstrators? Harumph! This is a VERY sore point with me. As a generalisation, most bike shops appear to stock as few new bikes as possible (or less if they can get away with it) and the last thing they want are people riding them. I marvel at this, given the propensity for new car franchise dealers to do exactly the opposite. The New Zealand franchise distributors for new bikes should be worried about this, unless they make money from ways other than selling bikes.

Examples? No new Yamaha cruiser bikes ever seen in the Wellington region. No demos for Kawasaki cruisers in the Wellington region. No Yamaha MT01. No Yamaha FZ1. Limited Triumph demos. Partial Honda range, unless you fancy a ride to Palmerston North (or "that place" in Lower Hutt). Why is the southern North Island Moto Guzzi dealer in Masterton?

Is this some sort of conspiracy by bike importers and retailers not to sell bikes, or am I missing something? I constantly observe behaviours that defy the natural gravity of sales and marketing. Are bike riders supposed to restrict their activities to reading magazines?

[Lou Girardin]

Done.

btw, How does this help?? I mean I know that finding out your staff are good is good, but do they have reviews or something??

btw, if you know, when staff sell stuff do they get the percentage thing?? Just need to know for when I am buying stuff there.

Thanks Gremlin, I was wondering what Ray was on about at first.
And no, no commissions. we're just wage slaves. (the way I prefer it, then there's no conflict of interest)