Would ya buy a bike that you aren't allowed to test ride?

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 09:57

Scenario: I am in the market for another bike. I am on a restricted licence so therefore an unable to ride bikes that are sitting in Motorcycle showrooms. Trick is the bike I may want to buy (Daytona 650) is reasonably rare in these parts so I cant even test ride a mates. I could wait three months, but Im doing too many kms on my 250 (hurting resale) and its not doing my riding any good...I need a new challenge.

I love the look of these Daytona 650's, they are dead sexy, and Im used to having something a bit different than most folk. I think the 'style' of bike suits my riding (Im not that fast, but not that slow either) so its kinda a logical choice. Trick is I wont have ridden one before handing over the readies.

Would you do it?

edit - this goes for GSXR's, R6's and the like

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2006, 10:03

Just buy it!

Seriously, it is really difficult to get stuck with a lemon these days, and the Daytona will actually be better than you expect it to be.

I've bought the R6 and Z750, and the CB400, and my TRX in the last 3.5 years without test rides. None of them disappointed me, and in fact all exceeded expectations.

**sAsLEX** · 7th February 2006, 10:03

Originally Posted by skelstar

I love the look of these Daytona 650's, they are dead sexy, and Im used to having something a bit different than most folk.

ummm http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23917

but other than that, prob not as each bike can feel so different to differnt people, mind you I found my bike really weird compared to my old one for about a week but now its like a second skin.

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 10:06

sAsLEX: oh yeah. Def know about the 675. They are coming in about $14500 so am using that fact to beat triumph down on their price. Truth is its going to be years before I can ride a 675 faster than a 650. Quite like the 650's looks and I reckon its going to be better for high km riding.

**Hitcher** · 7th February 2006, 10:12

Test rides? Forget it. They don't exist. There's no such thing. They are a myth designed to insense the dreamers amongst us. Motorcycling Yeti.

Motorcycle distributors and retailers have no interest or desire to sell you anything. Their "marketing" model is based on the fact that if somebody wants something badly enough they will bloody well buy it: if not from Dealer A, then from Dealer B. If they actually took an interest in their customers and tried to sell them something, that might involve a bit of effort and tactical investment in demonstrator models, positioned at strategic locations. They may also have to incentivise their employees to give a shit, and that may cost money. A terrible business...

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 10:14

How is your crusade going Hitcher?

TSS seem pretty keen to have me ride their bikes. Fergus suggested I came in and rode 'every single bike in the shop...hell, take a day off to do it'. But then Im always in there

.

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 10:21

Oh yeah...this could be me.
Apart from the knee-down thing

**cowpoos** · 7th February 2006, 10:22

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Test rides? Forget it. They don't exist. There's no such thing. They are a myth designed to insense the dreamers amongst us. Motorcycling Yeti.

Motorcycle distributors and retailers have no interest or desire to sell you anything. Their "marketing" model is based on the fact that if somebody wants something badly enough they will bloody well buy it: if not from Dealer A, then from Dealer B. If they actually took an interest in their customers and tried to sell them something, that might involve a bit of effort and tactical investment in demonstrator models, positioned at strategic locations. They may also have to incentivise their employees to give a shit, and that may cost money. A terrible business...

someone in a sarcastic mood huh?

anyways...I would expect a test ride before a purchase...never not ridin a road bike before I've purchased one...even if its a second hand one thats sitting in there show room to get the feel of what a new one would be like...
but alot of people buy without riding...infact from what I've been told most people buy without riding a bike...so if you want it...buy it...if your not sure...find a way to ride it...

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 10:25

poos: I hear you. To be honest if I rode an R6, then the Daytona I would be hard pushed to notice the difference I reckon. It would be like comparing apples with apples, where one of the apples is actually an orange (not lemon hopefully) but Ive never eaten fruit before.

**James Deuce** · 7th February 2006, 10:41

Actually an R6 is considerably more focussed than a Daytona. The Daytona would feel like a late '90s CBR600, but in a good way. I never enjoyed commuting on the R6.

**skelstar** · 7th February 2006, 10:48

Ive heard the riding pos is more like a CBR600F4i. Thats a good thing I think.

I commute against the traffic fortunately.

**iwilde** · 7th February 2006, 10:49

You got to test ride, even if it's to make sure that it's comfortable riding position for you.

**Sniper** · 7th February 2006, 10:53

As Jim said, just buy it. You will be pleasantly surprised

**onearmedbandit** · 7th February 2006, 11:02

Can't test ride before I buy (obvious reasons) and never struck a problem Go for it, you won't regret it.

**Jonty** · 7th February 2006, 11:03

I bought my F3 based only on reviews and an inspection. If you are really picky about rider position etc, then you will need to test ride. Remember though that you have been riding GSXR1000s etc and the 650 will be a big step down. You may feel in 1-2 years you need a little more ummph.

If you have a good grasp of the power output and postioning (which can be done sitting on it I suppose), and you are happy with this, then just buy it.

J