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

[Scouse]

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...

Ah another reason why Auckland is better than south of Hamilton no problems getting test rides up here

[skidMark]

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

how much would you be looking for for the hyosung

[skidMark]

Ah another reason why Auckland is better than south of Hamilton no problems getting test rides up here

most shops go something like this...

of course sir three bags full sir...

well yer in auckland at least

[Jackrat]

I've never bought a bike without a test ride,they've all been almost a done deal anyway but I like to know it's actualy got 5 gears an they all go foward.
If you have the money or can prove you can get finance then I don't see why anybody would knock you back.
If I am ever turned down I'll just buy the next bike.
And AUCKLAND dealers rock!!!

[skelstar]

Woo, I dont know how much. I think Ill be buying before selling...so watch this space I guess.

[mstriumph]

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...

you are upset, aren't you ...

otherwise you'd have realised there's no such word as incentivise

... although - it's attractive, logical, rolls off the tongue ....... hell, why NOT?!! ...

[Hitcher]

in·cen·tiv·ise Pronunciation Key (n-snt-vz)
tr.v. in·cen·tiv·ised, in·cen·tiv·is·ing, in·cen·tiv·is·es

To offer incentives or an incentive to; motivate: “This bill will help incentivize everybody to solve that part of the problem” (Richard A. Gephardt).

Unfortunately yes, there is such a word. And yes I am ailing and have become scratchy, irritable and downright crotchety. For that I apologise. I should know better and behave in a manner more befitting my alleged maturity. Motorcycles are a powerful addiction and I am not doing "cold turkey" very well.

[far queue]

Doesn't change a thing. If I can't test ride the bike I'm interested in, then I'm not going to buy it. I don't give a shit about the financial status of the dealer. It's all about me.

Damn right. When I bought the DR650 my local dealer (Sportzone) wouldn't give me a test ride unless I signed the paperwork saying I would buy it first, in which case what was the point of a test ride? I asked if he could think of any other way I might get a test ride, but he just wasn't interested. He already knew me too, from when when I bought the bike I already had off him.

So I rang the Suzuki dealer down the road at Amberley (Arthur Bourke), who said they didn't have a DR in stock but they were happy to get one from Suzuki NZ for me to have a ride on with no obligations. But, they suggested I ring the Ashburton dealer (Jeff Marshall) first to see what he had, and if he couldn't help, to ring them back and they'd get it organised for me.

Well, Jeff from Ashburton had only just sold a new DR to a guy here in Chch and arranged for me to get a ride on that. I believe Jeff arranged some goodies for the guy as thanks. AND Jeff drove up here (80km away) to pick up my old bike to take away to assess for a trade in price, saying that if I wasn't happy with the deal he'd return the bike with no problems. What a difference in dealerships.

I was tossing up between an XT600 and the DR650 at the time. I had done plenty of research on the 2 bikes and had ridden an XT, but still wasn't sure on which bike to choose. If I couldn't get a test ride on a DR I would've bought the XT. That ride that Jeff arranged made it real clear that the DR was the bike for me.

Sooooo, I bought the bike from Jeff, and he threw in a Ventura pack rack as well. Jeff was great to deal with as were the rest of the team there. I normally whip off the dealers stickers when I buy a new bike or car, but Jeffs stickers are still on there so any locals who see the bike will know there's an alternative to sportzone.

Thanks very much to Arthur Burke from Amberley and Jeff Marshall from Ashburton both offering great service ... and test rides.

By the way Jeff Marshall and Arthur Burke are small dealerships mainly serving the farming community whereas Sportzone is a much larger larger city dealership. Maybe it's the friendliness of country folk that has a lot to do with it.

Go for a test ride, they'll find a way to give you one if they really want to.

[mikey]

just go buy a bike man

im onto my 4th in a week.

didnt test ride any.

porobably should of got a few checked out though

shouldn be a problem on new bikes htough.

an they hyobagPOSedition wont crap out on you.

[cowpoos]

So I rang the Suzuki dealer down the road at Amberley (Arthur Bourke), who said they didn't have a DR in stock but they were happy to get one from Suzuki NZ for me to have a ride on with no obligations. .

I will agree with you about aurther burkes...they are bloody brillent to deal with...and I to had problems with sportszone after paying cash for a brand new bike from them...which arther bourkes sorted for me and rang sportszone to give them a ear full...and sportzone sent me out a $100 voucher as a apology....

[marty]

even car dealers won't let you take a brand new car for a test drive - they'll have a demo, or a 2nd hand one available. find a 2nd hand trumpy and take that.

of course not having a full licence probably makes this whole discussion moot

[2much]

Go for it Skelstar.

If I still had my Daytona 600 I'ld let you try that. Mate, I brought my one without even seeing it let alone riding it. I promise you won't be disappointed, they're an awesome bike and will out-handle pretty much anything else on the road........ Just gimme a blat when you get it

[skelstar]

Sure thing 2much.
Will also be moot if NPMC dont let me have the bike for the price i want.

[Mental Trousers]

I bought mine without even seeing it. Mind you, I bought it off Frosty. However, I only knew of him through kb and didn't know he is a car salesman!!! Dodgy untrustworthy bastards they are!!!!

Love the bike btw.

[Mental Trousers]

Go for it Skelstar.

If I still had my Daytona 600 I'ld let you try that. Mate, I brought my one without even seeing it let alone riding it. I promise you won't be disappointed, they're an awesome bike and will out-handle pretty much anything else on the road........ Just gimme a blat when you get it

Just make sure he isn't chasing a blond on a 600 and the bike should survive