Is it bad form to test ride several used bikes, at a dealer, if you don't intend to buy that day?
- Thread starter Doc_V
- Start date
Marcoose
50-50
What?! Entitled? Deserve? You're putting words in my mouth. Some people don't like analogies, but replace motorbike with any goods, and you see you try on dozens of goods before you buy it. It is how business it's done. But let's stick to motorbikes. I'm in the market for a new motorbike. Your shop, among others, has one. I want to try the ergo, the power, the suspension, the gadgets, etc. If you don't want to let me try it, thank you very much, I'll take my business elsewhere. That simple. That's how business has been done for decades.
And how is it going for you? I find that salespeople miss on transactions because they ignore the old axiom; relationship first, transaction second. Years ago I was buying a BMW. Within 2-3 minutes the salesman asked for my SSN to run my credit score. I left and bought from another dealer. Better deal too.
You may be mixing things. Shannon made it clear she's on the market for a motorbike. She doesn't know which. She needs to try them to find the right one for her. She isn't bored at home and wants to test ride to make the days go by faster, without any intention whatsoever of buying. Yeah, that'd be very inconsiderate. There's a Grand Canyon of difference between the two.
slydrite
On a brake
The real issue is - a test ride won't tell you all that much. Maybe how you fit on the bike and possibly acceleration and that's about it.
But it is something that many people feel like they need to do before buying.
OTOH, the vast majority of customers buy a bike without having ridden it. There's really no bad bikes anymore. It just comes down to which style of bike you like and then do you fit on it.
But it is something that many people feel like they need to do before buying.
OTOH, the vast majority of customers buy a bike without having ridden it. There's really no bad bikes anymore. It just comes down to which style of bike you like and then do you fit on it.
ob1ventura
Well-known member
I would not go into a dealership and ask to test ride a bike or bikes unless there was a real possibilty that I was prepared to purchase the bike any more than I would knock on my neighbors door and ask for a 6 pack. On the other hand if the neighbor walked over an offered :staRang.
When I had to lay the 10r to rest I had narrowed down her replacement to one of two new bikes. I visited the dealerships and made it clear that I was not writing a check but was only there to compare bikes. Both offered a test ride which I initially declined because I did not want to waste their time or put miles on the demos at that point. Both then all but insisted and I took them up on their offer.
My boy is planning on purchasing one of two brands of used cars around mid summer. He is in the process of saving up the $$ for his first and we are enjoying the process which includes visiting the lots. He makes it clear from the first contact that we are not purchasing for a couple of months and are only there to lust over their inventory. I've been surprised that he has been offered test rides which he has declined.
Have sold a boat and plane and I suspect that a number of people who showed up and asked to take it out on the Bay or around the pattern had no intention of ever making a purchase. No doubt those selling bikes attract the same and would not be incline to provide test rides, particularly on a number of bikes, unless there was a real possibility of a sale in the near future.
If you have the guts to asks good for you and why not assuming you fully disclose your intentions.
When I had to lay the 10r to rest I had narrowed down her replacement to one of two new bikes. I visited the dealerships and made it clear that I was not writing a check but was only there to compare bikes. Both offered a test ride which I initially declined because I did not want to waste their time or put miles on the demos at that point. Both then all but insisted and I took them up on their offer.
My boy is planning on purchasing one of two brands of used cars around mid summer. He is in the process of saving up the $$ for his first and we are enjoying the process which includes visiting the lots. He makes it clear from the first contact that we are not purchasing for a couple of months and are only there to lust over their inventory. I've been surprised that he has been offered test rides which he has declined.
Have sold a boat and plane and I suspect that a number of people who showed up and asked to take it out on the Bay or around the pattern had no intention of ever making a purchase. No doubt those selling bikes attract the same and would not be incline to provide test rides, particularly on a number of bikes, unless there was a real possibility of a sale in the near future.
If you have the guts to asks good for you and why not assuming you fully disclose your intentions.
Beanzy
Wind free
If you want a "should" statement, here it is:
Get the bike that excites you the most.
Which means do a lot of research in moto forums, like this one. And then maybe a BARFer will let you ride his or her bike without consideration, he or she likes your inquisitiveness and excitement so much.
Get the bike that excites you the most.
Which means do a lot of research in moto forums, like this one. And then maybe a BARFer will let you ride his or her bike without consideration, he or she likes your inquisitiveness and excitement so much.
The last bike I test rode from a private party, I put the money in his hand first. I had never ridden the model, and was relying on road tests and general industry propaganda. I rode the bike, and liked it, but it just wasn't a good fit for me. I returned it, and got my money back. If you are willing to post the purchase price for security, a test ride is ok to ask for. Personally, I will not buy a bike I don't get to test ride. I have ridden friends bikes that are great bikes, but I just don't care for them. Without riding them first, I would be buying the industry hype, and not the machine that does it for me.
kneedraggeroldy
Well-known member
Not sure what bikes you are looking at but can you rent some of them for a day or half day? I have done that for a few I have been looking at.......
I think it's in bad form if you don't have the funds with no intention of buying within a week. On the other hand, there's no harm in asking the dealership what they could work out for you. I personally would never ask a dealership for this kind of offer but if so, I'd consider throwing a bone to them (say a marginal cash offering) to test ride them all within a set time period.
I've taken a test ride from a dealership on a used bike, told them the deal would be done if everything was working properly. Last thing I want to deal with is a bad shifter or defective cooling system. Bought it right after the test ride.
I'm not sure if it's lore or factual but I've had work colleagues in Europe mention that at their dealers, they get to take a bike out for an entire day - sometimes overnight depending on how well your relationship is with the dealer.
I've taken a test ride from a dealership on a used bike, told them the deal would be done if everything was working properly. Last thing I want to deal with is a bad shifter or defective cooling system. Bought it right after the test ride.
I'm not sure if it's lore or factual but I've had work colleagues in Europe mention that at their dealers, they get to take a bike out for an entire day - sometimes overnight depending on how well your relationship is with the dealer.
Please tell me more about these private rentals. That would be awesome. Got a link?
So I called the dealer and their policy is they allow a 1 hour test ride on the bike you plan to buy, but you have to fill out the paperwork first, and they'll only do it for one bike. Which seems entirely fair. And, yes, I'd prefer to be up front about my intentions and not lie about this stuff, I thought I made that pretty clear in my original post. I was just trying to find out if, since they are used, are dealerships more flexible with test rides. Now I know. Not really. But then I guess it also depends on the dealer and the sales rep.
A couple years back, a local dealer encouraged me to take an hour long ride on a brand new FZ09, because I said I was *thinking* about something different from what I had. No intention to buy. That was completely unexpected. But also different circumstances since I somewhat knew they guy, because I'd bought a couple bikes from him about 20 year prior. TBH I don't know if he remembered me or not...
FWIW, I've worked in corp sales, so I understand the whole commission thing. I've also worked a bicycle shop, and I had *many* customers come back and buy from me, because they said that I, unlike others, took the time to show them several bikes and encouraged them to test ride each one. This is because, especially in bicycles, several bikes can look almost identical, yet feel totally different to different riders, due to each having a slightly different geometry. Personally, for this very reason, I would never by a bicycle without test riding it first. Now of course, bicycles and motorcycles are different beasts altogether, but I can tell you, I'm much more apt to buy from the guy who takes the time to work with me and help me decide first. FWIW
For the record, I'm looking at touring bikes, not sport touring, but the big'ol comfy bikes I plan to spend *long* days on, so the need for good ergos and handling are a HUGE part of my decision making. You can read all the reviews, and watch all the videos you want, but the *only* way to know that for sure is to experience the bikes first hand, so yes, even a test ride around the block would be immensely helpful vs none at all.
In order of interest they are, the Kawasaki Voyager, Yamaha Royalstar Venture, Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe and a Honda Valkyrie Interstate. To differentiate themselves, these bikes all come with very different riding characteristics, so again, test riding them is a big part. But since three are out of production, and the Voyager, which still is in production, has no dealer ride days scheduled for the west coast this year, what other choices do I have? Seriously, what would YOU do if you were in my situation? I'm open to suggestions. As I said before, these bikes, for whatever reasons, are few and far between out here on the west coast, so I'll likely have to buy out of state and have it shipped. Would you buy a bike, you've never ridden, site unseen? Of course not. So what do I do? The private rentals *may* be the answer if I can find these bikes.
As for the "worth consideration" bikes, they are the FJR, the ST1300 and Vstrom 1000. The *only* way I'd buy one of those bikes is if I got to test ride them first, since their ergos are their biggest draw back. [I've got issues with my knees being bent in one position for extended periods of time. 20 mins it to riding the FZ09 and my knees were talking to me.]
As for the, having cash in hand bit, the Voyager and Stratoliner are a few thousand dollars more than the other two, if I go that route I'd have to wait longer to get my funds together and it will determine how much I'm willing to accept when when selling my bike, where as if I settle on one of the other two, I can pull the trigger sooner, maybe accept a little less for my bike in the interest of time. So knowing which bike I'm going to get will determine when I have the money in hand. And yes, as someone else said, researching and deciding which bike to get is part of the fun of buying a new bike.
So there you have it. No one ever said life was easy. I'm just trying to make the best of a difficult situation. Thanks for all your input.
So I called the dealer and their policy is they allow a 1 hour test ride on the bike you plan to buy, but you have to fill out the paperwork first, and they'll only do it for one bike. Which seems entirely fair. And, yes, I'd prefer to be up front about my intentions and not lie about this stuff, I thought I made that pretty clear in my original post. I was just trying to find out if, since they are used, are dealerships more flexible with test rides. Now I know. Not really. But then I guess it also depends on the dealer and the sales rep.
A couple years back, a local dealer encouraged me to take an hour long ride on a brand new FZ09, because I said I was *thinking* about something different from what I had. No intention to buy. That was completely unexpected. But also different circumstances since I somewhat knew they guy, because I'd bought a couple bikes from him about 20 year prior. TBH I don't know if he remembered me or not...
FWIW, I've worked in corp sales, so I understand the whole commission thing. I've also worked a bicycle shop, and I had *many* customers come back and buy from me, because they said that I, unlike others, took the time to show them several bikes and encouraged them to test ride each one. This is because, especially in bicycles, several bikes can look almost identical, yet feel totally different to different riders, due to each having a slightly different geometry. Personally, for this very reason, I would never by a bicycle without test riding it first. Now of course, bicycles and motorcycles are different beasts altogether, but I can tell you, I'm much more apt to buy from the guy who takes the time to work with me and help me decide first. FWIW
For the record, I'm looking at touring bikes, not sport touring, but the big'ol comfy bikes I plan to spend *long* days on, so the need for good ergos and handling are a HUGE part of my decision making. You can read all the reviews, and watch all the videos you want, but the *only* way to know that for sure is to experience the bikes first hand, so yes, even a test ride around the block would be immensely helpful vs none at all.
In order of interest they are, the Kawasaki Voyager, Yamaha Royalstar Venture, Yamaha Stratoliner Deluxe and a Honda Valkyrie Interstate. To differentiate themselves, these bikes all come with very different riding characteristics, so again, test riding them is a big part. But since three are out of production, and the Voyager, which still is in production, has no dealer ride days scheduled for the west coast this year, what other choices do I have? Seriously, what would YOU do if you were in my situation? I'm open to suggestions. As I said before, these bikes, for whatever reasons, are few and far between out here on the west coast, so I'll likely have to buy out of state and have it shipped. Would you buy a bike, you've never ridden, site unseen? Of course not. So what do I do? The private rentals *may* be the answer if I can find these bikes.
As for the "worth consideration" bikes, they are the FJR, the ST1300 and Vstrom 1000. The *only* way I'd buy one of those bikes is if I got to test ride them first, since their ergos are their biggest draw back. [I've got issues with my knees being bent in one position for extended periods of time. 20 mins it to riding the FZ09 and my knees were talking to me.]
As for the, having cash in hand bit, the Voyager and Stratoliner are a few thousand dollars more than the other two, if I go that route I'd have to wait longer to get my funds together and it will determine how much I'm willing to accept when when selling my bike, where as if I settle on one of the other two, I can pull the trigger sooner, maybe accept a little less for my bike in the interest of time. So knowing which bike I'm going to get will determine when I have the money in hand. And yes, as someone else said, researching and deciding which bike to get is part of the fun of buying a new bike.
So there you have it. No one ever said life was easy. I'm just trying to make the best of a difficult situation. Thanks for all your input.
Last edited:
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I absolutely disagree with you on this.
I've ridden a lot of bikes at dealers that were available for test rides. I rode KTM, Triumph, and BMW at Tri-Valley Moto in Livermore. Several Harleys at Livermore Harley-Davidson. KTM and Ducati at Ace in Concord. And a bunch of bikes anywhere there was a demo truck available.
I never rode a bike I wouldn't consider owning, other than stuff from a demo truck. It was specifically the test ride of the KTM 990 Adventure that made me want one. I didn't buy right away, but I did later buy that very same demo bike from them. I hadn't been on it 30 seconds before I was saying to myself "I have to get me one of these." And riding from a dealer in Livermore has just about any kind of pavement you can imagine available nearby.
I was considering a Harley XR1200X, but I had to ride one before making the decision. The Livermore Harley dealer would let you go out on your own for about 20 minutes to find out what you could about the bike. It seemed like it handled okay, had a reasonable seating position for a Harley, and had enough power. But it was when I was slowing for a corner that I felt this awful vibration. I was so concerned that I pulled off to check and the vibration was still there even when stopped. :laughing Immediately after that test ride I went over to Tri-Valley Moto to find out what they had in a 990 Adventure and that's when I arranged to buy the bike from them that I had previously test ridden.
I've talked to various dealers about how many test rides result in purchases and I've been told by more than one dealer that the number is around ten.
I don't consider it bad form to test ride a bike you would consider owning.
When I bought my Tuono there were only two dealers I was considering for the sale. I had ridden the 2015 V4R which was interesting to me but the weaknesses I identified were all addressed on the new 1100 which was just coming out at the time, so I knew I wanted the upgraded 1100. They both had 1100s in stock but no demo for them yet. I told them whoever got me on an 1100 demo first would get the sale. That turned out to be Scuderia so that's who I bought my bike from. Not spending $20K+ on a bike based on having sat on one and ridden its older inferior outgoing model.
Of all the demos I've ever done none were not just around the block. Usually I was told be back in an hour or told nothing at all. I've never spent more than 40 minutes on demo. Only done one where I went out with the dealer on two bikes and we switched it up after about 15 minutes. Other than that I was free to do whatever I needed to do to decide if I liked the bike or not.
Of all the demos I've ever done none were not just around the block. Usually I was told be back in an hour or told nothing at all. I've never spent more than 40 minutes on demo. Only done one where I went out with the dealer on two bikes and we switched it up after about 15 minutes. Other than that I was free to do whatever I needed to do to decide if I liked the bike or not.
Update: So I called a local dealer who just got in one of the bikes I'm looking at and also had one of the maybes. I asked about their test ride policy and they said the same as the other. Fill out the paper work, with intent to buy, and take it for a one our test spin. Then we got to talking and I explained my situation. I told them they had two bikes I was interested in. He was pensive at first, but did say he'd talk to the manager to see if they could work something out. He then went on to say, their test ride policy had changed quite a bit in recent years, due to people getting in to accidents. Then he asked how long I'd been riding, I told him 30+ years, and his demeanor completely changed. He immediately said, oh yah, no problem come on down you can ride a couple bikes. He said they were concerned with people who *just* taken the MSF and wanted to ride a *big* bike, or tire kickers who just wanted to ride an H2R. So something to consider for anyone else in a similar situation as me. He did suggest checking out a used rental place in SF, but couldn't remember the name. Probably the same place berth mentioned earlier. Anyone got a name?
Last edited:
Test ride has saved my from an expensive mistake before.
About 10 years ago looking for a new commute bike, and on paper F650GS seemed like a good choice. Didn't like it at all when I was riding it. Bought a different bike with no demo from the same dealer, and it worked out great.
Rental place was prob. in reference to Dubbelju which sadly recently went out of business. You could also check Eagle Rider which has a fair amount of rentals but none that I recall is in your list (maybe the FJR?).
FWIW, it always helps to show up at a dealer with your own bike and gear if a test ride is in question. I recall just two yrs ago when CalMoto was in Mtn View, I showed up on my RT and the salesmen let me take any bike I was interested out for a ride. I took a S1000R out unaccompanied. I think it all depends on your approach and time of day (mid-week I'm sure sales would be happy to see anyone interested in a bike of theirs).
FWIW, it always helps to show up at a dealer with your own bike and gear if a test ride is in question. I recall just two yrs ago when CalMoto was in Mtn View, I showed up on my RT and the salesmen let me take any bike I was interested out for a ride. I took a S1000R out unaccompanied. I think it all depends on your approach and time of day (mid-week I'm sure sales would be happy to see anyone interested in a bike of theirs).
SCC Ryder
Well-known member
https://www.riders-share.com/listings/sunnyvale-ca/dr02-14-2021,02-19-2021/z10
and
https://www.twistedroad.com/search?...ion=Sunnyvale, CA, USA&longitude=-122.0363496
are two GREAT places to try out a bunch of different types of bikes!
and
https://www.twistedroad.com/search?...ion=Sunnyvale, CA, USA&longitude=-122.0363496
are two GREAT places to try out a bunch of different types of bikes!
I came here to say the same thing. This is the best option. The person you're renting the bike from is happy to rent it out to you. You'll get 24+ hours to take it out and really get a feel for it. And when you figure out which bike you like, you can shop around to find the cheapest/lowest mileage/best color bike without the moral dilemma.
redtail
only ones and zeroes
You asked if it is bad form, my personal opinion is yes, it is.
A test ride, in my opinion, is essential. I've avoided some mistakes thanks to a test ride. Of course, I've pulled the trigger without one (since it was NA) and have had mixed results.
So the test ride can tell you a lot about a bike, when you're ready to buy...
A test ride, in my opinion, is essential. I've avoided some mistakes thanks to a test ride. Of course, I've pulled the trigger without one (since it was NA) and have had mixed results.
So the test ride can tell you a lot about a bike, when you're ready to buy...
Excellent! That's very helpful. Thank you!