Test rides

[raining_sulphur]

Ok, go easy on me. Are there any morals behind a test ride, if I’ve not a great intention of buying?
Passed my mod2 yesterday, so I’ve really no idea if I want a sports/naked/touring etc etc.
Are dealerships be them big or small, funny with you if you just want to ride it? Or must I play the game that I’m interested then when I return try blag my way out of it by saying the bikes not for me etc?
I don’t want to be the dick that just goes for a jolly on their bikes, unless that’s the norm? I’ve been told stories from both sides.

[Krikkit]

I can only reflect on how I did it - I started thinking about what I might fancy (just a fun toy, speed not that bothered, good noise, relatively light, flickable). I ruled out adventure and sports bikes from there, then thought about a naked as it's easy to keep the speed down.

Then I compared on cycle-ergo how the Z650 looked with my candidates to get an idea how it might fit me.

From there I settled on a Monster 796 or a KTM 690 - test rode both and the former fit me like a glove, and I fell in love with it, and bought it from that outfit... I had no qualms asking for a test ride of something when I was on the short list, but I wouldn't expect to be able to test it just for giggles.

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 30th April 22:16

[Biker 1]

Read reviews, watch YouTube videos.
I think a back to back test ride on a few bikes is legit. Decent dealers end up with long term customers like me! I'm st at haggling, but know that these guys have serious overheads & right now, the whacky world of covid is causing all sorts of shizzle.

[raining_sulphur]

Krikkit said:

I can only reflect on how I did it - I started thinking about what I might fancy (just a fun toy, speed not that bothered, good noise, relatively light, flickable). I ruled out adventure and sports bikes from there, then thought about a naked as it's easy to keep the speed down.

Then I compared on cycle-ergo how the Z650 looked with my candidates to get an idea how it might fit me.

From there I settled on a Monster 796 or a KTM 690 - test rode both and the former fit me like a glove, and I fell in love with it, and bought it from that outfit... I had no qualms asking for a test ride of something when I was on the short list, but I wouldn't expect to be able to test it just for giggles.

Edited by Krikkit on Friday 30th April 22:16

So I’m kinda using this mentality. I think I’m aiming towards a naked, but I wouldn’t want to miss out in case I gelled with a sports bike and never gave it a chance.
I have my shortlist of bikes which I really like, checked the ergonomics of them but again without trying the sports bikes I’ve nothing to compare to other than that bike I trained on.
I would never expect to take a bike just for giggles, I just wouldn’t want them to think that’s what I’m doing.

[Iminquarantine]

raining_sulphur said:

Ok, go easy on me. Are there any morals behind a test ride, if I’ve not a great intention of buying?
Passed my mod2 yesterday, so I’ve really no idea if I want a sports/naked/touring etc etc.
Are dealerships be them big or small, funny with you if you just want to ride it? Or must I play the game that I’m interested then when I return try blag my way out of it by saying the bikes not for me etc?
I don’t want to be the dick that just goes for a jolly on their bikes, unless that’s the norm? I’ve been told stories from both sides.

I’d go to a big factory main dealer. They have demonstrator bikes and getting you to test ride bikes seems to be their business model. I’ve had dealers encourage me to test ride bikes several times. Some of the test rides turn into sales.


I’d say you could get an idea of sportsbike ergonomics just by putting it on the centre stand and sitting on it for 5 mins, looking straight ahead where you would need to look if you were riding. But sportsbikes don’t have centre stands hahahaha!

Think about what you want to do with the bike. If it is day rides then sportsbikes are on the menu. If you want to do multi day tours, then you need a bike with luggage, which will almost certainly be a more upright riding position.

Edited by Iminquarantine on Friday 30th April 22:58

[Krikkit]

raining_sulphur said:

So I’m kinda using this mentality. I think I’m aiming towards a naked, but I wouldn’t want to miss out in case I gelled with a sports bike and never gave it a chance.
I have my shortlist of bikes which I really like, checked the ergonomics of them but again without trying the sports bikes I’ve nothing to compare to other than that bike I trained on.
I would never expect to take a bike just for giggles, I just wouldn’t want them to think that’s what I’m doing.

Don't forget you don't have to stick with whatever you buy forever - and often people have > 1 bike anyway! I'd certainly think about a sports bike and an off-roader as well as a naked.

[jjones]

Just passed test? A lot of places will want you to sign a damage waiver - break it pay 2k, how confident are you in your new found licence?

[_Neal_]

Good advice above I reckon - I've had good main dealer test ride experiences despite not buying a bike from them in the end - they are playing a longer game I think!

I'd add that I've always found the sales people are very often bike enthusiasts who like the job they do and the products they sell. As such if you explain where you are in your decision making process they may advise and offer test rides of bikes you've not thought of. Enjoy!

[200Plus Club]

Triumph emailed me an offer today to test ride the new 1200RS which of course I signed up for, rude not to...

[carinaman]

1. What's the bike be going to be used for?
2. How much use is it likely to get?
3. Will you be using PCP/HP or paying cash?
4. Have you had any insurance quotes for the bikes you've liked the look of?

Edited by carinaman on Saturday 1st May 00:07

[raining_sulphur]

carinaman said:

1. What's the bike be going to be used for?
2. How much use is it likely to get?
3. Will you be using PCP/HP or paying cash?
4. Have you had any insurance quotes for the bikes you've liked the look of?

Edited by carinaman on Saturday 1st May 00:07

Confident in my my ability. Confident enough to realise any bike on goes as fast as I make it.
1. Purely pleasure. Whenever I feel like it really, mainly evening/weekend “me” time.
2. See above, as much as possibly really. I can only get better/more confident by riding the thing.
3. Not sure yet. Budget keeps flitting between a cheap first bike, to a 3yr old bike to a new one, lol. Any of the above really.
4. Insurance is a deciding factor, I refuse to pay silly premiums at my age. So yes, insurance for bikes on my shortlist are of acceptable premiums.

[GriffoDP]

Biker 1 said:

Read reviews, watch YouTube videos.
I think a back to back test ride on a few bikes is legit. Decent dealers end up with long term customers like me! I'm st at haggling, but know that these guys have serious overheads & right now, the whacky world of covid is causing all sorts of shizzle.

I think this. If they can smell an eventual sale, the big boys gladly chuck any number of bikes at me. Though being an existing customer helped I dare say. Though thinking back, even before I jumped that was the case.

So I reckon honesty is the best policy. If they're unwilling then perhaps that is an indication of their overall customer service. Remember you'll build more or less of an ongoing relationship if you're into dealer servicing (or you buy a BMW with a warranty ha). When I was doing 12-15k a year I was even so visiting BMW much more than the obligatory 2 times :P.

Maybe start by asking to ride one of the low power 650s before asking after the mad stuff . Once they know you can get out of car park it'll be easier on everyone .

[Haigha]

Pick a larger dealer where the attitude to test rides is more relaxed. Then just be honest in that you're looking to try a few different styles of bike to find what's best for you. These days sportsbikes new are pretty much litre rockets or bugger all and secondhand is where the choice is.
Somewhere like Millenium Motorcycles might be a decent shout your way.
In your shoes, if I had to pick a bike as a 1st to get started and allow you the scope to develop whatever skills you have without being too extreme to begin with or have you bored senseless after a few months then.....
Triumph Street Triple R or RS


No.4 on your list may cause problems, at 19 I was paying 900 to insure a GPZ900R, and 900 was a decent wedge back then

Edited by Haigha on Saturday 1st May 08:58

[Drawweight]

You must have some ideas in mind.

If you give us a couple of bikes you’re keen on we might have more of an idea.

As it is it’s ranging from a 390 KTM to a Panigale.

[raining_sulphur]

Haigha said:

Pick a larger dealer where the attitude to test rides is more relaxed. Then just be honest in that you're looking to try a few different styles of bike to find what's best for you. These days sportsbikes new are pretty much litre rockets or bugger all and secondhand is where the choice is.
Somewhere like Millenium Motorcycles might be a decent shout your way.
In your shoes, if I had to pick a bike as a 1st to get started and allow you the scope to develop whatever skills you have without being too extreme to begin with or have you bored senseless after a few months then.....
Triumph Street Triple R or RS


No.4 on your list may cause problems, at 19 I was paying 900 to insure a GPZ900R, and 900 was a decent wedge back then

Edited by Haigha on Saturday 1st May 08:58

Millennium isn’t too far actually, I’ve been there browsing before.
Insurance isn’t an issue really, 35yo so realistically I’m looking around 200-500/year for most bikes I’m looking at. If I went straight for my dream bike of an RC8, then I’m looking more like £1300 which is what I won’t pay.
Short list is quite varied, dependant on where I settle my budget.

So lower end, 2nd had market and cheap first bike I’m looking at:-
Z750
T595
Gsxr 750 k2/3

Mid range I’m looking at:-
Street triple R
Super duke 990
MT09
Z1000

Upper range:- (this is where the arguement between head and heart happens)
CB1000R
Ducati 848 evo
Benelli tnt 1130

A lot I read about says the Street triple is the middleweight king and I couldn’t go wrong with one, choice is so vast it’s making me really indecisive.

[Caddyshack]

The Aprilia RS660 seems to get rave reviews, it is a 10k bike but they do some low cost monthly deals. I like it as it does everything and has lots of safety electronics that you can adjust to the Max whilst you learn....this is the way I am leaning.

[KTMsm]

Personally I read up loads and then called a large independent dealer and asked if I could visit and sit on a load of bikes to see what they felt like - they agreed so off I went

I thought I wanted a 955 Tiger - what a hideous lump it was in reality, didn't need to ride it

I then test rode a Tiger 800 again telling them I wasn't sure - numb bum and horrid noise so that was ruled out

Then saw a cheap 690 at the dealer who also had cheap 401 - called him, test rode both and bought the 690

[samdale]

raining_sulphur said:

Mid range I’m looking at:-
Street triple R
Super duke 990
MT09
Z1000

I'm in a VERY similar position to you, if not slightly more decisive . If I can add a GSX-S750 to that list for people's critique, it'll save me starting a "what bike" of my own. Friend owns a Street triple so MT09 is winning by quite a way for me at the moment but the gsxs would save me a few quid.

[raining_sulphur]

KTMsm said:

Personally I read up loads and then called a large independent dealer and asked if I could visit and sit on a load of bikes to see what they felt like - they agreed so off I went

I thought I wanted a 955 Tiger - what a hideous lump it was in reality, didn't need to ride it

I then test rode a Tiger 800 again telling them I wasn't sure - numb bum and horrid noise so that was ruled out

Then saw a cheap 690 at the dealer who also had cheap 401 - called him, test rode both and bought the 690

This exactly what I’m concerned about. Having my head set on one bike, buying it without test ride and it not suiting.
Guess I’ll have to make some calls and see what’s what

[KTMsm]

I would add that the dealers I visited but didn't buy from have benefited in that I would recommend & buy from them in the future, in preference to the unhelpful ones.

As we all seem to buy and sell bikes quite regularly I think the smart ones have an eye to future business

I am now dealing in bikes myself and encourage test rides because in my experience they cement the deal, I've only not sold one bike, to the first viewer and that sold to the second.