Test rides

[Rossgo]

How do you get them?! Ok that sounds stupid but does anyone ever go in pretending to want to buy just for a test ride or do you just be honest and openly say that your not buying but merely want a test ride to see how it is and experience it maybe as a future purchase in a years time or something?

[Perkles]

no harm saying your not buying now but thinking of it if the right bike sways me ,thats what i would say anyhow

[Kwacky]

Like Perkles says. You don't have to commit yourself.

Some dealers are easier than others. The Kwak place in Brum wants you to take the bikes out. Others won't give you long or even charge a fee.

[duke63]

Your age might work against you for some bikes, Rossgo. Many insist on you being 25 yrs old but you can only ask and see what their policy is.

I do what Perkles suggests. If anyone says you can't try without buying ( as our Yamaha dealer does ) then it's somewhere I wouldn't want to buy from anyway.

[Blade]

Dont know if it will happen as always seem busy at the moment and happy to ride the ten but I really fancy getting out on a 1299 and 899 for comparison. Plus a S1000RR and if possible an R1.

[Perkles]

ive read a few reports that the 899 feels quite slow to ride ,one was from an owner who competes in the bsb support races and was comparing it to his race spec ktm rc8r

[DaytonAndy]

I've always just phoned up and asked to book a test ride on xxx. They've then booked me in, told me to bring my driving licence etc.

[Blade]

Yes I can imagine the 899 feels slow. Its similar power to my sp2 which feels slow compared to a modern il4 thou. Saying that twins feel slower than your doing as if you look down your shifting on a bit, but twins always seem slower than they are IMO for some reason. I guess it must be something to do with the power delivery.

Ideally I would test the 899 and 1299 back to back on the same day on the same roads.

[rocket]

I wonder round the show room in my high heels waving my cheque book around singing heh big spender

[DaytonAndy]

ive read a few reports that the 899 feels quite slow to ride ,one was from an owner who competes in the bsb support races and was comparing it to his race spec ktm rc8r

I'd say the 899 is a bit faster than my 675. .It's definitely more 600 than litre. But it's a dam quick 600 and I thought perfect for the road.

[StMarks]

Test rides, wow do you get them?! ....

Turn up at the dealer, unshaven & in your tattiest leathers with heavily worn knee sliders. Ideally if you can be riding a battle-scarred tatty old hack, just to complete the image.

Seriously though, last time I went for a test flight they asked that I book a week ahead, and asked to see my driving license & a recent utility bill. At that time I told the dealers I was considering their bike, but wanted to compare it to the (direct competition)'s bike that I was also taking out.

What would happen if you binned a dealer's bike, anyone know.?

[duke63]

Depends on their insurance cover which varies from dealer to dealer. A good dealer should tell you what your responsible for but it's usually at least the excess which seems to be a minimum of £500 and probably more these days.

[Rossgo]

Thanks everyone. Only reason I ask is I really want to test the ZX6R (636) and also a blade. However not really looking to buy at the moment. I know this sounds really bad because where's the point in test riding if I'm not to serious about getting it (wasting salesman time etc) but I want to see what their all like.

Age wise yes I do agree. I'm 27 however not stocky or tall or big muscles etc I'm pretty short and in all honesty people judge my age very quickly so prob make their minds up thinking I'm just a kid in a dead end job thinking I can ride like Rossi when actually I'm pretty careful and been out on the road since I was 17 haha!! Think I might try later in the summer - might use Andy's idea and just ring up then they have to just allow it!!

[Monty]

What would happen if you binned a dealer's bike, anyone know.?

Mate of mine binned a dealers Street Triple about 30 yards down the road. Cost him a grand which was the excess.

Possibly the most expensive 30 yards ever travelled!

[Perkles]

ive read a few reports that the 899 feels quite slow to ride ,one was from an owner who competes in the bsb support races and was comparing it to his race spec ktm rc8r

I'd say the 899 is a bit faster than my 675. .It's definitely more 600 than litre. But it's a dam quick 600 and I thought perfect for the road.

He did say at the end of his test ride his lap time were similar so In real terms it's feckin quick

[duke63]

Thanks everyone. Only reason I ask is I really want to test the ZX6R (636) and also a blade. However not really looking to buy at the moment. I know this sounds really bad because where's the point in test riding if I'm not to serious about getting it (wasting salesman time etc) but I want to see what their all like.

Age wise yes I do agree. I'm 27 however not stocky or tall or big muscles etc I'm pretty short and in all honesty people judge my age very quickly so prob make their minds up thinking I'm just a kid in a dead end job thinking I can ride like Rossi when actually I'm pretty careful and been out on the road since I was 17 haha!! Think I might try later in the summer - might use Andy's idea and just ring up then they have to just allow it!!

Demo bikes are there to be used.

Worst they can say is No. Its good to try out other bikes to see whether you like it or not. The only bike i ever bought without trying one first, was my 600 Bandit.

[Blade]

I ve bought all my bikes without a test ride and loved them all with one exception. I test rode an sp2 which I hated and later bought and then spent 8k making me like it a bit more. Now that there's not much of the original bike left its grown on me a little.

Perhaps I m not a good example of what to do.

[Rossgo]

Duke your right I man up I think and just try my odds with random dealers haha!! No harm no foul! Going off to Swindon blade tomorrow with my dad if it's ok weather. Going to see what stock they got if they offer a ride I might take it!

[Blade]

Your a potential customer and entitled to a test ride before any purchase Rossgo. Don't feel like their doing you a favour as there not. Your a customer and they should treat you as such. If you decide not to buy the bike after the test ride that's your privilege.

Try as many as you can and enjoy the looking is my advice.

[duke63]

Take your licence and another form of ID, Rossgo.