John Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 so why is it that you can test ride a ducati, triumph or BMW before you buy it but not a japanese bike?is no test rides a dealership policy or a manufacturer policy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 so why is it that you can test ride a ducati, triumph or BMW before you buy it but not a japanese bike?is no test rides a dealership policy or a manufacturer policy?When you test ride a bike, they are demos. BMW, Ducati, KTM, Triumph, and several others have excellent demo programs. They allow the dealer to sell it later for a helluva price and still make a profit. As I understand it, the Japanese manufacturers don't offer great demo programs if at all, so dealers have to sell those bikes at a loss when the new bikes come in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler524 Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 This is one thing stopping me from buying a new bike. I want a test ride before I drop 10 grand on something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carwhore Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 humm I didnt know KTM did test rides. Bout to go to wheelsports lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightRider Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 I think that if you have a valid motorcycle endorsement you should be able to test ride a bike. It's kinda bs. Obviously, there are some kinks you would have to work out. One option would be...to have customer/possible buyer sign a waiver, stating that if customer/rider dumps/wrecks, or causes any physical damage to the bike that person is 100% responsible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked1 Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 Some places let you test ride any bike you want- others won't let anyone. All depends on the dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 They'll let you ride a used one not the new one so ride a used of the same model, not gonna be a big difference. Keeps people from swinging by for a joy ride. Besides they're new and gonna run fine, sit on em find the one you like and buy it. Pretty simple really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 Some places let you test ride any bike you want- others won't let anyone. All depends on the dealer.Bingo. If you walk in just to test ride and aren't serious, it is doubtful you'll get to ride anything. There's no issue with it being a demo or not. And, the Japanese allow demos on bikes. Not sure why that was stated - they do.The demo idea isn't solely for test riding. It is a way for the dealer to use that bike for marketing and events and to ride on a daily basis for feedback to customers and to allow customers a chance to ride the bike with no issues or strings attached.However, if you meet the financing requirements, are a serious buyer and are wanting to test ride, you'll get to. But, as stated by Wicked - it is a dealer by dealer basis as some will not allow it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YSR_Racer_99 Posted September 10, 2010 Report Share Posted September 10, 2010 Learned my lesson on this one. I've always thought it was "funny" that I test-drove cars before buying them (whether new OR used), but never a bike. Bought a KTM 625SMC off of a dealer without asking for a test ride. Awesome bike except for one thing: It vibrated so badly that it blurred my vision. Didn't get better with time, and had it back to the dealer, whom I trust, but he wasn't able to fix it. Sold the bike two years later with only about 2k on the clock. Won't make that mistake again. If I'm approved, and endorsed, I will ride the bike before buying it. Really did love the KTM except the vibration thing. On another note, if a car dealer lets you test drive a new car, is it then a used car? Because of 15 miles or so on the clock? I don't think most buyers would view it that way. Just my $.01 (used to be two cents, until the government decided that someone else was more deserving of half of my money). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted September 11, 2010 Report Share Posted September 11, 2010 Bingo. If you walk in just to test ride and aren't serious, it is doubtful you'll get to ride anything. There's no issue with it being a demo or not. And, the Japanese allow demos on bikes. Not sure why that was stated - they do.The demo idea isn't solely for test riding. It is a way for the dealer to use that bike for marketing and events and to ride on a daily basis for feedback to customers and to allow customers a chance to ride the bike with no issues or strings attached.However, if you meet the financing requirements, are a serious buyer and are wanting to test ride, you'll get to. But, as stated by Wicked - it is a dealer by dealer basis as some will not allow it...I said their demo programs for dealers wasn't as good as the ones I listed. For instance, BMW's demo program (I've heard) is the best. The dealers can sell those demos for dirt and make money on the deal. This is because of the huge discount they give for demos. As far as I know, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki do not offer that great of a demo discount. This is just as I understand it from a few folks who own dealerships. I've asked this very question before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Posted September 11, 2010 Report Share Posted September 11, 2010 Learned my lesson on this one. I've always thought it was "funny" that I test-drove cars before buying them (whether new OR used), but never a bike. Bought a KTM 625SMC off of a dealer without asking for a test ride. Awesome bike except for one thing: It vibrated so badly that it blurred my vision. Didn't get better with time, and had it back to the dealer, whom I trust, but he wasn't able to fix it. Sold the bike two years later with only about 2k on the clock. Won't make that mistake again. If I'm approved, and endorsed, I will ride the bike before buying it. Really did love the KTM except the vibration thing. On another note, if a car dealer lets you test drive a new car, is it then a used car? Because of 15 miles or so on the clock? I don't think most buyers would view it that way. Just my $.01 (used to be two cents, until the government decided that someone else was more deserving of half of my money).15 miles on a car is very different than 15 miles on a bike, at least in my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted September 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2010 On another note, if a car dealer lets you test drive a new car, is it then a used car? Because of 15 miles or so on the clock? I don't think most buyers would view it that wayyou are going to be hard pressed to find a car on a lot that has zero miles on it. most cars that come off the truck at a dealership have 15 to 20 miles on it. they get driven at the factory, they get driven in the shipping areas, they get driven onto and off of the truck etc.now, technically a car is "new" as soon as it rolls off the line, and once someone gets in and drives it out to the storage lot it is "used"at the dealership "new" just means never titled. notice, they dont sell "used" cars, they sell pre-owned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.