no test drive for motorcycles anymore?

[Optimus Prime]

I've been looking at getting a new motorcycle lately and have run into an interesting problem. It seems that liability insurance went through the roof and absolutely zero dealers in the area allow test rides. How in the heck are you supposed to know if you like the motorcycle if you can't test drive it? A lot of the salespeople seemed to really understand my position, but they said they just couldn't keep their doors open if they had to pay the liability insurance.

Anybody else have this problem? Your thoughts? :dunno:

[elbert]

Do you have a full motorcycle license, or just a temp?

[Optimus Prime]

Do you have a full motorcycle license, or just a temp?

Full, I've been riding for 3 years, plus I've passed the MSF. None of the dealers even asked if I had a license, I asked about test drives and they just said no. Maybe I look young (23) The one dealer said that they do let you take it around the block once all the paperwork is in order for you to buy it and then if you don't like it they'll just rip up the paperwork.

I don't know, it sounds a little funny to me, but every (7) dealership in the area said the same exact thing. :dunno:

[Optimus Prime]

How can the dealer's liability be released just because you filled out the papers for you to "buy it". :dunno: Close to buying it is still not bought. Does that make it possible for you to walk by saying you don't like the bike and then go down the street and try to get a better deal? :dunno:

I think it was more, I buy it with the understanding that if I take it around the block and don't like it I can "return" it and the sale is null. :dunno: the guy explaining it was a new guy and he mighta been full of BS.

Either way it makes me a little uneasy to buy a bike I've never ridden.

[BruceX3]

I found the same thing out here....no test rides. However, I was pretty set on my bike so I bought it anyway. The thing you can do is rent the bike you want to buy (not the exact one, but the model) and test it out over a weekend. That's what my ex did before he ordered his HD Softail Deuce. He rented one and put a few hundred miles on it over the weekend to ensure it was the one he wanted. Is the MC you are interested in a brand new model or can you find one to rent somewhere? :dunno:

[gojira-san]

I dont ride it I don't buy it. Of course I go 7-8 years between moto purchases... :)

[The Roadstergal]

I was just in a Suzuki dealership looking for a bike, and they were letting a guy take a test drive on a SV1000. He had bought an SV650 from them previously; dunno if that influenced their decision.

[ctbmw]

That's nuts! Bikes aren't cheap! How do you know which bike you want to ride for a few years w/out a test ride?
Let us know what happens.
You can only get so much info from internet and brochures-you have to ride the thing!
Come to Ct.- You can sit on them and I'll make VROOOM sounds!
-Mel

[Melissa]

What were you wanting to test?

[Optimus Prime]

What were you wanting to test?

Suzuki SV650. Local dealer has a brand new 2003 for $4899. :thumbup:

[Melissa]

Hmm, so it's not a super-powered machine. Do you have any friends with this bike to let you try it out? As far as the dealer, you might just be persistent. Go back again with a helmet and gloves in your car and establish a relationship with a certain salesperson. Talk to him a lot, make him see that you are not a real novice and that you do know a bit about bikes and their operation, etc. You might need to go back a couple more times, but if you mean business, they might bend a little and let you ride around the block accompanied (or not) with the understanding that if you break it, you buy it. They might also be more willing to bend if you tested an older model, or a used one.

Have you looked in the paper locally at private sellers? Most selling understand that one needs to try it out. That's another idea.

I don't know any other options other than those and Bruce's suggestion, though I don't know of many rentals other than Harleys.

I'm quite certain Jake has been able to test ride bikes at some dealers, but not all.

Poor service is also quite common among motorcycle dealers so you might just be outta luck, but don't give up if it's a bike you really are considering.

[mattjw916]

that's lame, even the BMW Motorrad dealer let me test ride a $16000 K1200RS before I bought it and they have probably the worst service on the face of the earth.

i wouldn't have bought it if they wouldn't let me ride it...

maybe age was a factor, but I was only 26 when i bought my K12

[The Roadstergal]

Suzuki SV650. Local dealer has a brand new 2003 for $4899. :thumbup:

I was checking those out, too. A friend of mine has one - it's really an awesome bike for a decent price. :thumbup: And looks good, as well.

Too big (cc) for me, though, and too tall. I'm looking at their 250cc cruiser.

[racerdave]

I'm looking at their 250cc cruiser.

What's that, a Vespa? :dunno:

:p

[The Roadstergal]

What's that, a Vespa? :dunno:

:p


:neener:

Hey, I'm a beginning rider. And it will still be faster than my 325 (which it is replacing).

This:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GZ250K4/Default.aspx

[Melissa]

What's that, a Vespa? :dunno:

:pI would like a red Vespa. :(

Nice little bike you're looking at, Rgal! Perfect for a short beginner! :D

[Optimus Prime]

:neener:

Hey, I'm a beginning rider. And it will still be faster than my 325 (which it is replacing).

This:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GZ250K4/Default.aspx

We had a couple of those at the MSF I just took. Not really my cup of tea, but whatever blows your hair back...

:drive: :drive:

[The Roadstergal]

We had a couple of those at the MSF I just took. Not really my cup of tea, but whatever blows your hair back...

I get the feeling you're not a short beginner. ;)

[racerdave]

RG, if you couldn't take the needling, I wouldn't have needled. :D

Seriously, as a starter bike, you're going about it the right way. I knew a guy who started with a Ninja 900 back in the day and eventually laid it down, hurt himself and hasn't been on one since.

[elbert]

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/GZ250K4/Default.aspx

Do you plan on buying new or used?

[The Roadstergal]

Do you plan on buying new or used?
Either a new one that they're clearing out or a gently used, depending on pricing. I want to not be upside-down on the transition.

[Optimus Prime]

I get the feeling you're not a short beginner. ;)

You're right, I'm not a short beginner.

Everybody likes different types of bikes. I really like standard nekids with my feet right under me and straight (ish) wide handlebars. Some people like to be laid over the tank and some like to ride like their sitting on a lazy-boy.

As long as you like it and you can ride safe, than :thumbup: to you.

and speaking of vespas have you seen some of the newer "scooters" coming out? They've got relatively large engines, can easily keep up with traffic, have a ton of bells and whistles, and are very easy to operate. May not be a bad alternative.

[The Roadstergal]

I need something that can do freeway and roadtrips, though.

[racerdave]

Hittinlike... the SV650 is a cool bike. :thumbup:

Not too extreme, not too placid... and even though it's a 650, it performs like some of it's larger-displacement twin opponents.

[Optimus Prime]

I need something that can do freeway and roadtrips, though.

I wouldn't use the suzuki 250 on a freeway, ever. Those "scooters" I was talking about were made for freeway haulin.

http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/model.asp?ModelName=Silver+Wing+ABS&ModelYear=2004&ModelId=FSC600A4
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/18march02honda2002silverwing.html

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/AN650K4/Default.aspx
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/review_list_vehicle.asp?veh=9029

Just FYI

Hittinlike... the SV650 is a cool bike.

Not too extreme, not too placid... and even though it's a 650, it performs like some of it's larger-displacement twin opponents.

I've really stoked, I think it will be the perfect fit for now. :thumbup: