Newbie wanting a test ride

Where are you located? Anywhere it might be a minor day trip to a dealer that does have one to test ride? Would be worth it if that is possible.

They must let you test ride the bike. If not at that dealer, than at another one. Do you live in an area where there are other Honda bike dealers close by?

Only other advice I can give you is to watch test rides on youtube and read other peoples' opinions on forums and bike sites.

I would just start calling around to see who does have one that can be test ridden, good luck, keep us posted.

We're hearing about a few dealers that are weird like that, for some reason they have no desire to stock this bike, let alone allow test rides. Best bet is to call around. You might have to plan a longer trip to a dealer that's farther away, but it's definitely worth it to ride it yourself. No you tube vid will take the place of the actual experience (nothing personal, Dubbs!), like let you feel the seat, the riding position, or just how the bike goes when you crack the wick. It will be worth the extra time it takes, and I'm sure the dealer that lets you ride one won't mind the business, either.

There are multiple dealers with-in 2 hours of me (so.IND) and I haven't approached either yet about their test ride policy but plan to do so soon I hope.

At least 2 of them are in a bad location as far as traffic is concerned but I know of one that might work out a little farther out.

It galls me that the local 2 dealers can expect you to buy a bike without riding it but I guess they can set their policy the way they see fit but as many bikes as I have bought in the past, neither have ever got my business and probably never will.

Thanks for the replies.

Smaller dealers don't have enough bikes to let you test ride them. Once the bike has been ridden, it has to be sold at a discount. If they only have one, they're not going to let you ride it.

I bought a bike once that had been test ridden and it had issues. I'll never buy another one that other people have ridden.

New is new. Test ridden bikes are no longer new.

I understand that to a point but unless the bike has been a demo for a long time, they still try and sell it as new.

Most dealers around my area do allow test rides and will sell a bike as new even if there is 10-15 miles on the meter and sometimes more. They usually don't discount as used until the miles build up somewhere over ~30 miles or so, they rotate what bikes they allow a test ride on! They also usually have more than one. I did my my Burgman at a very slight discount but that was because it was a "new" 05 model and had been on the floor for just over a year. Not many, but a few, miles on that odometer. There is one dealer I know of in the area that will not allow a test ride until there is a commitment to buy. I prefer to test BEFORE I buy to decide if it is worth buying or not, so I won't ever be going to this dealer for a bike.

Had a different experience at my local dealer. Went in for a test ride a week before I got the bike. Went back the following Saturday just to ask questions and talk about scenarios for getting me off my Tiger 800. Was intending to get back on the Tiger at some point and resume my planned day ride. At one point the sales guy sensed an opening (or weakness?) and shrewedly suggested I go out for another test ride. I ended up buying it when I got back.

that sales person sure got ya

The dealer I bought from doesn't usually do test rides until they think you're serious about purchasing that bike. But another dealer in MA had a bunch before mine came in, so I drove up, and even told him that I was waiting on delivery already but just wanted to take a test ride. He took a pic of my license and insurance card and then handed me the keys. If he hadn't been in MA (royal p.i.a. registering a vehicle in RI purchased out of state), I might have bought one on the spot and cancelled my then late order. But then I might also have not bought the one I really wanted, so it all worked out anyway.

I may have secured a test ride tomorrow at a dealer about an hour and half away. I should find out tomorrow.

Hoping I don't like the way it rides as much as I like the looks. I just bought an FZ-09 that I love but hurts my aging back too much to ride and I will have to figure out how to trade. LOL

I take it you all love yours?

norton said:

I may have secured a test ride tomorrow at a dealer about an hour and half away. I should find out tomorrow.

Hoping I don't like the way it rides as much as I like the looks. I just bought an FZ-09 that I love but hurts my aging back too much to ride and I will have to figure out how to trade. LOL

I take it you all love yours?

Click to expand...

Hate to say it, but yeah.

Oh what am I saying, I don't hate to say it at all.

Enjoy the test ride.... and the ride home!

norton said:

I may have secured a test ride tomorrow at a dealer about an hour and half away. I should find out tomorrow.

Hoping I don't like the way it rides as much as I like the looks. I just bought an FZ-09 that I love but hurts my aging back too much to ride and I will have to figure out how to trade. LOL

I take it you all love yours?

Click to expand...

Hope they give you a really good trade

yep, love mine