we dont do test rides.....

simonthepiema... · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 27 Jan 2005 Karma :

I was in a big shop today looking for a helmet (one of the large out of town stores) and got chatting to one of the sales guys/ perhaps even the owner - wasn't sure, and he said they didn't do test rides on bikes! (not that I was buying but if i was) Is this standard practice??

he said all our bikes have a warranty and are very good etc but if I was parting with 4 grand I would at least like to now I am going to feel happy on my new bike. Now I understand he doesnt want hayabusa test pilots coming in all day going for test rides and doing burnouts round the corner but if a car dealer didnt offer you a test drive ina 4 grand car youd tell him to where to go. or is it just me?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

There are plenty of reasons for not doing test rides.

However, in my experience, the decent places normally do allow test rides. The more sales-focused places often care less about service and more about getting sales thought the door.

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

I work at a bike shop. We are not as big as CMC or Pidcocks but we are by no means small. We have a good selection of bikes. We are insured for test rides, but it is not standard practise to offer them. If a customer seems really interested then we will OFFER a test ride, the people who normally ask for a test ride are the tyre kickers. Normally you can tell them a mile off. A genuine customer will have a really good chat with the saleman and a proper good scout around the bike first, then the salesman will offer a test ride if he thinks the customer is serious enough and it may clinch a deal. The tyre kickers are the ones who give the bike a quick glance and then say, "I'm after one of these R6's, can I have a test ride, I might buy it".
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DM · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Karma :

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

Interesting.

I took my bike for a test ride, but that was after I'd paid my disposit on the bike.

It was a Honda main dealer, and I know they do test rides.

I'd walk away from a garage that refused me to take it for a ride.

It's only them that are losing out!
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Villers · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Karma :

If I requested a test ride and was declined I would buy the bike somewhere else where I could, simple as. May even go as far as taking it back to the decliners to make sure they know they lost a sale.

True Blue · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Karma :

Victor devines in Glasgow wouldn't give me a test ride on one of their bikes. I bought a bike elsewhere. I was in a few days later to look at some bike gear and the salesman came over straight away. " You in for another look at the bike" he said. No thanks mate, I bought one elsewhere.

I think it was about then that he clicked that I was actually serious about buying it. Rolling Eyes

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Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

There are various insurance reasons why you might not get a test ride, eg yesterday me and Goose were in a Triumph shop and the guy said he'd have no problem giving goose a ride on anything up to 600cc, but over that their insurance won't cover them. He did offer to call up and try and get one-off cover in the week though.

Another dealership, a much bigger one, were cool with any engine size as long as he had the licence to back it up.

I reckon the little dealers are the ones who'll struggle with the required insurance cos I bet it's damned expensive.

Davo · Davo To The Rescue! Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Karma :

The shop where I bought my Hayabusa from let me take quite a number of bikes out for a test ride.

I just went in there with lid and leathers. Had to pay to test ride the bike though (£20/hour) but this was deducted from the purchase of the bike.

Let me ride any size bike, although did want proof that I was serious when I asked to take the busa out for a spin, just showed them the insurance quote on their web browser and show them a mini statement from the cashpoint to show I had the money for the bike in my account.

Really didn't fancy crashing though as there was a £750 excess on their policy.

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

I would never by a bike if I wasn't able to test ride it first. Any garage that refuses are not serious about selling the bike. As for small garages not being able to afford the insurance, I still find it hard to see how my friends at DMA Racing can afford to let people take Tornados/TNTs/F4s out for demos, but they do and it nearly always results in a sale. Maybe they can't afford not to allow test rides Confused

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romperstomper... · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Karma :

When I purchased my bike I thought it a bit strange that you couldn't test ride it , I wouldn't dream of buying a car without a test ride ! Still it was the last one in the showroom and unregistered so they had a reasonable excuse !
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :