Test Ride Question

[Swansea_Biker]

Hi Guys and Gals. Its been a while since i have had a bike and im looking to get back into it again.

I have been doing a fair bit of research and have narrowed down a few possibilities but i really want to test ride a few to see which one suits me now.

Problem is i have never gone to a dealer for a test drive (Im looking to buy new) and i don't really know the etiquette.

Is it acceptable to book a test ride, do it and then leave or will i be expected to have a seat while they try to sell it to me?

Thanks guys.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Go and talk to the dealer. If you can find a multi franchise that has all of the bikes you want then that would be quickest and easiest. Then just book a test ride of the ones you want to try and go from there.
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[Rogerborg]

From my very limited experience of dealers, new demo bikes are few and far between, they're not motivated to sell them, those that are will want to talk finance before tests ride, and you may be asked to hand over a significant excess deposit.

The exception was BMW, which might go some way to explaining why they're actually selling so many bikes.

It's really going to come down to your local dealers. It's the right time to buy though, especially without a trade-in. If you're after a non-ABS bike, haggle hard.
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[Baffler186]

Mine was simple. Dropped in one day, said I liked a bike, got a walk-around (inb4 reach-around), and a tour of the service book and history. I booked a test ride which was about 10 days later (they had to "prepare it"). I bought it, but I'm fairly sure that if I didn't like it they wouldn't have taken offence.
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[someotherguy]

[Swansea_Biker]

Thanks for the responses guys. Guess I'll just go give it a try.

[GaryJM]

Never had to have a chat about finance following a test ride.
Be upfront if you are test riding more than one.
Have to admit I tend to buy from a couple of dealers who I've got to know well over the years, so know I'll most likely be buying a decent bike.
My usual dealers have even sourced bikes for me in the past ( I.e. Makes that they don't normally stock)
I've never been asked for an upfront deposit, nor have I ever bought a bike that I've not test ridden unless it is brand spankers.
Asked for a test ride in a dealer in Glasgow once and was refused, so I left. They lost the sale. Bought a bike from a smaller place just up the road from them that did let me do a test ride.
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[Rogerborg]

[GaryJM]

[Rogerborg]

[Ste]

[Rogerborg]

[baderlfc]

I test rode a GSXR-600 at CMC Motorcycles in Newport, South Wales today.. they just asked for my license, made me sign a form agreeing to pay £500 if i binned it and handed me the keys.

Was out about 45-50 mins on the bike, went back handed the keys over.. the guy said have a think about it and let them know if i want to do a deal. Easy as that.

I'm surprised any dealer would refuse a test ride, you can't be expected to buy any of sort of vehicle without first testing it

[baderlfc]

on the other side of the coin went into thunderroad cwmbran today to have a look at a zx6r, they basically want u to apply for their finance through blackhorse before they will let you go out on the bike.. even though i told them i'd be funding any purchase myself.. seems a strange way to do business, ive never had this problem test driving cars

[Ste]

Take your money elsewhere.

The salesman almost certainly will get paid extra for selling finance.

[baderlfc]

Yeah seems that way, shame really because thats put me off thunderroad now and they are 2 minutes down the road.