Noob question - Test ride

[155mph]

OK, so I've held my full license for all of 5 days. Went into a dealer today to look at a barely used Tracer 700. Asked if I could arrange test ride. Politely declined. Said trade insurance requires minimum 1 year full license for test ride. Offered to take me pillion instead.

Is the dealer trying one on?

I mean fair enough, I bought my first bike untested but that was on a provisional license and I had no insurance. But my insurance now covers me to ride other bikes with owner's permission.

Might try other dealers this weekend.

[ADSrox0r]

Entirely their prerogative, they don't have to give you a test ride and the conditions of such are also entirely theirs to enforce.

Look at it this way, fella walks in full of piss and vinegar just passed his test wants a go on your bike. Would you be happy for him to wobble off the forecourt on it?
____________________
Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[arry]

[6r4h4m]

Must just depend on the dealer. They've been been entirely sanguine with me.

[Alpineandy]

It's not unusual.
It's more unusual that you're spending so much on your 1st big bike....
____________________
The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[ZX-7R]

[Rogerborg]

Common enough. If they're not offering anything in return for a dealer premium, your money is better of going elsewhere. You could tell them why they lost a sale, although I doubt they'll see it as the helpful information that it actually is.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[155mph]

Thanks, all very good points. I see their position now. Dealer is straight and offering good PX.

[Ste]

I bought a new car from a dealer when I was younger than their minimum age for their test driver insurance so the sales guy went and got his manager to phone the insurance company to sort out the insurance.

From that I'd assume that the dealer could sort it with their insurance company so that you can go for a test ride despite only having held a UK license for a few days.

Are you intending on buying from a dealer?

[Rogerborg]

[155mph]

[Evil Hans]

Remember to factor in the fact that your 125 insurer might not want to insure a bigger bike ... cancellation fees / admin fees on insurance are a fackin' joke these days.

I moved over to a bigger bike the day my 125 insurance expired ... so got my full no claims, and maximum flexibility on picking a new insurance co.
____________________
Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Ste]

Yeah the salesman came along on the test drive but it was my age that was the problem. The manager phoned their insurance people who wanted a photocopy of both parts of my license. Job done, test drive time.

[155mph]

[Azoth]

[chris-red]

I'd turn up with the cash and wave it at them see if their policy suddenly changes.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[andys675]

they're only in the same boat as us, annual renewal comes around and get some quotes, if the broker or underwriter won't cover you then there's not much they can do, apart from explain properly or make the effort to at least try.

local dealer to me has ex-demo A2 licence bikes for sale with no mileage on them, as they can't insure for test rides under 25yrs old or less than 2 years experience, the only people who need an A2 bike!
____________________
Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[andyscooter]

[Ste]

Would you have bought it after the test ride assuming everything was good with the bike?

You could try going back and attempt to reason with them but if you have to hassle them when you're trying to buy the bike then it's probably best to go and find a different bike to buy.

There's 26 of them on eBay at the moment to choose from. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Motorcycles-Scooters/422/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=yamaha+tracer+700

[bamt]

[155mph]

[Ste]

Be interesting to hear what their riding is like.

[ZX-7R]

[andyscooter]