getting test rides

[Keen]

Hi

I was wondering, how easy is it to get test rides on new bikes from dealers?
I'm taking the piss a little bit (I only got my hornet not long ago and I'm not looking at buying anything for ages) but I wouldn't mind a quick go on some sporty 600's to see how they compare. Can you just walk into a dealers and ask for one?
I don't look entirely trustworthy to be honest, I'm 22, have long hair and I'm a bit scruffy, will they tell me to get lost? will lots of bullshit be required?
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[veeeffarr]

Think there's a minimum age for new sports 600's.

Best bet is to turn up neat, in full leathers and ask politely.

[spitfire]

Think it's best to find a local dealer that you like and build up a relationship with one of the sales guys, once you have been in a few times and they know your face they are much more likely to take you seriously.

Finding someone you know who has already used the dealer before will also help, you can call or walk in and say "Hello I'm Daves mate he just bought an R6 from you and said you were good to deal with, thought I would come to you as I'm thinking of changing my bike" type thing.

Or look at a few "nearly" new bikes in Autotrader, it's surprising how many fools will let you have a go!

cheers

[Milo]

I've never had a problem, but i do go in giving the "I'm looking at buying" impression.
Best bet would be to look on their internet site and pick a second hand model to test drive. Give them a call asking if it would be okay to pop down to test drive it to give them time to prepare it and Robert's your mothers' brother.

If you go looking for a new model at 22 they'll probably know you're not interested in buying.

I'm currently 22 and have had no problems - even test driving the R1100S.

I had some problems when I was under 21 as their insurance didn't cover it.
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Shaft drives rule.

[craigs23]

Haven't taken full advantage of demo bikes; but I'm tempted this spring - afterall - for all they know I'll be a full paying customer. Depends where you go as well I presume; bigger outlets might go 'by the book', smaller places might be more 'yeah sure mate'. I've taken a few used bikes for test rides from dealers - was a case of enquiring about the bike over the phone, turning up with my licence/insurance certificate and then having a proper look around the bike.

As mentioned, I'd like to take a few demo bikes for a spin - see what the new 6's are like, maybe a couple of thou's. My local dealer asks for a passport, insurance, licence plus about £20 an hour for a go. I'm what you turn up on will determine what they're likely to have a go on. For example, last year, turning up on my RVF, I presume they would let me have a go on a modern day 600, maybe a 750. Turning up on my Blade now, I can't imagine them not letting me loose on any of their demo bikes.

[LeonClayton]

Went to rob wiltshires in hampshire and was given a cup of coffee and asked directly if i would like a ride. He handn`t got a gsxr 1000 but he let me on the sv1000s and my m8 on a gsxr1400.

Had a right blast and almost looped the sv1000s. So much torque. We both went back.

I bought a GSXR750 and my m8 went back 1 year l8r and bought a gsxr1000.

The moral to this story is dont beg, if the garage wants your business they will offer you a ride. They have the bikes there for it. Get friendly with them and it just happens.

just my too pence.

[DAF]

You'll find that different dealers have different policies and it might also depend on how long you've had a licence for. Having only done my DAS last year one of the dealers I looked at wasn't prepared to let me have a test ride because I'd had a full bike licence for less than 12 months; they claimed it was a limitation of their insurance policy. Then went to another dealer and they were fine; I just left my licence and test pass docs with them and signed an indemnity in case of any damage.

It probably also helps if you come across as purposeful and keen to do business; they're less likely to bother if you come across as a timewaster. Might help if you give the long hair a wash as well (Only jealous, I don't have that much )
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2005 Yam Fazer (FZ6-S)

[it really is that quick]

frasers of gloucster let me take out sv650 after passing test 2 weeks before. the guy was really helpful (almost insistent that i took something out) even offered gsxr600, and r6 (but i politely declined his generous offer). i did end up buying a bike from him top bloke

wouldnt be so bloody stupid now, its a case of yeah give me the bloody keys and i'll see you in an hour

rob
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not just any short of winnah... But a Sahf East Winnah

i dont look like your average hortifuckingculturist

[colin1]

One dealer wdnt let me go on any sports bikes. Another dealer wdnt let me go on anything as their insurance was only for people who had had their DAS for 12 months.

Streetbike let me try out several bikes. They didnt have a porblem with me trying sports bikes but thought a supermoto wd be too much of a handful for me. Im not quite suire why.

I wouldnt ask to try out new bikes, only 2nd hand bikes.

If you want a test ride, talk like someone with money burning a hole in your pocket. 'Ive got £xxxx to spend on a bike, what have you got for that much ?'

The place that was sniffiest about letting me test ride, didnt prepare the bikes properly, and one fell apart on test ride and i had to tie the bit back on. The salesman was very embarassed
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[riichy]

best thing to do is get to know them, like people have said...... i went to my local dealer at 17. i new them becouse i got my ped there.....

they let my test ride a CBR400 ..... even said i could go out on a 600cc, as one of the guys said he would come with me...

get to know your local dealer,. works wonders
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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

[ayfy]

so after the test ride how do you walk away? do you just say, I'll have a think about it and let you know? but if you keep going back to the dealer he's going to keep hassling you about it, decided yet, decided yet.

And after you've bagged a couple of test rides and politley declined afterwards won't they cotton on and think this guys taking the p!ss when you ask for another test ride.

[Doddmaster]

I'm 21 next month, gonna get a test ride on a few Harleys and Buells. As long as you turn up on a bike/car that is worth a few bob, they should have no problem about giving you a test ride

[colin1]

I turned up on a tatty old thing but still got test rides.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[quacker_boy]

i just blagged myself a test ride on an 06 R6! haha!!! roll on next week!! i'll let you all know how it goes

[craigs23]

[ISLAND GIRL]

[PsychoHippy]

I usually find that turning up on the Benelli and sniffing around a few new bikes is all that is needed. The sales staff always seem to fall over themselves trying to get demo bikes sorted for me
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I spend all my money on bikes and beer, the rest I simply waste!