Kawasaki don't want my money!

[map]

Phoning around, as you do, musing over changing bikes.
Looking for a tourer (someone has to).

So 'phoned BMW dealer and more than happy to help. Test ride sir, no problem. Let us know what you're interested in and if we haven't got it we'll try and arrange one.

'Phoned Kawasaki dealer about the new GTR1400. No we haven't plans for a demo model. Each dealer only allocated about 3 bikes each this year. We have pre-orders on this bike. Pointed out politely that BMW appear happy to arrange test rides. Was told 'well go there then' and 'phone put down on me .

So I guess I'm not going to be spending any money with them then.

Arranging test rides appears to be a common problem.
Any other comments on dealer reactions to questions?
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[dainesefreak]

I think it's obvious that you are nothing more than a no good yob, accept it.

Never had a problem with test rides, in fact I keep getting shite through the post offering. I've had Harley, Yamaha, BMW and Honda now offering test rides and demo days so far this year, the weather has put me off a couple I'd planned on. As you can see I'd not lowered my ambitions down to Kawasakis level.

[Bishbash]

Yeah, test rides can be a problem with some dealers...Infinity for instance. I live near their HQ and they would not let you test ride. It really is different strokes for different folks really, some will throw bikes at you to ride whilst others will almost tell you sex and travel.


What Kawasaki do you want then?

BB
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[map]

[gavin]

unfortunately many bike dealers are still the oil soaked rags they have been since the year dot.

if you buy a triumph or a BMW the mentality is refreshingly different; they both have a franchised car dealer based ethos.

if you cant get a testride, maybe complain to kawasaki direct, get the number of their area rep and their customer service team, them they are losing your custom by their own indifference, they may well be more receptive than the dealer.
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1988 TZR125 : 1990 RD350YPVS/ RGV250 HYBRID : 1982 RD80LC : 1983 RD80LC : 1994 RGV250 : 1991 TZR125 / CR500R HYBRID : 1976 BENELLI 500 QUATTRO : 2006 TRIUMPH 675

[Hairy Ben]

[G]

I can't help thinking that maybe BMW are happy to offer test rides because they make more profit per bike, while a 'better value' bike, especially one which is very popular, the garage isn't going to want to lose money on one for test rides when they could sell it.

Personally, I've found the 'oil soaked rag' dealers tend to be more flexible than shiny-car-showroom style ones. But then I've never enquired about new bikes - which may well be different as it's the bread-and-butter sales for the shiny ones while it's more likely to be an occasional-sale for a 'traditional' shop.

[ZRX61]

Having been riding Kaw's for over 30 years I can tell you that I buy them in spite of their dealers, not because of them.... Buncha useless cunts the lot of em.. & I've worked at 5 different dealerships...

[iooi]

[Finglonga]

Where I got My 1150GS from send me invites every now and again asking me if I want to go on a test ride of one of the new bikes.

They also arrange days where you can go down and have a group test ride that lasts half an hour. You then return and swap to a different bike and off you go again and so on and so on.

*edit*

Map . . . might be worht ringing Kawasaki Uk or e-mail them and tell them what happened. I am sure they will be interested that their staff are turning away business. Could cost them a fortune as most bikers stick with one brand for a few years before swapping loyalties.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Wooly R6]

And out of interest - What dealer was it?

Last time i went into a Kawasaki dealer i felt like the invisible man!!!

Not even a hello!!
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[thegubner]

The Motorcycle centre in stockport has just got a Kawasaki franchise they are really helpful in there, they used to have a triumph franchise and I have nothing but good things.

Bit far for you, but for any one near stockport, its worth a look.

[froggeh]

I think the test ride system in the UK is utter shit.

You wouldn't dream of buying a new car without a test drive, yet the dealers actively discourage it...

I went to a kawasaki, triumph, aprilia dealer in Wigan, and it was £25 for a test ride (refundable on purchase), and you had to have had your license for 2? years.

I moved to Sweden, walked into a Honda dealer, and all he wanted was to see my licence. The keys were mine for the next hour or so.

[Kaben]

[dainesefreak]

I was talking to the dealer I bought my bike from about test rides, he was saying that they really play it by ear. They don't advertise a test fleet but if someone asks they weigh them up and then tell them that they have a staff bike they can use. He said it really cuts down on the damage and time wasters. I suppose at the end of the day we're all human and sometimes it a simple as can't be asked.

[Bishbash]

Kaben,

Has that changed recently? I was in there about 2 years ago and they simply said 'No, we do not allow test rides' and I have been riding for years.

But, I can see that you would get idiots on the bikes that scratch and damage them.

Might ask if they do it now actually, would like to try the VTR1000.

Thanks for the update.

BB
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My current bikes are - YZF-R1 & GS 500 E

Trackday videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/bishbash13

[Psychonaut]

I got my testride at streetbike, I got the salesman to pull a bike out to sit on and explained thet I wanted the 600rr but was worried about it hurting my wrists as it would be used all year round not just a Sunday toy.
He said that the best way for me to tell would be to go out on one and gave me the keys 20 mins later.
Didn't even have to ask (but I did just happen to have all my bike gear in the back of the car )
I was on their books however as the prev bike (125) was bought from them so that prob helped with credability.
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Prev CBR600RR (06) Orange/Black
CBR1000RR (09) Repsol
Now Ducati 1199 Panigale

[map]

[Chriss]

Hi, my Dad does insurance for one of the dealers round here, if you saw the price of insurance for them, and the restrictions that are placed on them, you'd realise why they're so difficult to come by.

Orrell Motorcycle Centre (Wigan dealer, deals in Aprilia, Triumph etc, already mentioned) can't offer a test ride unless you've been riding 2 years as a restriction, not through thier choice. I imagine the charge is to help prevent the "I'm thinking of hooning round on an RSV for a few hours, with no intention to buy please." type of people.

Few bad apples ruin it for the rest, maybe?
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[gavin]

the insurance excess on my 675 test ride was £1000, and thats because im over 30 and been riding more than 15 years. for anyone under those requirements it was £2000.........and if you were under 25.....no dice!
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1988 TZR125 : 1990 RD350YPVS/ RGV250 HYBRID : 1982 RD80LC : 1983 RD80LC : 1994 RGV250 : 1991 TZR125 / CR500R HYBRID : 1976 BENELLI 500 QUATTRO : 2006 TRIUMPH 675

[Steve_k]

I tried getting a gxsr1000 test ride from that dealer no chance even though i bought a Z1000 off them only last year they will haggle on price if you push them hard though I found the best deal on the net and said match that and you have a sale left my contact details and walked out 2 days later and a couple of offers later it worked for me

[sagalout]

I'm amazed by this thread. The dealer I've bought all my bikes from is superb. No problems getting an hours long testride on anything. In fact if you ask very nicely, weekend long rides have been known!

[G]

[mchaggis]

Dunno, it seems to me that a lot of dealers/ mechanics behave like pricks. Getting them not to be dicks can be difficult if you're not waving money under their nose but just want something like advice or parts infomation.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[shonajoy]

I had the same problem with the dealer near me- I'm in Glasgow They also ignored me and spoke to the husband, then were totally unhelpful.

I went up to Perth Kawasaki, and couldn't have got better service. I wrote to the crap dealership and complained to the manager, and got an apology and a lot of excuses, so I took my money elsewhere.
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Shona