Being refused a test ride due to new rider?

[Mark_UK]

So, Im looking at buying an FZ6 over the next few days. Part-ex terms have been agreed. I asked about a test ride, and was told that as I'd only passed my full test a day ago, I couldn't have a test ride as I need to have 12 months under my belt first. Fair enough, I wouldn't trust a new rider either.

I accepted this, and asked the bosss if instead I can buy the bike, then take the bike for an hour, and if i doesn't work for me after an hour, come back and get a refund. he agreed to this.
What do I need to be looking for?

Edited to add: I asked if there is any chance to agreeing to a higher XS, but was told this is not n option.

What should I be checkng for?
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CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[P.]

Buy one privately. Cheaper and get test ride.

Otherwise, usual stuff, check all gears select well, check it doesn't drop out of any when giving it some beans, check for cold and hot starting issues.

Likelihood, it'll be ok. But you never know.

[ZX-7R]

[Bozzy]

I think you've about covered it. Just give him the readies to hold whilst you ride it. If you break it, you buy it.
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2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[Rogerborg]

Do the standard pre-ride checks that you should have been taught on your CBT. Don't assume the dealer has done anything beyond hosing it down and marking it up £1,500 higher than what they paid for it.

I assume that you've already checked and negotiated based on the condition of the consumables, but check that it starts easily from cold, revs freely, that the left bits make it change gears and the right bits make it go and stop.

It'll be hard to be rational at first, although do be honest with yourself about whether you enjoy revving it to reach the performance.

I'd expect the dealer's agreement to take it back will last right up until the point that your money is in their hands. Peace of mind.
____________________
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

[Commuter_Tim]

[Kentol750]

Maybe you should go elsewhere, to a dealer that allows test rides for new riders. The more people that do it, the better it will get in the long term. It's nothing new and it's not fair on the type of person who needs a test ride to know if they like a bike.
____________________
Some bikes.

[J4mes]

[Mark_UK]

Thanks all Very useful.
____________________
CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[Rogerborg]

[Mark_UK]

Ah. I've signed the paperwork and paid the deposit.

They are a very respected dealership in my area, so I would expect them to honour their agreement. As mentioned above I won't be able to test it to it's full potential due to the new tyres (and my noobishness) but it is having a full service and MOT before I collect on Friday, and will have a three month warranty, which I might extend.
____________________
CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[Ste]

They are a very respected dealership who won't let you test ride a bike before buying it?

What's their name?

Are they trying to hide something, do they think you'll go and buy privately after test riding or is it just that they can't be bothered to make a short phone call to their insurance company to arrange the necessary cover?

Do remember that by and large warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on.

[Rogerborg]

[P.]

[MarJay]

I think it's perfectly reasonable on the dealers side. You could spanner yourself and the bike on your first ride for all they know. It's a logical risk reduction strategy.

Additionally It's not normally down to the dealer themselves, rather to their insurer who decides who can and cannot take test rides. Naming and shaming the dealer is pretty pointless tbh.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Bozzy]

I agree with the above. It sounds like they've been perfectly reasonable to me, after all it is their bike and their right to a test drive policy. If it were my garage, I wouldn't want new riders test riding my bikes - insured or not. It isn't worth the hassle of a new rider dropping it or worse, smashing into somebody else and having a 3rd party claiming from the business insurance.

Congratulations on your new purchase OP. I'm sure you'll be really pleased with it! Get some pictures up and let us know how it is.

Oh, small tip; Don't ask for the old oil + filter as proof they have serviced it.... They'll think you're a grade A c*nt.

Enjoy your new bike op
____________________
2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[Mark_UK]

Thank you again for all your advice.
I won't be asking for the old oil filter. This post was to ask for advice on what to check for due to not being allowed a test ride, not a post to defame a dealership for not giving a test ride.

Ste, Paddy and Rogerborg, I've read a HUGE amount of stuff that you have posted over the last 5 years or so, and you know what you are talking about, but I trust this sales guy implicitly. We have talked about the deaths of our Mothers and Fathers over the last few months in depth, and I do not believe for one second that this guy would be out to rip me off. If I am wrong, then Martyn, my sales guy, can only be Tritey.

I appreciate that they may not want to trust a total noob with a big bike. I won''t be sliding it on the floor in the first hour. To be honest I probably won't be going over 70mph in the first 4 months!

"you broke it you bought it" I accept. That would be my own stupid fault.

Marjay and Bozzy, I'm so glad you replied. This morning I was starting to think that people on here were thinking I was the new Arcane. Thank you
____________________
CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[Ste]

What's the dealers name?

[Mark_UK]

PM'd.
____________________
CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[Ste]

[Mark_UK]

What does that mean?
Edit: Ah popcorn. You are expecting some lolz. Well I hope you are wrong, but let's see what happens. Hopefully I can Lolz back, but if not, lessonz can be learned.
Would you like to elaborate and let me know what I can expect?
____________________
CBT passed 02/02/17, Theory passed 21/02/17, Mod 1 passed 10/07/17, Mod 2 passed 14/07/17
MT-125 03/17, FZ600 07/17

[Kentol750]

Bozzy and his ilk are wrong. You go and get a test ride or walk away. Dealers make ķkks, don't buy the bullshit.
____________________
Some bikes.

[Rogerborg]

[stevo as b4]

I'd go into the dealers all agitated and look confused. Tell them that you have the cash for X bike or any of its rivals. Then say you've spent a couple of months looking at them trying to decide which one to buy, and which is the best?

Tell them not one dealer out there will let you test ride the bikes and you've not ridden any of them, so you have no idea how they compare or which is best for you? Maybe they'll take pity and offer a test ride if they smell a cash purchase being encouraged out of you.

I've done it in the past more for sounding out the dealer than anything else too. Don't go in all confident knowing what bike you definitely want, and see what they say.

If I went into a Yamaha dealer and the sales guy said the R6 is massively better than a CBR or GSXR etc, or that the other bikes were shit or full of problems, I'd never trust a word they said. If they said there's nothing between say an R6 and a ZX6R or that the ZX6R was a tiny bit better but the R6 was £400 cheaper or had another advantage over the other bike, I'd take the bloke for a straight talking trust worthy person I might want to buy a bike from.

If they say anything that's Bullshit or rubbish a comparible rival bike then I'd just think total wanker will say anything to sell his own, not interested.

[BTTD]