Should we insist on demo ride

[Kaige]

I see the dealers side of it. But if you have the license and insurance and sign a waiver I can't believe it's all that hard to have some demo bikes available that they could sell used. Car lots do it all the time - shouldn't be that difficult for bike dealers.

Hm. I wonder if they're worried you'll take off in it? Most car test drives, the dealer has to ride with you.

But yeah, I see your point. I don't see why they don't have more demos. Even if you could only ride it around a lot like the MSF ranges.

[scan]

I see the dealers side of it. But if you have the license and insurance and sign a waiver I can't believe it's all that hard to have some demo bikes available that they could sell used. Car lots do it all the time - shouldn't be that difficult for bike dealers.

Yeah, "some" is the problem though. You need one of each model for each new bike you'll sell. I think the big bike companies need to run around the county and actively work with the dealers to have regular demo days - not just once a year for a region. If they did a couple times a year and ran a few demo bike to their dealers and lent them for a day or two, customer could prepare for a chance to ride a bike they like.

But when I look around my local dealer they have a lot of bikes in stock, so everyone can have variety to look at - but I would never expect them to have two of each model. I think this has to be on the manufactures.

Not letting someone sit on the bike though is just stupid. I think they need to keep sales staff on the floor so people aren't hurting their bikes, but to say stay off - stupid.

[cb360]

Not letting someone sit on the bike though is just stupid. I think they need to keep sales staff on the floor so people aren't hurting their bikes, but to say stay off - stupid.

Amen to that. If I can't even sit on the bike, my next stop is the front door.

[9000white]

them waivers aint worth the paper they are written on if the "potential buyer" goes out and crashes.a yamaha dealer here would let anybody sit on one until everybody that came to look at one brought all his friends and family to sit on it and give their useless opinions.then he had to pay an employ to wash off all the candy and cokes that the kids got all over it.now you can sit on one all you want after you buy it.i dont blame them one bit.for every 50 sitters there might be one buyer.

[cb360]

50 sitters to one buyer sounds about right to me. You have to be a complete idiot to screw something up by sitting on it. those guys have to have something to do - they can 'supervise' the people sitting on the bikes. That said, they don't have to let you if they don't want to, I can always just walk my money out the front door.

Is this really a big problem. I sit on bikes all the time in Seattle - half the time no one even comes over and no one has ever said please don't sit on the bike.

[oldnslo]

I guess I've just been lucky, but I liked all my new bike purchases, even without a demo ride. Sitting on them gave a sense of how the ergonomics would be, and I had already read the roadtests to know their performance levels. It worked for me. The occasional hair-trigger throttle was a little unnerving sometimes.

[9000white]

50 sitters to one buyer sounds about right to me. You have to be a complete idiot to screw something up by sitting on it. those guys have to have something to do - they can 'supervise' the people sitting on the bikes. That said, they don't have to let you if they don't want to, I can always just walk my money out the front door.

Is this really a big problem. I sit on bikes all the time in Seattle - half the time no one even comes over and no one has ever said please don't sit on the bike.

just how do you supervise people who have no regard whatsoever for other peoples property.every motorcycle show that comes here and they have some rare bikes on display roped off with big signs saying dont sit on bikes adults cross right over and jump on them.get the cash from the trash then they can tear them up at home.

[suckingair]

We have a street in Auckland where there are 6 bike shops within a km of each other and they all expect you to take the demos for a hoon.. When I brought my bike and the paper work was going thro the dealer was still asking if I wanted to take another bike out 'to pass the time while the computer catches up'..

Only had trouble with one shop (A BMW dealership..) and they were PARANOID to the extreme.. but then they were car dealers that were having a go at selling bikes.

Buying a bike without riding it is a bit like wonder up to a clothes store with your eyes shut and going 'I'll take that thanks..' (personal opinion, actual results may vary)

[cb360]

50 sitters to one buyer sounds about right to me. You have to be a complete idiot to screw something up by sitting on it. those guys have to have something to do - they can 'supervise' the people sitting on the bikes. That said, they don't have to let you if they don't want to, I can always just walk my money out the front door.

Is this really a big problem. I sit on bikes all the time in Seattle - half the time no one even comes over and no one has ever said please don't sit on the bike.

just how do you supervise people who have no regard whatsoever for other peoples property.every motorcycle show that comes here and they have some rare bikes on display roped off with big signs saying dont sit on bikes adults cross right over and jump on them.get the cash from the trash then they can tear them up at home.

Well, if it's roped off, then I won't sit on it. But if they expect me to drop a few thousand bucks then I'll be talking a seat or my money elsewhere.

[Mr_X]

at the msf course I took it was a tri-sports in maine and they did'nt want you to sit on a bike either.. but it was cause the instructor did'nt work there and there were no actually employee's... plus like 3 months before someone put a scratch in a $19,000 goldwing and they were'nt to happy..