How the heck are you suppose to buy em if you cant try em?

[Social Distortion]

all the dealers in my area hate my guts but they always give me a test ride, I just show them proof I have a valid motorcycle licence and insurance. I have took test rides on many bikes and I offer my expert opinion and found out just because the bike is big and has a big engine don't mean its the fastest or the best. Here is my findings: The Yamaha 650 V Star has better speed and acceleration than the Honda 750 Shadow. The Suzuki and Kawasaki C50, Vulcan is faster than the Yamaha V Star 1100, and the Honda 1100. The Honda VTX1300 is as slow as the 1100 Honda, but the VTX1800 is the fastest cruiser bike you can buy. In my opnion the Yamaha V Star 650 is the best beginners bike out there, easy to ride and handle, comfortable, looks good and if ur not crazy and ur going to ride at the speed limit it has plenty of speed and power.

hey MotoF...
thanks for the info. Lots of positive feedback from folks who own or have considered the V Star. Your input has really reinforced that i'll be happy w/ my 1st bike.....now, just gotta give er a ride on the road!

[Social Distortion]

There are three dealers in Chicago that will allow test rides. Their rules are 1. 21 years of age. 2 Motorcycle license for at least a year. 3. You have to be serious about the bike.

I've gotten test rides at Des Plaines Honda, Harely Dealer on Western and Touhy in the city, and Des Plaines Yamaha and Suzuki. Word of warning about Des Plaines Yamaha and Suzuki they're the most dishonest theiving scoundrels alive. Get the test ride, and purchase elsewhere. Good luck.

Out of curiosity what part of Chicago are you in?

thanks for the update on the local happnenings Zara-
the more shops i call, the more rejections i kinda get, except for the Harley dealers. There will be a demo day out in the Tinley Park HD dealer on the 20th. It'll give me a chance to feel out a bike in the 800cc range.

I am from Los Angeles, moved to Chicago back in 97, lived in Rogers Park and Albany Park, then bought a home in Naperville...,yeah.....i live in the burbs....but if it makes a difference, i dont have a pickett fence, no dogs and no 2.5 kids. I work in the loop and might be able to check out some yamaha dealer on Western. went to the one in Skokie and it was the worse experience i had ever had. 1st off, was hounded by like 3 salesmen, then when asked which bike i wanted, they were all pissed and gave me a hard time on the VStar 650. Kinda hinted that it was a "girls" bike and that it would be too slow....too slow for what, i am not sure. i'm 5'9, 200 lbs, kinda stocky, but hell, its not like the 650 wont move me from point A to B. THEN, they tried to have me look BUSA and told me that this was what many of the people in Chicago ride. Cruiser to a Sportsbike? Beginner on a BUSA? Those sales ppl really sucked and i will never go back to that shop even if they are the only one's who allow me to test ride a bike.

[desper]

Social, I'm just over 200lbs, and 6'5" on a vstar 650. It has NO trouble pulling me, the acceleration feels better than any car I've driven. And I can cruise around at 60mph comfortably. It's a fantastic first bike, I am very happy with it.

good luck.

[ofblong]

I just read in the paper that this weekend the ducati dealer near me is having a demo day hmmmmm.

[jmillheiser]

hmm wonder if other ducati dealers are having a demo day as well>?

[PackRider]

On a related note, what do you do about test rides if you're trying to sell your bike? Get a deposit from the shopper, get them to sign a form promising to pay damages, just take a chance as part of the sale process?

[Social Distortion]

On a related note, what do you do about test rides if you're trying to sell your bike? Get a deposit from the shopper, get them to sign a form promising to pay damages, just take a chance as part of the sale process?

Private sellers usually have me hand over the cash right there prior to letting me ride thier bikes. I break em, i buy em.

I havent felt too comfortable w/ that situation, but it does protect them in case i wreck thier rides.

[Lion_Lady]

On a related note, what do you do about test rides if you're trying to sell your bike? Get a deposit from the shopper, get them to sign a form promising to pay damages, just take a chance as part of the sale process?

A friend had her motorcycle stolen on a 'test ride.' The guy showed up with a friend in a car... and just never came back (she's admittedly on the naive side).

I've heard of folks keeping the buyer's driver's license/wallet for a test ride. I personally lilke the idea of holding their CAR KEYS (most don't show up for a test ride on a bike, it seems), just about THE best insurance against theft that I've heard about.

Pam

[Locopez]

I am of the same mind as Lion Lady....bike or car...I ask for their keys and a license etc....something like that. I am not getting ripped off.