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Here's one way...it isn't timely, but you'll get to test a bike. Wait until one of the huge national events comes up, like Daytona Bike week or Laconia, or Sturgis...go there and find where the factory reps are set up at. Put your name on the list of the builder you want to test ride, (Honda, Yamaha, etc.)and get a time for you to test ride the bike of your choice. Show up at the appointed time, lay down a couple bills deposit and take the bike out for a spin. Some reps require more than others. Anywhere from $200 to $500, is the typical deposit, and when you come back, and there's no damage to the bike, you get your deposit money back. Narrow your choice down to THE ONE bike you really want to try out, because you're only gonna get one ride from any one rep. Oh, they hold your license while you ride too, so you need a license. That helps to keep you from goin out and tearing up the town on your test ride....no license, get pulled over at one of the huge events, go to jail, lose deposit money.

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.

MotoF150 wrote: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.

what if the speed limit is 70mph like us131 is here in michigan?

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?

zarakand wrote: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?

and just how do you suppose they are going to prove someone has had their cycle endorsement less than a year?

ofblong wrote:

zarakand wrote: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?

and just how do you suppose they are going to prove someone has had their cycle endorsement less than a year?

Well in Illinois when you go to the DMV for the class M to be added to your license, they take your old license and give you a new one with that date on it. I'm not sure how they do it in other states.

zarakand wrote:

ofblong wrote:

zarakand wrote: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?

and just how do you suppose they are going to prove someone has had their cycle endorsement less than a year?

Well in Illinois when you go to the DMV for the class M to be added to your license, they take your old license and give you a new one with that date on it. I'm not sure how they do it in other states.

in my state you have to renew your liscence every 4 years so if your state is different than than.....

hey Social check this out...

www.starmotorcycles.com/star/demo.aspx

Dear ofblong,,, Here in Pencilvania the max speed limit is 65mph, and the Yamaha 650 V Star has no trouble doing that speed. The Yamaha 650 is a better bike than any Suzuki S50, M50, C50, or Honda 600 or 750 Shadow. Yunzs guys in Michigan have a speed limit of 70 are the reason why gas prices are so high, everybody knows you use more gas the faster you go, if I was El'President'de I would set the national speed limit to 55mph, just like President Jimmy Carter did in the 70's, hey man, give me a dollar!

thebighop wrote:Here's one way...it isn't timely, but you'll get to test a bike. Wait until one of the huge national events comes up, like Daytona Bike week or Laconia, or Sturgis...go there and find where the factory reps are set up at. Put your name on the list of the builder you want to test ride, (Honda, Yamaha, etc.)and get a time for you to test ride the bike of your choice. Show up at the appointed time, lay down a couple bills deposit and take the bike out for a spin. Some reps require more than others. Anywhere from $200 to $500, is the typical deposit, and when you come back, and there's no damage to the bike, you get your deposit money back. Narrow your choice down to THE ONE bike you really want to try out, because you're only gonna get one ride from any one rep. Oh, they hold your license while you ride too, so you need a license. That helps to keep you from goin out and tearing up the town on your test ride....no license, get pulled over at one of the huge events, go to jail, lose deposit money.

hey there- interesting idea........
i think once i get past the tons of pppl trying to do the same thing, i may have a shot....now all i have to do is find some national event close to Illinois..........