Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I'm a little nervous about going into a dealer to test ride a bike. What is the normal procedure? Do they just give you the key & say adios? With a car, the salesperson will normally go with you. Also, with a car, the thought of an accident never really crosses my mind. If you do drop a bike at the dealership, are you on the hook for the repairs? Being a noob, it's a nerve-racking thought....

What bike are you test riding, and are you certain the dealership offers a test ride on that model? Many dealerships don't offer test rides, or only offer them on specific bikes designated for demo rides.

I don't think a "test ride" is a good idea for a new rider, and I doubt if you will find any dealerships willing to give you one anyway.

Thanks. I didn't have any particular bike in mind yet - just trying to cover all my bases ahead of time. I wasn't aware that many dealers would only let you test ride certain bikes/demo models. That's a load off. I didn't want to look like even more of a noob than I already am by 'not' taking the bike out on a ride..

Maybe just to screw with their heads a little I'll walk into the BMW dealership and ask them if I could take the new R 1200S out for a little spin....

Here some shops offer test rides, usually on a special 'test day'. Then they sell the demo bikes off for cheaper come the next year.

If you are thinking about dropping a bike while test riding it I wouldn't suggest doing so unless you are completely confident of your abilitiy. Being mentally prepared to ride is 90% of it, or so my MSF instructors told me. Best of luck.

moo snutz wrote:Maybe just to screw with their heads a little I'll walk into the BMW dealership and ask them if I could take the new R 1200S out for a little spin....

If you intend to test ride at a BMW dealership, you will be expected to pay for any damages you cause while test-riding. You'll sign a release form and provide your drivers license, etc.

Just one more reason to look at getting a USED motorcycle for that first machine.

P

I definitely plan to get a used bike first time out - preferably one in my neighborhood too. Then, I plan to ride the snot out of it close to home until I become comfortable with it. A few months down the road I do plan to get into something bigger & newer.

But the test drive scenario did cross my mind for when I eventually do buy a bike at a dealer.

I do think it'd be fun though to go into a Beemer dealership....

"Excuse me, I would like to test out that 152hp K 1200 GT.... Oh, and where exactly is the shifter lever thing on this here bike" ?.... heh heh good stuff!

you can get insurance for the day (I believe). At least that's what employees do if they borrow a bike for the weekend.

Wow, I wouldn't even let anyone "test ride" the bikes I sold (unless of course I had the cash in hand of what I wanted for the bike being sold) so I can't imagine a dealer would let someone test a bike unless it was demo day or you signed all kinds of paperwork agreeing to cover possible damage.