Test ride or no test ride?

[bwringer]

Pretty simple for me. No ride, no buy. I'll just walkaway.
Would you buy a car without a test drive ? Same thing.
Simple Huh ?!! :-D

No, it's not that simple, and it's not the same thing at all. Motorcycles are not just cars with missing wheels.

The difference is that most drivers actually do have the skills to operate an unfamiliar car or truck safely, and you can ride along to at least ensure that they're facing kidnapping charges if they try to steal it.

Very few riders can reliably and safely operate an unfamiliar motorcycle, and a motorcycle test ride offers an increased opportunity for a dishonest person.

The basic reality is that motorcycles are roughly 5-10 times more challenging to operate safely than cars, and the variations in control feel, etc. between models have a lot more impact than the variations between four wheeled vehicles.

It's much safer for U-Haul to toss you the key to a 24 foot truck (even if you've only ever driven a subcompact) than it would be for me to toss the key to my GS to a rider of unknown skill. The stakes are higher, too -- a lot of U-Haul trucks end up with roof damage because new drivers aren't used to the height, but injuries are rare. The consequences of a motorcycle accident almost always involve injury, often serious.

Besides, how much can you learn about a bike on the first ride? On your first ride on an unfamiliar bike, you should be concentrating 100% on survival, not wondering if that noise is normal.

The one problem with doing a demonstration instead of a test ride is that it's difficult for the buyer to decide whether the motorcycle fits him personally and "feels" right once underway.

Given that most aspects of the rider/machine interface are adjustable and should be adjusted to fit each rider (different handlebars, grips, adjusting controls, reshaping or replacing seat, etc.) I think you can easily decide whether a bike is in the ballpark without riding it. More than that, you can't really evaluate anyway without riding a couple thousand miles and changing/adjusting parts along the way.

Basically, I think a short test ride is mostly pointless and very dangerous. Not worth it.

I have offered a "tail light warranty" in the past -- if you buy it and decide it doesn't feel right before the tail light is out of my sight, I'll take it back and refund your money (minus the $21 fee to replace the title).

Some rare dealers, like Bob's BMW, allow and encourage longer, more useful test rides, but they also require a deposit, a credit check, evidence of adequate training, equipment, and skill, (don't show up in a battered Chevy, buy your first helmet, and expect to go ride for free...) and basically have all the legal and liability aspects covered to manage the risks. This is not something available to private parties.

I have allowed a very few individuals (exactly two, actually) to ride or test ride my bikes, but these are people I know personally and whom I know firsthand to be very skilled, very safe riders.

[earlfor]

OOps, I was referring to used bikes being sold by dealers and test rides allowed. No dealers I know of allow test rides on new bikes.

E.

Dealers around here do not allow you to test ride new bikes. I shopped for a long time and always asked about a test ride. The only chance I had was a shop that had a tech with the bike I was interested in. I declined the ride since I didn't want to ride someone elses bike. For used bikes it must be different, but for new bikes it's a leap of faith.

[earlfor]

Thats not a problem to me. I had much rather keep the bike than risk it.

E.

Pretty simple for me. No ride, no buy. I'll just walkaway.
Would you buy a car without a test drive ? Same thing.
Simple Huh ?!! :-D

[GregM.]

Besides, how much can you learn about a bike on the first ride? On your first ride on an unfamiliar bike, you should be concentrating 100% on survival, not wondering if that noise is normal.

Basically, I think a short test ride is mostly pointless and very dangerous. Not worth it.

Just a comment on this...probably for most instances this would be true. But in my case right now... it depends.
See, I'm thinking about adding another used bike to my garage... a Kaw. Concours. For the model years I'm looking at, they were basically all the same bike, just differrent colors for each year. Many owners of these sport-tourers have changed seats, bars, pegs and windscreens which obviously affect riding position and comfort. For me, I have sat on a lot of these bikes and, now, ridden several. And I am getting an idea of what will work with my old rickety :-D self, and what I'll probably change.
And maintenance, mileage and upkeep can obviously, affect lots of vibration, noise and performance variables. The differences are subtle, cause the bikes are all practically identical... But after you look, listen, ride enough of them, you get an idea which one you want. Plus, I've been reading the owner's group website for quite a while, so I know some of the concerns.

Time is on my side, as these bikes don't sell very fast, and I like my 850, so I'm not in a hurry. But I'd like to add a Concours, and will, when I find the right one. I'm always very honest with the sellers, that I am just shopping, but I am going to buy one. I meet them where ever they want, at what ever time is convenient for them. I'm polite and thank them for their time, and one of these days, when I find the right one, and I'll know it. I'll hand them a fist full of dollars (or hundreds, actually) :-D and that'll do it.

I always ride my 850 to see each one... So, I've got a great comparison. I'm actually finding out how nice my GS is. Anyway, I am safe on their bikes, and I think they know that after we talk for a while. My test rides have all been around 20 min, which doesn't tell me everything, but enough, that I am noticing differences.
So for me, looking at some bikes that are all practically the same, the test ride is helpful. But again, like I said earlier, I don't expect it. And I do understand the seller's point of view.
BTW- I'm not doing this every week for a year. I've done it 6 times in three months. And 1/2 of those have been dealers, the others were private sellers. I'm done now, and am ready to pick one. \\/
This thread has tons of helpful stuff... thanks all -

[gasisontheright]

I'd let em testride on the deal that if it's dropped/wrecked they pay full price for it, and cash in hand, WRITTEN DOWN!!!, no verbal agreement about it. I'm more leniant if they ride another bike there to look at it, and have a license, not a permit.

[tkent02]

I'd let em testride on the deal that if it's dropped/wrecked they pay full price for it, and cash in hand, WRITTEN DOWN!!!, no verbal agreement about it. I'm more leniant if they ride another bike there to look at it, and have a license, not a permit.

That takes care of damage to the bike, not your liability if they hurt themselves or others.
I sold one today and one yesterday with no rides. Gave a little ride double, let them sit on it a while, they were both happy.

[Gypsyjuggler]

I got off lucky, my first bike is the GS650 that I have now. The PO was a friend of mine that bought the bike for his girlfriend. He pushed her into get her license and half way through the class, she walked out realizing that she really didn't want to be a rider, and was content to be a passenger. (I know, thats a whole 'nother discussion)

I had my license, he lent me a spare helmet, pulled out the GS along with his bike, and we took a 1/2 hour run around town to let me get a feel for it. He kept it till the next weekend when he let me take it for the weekend to get some more ride time. By Monday I called him and set up the payment and title transfer.

[Desolation Angel]

So why then, when I go look at the fleet of used bikes at the dealer, do I get asked more than once "Do you want to ride it ?" Dealers must carry some heavy insurance or go with the U break it U buy it rule.

I have never been asked if I want to ride a bike. Never ever. I asked once at a Suzuki shop about a used DL1000.

They said no.

[GSstiny]

Ive never sold a streetbike, and binning a beater dirt bike doesnt mess up too much, so i dont have much to say as a seller. I bought my GS on fleabay, so no testride, but it was intended as a semi-project, so I wasnt worried. I did ride the bandit before i did the deal. The seller wasnt crazy about it, until I handed him an envelope stuffed with benjamins and said "If I eat it, consider it sold."

[snowbeard]

my pop lost his Triumph T120 in Detroit back in the 60's to a deadbeat "test rider". I guess since he was selling it I wouldn't have received it anywho, but still makes me red just thinking about it.

on a similar note a buddy at work got a new Honda 6 cyl monster having never ridden a MC!!! he had a buddy ride it to work for him one day so he could show it off and I got to show it off to him!! (as I was one of the few people he knew could ride)\\/ big f'n bike!!!