I read here and there about some dealers allowing riders to do a test ride on a new bike. I've never been to a dealer that offered this - is it a state thing, or dealer by dealer thing? Common? When I bought my 14, it was fresh out of the crate, no oil, etc. I'm not sure if a 10 minute test ride would reveal much about the bike anyway. A new bike, that is.

Used bike of course you're going to check it out for mechanical soundness, etc.

No test rides in Milwaukee. if I was selling my bike I wouldn't let anyone ride it it either.

No rides in jersey

The bikes are shipped with oil in the case, but no fuel or battery. You can get a test ride, but must qualify for the loan and look very serious for them to allow it.

That was the big factor in selling a bike. Everyone wants one, but very few qualify for a loan.

My dealer would be more than happy to gas it and fill with oil for a test ride.Traded a mule in for a new one and when delivered it had 10hrs on it soI guess that's what happens when you let customers test new rides.Your bike may not be quite brand new.I didn't test the mule so didn't know it had those hrs on it.In this case it wasn't a big deal to me but wouldn't want to buy a new bike someone took out and raised hell on before bringing it back to the dealer.They also "loan" those things to the city police and put them in parades so that could've been where some of the hrs came from.

* Last updated by: fieldgrade on 10/29/2014 @ 8:12 AM *

The bikes are shipped with oil in the case, but no fuel or battery. You can get a test ride, but must qualify for the loan and look very serious for them to allow it.
That was the big factor in selling a bike. Everyone wants one, but very few qualify for a loan.

I paid cash for mine and still no test ride. I actually didn't want to ride it. I just wanted him to start it. Nope.

Test rode all of my bikes. Wouldn't buy a bike without a test ride. Have never had difficulties in letting people test ride bikes I've sold...

A great chance for test rider

http://imz-ural.com/demo-tour.html

We have a dealer here that allows test rides on ALL their motorcycles. Just show up with a motorcycle license. But they don't sell kawasakis. Just Ducati, Triumph, BMW, & EBR.

Test rode mine no problem, 1 mile was showing. The tires had never been on road pavement. I rode it about 3. Not sure I'd buy one without a test ride. Ask them if it's policy, or something to do with laws.

Test drive/ride laws very state to state. Most states you as the rider are legally responsible for damaging the bike and covering repair of damage or purchasing the bike. You might live in a state which doesn't allow this and the dealer is responsible for insuring the bike for test riding.

It might also be due to sportbikes, it might also be due to the customer (no offense), they may profile someone as a joy rider, show roomer, or generally not having the ability or genuine desire to actually purchase the bike. I know one thing, I wouldn't let someone walk up to one and test ride a brand new out of the crate bike. Used bikes might be a little different.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 10/30/2014 @ 6:26 PM *

When I bought my zx14r. I didnt even sit on it until I purchased it. I know weird way to buy a bike.

Insurance is the big one, and it depends on their insurance and yours... My local dealer says, OK, but: Insurance must be verified, and verified that it covers rentals and/or pre-purchase test drive. Must be a "verified" buyer (reasonably shown you are serious, have the money, previous customer, etc.). My local dealer also explained to me that normally they don't let someone who walks in off the street with no "history" test drive anything...

If I was a dealer I wouldn't want to let anybody ride a new bike. Anything over 0 miles is ... well ... not zero anymore. Most buyers would probably be OK with 1 or 2 on the ODO and still consider it brand new. But, to me if it's got more than about 3+ miles ... I just assume the worst: that some teenager twisted the throttle off it for those 3 miles. It does seem, though, that dealers want the general public to think they can't just go joy ride a new motorcycle, but that when you get there and they can tell you're serious, the dealer will make the test ride happen. That's been my limited experience anyway.

A used bike is a different story: A few more miles on the ODO isn't gonna make much difference. I let buyers ride used bikes I was selling, because I can't figure out any other way. Most come there not willing to buy without riding first, and I don't blame them.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 10/31/2014 @ 1:19 PM *

When I bought my zx14r. I didnt even sit on it until I purchased it. I know weird way to buy a bike.

IMO absolutely nothing wrong with this technique. I would only test ride something (a new bike anyway) to verify I was making the right decision. I generally do research on the current market, what's available, prices, performance, stats. I narrow it down to what seems to interest me the most. I sat on a couple other bikes and the 14R. I still liked the 14R the most. So it was just down to ride it a little make sure all my bits and pieces fit correctly on it's bits and pieces. At that point, it was really just verifying my decision to go ahead with it.

That's what I did. Found it online 2.5 hours away, called the dealer, went to the bank, drove 2.5 hours, jumped on the beast and rode it home ;)

what a great day!