Test Rides

[Catcher]

After passing my test a couple of weeks ago, I'm now looking at bikes. There's one I'm particularly interested in but when I enquired, I found that I wouldn't be allowed a test ride because I need to have held a full licence for more than a year.
While I can understand the reasons for this it's also frustrating because I'm not going to buy something I haven't tried.

I'd be interested to hear what others have done in a similar situation. (I know I could get round it by buying privately but I'd prefer to buy from a dealer for peace of mind)
Regards
Catcher

[kitebeast]

Hi there Catcher, I had the same problem but try different dealers, and some will let you go out on a bike, it all depends how keen they are for the sale, hope this helps and good luck, what bike are you after.

[druidsam]

phone round and find out which dealers will give you a test ride, then you can post on here who will and who wont, should be very usefull information for anyone in your position



........................Sam

[Bornagain]

I guess I am fortunate having a good dealer in Inverness. I have never had a problem having a test ride and when I put my bike in for some work, I get a courtesy bike. Mitchells, Inverness

[Catcher]

Thanks for your replies. To answer your question Kitebeast, I'm thinking of a Bandit 650 or a Honda CBF500. I'm beginning to think the Bandit might be a bit heavy. I don't mean for riding, I will have to push it round the back of the house for storage and the Bandit could be hard work to move - I'm going to look at some tomorrow and have a sit on them (possibly a test ride if I'm lucky!)
Regards
Catcher

[gasman]

Strange. In a moment of madness, I was looking at a new Honda Transalp, and the dealer offered a test ride. I thought that meant me riding pillion with him, but he said, no, you take it out yourself.

This was Honda in Letchworth.

[Bill CBF1000]

Try the Honda CBF600 - shouldn't be much difference on the insurance and is a much better bike.
As gasman says, most Honda dealers are pretty good about test rides (but read the disclaimer before you sign it and take the bike out )

[Catcher]

Bill
Your advice about the CBF 600 is a bit 'uncanny'. After looking round at the weekend at 500's I spotted a CBF 600 and after sitting on it, talking to the salesman (who also said it was a much better bike than the 500), I'm now thinking the CBF 600 is what I want (there is very little difference in insurance). Unfortunately the one I was sitting on was a demo bike, they didn't have any used ones and I can't really justify new at the moment so I'll keep looking for a good used one. Still to find a dealer willing to give me a test ride though! - some specify 2 years experience.

[Manky Cat]

Originally Posted by kitebeast

Hi there Catcher, I had the same problem but try different dealers, and some will let you go out on a bike, it all depends how keen they are for the sale, hope this helps and good luck, what bike are you after.

I'd agree with that Catcher, i'm riding a YAM YZF R125 and my dealer said to me the other day that as soon as I pass my test he'd gladly let me test an R6 as this is the next bike i'm going for...

[Bill CBF1000]

Hunts (only one letter out) Honda of Manchester will let you test ride straight after passing your test (they are just crap at everything else ) - also Honda in Lancaster and Blackpool are reputeded to be pretty good like that