Test riding a bike., From a Motorcycle shop. Options

[Hammer]

Last week, I went to a local dealer & asked for a specific make, model, & told them I'd be really interested in buying one .
"We're getting one delivered in the week" he said "It'll be here by next weekend, pop in & take a look"
I gave him my name & mobile number & left it at that.

Saturday morning I get a call from the guy saying "It's here, & ready for viewing" I told him I'd be along shortly.

At the shop, I drooled, sat on, & imagined owning the beauty. Mrs Hammer sat on the back of the bike in the shop, & we both agreed it would be ideal.

I wandered over to the sales desk, & said "I'm really interested, & would like to put a deposit on it, but obviously I'd like to test ride it first to make sure.

I couldn't believe it when the sales guy replied "Sorry, you can't! It's not taxed."
"Oh thats ok" I said " It doesn't have to be today, I can wait"
"No" he said, "We won't be taxing it, as it will add an owner on the log book, & devalue the bike"

"So how do I get to ride it then?" I asked, starting to look puzzled. "Because I'll not buy a bike without testing it first"

"Sorry, you can't" was the answer.
Very soon after that, I left the shop.

Am I missing something here? Is it me going Ga-Ga? What do you think?

[wrinkly rocker]

I would have expected a Dealer to have Trade plates that are taxed and insured for that purpose.
Find another dealer. One that will give a test ride. No one can be expected to lay out few grand and not have an opportunity for a test ride.

[andyb]

I had excatly the same issue last year when I was looking for a cat! Luckily the one ended up buying was taxed but I got the same excuse from another dealer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/Oo1.gif)

That dealer blamed the goverment and some apparent new idea they have (IMG:style_emoticons/default/verysad.gif)

[BikerGran]

If it's a main dealer they should have demo bikes. These will later be sold as 'used' so I guess it's right that it devalues the bike.

If a main dealer doesn't actually have a demo bike of the model you want they should be able to arrange to borrow one from another dealership - obviously they will only do that if they can see that you are serious about buying it.

[devilpaint]

i got the same from a dealership in Newcastle when i was looking at chopping in my zzr11 for the new zzr12.
salesman was as nice as could be, answered all my questions & was going to give me a good deal on the 11 in part ex, right up to the bit where i asked about a test ride. "nooo we have a policy of not offering test rides-we get too many incidents" so i said do you really expect me to shell out X grand without a test ride?
he knew i was an Advanced rider & Instructor but his next line really astonished me "go to Manchester kawasaki-they have demo bikes, if you like it we will match any deal they have going"
i told him if i had to haul my sorry arse all the way to Manchester to get a test ride, i would buy the bike from them-"fair enough " says he "my hands are tied on this".
as it was i kept the 11 for another year or so then bought the 12r instead.

[hobbit]

It's not just test rides - I wanted to buy a Hinkley Tiger, but being a stumpy little git needed it lowering . . . from dealer, " can sell you the bike, but can't lower it, it'll invalidate the warranty. " " but if it's not lowered, I can't buy it," . . . hence the reason I ended up with the sportster, and not from them either. . . .

[stucbr]

If a main dealer doesn't actually have a demo bike of the model you want they should be able to arrange to borrow one from another dealership - obviously they will only do that if they can see that you are serious about buying it.

If going in either yourself or in Hammers case with his missus and close to putting a dep on it......christ how serious does he need to be. Wouldnt be me either.