smoke-zx14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted February 28, 2008 12:50 PM
Test ride at the dealership
Hello all,
I am sort of new to riding. I am in the process of purchasing my 2nd bike. I was talking to friend of mine and he told me to make sure that I test drive the bike before purchase. I did not know that test riding motorcycles at the dealership was an option. I am ready to purchase a 2008 ZX-14 (limited edition). However, I was sort of torn between the 2008 Hyabusa and the ZX-14. Has anyone here ever test drove a motorcycle before purchasing it at the dealership (new or used)?
  
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Superman T
Pro
Posts: 1831
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posted February 28, 2008 01:08 PM
No, I don't think they will let you. I know at times they will let a customer test a smaller bikes(ie.600). But they may assume if a person is buying 1000+ CC motorcycle, they have experience riding, researched the best bike for them and will purchase solely on their findings. The word of mouth and advertising takes care of the rest. Can you imagine the liability if they allowed rides before purchase?
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Tool Man
Needs a job
Posts: 4493
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posted February 28, 2008 01:20 PM
Ther are many events that Kawasaki and others allow "test" rides..
Check their web sites for dates and places... Daytona, Arizona bike week. Ect
You need a valid Mc licence and gear, Helmet, gloves jacket.. Happy riding.
Yes the Zx14 is one of the bikes they offer for rides 
____________
The banks are failing..
The banks are failing...
Invest in Ammo
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smoke-zx14
Parking Attendant
Posts: 3
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posted February 28, 2008 01:30 PM
Thanks for you comments. I did not believe that a dealership would offer test drives. I believe that I will be happy with my ZX-14 without having to test it first. Again, thanks for the responses.
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted February 28, 2008 02:28 PM
Most dealerships will not allow test rides on NEW bikes but most will allow them on used bikes. Find a dealer with a used 14 and take it for a spin. Do the same with the Busa.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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busajack5
Expert Class
Rocket lll
Posts: 173
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posted February 28, 2008 02:29 PM
So I guess gone are the days when my local dealer would let me take one of his used bikes for the weekend and thrash it and then go get another for next weekend.Times are a changing we would never even think about buying anything without a test ride.How many cars have you bought without a test drive??
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Jack
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BlackMagic14
Needs a job
Posts: 2058
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posted February 28, 2008 02:54 PM
MY local delaer will allow liscensed MOtorcycle riders to test ride a bike. I wont give my business to a dealership that wont... Like Jack said how many cars have you bought without a test drive. If I dont ride I dont buy PERIOD!!
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 28, 2008 03:13 PM
join us at Daytona bike week and you can test out all the brand new bikes you want - including the SWEET redesigned ZX10
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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tnchip
Expert Class
Posts: 164
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posted February 28, 2008 03:18 PM
If the dealer knows you and trusts you no big deal.My local dealer lets me test ride anything
I want,but I've bought many bikes from them.Just like women the more they like you the more they let you do!!!
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ninja14
Pro
Posts: 1136
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posted February 28, 2008 03:19 PM
What have you been riding?
I would not let a "new" riders try a 14 - but that's just me.............
I'v never gotten one to let me ride a new bike, but a few used ones......
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2006 Turbo ZX-14.
2005 V-max 20th Anniv.
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted February 28, 2008 04:06 PM
A new bike, there is no need to test ride one. Purchase it and if for some oddball reason it doesn't start up after you purchase it they will exchange it. There's no need.
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port_angeles_ninja
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted February 28, 2008 05:48 PM
I agree with BlackMagic, i would not buy a bike from a dealer that would not let me test ride it. My local dealer let me test ride a brand new 14 with 0 miles on it. They even had to put the oil in it. I went to another dealer first and they said no test rides. So i left and spent my money somewhere else.
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Red/Black 85' GPZ900
Blue 07' ZX14
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted February 28, 2008 06:00 PM
That dealer is risky.
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702fowler
Novice Class
Posts: 64
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posted February 28, 2008 06:36 PM
Ive never heard of a dealer letting just anyone off the street test ride a bike. I ve done it after building a relationship with them or friends etc...ive owned both and now own 2 14s. would you let a stranger take out your new ride?
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how do you spell relief ?
G U M B A L L !
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted February 28, 2008 06:42 PM
i have never heard of a dealer that lets you test ride a new bike, here's why, it would not be sellable(or new) afterwards,nobody buys a new bike with many miles on it, hell i won't buy a new car with many miles on it. i test drove a new chevy truck the other day that had 90 miles on it. the salesman asked if i was going to buy it ,i said not this one. plus on bikes like the 14 for every legit test ride you would get some clown riding it that would wreck or miss a shift or run the piss out of it. when i buy a new bike i want it fresh out of the crate,not pre-ridden.
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 28, 2008 08:10 PM
Around here - at Barneys of St Pete they have Aprilia test days, and at Euro cycles of Tampa they have days you can torture their bikes.
its still not a free for all, they're specific days and you have to have a motorcycle endorsement
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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87gtNOS
Zone Head
Posts: 620
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posted February 29, 2008 06:49 AM
Kawi had the demo day at my local dealer....hehe, after riding the demo ZX14, I bought it!! Coming off my 03 ZX9R, I couldn't believe how light the 14 felt and how awesome the brakes were!!
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01 ZX12R
07 ZX14 - YEAH BABY!
03 ZX9R-traded in for the 14!!! June 07!
05 636-traded in for the 9 Sept 05
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busajack5
Expert Class
Rocket lll
Posts: 173
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posted February 29, 2008 10:05 AM
 Edited By: busajack5 on 29 Feb 2008 10:06
quote:
i have never heard of a dealer that lets you test ride a new bike, here's why, it would not be sellable(or new) afterwards,nobody buys a new bike with many miles on it, hell i won't buy a new car with many miles on it. i test drove a new chevy truck the other day that had 90 miles on it. the salesman asked if i was going to buy it ,i said not this one. plus on bikes like the 14 for every legit test ride you would get some clown riding it that would wreck or miss a shift or run the piss out of it. when i buy a new bike i want it fresh out of the crate,not pre-ridden.
---Thats why they are supposed to have demo bikes
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Jack
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NinjaNick
Needs a job
'08 ZX14 (Blue)
Posts: 4558
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posted February 29, 2008 12:13 PM
Edited By: NinjaNick on 29 Feb 2008 12:14
That sounds expensive on their end to buy bikes and make them demos(never selling them). I would think they'd have to sell a shit load to make profit after they sell enough to make up for their demos. I will never do it if I own a dealership. Which I hope I do someday. I'll let people demo a little 50 sitting in the back if they want to know what it feels like to be on 2 wheels. 
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FasterThanStink
Pro
Posts: 1218
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posted February 29, 2008 02:38 PM
Edited By: FasterThanStink on 29 Feb 2008 14:39
It is expensive to offer test rides. At the last Ducati test ride it rained and someone unfamiliar with the new bike dumped it. You get all skill levels on a test day and let's face, it shit happens. Go on all you want about "rider error" etc. It does not change the fact of a big repair bill.
____________
Speed has never killed anyone,
suddenly becoming stationary...
That's what gets you.
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