Discussion
You'll probably need to visit a few different dealers, to be honest.
Some are happy to let a new rider, some aren't and some will ask for a damage deposit. Obviously they are a bit more dubious if you are looking to take out a supersport, something a bit more expensive or they are selling loads and don't feel the need to offer test rides.
I imagine you'd probably be okay getting a test ride on a Harley; they don't sell massive amounts compared to the big brands and it isn't the kind of thing somebody would opt to go a bit 'crazy' on.
Some are happy to let a new rider, some aren't and some will ask for a damage deposit. Obviously they are a bit more dubious if you are looking to take out a supersport, something a bit more expensive or they are selling loads and don't feel the need to offer test rides.
I imagine you'd probably be okay getting a test ride on a Harley; they don't sell massive amounts compared to the big brands and it isn't the kind of thing somebody would opt to go a bit 'crazy' on.
As said some are cool some not.
One pleace said no test rides at all for any one.
Otheers just gave me the keys.
It sould like you know what you are after so just call them up and be cear where you are at. If they know you have the cash and can get cover then way more chance of a ride.
One pleace said no test rides at all for any one.
Otheers just gave me the keys.
It sould like you know what you are after so just call them up and be cear where you are at. If they know you have the cash and can get cover then way more chance of a ride.
Depends on the dealer I find. One Yamaha/Kawasaki dealer in Rochdale let my mate have a ride (he had his licence 6 months), and we had about an hour for the ride. Harley in Leeds won't give you anything unless you have had a licence for 2 years, but when I asked when they wanted the bike back (it was 9 in the morning), he just told me what time they closed that evening.
I was looking at test rides a few weeks back in a relatively similar position, having passed late last year but not done any riding in the meantime. From my experience it was mixed but generally favourable. One dealer said I could not go out on an MT09 but was welcome to on their MT07. Another dealer said fine on both although their policy was accompanied rides (no problem). Another dealer basically threw me the keys to a 650CBR and Cb1000r and told me to have fun. I am mid 30s btw, so not sure if this had any impact. Both the later 2 had £1k excess although I think you'd probably only pay this if you properly stacked it. If you just dropped it you'd have to pay the repairs of course. I don't think it's in their interest to claim insurance and enforce excess for minor damage.
I couldn't find a Harley dealer in the Midlands who would let me test ride one with less than a year's experience. One of the Ducati dealers needed 2 years, another didn't. It seems to be down to their insurance policies. They don't seem to set different minimums for different power bands 
If you do find one, please post up, as I want to try one.
I tried a few other cruisers and roadsters though - Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha & Kawasaki have that style of bike.
If you do find one, please post up, as I want to try one.
I tried a few other cruisers and roadsters though - Triumph, Suzuki, Yamaha & Kawasaki have that style of bike.
Riders Harley Dealership in Bristol were good with my wife who had just passed her test. she was looking at the second hand stuff but as an idea she took out a Street Triple R, Speed 1050 & an Aprilia Shiver. The rides are escorted and only about 30 to 40 min but the guys there were really good. I test rode the Speed and the guy escorting was on a Ducati sports bike and he certainly didn't hang around.
I did my DAS last year with the training school attached to Colchester's Kawasaki and bought my first bike off them. They seem happy for me to test ride whatever now so I guess if you can get to know one or two people at a dealership they're more likely to let you out on their stock. The excess is always high, I think around the £1000 mark probably but that's also the same for their courtesy bikes. If you do get offered a test ride, just don't go mental!
Can't give any advice on test rides (bought both of mine private) but as I occasionally ride an older 883 (1999) I will give you one tip.
It will run along quite happily on no throttle in first. I always forget this and after riding up on my Jap 500 to my mate's barn earlier to give it an exercise (she can't ride it atm) I nearly went flying up the barn until I remembered at low speed to just use the clutch and keep off the throttle. It's a plodding old tractor but I do quite like taking it for a run every now and again, handles nicer than I was expecting and the power (that there is) is seriously low down compared to mine that doesn't wake up until 4k.
It will run along quite happily on no throttle in first. I always forget this and after riding up on my Jap 500 to my mate's barn earlier to give it an exercise (she can't ride it atm) I nearly went flying up the barn until I remembered at low speed to just use the clutch and keep off the throttle. It's a plodding old tractor but I do quite like taking it for a run every now and again, handles nicer than I was expecting and the power (that there is) is seriously low down compared to mine that doesn't wake up until 4k.
Blackbear in newmarket were happy with me doing test rides by myself with a license of a under a year.
But.... they knew me. I had been in a number of times. Talked to the staff. Had coffee. Kicked the tyres,
If I had gone in and was completely unknown to them, it might have been different.
So I guess the question in their minds is "are you serious or just wanting a play on someone else's bike?"
But.... they knew me. I had been in a number of times. Talked to the staff. Had coffee. Kicked the tyres,
If I had gone in and was completely unknown to them, it might have been different.
So I guess the question in their minds is "are you serious or just wanting a play on someone else's bike?"
Bumping this rather than starting a new thread so soon after.
Currently have a Daytona 675R but would like to try (speculatively, for now) a litre bike.
Two I have in mind are an S1000RR and an RSV4. I have a BMW dealership not far from me, so inquiring with them for a test ride is possible, but Aprilia aren't locally represented, and there are only a dozen or so used ones for sale it seems.
So can anyone advise, before I start ringing around.. How easy are official dealers with giving test rides? I'd only like to take it out briefly just to test the water, I've had my full license for getting on 3 years now and can afford the bike (with part ex) if I wanted it.
Likewise with the Aprilia, I think it may be harder to get a test ride from an independent dealer with a used bike, but I really want to try the RSV4. Some of the ideal ones I've seen for sale are private sales.
Any advice welcome.
Currently have a Daytona 675R but would like to try (speculatively, for now) a litre bike.
Two I have in mind are an S1000RR and an RSV4. I have a BMW dealership not far from me, so inquiring with them for a test ride is possible, but Aprilia aren't locally represented, and there are only a dozen or so used ones for sale it seems.
So can anyone advise, before I start ringing around.. How easy are official dealers with giving test rides? I'd only like to take it out briefly just to test the water, I've had my full license for getting on 3 years now and can afford the bike (with part ex) if I wanted it.
Likewise with the Aprilia, I think it may be harder to get a test ride from an independent dealer with a used bike, but I really want to try the RSV4. Some of the ideal ones I've seen for sale are private sales.
Any advice welcome.
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