No test rides, there's salt on the roads.....

[Pizzaeatingking]

I've only test ridden a handful of bikes over the years but today was a first. I'm after a spin on a Yamaha XSR700, phoned a dealer up today and asked if they had one available to take out, they said yes and asked when I wanted to visit. I asked if it was available today or tomorrow to be told no, there's salt on the roads and it's cold. Bear in mind I'm in the south east, it's chilly but not icy or anything, today has been quite nice in the sun.

I'm not overly fussed but a bit surprised tbh! I'm not sure if they just didn't have the bike till next week (when they were trying to get me to go in) but if that's the case just say so. Or is it fairly common? Has anyone had similar experiences?

[GriffoDP]

I expected a cancelled test ride at bmw last week as it was raining and horrible, but they pretty much insisted I go out! Was a bit rubbish though as couldn't enjoy it. Though it did highlight some odd aero that threw mud up my trousers! (R1200RS)

[Pizzaeatingking]

Well that was my thinking tbh, the next week it looks wet most of the time, I'd rather test it in the dry.

[Jazoli]

I can't blame them really as salt is the worst thing for a bike, the shop probably doesn't want to knacker the finish on its demo bikes.

[Krikkit]

Jazoli said:

I can't blame them really as salt is the worst thing for a bike, the shop probably doesn't want to knacker the finish on its demo bikes.

Or have someone spend ages cleaning it I suppose...

[Djtemeka]

Or have someone bin it on cold roads.

[Lee540]

Cheap Yamaha will probably corrode during the test ride.

[Pizzaeatingking]

Krikkit said:

Jazoli said:

I can't blame them really as salt is the worst thing for a bike, the shop probably doesn't want to knacker the finish on its demo bikes.

Or have someone spend ages cleaning it I suppose...

Yeah I thought that, although I had no issues blasting my CB with a jet wash every few days to keep the salt away I guess they want to keep the demo bikes as fresh as they can.

[Pizzaeatingking]

Djtemeka said:

Or have someone bin it on cold roads.

Not going to sell many bikes with out weather then

[jchesh]

Pizzaeatingking said:

Krikkit said:

Jazoli said:

I can't blame them really as salt is the worst thing for a bike, the shop probably doesn't want to knacker the finish on its demo bikes.

Or have someone spend ages cleaning it I suppose...

Yeah I thought that, although I had no issues blasting my CB with a jet wash every few days to keep the salt away I guess they want to keep the demo bikes as fresh as they can.

You may know this, but be very careful not to direct the jet wash at any bearings, switches or seals.

[Pizzaeatingking]

jchesh said:

You may know this, but be very careful not to direct the jet wash at any bearings, switches or seals.

Thanks, I had a decent quick wash routine, had some super duper cleaning spray stuff, quick douse of that then a rinse. I currently have a scooter at the moment so don't bother cleaning it tbh, the new bike will be a dry days only bike really, I quickly realised I rather be in a car when it's cold and wet.

[supacool1]

Ducati never let you take out a bike on a wet day. Most of the others seem pretty cool with it. That Yam dealer sounds like a knob...

[Djtemeka]

Pizzaeatingking said:

Not going to sell many bikes with out weather then

They may have had a lot of people trashing bikes on test rides in the cold/wet. It may be an insurance requirement for the shop.

[GriffoDP]

The excess when taking a test ride at my place was at £750 when I first went there about 6 years ago. It's £1,500 now i think. So maybe cause and effect is clear there...

Also they washed that muddy bike as soon as I brought it back.

[jamei303]

Sounds like they may as well shut up shop for most of the year then, and only open from June to August. Can't have people getting the bikes wet, they'll be totally ruined.

[Jazoli]

jamei303 said:

Sounds like they may as well shut up shop for most of the year then, and only open from June to August. Can't have people getting the bikes wet, they'll be totally ruined.

Great idea, then we would have nowhere to buy bikes from

The amount of work required to clean the bikes after test rides in stty wet weather is not inconsiderable, if your demo bike ends up with tarnished downpipes and furred up fasteners its going to take a hit in value.

Edited by Jazoli on Thursday 13th February 12:34

[Dog Star]

Jazoli said:

Great idea, then we would have nowhere to buy bikes from

The amount of work required to clean the bikes after test rides in stty wet weather is not inconsiderate, if your demo bike ends up with tarnished downpipes and furred up fasteners its going to take a hit in value.

Yep.
Personally I don't blame them - I won't take my own bikes out when it's filthy weather and practically never if there's salt been down, and if I do it's washed straight after. If I was a dealer with a brand new shiny demo and having to pay staff to clean it then I'd be a bit reluctant. Also consider that is the test rider going to be having an enjoyable ride and seeing the best of the bike in greasy, wet cold conditions. It's a cost-benefit thing.

[boyse7en]

If i was looking at a new bike, I'd actually want to take it out in inclement weather. Every bike feels great on a hot summer day, but poor weather really shows up design failings more easily

[7w7]

supacool1 said:

Ducati never let you take out a bike on a wet day. Most of the others seem pretty cool with it. That Yam dealer sounds like a knob...

This is nonsense. I was at a Ducati dealer last weekend, and someone took out 2 V4Ss for a test ride.

[airsafari87]

I've never had problems with getting a test ride in inclement or salty conditions. I've taken bikes out from KTM, Triumph and BMW dealers when the conditions have been far from ideal.

I don't understand why a dealer wouldn't allow a bike to be taken out at this time of the year? Anyone who is wanting to take a bike out now is clearly someone who is seriously thinking about buying that particular bike rather than some fair weather riding test pilot just fancying a jaunt out on a nice bike on a summers day.