Looking For A New (Used) Bike - Test Rides
Discussion
I'm looking for another bike, no idea what I want, I presume I'll know it when I ride it.
I know I don't want a 4 cylinder nor a heavy tourer but anything from a Monster, VTR1000 to a Street Triple is a possibility.
I went to buy a beautiful looking VFR Street fighter but it did nothing for me, felt slower than my KTM 690 and in the 10 minute test ride I didn't really get a good feel for it either.
I don't want to waste anyone's time so what is the generally accepted practise with Private sellers and Dealers ?
Obviously I've also got to sell my KTM which I will do privately, so need to know for that too.
I know I don't want a 4 cylinder nor a heavy tourer but anything from a Monster, VTR1000 to a Street Triple is a possibility.
I went to buy a beautiful looking VFR Street fighter but it did nothing for me, felt slower than my KTM 690 and in the 10 minute test ride I didn't really get a good feel for it either.
I don't want to waste anyone's time so what is the generally accepted practise with Private sellers and Dealers ?
Obviously I've also got to sell my KTM which I will do privately, so need to know for that too.
My experience of private sales is that nobody really does test rides. If you think you need to proof of insurance is a minimum and I’d expect a lot of sellers to still ask for the cash in their hand on a bin it / buy it basis.
Dealers are different but it’s not uncommon for them to put a refundable if you buy it fee of £20 or so on test rides.
Dealers are different but it’s not uncommon for them to put a refundable if you buy it fee of £20 or so on test rides.
If you really want to try a lot of bikes you could consider joining a bike hire club like Spyderclub. I was a member for a couple of years and tried 5 or 6 bikes a year. You get a long weekend on them from a Friday to a Monday, can run up a few hundred miles and see if you really get on with them without justifying your intentions to buy from a dealer. It might have gone up a bit now, but a few years back the entry level membership was £100 a month for 1/2 dozen long weekends a year.
Also a good way of supplementing your bike fleet, if you only have one bike but want something different for a weekend e.g. a big tourer
Also a good way of supplementing your bike fleet, if you only have one bike but want something different for a weekend e.g. a big tourer
MrGman said:
Private sales I wouldn’t allow a test ride on a bike I was selling full stop. I also wouldn’t ask for one.
Dealers in my experience will begrudgingly let you have a very short test ride.
Dealers in my experience will begrudgingly let you have a very short test ride.
I wouldn't consider buying a car without a test drive, much less a bike, clearly something to ask before travelling.bgunn said:
My experience of dealers have been more a £500 refundable if you don't bin it, type thing.. Maybe that was the London dealers...
An insurance excess is pretty common. I remember taking a s1000rr on a test ride when they were new out. The excess was £2,700. It did make me concentrate extra hard on not dropping it.To be honest I narrow down the options before I go out looking at bikes. When I have the options down to just a few I'll go and look at them, sit on them and if they still feel good I'll ask for a test ride. Never had an issue at a dealer, BMW just threw the keys at me, Yamaha were great, take the bike as long as you like, obviously both time's I had to sign my life away with regards to damage charges etc. I'm sure some smaller dealers might be a bit more fussy but they'll have to let bikes out eventually, they'll just want to try and eliminate the chancers and messers first. Understandable.
Private it's a bit different, I personally wouldn't go to look at a bike unless I was fairly sure I was serious about it, I wouldn't bother arranging to look at a bike privately that I'd not already at least sat on at a dealers/friends etc and had a good idea that I liked them. If I decided it was the one, I'd expect to take proof of insurance and cash with me to take it out. All that's assuming it's a relatively common bike.
Basically I try not to waste anyone's time and treat people how I'd like to be treated.
Private it's a bit different, I personally wouldn't go to look at a bike unless I was fairly sure I was serious about it, I wouldn't bother arranging to look at a bike privately that I'd not already at least sat on at a dealers/friends etc and had a good idea that I liked them. If I decided it was the one, I'd expect to take proof of insurance and cash with me to take it out. All that's assuming it's a relatively common bike.
Basically I try not to waste anyone's time and treat people how I'd like to be treated.
Private sale - I wouldn't offer a test ride, and I wouldn't expect to be offered one. I wouldn't even think of asking.
I was fortunate the one time I bought a (used) bike from my local dealer, he gave me the keys and just said to be back before closing time. I'm a fairly regular customer in there though, if it was a place that didn't know me I could understand them being a bit more cagey.
I was fortunate the one time I bought a (used) bike from my local dealer, he gave me the keys and just said to be back before closing time. I'm a fairly regular customer in there though, if it was a place that didn't know me I could understand them being a bit more cagey.
Pizzaeatingking said:
underwhelmist said:
Private sale - I wouldn't offer a test ride, and I wouldn't expect to be offered one. I wouldn't even think of asking.
How do you know the bike rides ok? Do you just watch the owner ride it up and down the road and hope for the best? I'm considering a Firestorm and one seller has stated that the bike starts and revs fine but won't pull under load - carbs or coils no doubt but could be a £1000 bill from a dealer to sort it out on a £2k bike !
I know this because he's included a pic of a bill for over £1k from when he had the carbs rebuilt last year !
MrGman said:
Private sales I wouldn’t allow a test ride on a bike I was selling full stop. I also wouldn’t ask for one.
Dealers in my experience will begrudgingly let you have a very short test ride.
I sold my CBR650F privately, lad wanted a test ride so I asked him to bring proof of insurance and before the ride he handed over the full value in cash which I held on to until he came back. Dealers in my experience will begrudgingly let you have a very short test ride.
When I bought my Bobber I got a good 2-3 hours on it and a full tank of petrol through it before handing it back.
No issues in either case. If I'm parting with hard earned cash I want a good handle on what I'm buying.
Pretty much everyone that asks for a test ride on a private bike is a tyre kicker, but 100% adamant that they are not.
It's bad form and almost always results in some excuse about the bike being too small, not what they expected etc. Time wasters!
If you really must, do so after the sale has been agreed and you have the money. Agree that only if a major fault is found with the bike, will the sale be voided and money refunded. Almost always, they will leave.
To be doing this right at the moment is quite another thing.
It's bad form and almost always results in some excuse about the bike being too small, not what they expected etc. Time wasters!
If you really must, do so after the sale has been agreed and you have the money. Agree that only if a major fault is found with the bike, will the sale be voided and money refunded. Almost always, they will leave.
To be doing this right at the moment is quite another thing.
V8RX7 said:
I'm looking for another bike, no idea what I want, I presume I'll know it when I ride it.
That in itself is a non starter. Bikes are so different in their classification, niche, style etc to not know what you want is just setting yourself up for a bad purchase and regret. Like saying you want a pair of shoes but don't know what.. Running? Dancing? beach? workman? etc, etc, ad nauseum.Think about the kind of riding you do out of necessity (commuting?) what kind of riding you like for pleasure and try to narrow down your field of possibilities.
Just rocking up to try someones bike to see if you like it is only going to piss people off and get you nowhere. Any test ride you do get will be so short you'll gain nothing from it and leave more confused than when you arrived.
Remember that bikes are far more specialised than cars. Cars usually have to factor a family into the equation somewhere. Bikes are more selfish so it's down to the rider to know what he likes and wants. Bobber to Racer to Cruiser to Adventure, completely different especially the "scene" that my accompany the type of bike you prefer.
Don't be a "Give us a go mister" pita.....
Steve Bass said:
V8RX7 said:
I'm looking for another bike, no idea what I want, I presume I'll know it when I ride it.
That in itself is a non starter. Bikes are so different in their classification, niche, style etc to not know what you want is just setting yourself up for a bad purchase and regret. Like saying you want a pair of shoes but don't know what.. Running? Dancing? beach? workman? etc, etc, ad nauseum.Think about the kind of riding you do out of necessity (commuting?) what kind of riding you like for pleasure and try to narrow down your field of possibilities.
Just rocking up to try someones bike to see if you like it is only going to piss people off and get you nowhere. Any test ride you do get will be so short you'll gain nothing from it and leave more confused than when you arrived.
Remember that bikes are far more specialised than cars. Cars usually have to factor a family into the equation somewhere. Bikes are more selfish so it's down to the rider to know what he likes and wants. Bobber to Racer to Cruiser to Adventure, completely different especially the "scene" that my accompany the type of bike you prefer.
Don't be a "Give us a go mister" pita.....
V8RX7 said:
I know I don't want a 4 cylinder nor a heavy tourer but anything from a Monster, VTR1000 to a Street Triple is a possibility.
So I've eliminated 60% of bikes already.For me it's all about how it rides / sounds, I know nothing about any "scene" I have no mates who are into bikes - hence the question.
I've googled bike hire - nothing local and they all seem to concentrate on the latest models which I'm not interested in.
I bought my current KTM 690 after a very brief ride and because it was cheap so I knew I could sell it on if I didn't like it, I don't like it so I'm selling it after only a few months I thought a VFR750 would be faster - the one I tried felt slower.
No review says that, I had to ride it.
In my eyes there are two types of test rides ..
1. To see if you like that particular model of bike
2. To see if there is anything wrong with the bike you are looking to buy.
If a private buyer asked me to simply have a go on my bike to see if they liked it I would say No and chalk them up as a time waster and not take anything they say further as anything of worth unless they get the cash out and buy it. Buyers tend to know what they want and it’s a case of finding a particular bike or colour or deal to be done.
Someone making sure a older bike is in good order is fair enough. But I’d make sure the sale is agreed and money changed hands on basis it’s sold unless a issue found.
I wouldn’t ask for a test ride from a private buyer either way.
1. To see if you like that particular model of bike
2. To see if there is anything wrong with the bike you are looking to buy.
If a private buyer asked me to simply have a go on my bike to see if they liked it I would say No and chalk them up as a time waster and not take anything they say further as anything of worth unless they get the cash out and buy it. Buyers tend to know what they want and it’s a case of finding a particular bike or colour or deal to be done.
Someone making sure a older bike is in good order is fair enough. But I’d make sure the sale is agreed and money changed hands on basis it’s sold unless a issue found.
I wouldn’t ask for a test ride from a private buyer either way.
V8RX7 said:
So I've eliminated 60% of bikes already.
For me it's all about how it rides / sounds, I know nothing about any "scene" I have no mates who are into bikes - hence the question.
I've googled bike hire - nothing local and they all seem to concentrate on the latest models which I'm not interested in.
I bought my current KTM 690 after a very brief ride and because it was cheap so I knew I could sell it on if I didn't like it, I don't like it so I'm selling it after only a few months I thought a VFR750 would be faster - the one I tried felt slower.
No review says that, I had to ride it.
Not sure if this is a wind up?? For me it's all about how it rides / sounds, I know nothing about any "scene" I have no mates who are into bikes - hence the question.
I've googled bike hire - nothing local and they all seem to concentrate on the latest models which I'm not interested in.
I bought my current KTM 690 after a very brief ride and because it was cheap so I knew I could sell it on if I didn't like it, I don't like it so I'm selling it after only a few months I thought a VFR750 would be faster - the one I tried felt slower.
No review says that, I had to ride it.
What review would compare a modern KTM 690 with a 25 year old Honda??
Have a look at the specs. Engine cc, no. of cylinders, torque, bike weight etc etc.
At the end of the day, YOU need to set YOUR criteria. Buying a bike just because it's cheap is ok for a commuter etc to perform a specific function. But to buy a bike for pleasure, you need to know what you like. It seems you don't and I would suspect you'll chop through bikes like firewood, never knowing what you want or possibly if you even like or enjoy riding in the first place.
Because riding for anything other than the pure enjoyment of it is a waste of time. You might commute by bike for financial reasons but you'll still resent it. Bikes are not just transport but something that makes you feel truly alive, even it the pissing rain and fog and snow.
Cars win all day long for practicality. Bikes beat cars in the human connection every single second.
https://www.spydermotorcycles.co.uk/contact/
Spyderclub are based at Silverstone, so pretty central. For weekend hire they deliver/pickup or you can collect, up to you.
They have open days a few times a year for prospective club members, you pay about a days rental (which you get back if you later join their hire club) and turn up and test ride 5-6 bikes during the day.
They may be mostly newer models of bike, they do have some older/classics in their fleet, but at least you get an idea of the style of bike you prefer.
I have always found it convenient for a days/weekends worth of hassle free, do what you like test rides.
Spyderclub are based at Silverstone, so pretty central. For weekend hire they deliver/pickup or you can collect, up to you.
They have open days a few times a year for prospective club members, you pay about a days rental (which you get back if you later join their hire club) and turn up and test ride 5-6 bikes during the day.
They may be mostly newer models of bike, they do have some older/classics in their fleet, but at least you get an idea of the style of bike you prefer.
I have always found it convenient for a days/weekends worth of hassle free, do what you like test rides.
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