How do ya choose your next bike and know it's the right one?
Discussion
In the spring I'd like to treat myself to a new bike, nothing wrong with my fazer just fancy a change and would like something a bit sportier. The Fazer was my first bike bike after passing my DAS and I've had it for 3 years now and devalued the hell out of it by adding an extra 20K miles to the clock. Choosing the Fazer was quite easy as I was after a learner bike with a bit of go, and it fitted the bill perfectly.
Now I am looking at getting a sports bike as I'm at that age where if I don't do it now I'll be too old but I'd still like to get something that's comfortable enough for a good hour or 2 in the saddle without needing a break. But how do I know what bike's going to fit me, the easier answer is have a test ride but...... I'd be buying a used bike and my local dealer doesn't really allow test rides, they have a strange exchange policy where you buy a bike and can exchange it or get store credit if not happy within 7 days?
So the other option is to go private although a lot of people don't like giving test rides and those that do aren't going to let me go for a decent 1 hour test ride so what other options are there? Hiring a bike seems hugely expensive and they may not have the models i'm interested in.
Guess I need to find a more helpful dealer that has a selection of the bikes i'm interested in although to be honest when I've identified the bike I'd probably buy private and save paying over the odds from a dealer.
It's a nightmare, maybe i won't bother :-)
Now I am looking at getting a sports bike as I'm at that age where if I don't do it now I'll be too old but I'd still like to get something that's comfortable enough for a good hour or 2 in the saddle without needing a break. But how do I know what bike's going to fit me, the easier answer is have a test ride but...... I'd be buying a used bike and my local dealer doesn't really allow test rides, they have a strange exchange policy where you buy a bike and can exchange it or get store credit if not happy within 7 days?
So the other option is to go private although a lot of people don't like giving test rides and those that do aren't going to let me go for a decent 1 hour test ride so what other options are there? Hiring a bike seems hugely expensive and they may not have the models i'm interested in.
Guess I need to find a more helpful dealer that has a selection of the bikes i'm interested in although to be honest when I've identified the bike I'd probably buy private and save paying over the odds from a dealer.
It's a nightmare, maybe i won't bother :-)
Wander down to your local bikemeet sort of place, and ask people nicely if you can have a sit on the ones you're interested in. If you turn up on a bike, they probably wont punch you out 
Once you've filtered out the ones that feel odd then you need to take those models out for a test ride. Set a day or so aside for it, and do one or maybe two at each dealer. Anyone that sets up stupid store credit things is fairly close to going out of business as they dont have proper insurance cover on their stock anyway, so avoid them. Most dealers worth their salt will let you have a proper test ride, if you ring them first, and look respectablish when you go in. Do bear in mind when thinking about buying private, that this, and the implied six month warranty are a couple of big reasons that bikes are more expensive via the dealer.
ETA Or just buy it then upgrade it six months (or a month) later
Once you've filtered out the ones that feel odd then you need to take those models out for a test ride. Set a day or so aside for it, and do one or maybe two at each dealer. Anyone that sets up stupid store credit things is fairly close to going out of business as they dont have proper insurance cover on their stock anyway, so avoid them. Most dealers worth their salt will let you have a proper test ride, if you ring them first, and look respectablish when you go in. Do bear in mind when thinking about buying private, that this, and the implied six month warranty are a couple of big reasons that bikes are more expensive via the dealer.
ETA Or just buy it then upgrade it six months (or a month) later
Edited by randlemarcus on Monday 11th February 17:21
I agree with you, Black bikes are the fastest!! 
find a proper dealer for stage one.
then try sitting on a load till you know whats comfy & test ride them.
i sat on about 4 & only test rode the 14 last time i changed bikes. the others just didnt feel right. i think the test ride was about an hour but i knew in 100yrds that it was right & i wanted it.
then try sitting on a load till you know whats comfy & test ride them.
i sat on about 4 & only test rode the 14 last time i changed bikes. the others just didnt feel right. i think the test ride was about an hour but i knew in 100yrds that it was right & i wanted it.
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