Tryed to book a etst ride and was told "sorry you can't"

[RemaL]

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

[sjtscott]

Best find yourself a dealer who will - plenty do. Triumph dealer I went to didn't even ask me but then the chap who now heads up their Triumph section did sell me an Aprilia when he ran another London dealership a few years ago.
BTW Did you turn up in person and ask or do it by phone? I've found that you tend to make better progress by phoning dealers up front but it would seem in your case like you just picked the wrong dealer or the 11 month business is counting against you.

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 11th September 13:24

[RemaL]

sjtscott said:

Best find yourself a dealer who will - plenty do. Triumph dealer I went to didn't even ask me but then the chap who now heads up their Triumph section did sell me an Aprilia when he ran another London dealership a few years ago.
BTW Did you turn up in person and ask or do it by phone? I've found that you tend to make better progress by phoning dealers up front but it would seem in your case like you just picked the wrong dealer or the 11 month business is counting against you.

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 11th September 13:24

I went in person to book the tst ride for next week. looks like I need to travel around to see who will give me a test ride or wait until Oct for a test ride in Fowlers

[Scrooloose]

RemaL said:

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

So basically you're annoyed because they wouldn't let you out on the road uninsured......


Hmmm, think that they're probably in the right on this one!

[catso]

sjtscott said:

Best find yourself a dealer who will

Indeed, their loss if they don't let you test. I was browsing at a Ducati dealership and got talking to the salesman about a Hypermotard when he asked me if I wanted a test ride, I didn't have my licence with me so all he took was my name & address & he asked to see a credit card as 'proof' of who I was but no question over how long I've had a licence, (insurance etc) or even if I had a licence (I was there on my bike though) I even told him that I wasn't in the market at the moment for a new bike but he was most happy for me to try it out plus even gave me a tenner to put some petrol in as it was a bit low, I plan to go back for a test ride on the 1098 soon.

I felt guilty at not buying the bike but know where to look when I am ready to buy.......

[TPS]

Scrooloose said:

RemaL said:

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

So basically you're annoyed because they wouldn't let you out on the road uninsured......


Hmmm, think that they're probably in the right on this one!

I dont think he is annoyed about that.He is saying he was annoyed that he could not go out for a test ride,not with the reason why.

[virgil]

Scrooloose said:

RemaL said:

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

So basically you're annoyed because they wouldn't let you out on the road uninsured......


Hmmm, think that they're probably in the right on this one!

I think his annoyed because the dealer has a very restrictive insurance policy in place!

Happened to me when I bought my first bike - no test ride. Triumph dealer just took a copy of the licence and that was that. No issues, no dramas.

Unfortunately you'll have to find another dealer!

[RemaL]

Scrooloose said:

RemaL said:

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

So basically you're annoyed because they wouldn't let you out on the road uninsured......


Hmmm, think that they're probably in the right on this one!

NO, your wrong, annoyed as they have only just changed their insurance which stops anyone taking a test ride unless you have had your licence a year. I've been on the road almost everyday since Nov and what if another person did not ride after passing their DAS but had had their licence a year. who would have more experance then?
I'm also fully comp on my insurance so that must be better than TPF&T

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 15:06

[black-k1]

RemaL said:

Scrooloose said:

RemaL said:

well I just poped into fowlers to book a test ride on a gix 750 and Speed triple.

And what do they say "NO" :yikes

why? they have new insurance which "the boss" has agreed to that will not allow anyone of any age to take a test ride on any bike of any CC unless they have had their licence for more than 1 year. well I passed last Oct so i have had my licence for 11 months. wanted to take a test ride next friday while the weather was warm and hopfully dry so I could decide which bike I want to get for the new reg next March.

the young chat I was talking to was very helpful but that was it. Even that I have fully comp insurance and due to riding other bikes on only thrid party they said no

what to do now

Bugger can't edit the heading. tt

Edited by RemaL on Tuesday 11th September 13:05

So basically you're annoyed because they wouldn't let you out on the road uninsured......


Hmmm, think that they're probably in the right on this one!

NO, your wrong, annoyed as they have only just changed their insurance which stops anyone taking a test rie unless you have had your licence a year. I've been on the road almost everyday sinc Nov and what if another person did not ride after passing their DAS but had had their licence a year. who would have more experance then?
I'm also fully comp on my insurance so that must be better than TPF&T

I would be annoyed at the fact that they have taken out such an insurance policy. (A bit short sighted if you ask me!) It means that for those who have had a license for less than 1 year the dealer expects the customer to part with several thousands of pounds for a bike they have not even ridden! – Try another dealer and make sure that if/when you do buy (from the other dealer) that Fowlers know that the loss of sale is down to their daft insurance policy.

[hiccy]

Yep, I'd take my business elsewhere and not look back tbh. Totally short sighted attitude.

[bully69]

sjtscott said:

Best find yourself a dealer who will - plenty do. Triumph dealer I went to didn't even ask me but then the chap who now heads up their Triumph section did sell me an Aprilia when he ran another London dealership a few years ago.
BTW Did you turn up in person and ask or do it by phone? I've found that you tend to make better progress by phoning dealers up front but it would seem in your case like you just picked the wrong dealer or the 11 month business is counting against you.

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 11th September 13:24

WAS THE GUY MY OLD PAL BOBBY DA SCOUSER BRENNAN !!!!

[bean455]

Normally,if you have only had your full bike licence for under a year,the dealer should accompany you on a test ride.I always did,long test ride,stop for coffee,talk bikes,ask what other bikes they would like to ride,take them under my wing.90% would come back and buy a bike from me.I enjoyed the experience,and the new biker had a new friend.

[sjtscott]

bully69 said:

sjtscott said:

Best find yourself a dealer who will - plenty do. Triumph dealer I went to didn't even ask me but then the chap who now heads up their Triumph section did sell me an Aprilia when he ran another London dealership a few years ago.
BTW Did you turn up in person and ask or do it by phone? I've found that you tend to make better progress by phoning dealers up front but it would seem in your case like you just picked the wrong dealer or the 11 month business is counting against you.

Edited by sjtscott on Tuesday 11th September 13:24

WAS THE GUY MY OLD PAL BOBBY DA SCOUSER BRENNAN !!!!

Oh Yes! Took a little explaining for him to remember me. lol

[RemaL]

bean455 said:

Normally,if you have only had your full bike licence for under a year,the dealer should accompany you on a test ride.I always did,long test ride,stop for coffee,talk bikes,ask what other bikes they would like to ride,take them under my wing.90% would come back and buy a bike from me.I enjoyed the experience,and the new biker had a new friend.

thats what happened when I bought my Fazer. after the test ride I was very happy and bought it.

[Skyedriver]

Years ago I went for a test ride on a VFR at a dealer in Bedlington.
Was charged £25 for the ride, was told previously I had an hour but when I arrived i wasn't ready. eventually got it and was told to be back in half an hour as they were closing.
Bought a Sprint ST elsewhere instead, if thats the way to treat potential customers......

[Mad Dave]

When I was in the market for an R1, Fowlers had a nice used one - but apparently don't allow test rides on used bikes. Another mate just bought a TLR there but they made him leave a deposit (£200 IIRC) which was NOT refundable. If he didn't like the bike he could transfer the money to another bike, but not have it back.

I bought my R1 elsewhere, somewhere that was more than happy to let me take it out with the only caveat being "take it steady, and remember; you pay for your own speeding fines!"

[RemaL]

thing is I want a new bike. so at the moment having to search for other local dealers. which there are a few triumph dealers near by. just waiting for a reply from them.

i'm looking at a new bike as I have never bought any new car or bike before and as i've got the money ready, and the wife's given me the green light I could not say no

[Conian]

Bike shop near here has had that policy for years, it saves them a fortune and I dont think it's that unreasonable., though you do have a valid point comparing someone who rides everyday for 11 months to someone who passed 12 months ago but never rode much.

But if you're not looking to buy until March then what are you worried about? It rather seems that you just want to play on a couple of bikes (I'm not knocking you, I did it myself, but with cars )

Test ride elsewhere, testride at Fowlers in Oct, then buy from wherever you can get the best deal.

Ask yourself, if you were a business man and you could save several £1000 by taking the 1-year licence option, would you?

[RemaL]

main reason i wanted to test ride now was due to the goood weather and not takin out a demo in poor weather. i know it could be great weather in Oct so i'm keeping my fingers crossed for that.

Just did not know this was common place so I understand your comments are not a knock

I can understand there are people who just want to got for blast on a new bike without buying, just a shame some of us ready to buy cannot.

[D_T_W]

When i was looking to do my test, i went and spoke to a couple of dealers about bikes, what type i was after, and went with their reccomendations. Spoke to them a couple of days before hand and booked 2 brand new bikes for back to back test rides. No issues regarding how long i had been riding for, and even they said if i'd asked and seemed keen enough they would've let me out on a 1000cc if i'd wanted. It was 3rd party only, so if i binned it i bought it, but they were actively keen to get me out on the bikes, with no deposit and no obligation to buy.
Sounds like the dealer has had some bad experiances in the past, but if you look around there will be other garages more than happy to let you ride their bikes