Would you buy a used bike you couldn't test ride?

conundrum said:
, I still want to test ride the 600 before dropping $15K (with taxes) on a new one. Given Honda's policy of not allowing test rides at demo days without a full M (on SS bikes), I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
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spending 15k on a 600cc is crazy...
and Ready Honda let me test ride everything at a demo day. CBR600rr, VFR800, CBR1000rr and the VFR1200 no questions asked other than what I ride which is a 09 Ninja 250...
 
Didn't test drive my first bike (bought late in the fall), test drove my 2nd bike (bought in July). No unknown problems with either bike - you have to know what to look for when you're doing the inspection on the bike. That's all.
 
LoneRonin said:
spending 15k on a 600cc is crazy...
and Ready Honda let me test ride everything at a demo day. CBR600rr, VFR800, CBR1000rr and the VFR1200 no questions asked other than what I ride which is a 09 Ninja 250...
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I'll have to keep them in mind then. Last year Clarington seemed to indicate they'd let me ride one too on a demo day (I bought the 250 from them), however in 2012 that worked out to be the weekend after my RTI course, and I wasn't ready to jump on a 600 SS at that point (since I'd only ridden a 125 in a parking lot lol)

As for the 15K that's if I paid full MSRP & PDI which I don't really intend on doing if at all possible. Ideally I'd like to think I could get at least 10% off, which is around $1350 less assuming a MSRP around $13500. I intend on keeping the 600 long term, and that's why I want to buy new vs used (personal thing -- I did the same thing with my current car). Also call me crazy but I kinda like the look of the new model better than the outgoing one, which I know puts me in a minority of people lol.
 
years ago when selling my first street bike I let a friend of a friend test ride it... Rode 100m straight into the side of a bus. Since then never let anyone test ride. When buying a bike Ill get the person to start it and ride up/down the street for me. Mind you My track bike was bought in winter and didnt even start... Depends on vibe you get from the seller too.
 
Personally I would never buy a used SS without test riding solely for the possibility of second gear being toast.
 
conundrum said:
As for the 15K that's if I paid full MSRP & PDI which I don't really intend on doing if at all possible. Ideally I'd like to think I could get at least 10% off, which is around $1350 less assuming a MSRP around $13500. I intend on keeping the 600 long term, and that's why I want to buy new vs used (personal thing -- I did the same thing with my current car). Also call me crazy but I kinda like the look of the new model better than the outgoing one, which I know puts me in a minority of people lol.
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I'm in the same boat wanting a new bike and keeping it long term if not forever, but I've got my heart set on a 2012 Red CBR1000rr which I plan to pick up in 2015...I just saw one at the show for 11.5 G's, I think it was a floor model but I'm ok with that, I need the biggest bang for my buck. That's why I find 15k for a 600 too much. I just hope in 2015 a dealer still has a solid red one laying around...
But I have to disagree on that new CBR600rr the front lights are just too weird for me, especially from the side view.
 
I've test ridden the bikes I've bought (or had someone I trust test drive it.)


If you show up with someone else who stays back and chills/talks with the buyer, it's better than say... showing up by yourself, on bus/train/etc, ask to meet at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, and asks to test ride.

Cash in the sellers hand also.
Although I guess with bikes in the 2-3000 range sellers are a little more lenient, as opposed to say a $6000 bike.

As for selling, chances are I'll total a bike before I ever consider selling it, but if I do sell I'd let them test ride with cash in hand.
 
It isn't my responsibility to educate you. The same person on the same bike could come away with completely different likes / dislikes.
Ride 1 130 KPH on a superslab at 40 degrees between two 18 wheelers
Ride 2 15 degrees cooler on a twisty country road
Ride 3 15 degrees cooler again on a dirt road in the rain.
 
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nobbie48 said:
It isn't my responsibility to educate you. The same person on the same bike could come away with completely different likes / dislikes.
Ride 1 130 KPH on a superslab at 40 degrees between two 18 wheelers
Ride 2 15 degrees cooler on a twisty country road
Ride 3 15 degrees cooler again on a dirt road in the rain.
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I'm guessing you didn't notice the part where thatpost was advertisement? Can you not see the hyperlinked "bike"?
 
No way in HELL anyone is test riding my bike prior to sale...... I havent test rode mine either....a brand new rider testing a bike? what happens when he drops it, now the seller is SOL? I dont think so, have a mechanic check it out ...sure, check it out yourself absolutey, hear it run for sure, but there are way too many thefts and risk associated with smashing it up by test riding. When cash is in hand then you can ride it IMO... I will always operate like this.

Jenn
 
I entirely agree.

Motorcycles are for enthusiasts... you dont see people riding motorcycles because they cannot afford cars or because everything else is too expensive. It's strictly for fun and enjoyment. Likewise, good luck getting a test drive out of someone selling a car that is their hobby. No tire-kickers is a common policy and I accepted that when I bought my CBR600. It comes with the territory and the bike is just fine without me having to ride it first. I did ask for the previous owner to ride it up and down to street in first second and third to make sure everything sounds fine, and that's that. If you won't buy a bike because you can't test ride it, then you really are left with slim pickings as not many will allow you to.

Miro
 
MiroE90 said:
Motorcycles are for enthusiasts... you dont see people riding motorcycles because they cannot afford cars or because everything else is too expensive.
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Not true. For me at least, a bike is cheaper vs a car. Last insurance quote I got was $6000 for a v6 Mustang convertible. Bike is quite a bit less.

Sent from my SH-02E using Tapatalk 2
 
I've test rode every bike I've bought for myself or others. I've let buyers test ride bikes I've sold when the full price in cash is in my hand. Any damage and it's sold. No damage and they decide not to buy due to a problem with the bike...cash returned. I've never not sold a bike after a test ride.
 
Every bike I've bought and the owner let me test ride- offered it in fact.

Every bike I've sold, I do not let anyone test ride. Hypocritical? Yes.
I'm honest about the condition of my bikes and I have never sold a bike that wasn't well maintained and certifiable. They just have to trust me.

As soon as I list a bike, I take off the plate, even if it's valid. Then I tell a prospective buyer that I have no insce. but I will gladly put on a plate and ride the bike up and down the street for them. I've never had a problem doing this.

I will not let a stranger ride my bike. Not so much re theft reasons, it's just that I have no idea of their experience or skill level.
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