[NC Springfield]

I searched for "test ride" but didn't find this addressed...

I'm interested in trading for a used Challenger, 2022 or newer, in a color other than black. The only dealers around central NC with such a bike are not Indian dealers, and they don't allow test rides. So I can't test ride before buying, and that feels unsatisfying to me.

How do you feel about spending $$$ on a motorcycle without riding it?

 

[rayz1951]

I searched for "test ride" but didn't find this addressed...

I'm interested in trading for a used Challenger, 2022 or newer, in a color other than black. The only dealers around central NC with such a bike are not Indian dealers, and they don't allow test rides. So I can't test ride before buying, and that feels unsatisfying to me.

How do you feel about spending $$$ on a motorcycle without riding it?

For the money we spend on these toys, a test ride should be a "no brainer". My local dealership let me test ride a Vintage that I showed a little interest in and ending up buying. One of 3 bikes I bought from them afterwards.

 

[Lazy Fox]

I didn't test ride a Scout classic last year because I hadn't ridin in 27 years and it was ugly when I first rode off. This year was almost the same as I traded the Scout in for a Springfield. My dealer kind of went out of their way to get the Springfield from another dealer and I was good with just sitting on the bike and making sure I could hold it up.

I bought a Yamaha 650 back in 1980 and a HD Sportster in 1982 and I didn't test ride those either.

 

[Two85's]

You don't say what your trading in. I would find a demo event and ride them all !
PS. I had never ridden an Indian before.

 

[IndianaRider]

Demo events are good if you haven't been on any of them recently.

I'm still gonna test ride before I buy a $35k+ toy or I'm walking away to a dealer that will allow it.

 

[Berserker]

With private sales, this is a hottley debated topic. Some saying no way are you riding it, others saying no way would I buy.

With a dealer, I would think think they would have a system Insurance? I can't remember if I signed anything. Though maybe not being one of their products line, it is an issue?

 

[THOR504]

That's crazy! Every dealer I've visited has been more than willing to let me take their bikes for a spin. I didn't ride the exact bike I purchased (it was at another location), but something comparable should be available for testing purposes. I also took a Roadmaster and FTR for a spin while my bike was getting new tires. When my wife purchased her Springfield, she first rode it, and then a Challenger to compare... no questions asked once they checked the license for an endorsement.

 

[Berserker]

Demo events are good if you haven't been on any of them recently.

I am sure they are. But not like they are the most convenient thing, unless you just get lucky.

Ethically flexible maybe, but go to a different dealer and ride one if you are worried you won't like it. Or are you worried something is wrong with the used one?

I tested rode at dealer near me. All they had was new. I wasn't going to buy new. But wanted to ride one. They had no used. They pestered me to test ride. I figured it is the way the business lots of people test ride that don't buy. I felt slightly funny about it.

I did end up buying from that dealer, a used one that they just got in. They called me before listing. Maybe because had time invested in me.

 

[TheBru]

When I bought my Vintage new the first dealer wanted me to wait till demo days (6 weeks) to test ride. I called another dealer and they said no problem come on down. It was cleaned up with gas waiting outside for me. Rode it home! Never went back to the first dealer. But to answer your question, I have to ride before I buy.

 

[Chief T]

Upcoming demo events:

 

[Baron58]

Some dealers carry insurance for test rides some do not.

 

[ducatisean93111]

I refuse to buy a new or used bike without a ride. If buying privately I bring my wife or a friend with me, make sure we're meeting at a good spot and leave my license and the price of the bike in cash with the buyer and my wife/friend is there with them just in case they try to run with the money for whatever reason. I also keep the test ride short, and I plan the ride with the seller before getting on. I try to get a mix of city streets and interstate riding in there and i've never had an issue with that way of doing things.

The Harley dealer refused me a test drive when I was looking at buying a new bike back in 2022. I had other issues with the sales team there too and as a first experience with a brand it put me right off them. I came with a credit score of 740 and a $5000 deposit bare in mind and they did everything they could to strong arm me into buying the bike before even getting a test ride. I went to the Indian dealer and they were more than happy with a test drive. I ended up buying with them that same day. I'm happy with my decision for the most part. My local Ducati dealer here also allowed me to on test rides with the bikes, although they had a demo specific fleet. The exact one I wanted was not available for test drive but they had basically the same thing in a test drive fleet.

I'm a firm believer in that if I have a valid license, insurance on my current bike, cash in hand and it's a dealer that a dealer should have no reason to not allow a test drive. If they don't allow a test drive there is no way i'm dropping my hard earned cash (in most cases for what i'm buying $20k+) in their store. Even if I have to go farther away I will call dealers before and make sure the bike is there.

 

[Chief T]

There's two red ones and a blue Pursuit at the Concord dealer (though I can't recommend them)
And a blue Pursuit at the Charlotte dealer. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Lee-Bro]

The OP indicated the bikes he wants near him are at "dealers" which aren't Indian dealerships. As mentioned above some dealers have test ride insurance, and some don't.

To me there are distinctions between "dealers" and "dealerships." Dealers are registered w/ the state to sell vehicles. Dealerships are dealers who have brand specific licenses/selling agreements with manufacturers such as Honda, Indian, et al.

It's been my experience that 2nd hand powersports dealers tend to not allow test rides.

It's been my experience that dealerships tend to have varying levels of test rides. One dealership in particular near me only lets people ride around in their large extra lot next door to the dealership.

As a sidenote, I bought my used Springfield w/o a test ride. This was in '21 when prices were still going up and I knew if I didn't like the bike, I'd get my money back. The selling dealer offered me $1,500 more than what I paid them to buy it back just 3 1/2 months after I bought it from them. I was loving it too much to take the deal.

 

[Tundra_Man]

We have a local motorsports consignment shop that has signs posted "no test rides allowed." They sell a ton of bikes, so there must be plenty of people who are OK with buying a motorcycle with no test ride. I purchased the best motorcycle I've ever owned from them with no test drive. It worked out for me.

When I bought my Roadmaster I was looking at bikes from private sellers. Some would allow test rides, some wouldn't. I never pressed the issue if they said "no." One seller actually offered and encouraged me to take a test ride. I nearly bought the motorcycle from him but someone else beat me to it before I made up my mind. I wound up buying my Roadmaster from another guy who did reluctantly let me test ride it. I left him my driver's license and my old motorcycle as collateral.

 

[El-Spanky]

I'd be a tad Leary.... When I purchase a bike or vehicle. I set on it or in it for 45 minutes or so. Bike Look @ ergonomics, seat comfort, stretch to handle bars, leg stretch to foot pegs etc. I had a customer poke me once thinking I was a very good plastic dummy LMAO! Had 1 Indian dealer said we have a used one if that is ok. I rode it knowing a new one will be better. Good Luck!!

 

[NC Springfield]

There's two red ones and a blue Pursuit at the Concord dealer (though I can't recommend them)
And a blue Pursuit at the Charlotte dealer. 🤷‍♂️

Yep, that is a Ride Now dealership (Concord) that doesn't allow test rides. I'm interested in those 2 red 2024 Challengers for $25.6k. The blue Pursuit at Indian of Charlotte has almost 50k miles it, otherwise I would have already bought it.

 

[Grumpster]

I’ve purchased a Hardley and 2 Indian motorcycles without test rides. All three from dealerships.

The Hardley - I bought from a dealership just down the road from me. Bought it in February and left it at the dealership until spring. That one, at least I could see it. Touch it. Sit on it. Even start it up.

The Indians - Bought them both without seeing either one of them in person and without a test ride.

The first from an Indian dealership in Minnesota (St Paul?). My son and I drove from the Milwaukee area to MN to pick that one up. Hauled the Hardley up there in a trailer for my trade. Signed papers. Loaded up the Indian and hauled it home.

The second Indian was from Mom’s in Massachusetts. Had that one shipped to the Indian dealership where mine was stored for the winter. Picked it up in the spring and rode it home. Still have that one.

No issues with any of the three bikes.

Would I buy from a private party without a test ride - no. Not a chance. But from a dealership - yes.

 

[F-3]

I bought my Scout without riding it. I hadn't been on a bike in almost 30 years but was missing it and thinking about it. Then I saw my Scout in an online ad. Went and got my endorsement and the bike was now on sale. Drove down to Vancouver, bought it and trailered it home. That was a about 27K miles ago. The other bikes I owned when I was younger, I test rode all of them.

 

[Rusty Arse]

Bought my ‘25 Pursuit 112 Dark Horse sight unseen last April , ordered it in Feb. My dealers 500 miles away. But after 54k miles on a ‘21 Challenger sort of knew what to expect. Don’t think I’ve ever been refused a test ride from various dealers over the years, Incl Harley, Vic, Honda, Indian. And the bikes I’ve sold to private parties have been to friends or people I’ve known and trusted. I’d be a little leery of a total stranger wanting to ride a bike I owned. A few years ago a friend of mine won a brand new Sportster at a Veterans benefit, immediately put it up for sale. Let an interested party, a co worker he thought he knew take it for a test ride. This guy wrecks it, almost kills himself and left my friend high and dry for repairs etc… Seller beware lol.