[djespi1]

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?

Consider that many people buy brand new bikes without test rides. You should have an idea of what to look for and get some kind of warranty from the dealer.

 

[brewermoe]

The dealership out here (New Brunswick) told me I had to sign a purchase agreement before they would let me take a test ride. I did my research as well and planned to upgrade the seat and shocks. I had to stop twice on the way home (140km) due to discomfort and now two years of mods I am throwing in the towel, this bike is not fit for the rough roads out here and I can't endure much more than a couple of hours. I rode my cbr for 8/9 hrs and wasn't hurtin, but that was all over Ontario. So I am thinkin a test ride would have given me some better indications of what I was in for!

 

[ducatisean93111]

With the complainants of which there are many, lots and lots of people for example ditch the seat and swap out the rear suspension on many bikes almost straight away. In certain cases if the mechanical aspect is suspect maybe a test ride is a good idea but what is the point of test riding it if it is from a motorcycle trader with a comprehensive backed up warranty? It also depends on the rider and the experience they have under their belts. Many will buy and simply adapt their riding style to suit the ergonomics of the bike they have bought to harmonise their own limitations to that of the bike to get the best experience out of it. I personally have not test ridden any of the bikes I have ever bought. I have however researched the prospective purchase for known issues and reliability. Also I too have bought aftermarket items to make it more comfortable, a little louder, faster, added and upgraded lighting etc. etc. It is what I enjoy!

Everyone is different and there are so many different variables to consider when buying something expensive with high expectations that it will deliver the enjoyment and reliability, and for some immediate comfort they desire.

I definitely understand the notion of changing most things on the bike. However, for me it's more about how the bike rides than the trimmings that I would change. I have test ridden quite a few bikes, and after many many years on big cc bikes I have my own style of bikes that I enjoy riding. Things that I look at are throttle profiles, flick in to corners, overall power delivery and general feel of the bike. I've taken test rides on bikes I was certain I would love, however, after the test ride I left underwhelmed. It's one thing walking in knowing the bike is going to be slower than what i'm currently on, but it's a whole other story to leave after a test ride that left the bike feeling completely underwhelming in what I was expecting from it. I'd be so mad if I bought a bike and my vision of how the bike would be was not what the bike was. I do thorough research on bikes to make sure i'm test riding the ones i'm interested in, but i've walked away from 2 or 3 test rides feeling like the bike was way overhyped for what it was and very happy that I did not go through the entire process for setting up financing and taking a hit financially. I knew what I was walking into with my Chief, and the test ride confirmed it was what I was looking for. I had been considering a Scout before due to the cost and size and felt it might be a great bike for what I would be using it for. I test rode it first and was not impressed in the slightest. Felt much more beginner oriented than what I wanted.

 

[K9F]

Congrats! Nice bike. I also have the GS1250 and a Chief. Great bikes.

If ever I had the need to go down to a single bike a GS would be at the top of my list. They are so versatile and multifunctional they are ‘The Swiss Army Knife’ of the motorcycle World.

 

[TwoChiefs]

I rode a Challenger and two Pursuits at demo days. That’s how I decided I wanted a Pursuit limited but wanted to swap the seat for the heated version. The veteran credit paid for a good portion of the seat.

 

[Berserker]

Demo days are far between for most of us. I am sure fun. But I have never been to a demo for any vehicle

 

[dirklay59]

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?

Rent a similar bike using www.riders-share.com. A few days rental is an infinitely better evaluation of whether that bike is right for you and how you ride that a few minutes on a test ride.

I am looking at either a Springfield or Chieftain for myself, but I will definitely rent one for a few days first.

 

[bpepin]

My first RM (21) I took it for a ride off the showroom floor, but I had rode a 13 soft tail into the dealership. The second one (24) I had ordered so I already knew what to expect. Good experience all the way around. I live in Iowa and they seem to be a little more trusting here.

 

[Bird Dog]

My first RM (21) I took it for a ride off the showroom floor, but I had rode a 13 soft tail into the dealership. The second one (24) I had ordered so I already knew what to expect. Good experience all the way around. I live in Iowa and they seem to be a little more trusting here.

Same up here. At least this has been my experience with Tytler Cycle. The day I decided to order out my first first Indian Challenger, a 2020 limited, it was the manager of the dealership who offered me the chance to take it out for a test ride. I didn't even bring it up until he mentioned it. I'm glad he did. Because I am now on my second one, a. 2024 Challenger limited. They are fantastic bikes. I just hope that these will be continued to be assembled into the future now that Polaris has taken the first step to getting out of the motorcycle business.

 

[Jaygyver]

No test ride on either street bike, one was a new ’76 Honda CB-550 I bought while in the military. I read all the reviews in all the magazines and looked at my riding style and decided that was the one for me. Had a blast on it. I had zero expectations on it and just wanted to ride.
Years later I bought a new ’82 Honda CB 900c, again no test ride but checked out all the magazine reviews. Had a blast on that one also. Wife and I took many cross country trips together on it.
Life hit and parked it for a few decades and decided before I retired I wanted another bike but wanted a V twin this time.

I looked at most all the brands but Indian just did it for me. I checked out the online forums and reviews and decided on a new ’21 Springfield. The dealer I was at didn’t have one and asked me about the other bikes on hand but told him I had settled on the Springfield. Just happed to come back a week or so later and there it was. Put money on it and called the wife. I worked out of town so told the dealer I would sign the final papers on Friday when the wife came up with the money. Friday came and had to wait till the next day because they got the dates wrong and hadn’t touched the bike yet. Oh yay, I only have 2 days a week at home and have to spend another freaking day in town.

I actually never dawned on me to ask for a test ride. In all seriousness, I wasn’t sure if I was going to drop it pulling out of their driveway let alone at the first light. I still had to stop twice on the way home, about 2-1/2 hours, as it was still April and 39 degrees when I left. Stopped about an hour out to get heat from the wife’s car and the next was to eat and warm up again. Still had a grin on my face the whole way home.
Funny story, I forgot my brother got a Gilmore Vintage about 5 years earlier and he called out of the blue to go for a ride. I asked him what he did when he got his bike because I know it had been about the same length of time between bikes and he said he didn’t trust himself so he towed it home and spent time riding it in parking lots to get used to it. Exactly what I was thinking on doing………

I had looked at HD about 10 years earlier and nothing tripped MY trigger and with the price and living in the PNW weather I couldn’t justify being a fair weather rider anyway.

 

[Freddie]

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?

Nope not good. Find another dealer. Just spoke with an Indian dealer today in fact and was invited in to ride the bike I'm looking at buying. Not sure their logic, but mine is if they are so difficult to deal with before they have your money, what will it be like when they do??