I'm new to bikes, and need some input. I am looking to buy a Sportster. I found a 2007 online that I really like the looks of, and it has just the right options for me. It's 250 miles away at a dealer in Virginia. I called and talked to them. Two things caught me off guard.


1 - There's a $249 "processing fee" on top of the listed price (which is $6K)
2 - They say their insurance doesn't allow test rides. "A tech can test ride it for you."


Okaayyyyy...
Obviously different that the car buying experience, lol. Is this unusual? FWIW, the dealer is Classic Iron in Fredericksburg. I few posts here on this forum speak highly of them.

 

Tell 'em to keep it.

 

+1 - It's an 8yo bike. If they won't let you do a test ride, forget it.

 

Same here, would never buy a bike or car I couldn't test first.

 

this is extremely unusual. You sometimes have to schedule a test ride, but I wouldn't buy a used bike without riding it. My local dealership lets me ride bikes all the time. 6K for a 2007 seems high to me, but I haven't seen the bike. Either way, you need to test ride.

The processing fee is a joke. If you go into buy it and ask them to take it of and they don't, don't buy it. I promise if you start to walk away, they'll take it off.

 

Probably something wrong with the bike. Find another one, plenty out there.

 

As long as you have a valid motorcycle license, why would their insurance have a problem?

I wonder how many people test drive cars and never even get asked about whether they have a valid DL or not.

John

 

Buy used direct from the owner. No processing fees and much less expensive overall.

 

My dealer allows test riding except for bikes on commission.

 

no test ride no sale

find another dealer that wants your business