View Poll Results: Did you test ride your bike before you bought it?
Yes
23
19.66%
No
72
61.54%
Rented/Tested same model but not my actual bike
22
18.80%
Voters: 117. You may not vote on this poll
Test Rides
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 856
Likes: 6
From: Charlotte County FL
I didn't test ride mine, I bought it 4 days after I got out of the hospital from a cage taking me out on my Sportster. My wife had to drive me to a doctors apointment, and on the way home I mentioned maybe we could stop on the way home and look at a new bike. She said ok which took me by suprise, the salesman couldn't believe I was looking so soon, could hardly walk, right arm in a sling, left one full of stiches. I bought the Dyna I have now that same day.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
Round Rock Harley Davidson let me test drive my bike before I bought it. I went in just looking at bikes. The Fat Bob caught my eye and my sales person asked if I wanted to test drive it. My mouth hit the floor and the sales tactic worked because I walked out with it that day. I couldnt take it home that day because I was going toobin down the river, so they delivered the bike to my house which is 2.5 hours a way for no additional charge which I thought was also cool. They swap my Nightster for the Fat Bob and gave me MSRP back on the Nightster before that deal was even going on. That place really knew how to make a customer HAPPY!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Never rode a harley in my life until last year when I was looking for a lighter bike. Got tired of the 800+ bikes I had been riding and the only bikes that were light enough that weren't sportbikes were sportsters. The dealer sold everything except Honda's and after looking at these I went to the Harley side. Mentioned I liked the Sportsters and the first thing they asked was "Like to ride one?" Said yes. Got a copy of my drivers license and they handed me the keys. Try that at a Honda dealer! The only test drives the dealers I've been to is to let you sit on the seats. Same thing happened when I traded for the FXDC (only 85 lbs. heavier). They almost "forced" me to take a test ride. What a novel idea.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 923
Likes: 3
From: Southern Oregon
I didn't test ride the actual bike I bought but I did test ride the exact same model as well as many other models. Every bike I rode handles and rides differently. I can't believe someone can buy a bike without riding it first. Does anyone buy a car without taking it for a test drive?
And I know the dealers don't just let people take bikes for a test ride. But before I'd spend 20 grand or so on any vehicle, I'm going to take it for a test ride/drive somehow, even if I have to go rent one.
And I know the dealers don't just let people take bikes for a test ride. But before I'd spend 20 grand or so on any vehicle, I'm going to take it for a test ride/drive somehow, even if I have to go rent one.
never saw it or rode it until it showed up in my driveway almost exactly 2 years ago. march 12.
it was 20 dgrees outside and i still took it for a ride.
looks a lot diff. now..........................
it was 20 dgrees outside and i still took it for a ride.
looks a lot diff. now..........................
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No test ride for me either. All the Street Bobs had mid controls and I needed forwards. Sat on alot of bikes though to get a feel of what I was looking for. They had a used Super Glide on the floor with forwards and once I sat on it I knew they would work for me on the Bob.