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
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
Test Rides
This just came up in another thread and I'm curious.....how many of you actually test rode your bike before you bought it? I didn't and don't think I have ever ridden a bike before buying it....sold quite a few too and have never let anyone ride before buying.....just curious.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: North of Houston
When I went in and started talking about trading my Sporty they opened the front doors and took it off the showroom floor. Rode a Fat Boy too for comparison. Also rode a Rocker C just because I could.
They wouldn't let me ride the SE springer.
They wouldn't let me ride the SE springer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
I didn't test ride my Super Glide, but I did test ride a Fat Boy, Softail Heritage, Road Glide and Electra Glide, so I pretty much knew what I wanted and didn't want by the time I pulled the trigger on mine.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Goldenrod Crossing MN 56201
Test Ride
Jumped on a (demo) FatBob at Apols in Raymond Mn. Had a sundowner on it. Bought mine off craigslist. New -casino prize guy did not want it. Took it home and the wife took about 80 miles to remind me of the sundowner.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee area
I voted "No", without reading ALL the choices thoroughly. Should have checked "Rented/Tested same model but not my actual bike" I did, however, ride the same model at a different dealer a few weeks earlier. I also tested a Low Rider and the Bobs, Fat and Street. I don't know what I would do if the dealers here didn't allow test rides. One of the metric dealers nearby doesn't, that's for sure (wanted to test a GW, for S&Gs). I feel sorry for the guys that have dealers that won't allow tests.
I wouldn't buy a pair of $20 sneaks without trying them on, why the hell would I drop $12k+ without trying it first.
My wife also didn't test the actual bike she bought. They dropped the original one she test rode, so they got her a different one.
I wouldn't buy a pair of $20 sneaks without trying them on, why the hell would I drop $12k+ without trying it first.
My wife also didn't test the actual bike she bought. They dropped the original one she test rode, so they got her a different one.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Frenchville,M.E.
I bought an 96 klx 250 dual sport with out a test ride and swore I'd never do that againg the thing was so under powered had to sink $1,200 to be somewhat happy. Then I bought an 08 wideglide my first Harley ,without a test ride cause the dealer would not allow and the next dealer is 200 miles away yeah way up in northern Maine. But verrrry happy with the Harley
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
Bought mine sight-unseen off ebay. Seller had 15+ clear pix posted in the auction, and bike had only 546 miles, so I figger'd I was safe. Flying down to Mesa to see/ride/pay for it, I kept telling myself, "It won't be PERFECT; expect some minor flaws". It WAS perfect! I'd ridden my younger bro's '04 Wide while I was still riding asians (yes, bikes!), and remember saying to m'self, "I'll never own a Harley but if I ever did, THIS is what I'd get!"