Was looking to purchase a KTM 1290 super adventure R, and the local dealer said I could test ride it after I bought it...

I explained that I wasn't comfortable (pun intended) buying a bike I didn't test ride first. Is this normal?

 

if they let you test ride you'd realize what a piece of crap it was and wouldn't buy it .

 

Because they'll sell it to someone who can't afford a Harley.

 

Buddy of mine says his shop won't do test rides either. He says it's insurance issues / liabilty??

 

Interesting comments above, given that KTM is a premium off-road brand and the 1290R MSRP's for $18.5K...

1290 Adventure R would be a bitching dual-sport.

My experience is that it depends on the dealer, but is fairly normal. I have a pretty good relationship with a multi-line dealer near me, since I've bought and sold numerous dirt bikes and ATV's over the years, so I can sometimes get a test ride if I'm truly serious about buying.

My personal overall experience is that few multi-line dealers give test rides. Could see if there is a demo day coming up or see if any other KTM dealer around (I know they are pretty scarce though) has an official demo bike.

BMW will give test rides if you book in advance I think? Could go GS rather than KTM ;-)

My local Harley dealer will allow test rides on just about anything. They weren't always that way though.

 

Dealers down here have demo days all the time. Who in their right mind would buy without a test ride first? Look for another dealer, I will be getting a 1290 S next year and I have 4 dealers within 40 miles of me to do business with....

 

Not sure why but I do know his. Were it not for HD’s liberal test ride policy I probably wouldn’t be a Harley rider. I was shopping around for something more comfortable than my Goldwing and happened to be at the Harley dealer sitting on a Road Glide. Next thing I knew I was going down the road on one and I was hooked! I had never ridden a Harley before. I haven’t ridden anything but Harleys since that day.

 

They figure if you test ride it & find your feet are 6" from touching the ground on both sides you might walk away

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Well, they'll at least let you sit on it.. so that's not the reason.

Anyways, thanks for the replies. I'll see if I can find another dealer, or just test ride the GSA.

 

I was up at Americade earlier this month. KTM was booked solid with people taking test rides. I have my eyes on the KTM 790 Adventure R.