Test ride
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Never had an issue here w/ HD or metric dealers. If you've got the endorsement and sign the waiver, you're test riding. The HD dealer did however have me test ride a used '12 Heritage and not the one I purchased. I was ok w/ that. 2 year full warranty on the one I got so no worries.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,888
From: Newcastle, OK
Thought it was strange when the dealer wouldn't let me test ride, considering I was a signature away from signing. They knew I had my endorsement and I was gonna trade in my FXDX. Needless to say I walked when the wouldn't let me test the road glide. Glad I kept my bike, now just have to wait for the new RG to come out.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
My dealership let me test ride 6 bikes before I purchased mine, just needed to show them my DL. Every time I got back from a test ride the next one was waiting for me to jump on after a short debrief with the salesman about the pros/cons - all of them were on the showroom floor, one was on a 4' high display platform in the showroom window, and even though I had already test drove a Fat Bob the one in the window was in the denim black that I wanted so 3 guys pulled up a ramp and down it came - it ended up being the one I bought.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Dealers not allowing test rides won't stay in business long. This isn't the 90's. People want to test ride and want bikes less than MSRP. Last time I was in a dealer they had demo day and just about every model was available to ride. I even had a salesman ask me if I wanted to take his personal bike out as it was similar to my bike and a bike I was interested in. I have been in this same dealership a few times for parts and every time I start looking at the bikes they always ask if I'm interested in a test ride. I never take them up on it because I have so self control...lol. I ride a bike chances are I might buy it. Excellent selling point to let customers do a test ride.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Can't imagine there'd be very many - I mean that's rediculous. Coupla yrs ago I was waiting for service on my scoot, minding my own business, drooling over a brand new Deluxe when a sales guy walks over and practically insists on me taking it out for ride - right off the showroom floor! Well I didn't wanna be rude so off I went.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Seriously, the nearest dealer to me puts several bikes outside in the parking lot with a big sign saying. "Test Ride Me Today". No doubt they want to see a DL with a MC endorsement, and they probably photocopy it just in case the test rider decides to ride it like like they stole it. Don't really know if they let you ride any bike, or certain ones that are similar.