Been thinking about buying another Harley lately and stopped in Tucson HD to look at the 18's and check out the M8 engine. Over the past decade I've bought 5 Harley's. I had previously bought a Road Glide Special from Tucson HD. After looking at some bikes with the sales person, I was interested in one and asked to take it for a test ride. He told me that they don't do test rides until after they've made "The Deal". I told him I didn't want to go through all that just to take a bike for a test ride and would go to another dealer. He immediately ran and grabbed his sales manager. I spoke with the sales manager and mentioned that I had bought a Road Glide Special there two years ago and was interested In buying another bike and would like to take it for a test ride. He proceeded to tell me that " I could test ride the bike after we've made a deal". At which point I picked up my jacket and helmet, told them I would buy the bike from another dealer, and started walking out with the manager following behind me asking me to wait "we could make an exception", "I'm sure we could work something out", "you don't have to go to another dealer".
I was on my 14 Road King.

If this is how Harley dealers are conducting business, I can understand why Harley is in trouble.

 

I wouldn't have given the "first" second chance

 

Could also be that you are getting so many YouTubers going to bike dealers and filming test rides without the thought of a purchase? However, in your case, a repeat customer, they must know your not there to make a YouTube review

 

Harley had the semi trailer at Mischler's HD Friday and Saturday. Just a smaller dealer in Wisconsin . Test ride all you want. Having done business with the dealer for years, I know darn well test ride any time I want one un-escorted. Always more to it. Did dealer change hands?
Any dealer you had a past relation with should handle you different than Bubba that just walks in.
I know one day some guy called and want to take a BMW S1000RR. 502 pound bike 165 HP, They explained it in plain English, We don't know you. Come on down we will run some checks on you and talk about it. Couple years back they hand me the key and said try this out.
I know why that won't give just anyone the key.

 

The sales person and sales manager both knew I had bought a 16 RGS from them. Dumb, dumb, dumb sales tactics. I'm used to my old dealer in Cali who if I showed the least bit of interest in a bike they would offer - take it for a spin if you want.

 

^^^this^^^....they were disrespectful to you and don't deserve your business.

 

Wow, you bought a bike from them 2 years ago and that's how you were treated? I'd find another dealer permanently. Hopefully, you have others nearby. I've been treated like that by car dealers and have never been back.

 

That's weird. Since the intro of the Evo, Harley has been all about the test ride.

 

I can go to my dealer and ride whatever I want, whenever I want. That said, I only ride something I'd be interested in. They also let you test ride un escorted.

The dealer closest to me, lets folks test ride escorted, but they act like you're putting them out. I don't do business with them

 

They do the same stuff at the dealership I work at. It weeds out the tire kickers.