For those who are seriously interested in the new VFR, will you buy one without securing a test ride?
I'm not holding my breath that many Honda dealers are going to be allowing test rides on the new VFR. That doesn't bode well for my decision to buy it over the bike it's directly competing with as those dealers allow long test rides, sometimes 24 hour test rides. :dry:
NO.
Before I got my '99, I thought I really wanted a SuperHawk.
I found a nice, barely used one at a dealership, got a test ride, and promptly decided that I was going to get another VFR instead.
Nice bike, but not a V-4, so I had to pass.
I may. If the ride reviews are clear enough, and sitting on it in the dealer the pillion is happy with it, I may take the plunge...
I probably will. But it will be after reading every report and every review and every subject on VFRD about the thing.
In my experience, dealers here don't let new bikes out for demo's. Used is another story. I bought my first VFR used after riding it (it helps that my best friend had the exact bike and I'd already ridden it).
The thing that really ticks me off is when buying a bike I'm expected to pay for uncrating and assembly. I can't believe that dealers still get away with this. I fully expect to pay MSRP for the new VFR1200, but to expect me to pay another 3 or 500 on top of that to make the bike rideable..... is beyond the pale. It's nothing but price gouging (sp). For cars, manufactureres (including Honda)that service is included in the basic sales price of the vehicle. It's called Pre Delivery Inspection and they have techs that do that for a living. Putting on mirrors, testing basic functions and a safety check.
I wonder if I refuse if the dealer willl give me a crated bike and expect me to do the work myself..
Ah, but I ramble. I have been wanting a 7th gen since 2006. I can't wait for them to hit the floors and I probably will have a deposit on one this month if the local stealer will let me.
Not a chance..I only bought 2 bikes in my life without a test ride, both new.Both I got sucked into by the reports everyone had. .I hated them both and ended up unloading them quickly . Never again. :)
BTW..notice how everyone loves their bikes no matter what and EVERY report is a love-in? I won't go by that ever again..Either I get a ride or its off the list.
I bought my first brand new bike ever based on looks and just sitting on it - my 05 VTEC. Next to meeting my wife and the birth of my kid, it's one of the least regrettable decisions I've ever made.
The new bike - dunno. Not thrilled about the weight, I think I would want to take it out & toss it around a bit before buying because the weight and looks are already a personal compromise - the bike would have to be an absolute pleasure to ride in order for me to buy it.
NO!
NO WAY!
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 08:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
skuuter's dealer.... :biggrin:
after reading, looking and sitting on the vfr, the the test ride is really what sold me on buying my new 06 from the dealer (rodspowersports), think the salesman knew something i didn't at the time :laugh:
No dealership I know of will offer test rides, other than used bikes or test ride promotional days like Customer Appreciation days.
[image: View Post]UFO, on Oct 15 2009, 09:56 PM, said:
For those who are seriously interested in the new VFR, will you buy one without securing a test ride?
I've only bought 3 brand-new bikes that I can remember, and none of them involved a test-ride.
Test rides are a relatively new thing. Up until about 10 years ago it was almost unheard of for motorcycles, at least in my experience.
I tend to wait and buy used, and that would include a new VFR1200.
I would buy a new bike without a test ride after doing all the homework. A Skuuter review would help tho. :biggrin: As a couple said above, I think few dealers will order the new VFR without a downpayment. My best bet for seeing one will be the Cycle World show in Cleveland this winter. Not a huge issue for me since I'm not planning to buy one (or any other bike) any time soon, but I definitely want to check it out.
My local Honda dealer (where I bought my first bike) allows test rides on used bikes for for licensed riders. I got to test ride a low miles '06 VFR there (which I passed on) before buying my '04 from its original owner. Also test rode an FZ6 and an R6 there a few years ago.
BTW, at least a couple Harley dealers nearby will let you test ride new bikes. Got to test ride a new Buell 1125R at one dealer last month. ;)
[image: View Post]TimC, on Oct 16 2009, 10:18 AM, said:
BTW, at least a couple Harley dealers nearby will let you test ride new bikes. Got to test ride a new Buell 1125R at one dealer last month. ;)
I got to take a prototype 1125R out for a 20min track session before they were released, during a Buell-sponsored trackday. Too bad that's over now with the end of Buell - and you don't see Honda or any other company doing that either! What a great way to sell bikes. :cool:
I've already got a deposit down... I won't get a test ride and I'll be very surprised if I don't like it.
Other bikes I've bought without a test ride:
CBR954RR
CBR1000RR
CBR125R
CBR600RR
CRF250X
Never regretted any of them, though I regret totalling the 954 after having it only a month. I bought my '00 VFR used and took a great long test drive... otherwise I may not have bought it.
I thought I wanted a BMW 1150R--it only took 5 minutes of test ride to confirm that I did not. A test ride is a must for a type of bike I haven't ridden before.
A lot of BMW dealers will let you take test rides, and sometimes have VFR and other models they've taken on trade-in and are selling that you can test ride that way.
I don't plan on buying one, but it might be fun to ride one around for a day. This place isn't far from where I live, and they've always rented the 6th Gen so I'm assuming that they'll pick up the 7th Gen VFR as well. Either that or I'll rent a 1098 :goofy: Maybe this will be my birthday present next October...
Granted, this is not exactly a deal but it's a whole lot cheaper than buying one :cool:
http://www.sportbike...cle_rentals.php
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 09:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
BMW
Being an ex-dealer, allow me to play devil's advocate here.
Put yourself in the dealer's shoes - are you going to allow some stranger (in a lot of cases) to walk in off the street and take off on a $12,000 motorcycle? If you do that with every bike on your floor, you wind up with a show room full of "new" bikes with 50-100 miles on the odometer. Then the next customer starts beating up on you on the price because the bike is not "new". Oh, and I forgot to add that the floor plan financing folks get all bent out of shape when new bikes are sitting in the show room with miles on them. Then add the liability and insurance on top of that. How does the dealer know your riding skills are up to a bike of that type? I lost count of the number of new bikes I sold and the people would drop them in the parking lot before they even made it out of the parking lot.
I quit allowing test rides after a potential customer "test rode" a Suzuki GL1000 to Conroe, TX and "traded it in" on a Datsun 240Z. 3 days after the test ride, the Datsun dealer in Conroe, TX called me and wanted to know who I had sold a '78 GL1000 Suzuki serial #00704708 (after all of these years I can still remember the VIN number). I told him the bike was stolen and he goes "Oh $hit". He left the bike there and took a 240Z for a test ride back to Atlanta. I had to fly to Houston, taxi to Conroe, and then ride the bike back. Lost several thousand on that one. I got to sell it as a current year used motorcycle.
Used bikes yes. But figure the new VFR's will probably be like the ST1300's are now. Each Honda dealer only gets an allotment of one or two units per year. I wouldn't allow mileage to start adding up on the one and only model of something I'm going to get that year.
I have a friend that is a dealer so I'll be able to test one for a full day. It's going to take that and a strong impression after I get off of it to get me to buy one. IMO, it's too damn heavy. At this point it's between the 2010 R1 in white or the new VFR. I have a friend that has been sport touring the R1 and he says it works very well. He's taller than me (I'm 6'2") and says it's mighty comfy for a sportbike. Can't wait for Spring to ride both.
NO
would you marry without getting a ride in first? :biggrin:
Dutch dealer will always get "demonstrators"; bikes to be test ridden and then sold as used.
[image: View Post]mellowyellow, on Oct 16 2009, 09:34 AM, said:
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 09:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
BMW
+1. The BMW dealer in my town invited me to test ride an F800ST without ever seeing me or without me even asking if I could.
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on Oct 16 2009, 01:30 PM, said:
NO
would you marry without getting a ride in first? :biggrin:
Dutch dealer will always get "demonstrators"; bikes to be test ridden and then sold as used.
Unfortunately, we can't sell our wives as used in this country.
Sounds like a great idea though. :cool:
I can see if now:
For Sale: One 47 year old wife. 5'-2", 105#. Career paralegal. Good cook, fair housekeeper. Good in-laws. All equipment is original. Seller is original owner.
Will accept tall slender 25-30 year old brunette in trade OBO.
Call BR-549.
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 06:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
The defunct Honda dealership in Milpitas, CA kept a few dedicated bikes around for test rides. I test rode the F4i but ended up getting the VFR.
I don't know of any dealer that offers test rides on new bikes, except the BMW dealer and the occasional Goldwing-only demo at the Honda shop. I've ridden a few random demo bikes at big events, but to get a bike that I'm actually interested in, requires camping out in line and I'm just not willing to make that much effort to secure a ten minute demo ride.
I am pretty good at cadging rides informally from other riders, probably because I'm not scary and I am willing to reciprocate. I can report that I have never found anything I didn't like about any Honda, that I wouldn't have known from a test sit. So while I will not buy the 7th gen without a test sit, I trust Honda enough that I would buy without a test ride. If I'm still on the fence after my test sit, I will wait until I've cadged a test ride from a friend who already bought one. I'm not going to waste a lot of emotional energy inveighing against mean and nasty dealers who don't allow test rides - that, unfortunately, is just a fact of life we have to live with.
I wouldn't buy a *used* bike without a test ride. But I understand the seller's concerns. That's why I make a point of showing up to see the used bike, on one of the bikes I already own, in full gear, and exhibiting my best behavior. And I spend a lot of time going over the bike and chatting up the seller before I ask for my test ride. This works to reassure them - I've never been turned down. (I've always let people test ride bikes I am selling, too, but I've never been selling the kind of bike that attracts crazy squids as buyers. If I were selling a GSXR I might handle it differently.)
Looking forward to my test sit at the Cycle World show in Novi.
Also...
The Triumph/Ducati dealer in Detroit offers test rides. I went up there and rode a Tiger, and decided not to buy from them because of how they handled the test rides. They disconnect the odometers on their new bikes, to keep them at zero miles even as they let people test ride them! (At least, that was what they told me in 2002 when I returned from my Tiger test ride and reported that the odometer didn't work - they said they did it on purpose. Perhaps they've changed but I haven't been back.)
I would buy a new bike with 30 or 40 miles on the odometer, from a dealer that allowed test rides, and be happy about it. But I will not buy a new bike with zero miles on the odometer and an unknown number of miles on the motor. Yikes!
[image: View Post]Pete McCrary, on Oct 16 2009, 06:35 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on Oct 16 2009, 01:30 PM, said:
NO
would you marry without getting a ride in first? :biggrin:
Dutch dealer will always get "demonstrators"; bikes to be test ridden and then sold as used.
Unfortunately, we can't sell our wives as used in this country.
Sounds like a great idea though. :cool:
I can see if now:
For Sale: One 47 year old wife. 5'-2", 105#. Career paralegal. Good cook, fair housekeeper. Good in-laws. All equipment is original. Seller is original owner.
Will accept tall slender 25-30 year old brunette in trade OBO.
Call BR-549.
:+1: as I wipe the tears from my face from laughing so hard! Das some funny chit dere mon...
As to dropping everything to run out and be the first kid on my block to own a new VFR, no. I'm gonna sit back, read about all the funky stuff and bugs and required fixes and such that are always inherent in radical new designs, then maybe decide what I really think after begging a ride off someone, before the Mayan calendar resets... :goofy: besides, the crappy local Honda dealer went belly up this year, so I can't even go kick a tire nearby...
Meanwhile I'm gonna keep working on getting my '98 sorted just right and eventually get around to my '70 R75/5 cafe conversion/restoration...
I'm not currently interested in the new bike at all, for a variety of reasons, but wanted to say that I was allowed a short ride on my '04 before the sale. They even had to pull it out of the crate and assemble it first. Obviously, I took it home, but I don't think that such a brief test had much to do with it. I had similar trials on a used 5th Gen and a used Yamaha before deciding to make that purchase. Prior to that, I had 4 bikes (used & new), all bought without a ride first. I figure that I'd really need at least a weekend with one before I'd be comfortable with making a truly informed decision. But, there are few ways to get that, so it's always a risk. A rental would be great, if I can find a place that does it. If I find myself shopping again, that's what I'll be looking for.
Securing a ride is a problem for me. I'm down to two bikes to replace the FJR...VFR12 and K13S. One I can easily take for an afternoon ride, the other I probably wouldn't even be allowed to sit on in a Honda dealer. :laugh:
If the VFR1200F was mind blowing on paper I probably wouldn't give it a second thought as I've purchased bikes before without a test ride (Hayabusa...but I knew what I was getting in to there). But it's not mind blowing on paper or in pictures IMO so this is going to be a tough decision for me. :mad:
I can get a quick feel as to whether I'll bond with a bike even after a 30 minute ride. For example: DL10000..HATED it. Absolutely would never own this bike. Aprilia Futura...I loved everything about this bike until I actually rode one. I was | | close to buying one until I pulled in to the dealer lot after a spin. :mellow:
I won't buy one WITH a test ride and a discount.... :laugh:
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 07:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
[image: View Post]elizilla, on Oct 16 2009, 11:51 AM, said:
Also...
The Triumph/Ducati dealer in Detroit offers test rides.
Same here, the Triumph/Ducati dealer has almost all the different models available for a test ride (Odometers intact). In fact they encourage it. I stopped by a few weeks ago and was just looking around and the sales guy said he was board would I like to test ride something? He said he wanted to go out too so I grabbed a multistrada S and he hopped on a street triple and we went riding for about 45 minutes. It was fun but I wouldn't want the multistrada over the VFR. I plan to go back next week and take an 1198 out for a spin.
As to the original question, probably not, but never say never.
Action
We have a new Honda Powerhouse here in Calgary. They have ride days. You leave your current bike and they ride it, then you get to ride the brand new bike of your choice. Valid license and bike = ride the bike of your dreams (they've had CBR1000, CBR600, Goldwing, VFR).
I bought both my bikes without riding them first - maybe I've been lucky but they've both been gems - both Honda V4 Interceptors. ;)
[image: View Post]superfunkomatic, on Oct 16 2009, 05:28 PM, said:
We have a new Honda Powerhouse here in Calgary. They have ride days. You leave your current bike and they ride it, then you get to ride the brand new bike of your choice. Valid license and bike = ride the bike of your dreams (they've had CBR1000, CBR600, Goldwing, VFR).
I bought both my bikes without riding them first - maybe I've been lucky but they've both been gems - both Honda V4 Interceptors. ;)
I suspect that program might be subsidized by Honda Canada. Makes sense.
Most other brands have demo days or take part in rallies with demo rides, Honda seems to stuck up to offer free rides, at least at the rallies I've been to. It doesn't really matter though as my next bike will not be a Honda unless they come up with something different. Currently the only bike they are making that appeals to me even a little is my 6th gen VFR, since I wouldn't be buying the same bike as I already have then it would mean a move to a different brand, again only because Honda offers nothign that appeals to me. maybe a goldwing on down the road, after they finally update it? I dunno.
I have bought several bikes without a test ride and never have I been totally let down. I do a ton of research, read the forums, talk to actual owners and then when I do buy the bike is usually 98% of what I expected it to be with only a small suprise here or there, but never anything major.
George
Honda used to have the "Come Ride With Us" program that brought a big truckload of bikes (all of their current models) from town to town and they would let you ride as long as you had a license. I think after a few people got killed they nixed it. It earned the unfortunate nick-name "come die with us"
Probably easier for BMW to offer test rides, as I would assume they have a much older clientele with higher levels of experience. Will they let people test their S1000RR though?
Good question!
My first VFR was test drove as I drove it 100 miles home after I bought it. I've test rode used bikes, but nothing can beat this one - I bought a new 04 BMW K1200GT from NH, had it trucked to NY and airfreighted to me in GE and it was STILL cheaper than buying local. When it was totalled 8 months later from a low-speed turn, I still got more than I paid for it. No test ride. Loved the bike and would probably still own it. My next bike, purchased w/o a test ride was a POS. Ended up breaking it down and selling(note: FS aprilia Futura parts)
While I do kind of like the newvfr, I'd still want a test ride. That being said, as an Instructor, it is in the dealer's best interest to encourage me to test ride as I speak to over 100 Marine bikers per week.
[image: View Post]Action, on Oct 16 2009, 04:53 PM, said:
[image: View Post]elizilla, on Oct 16 2009, 11:51 AM, said:
Also...
The Triumph/Ducati dealer in Detroit offers test rides.
Same here, the Triumph/Ducati dealer has almost all the different models available for a test ride (Odometers intact).
The KC area BMW/Trimph dealer offered me rides on a new F800ST (meh) and a pretty blue Sprint :wub: .
No, I wouldn't buy without a test ride. I am sure Honda will have these available for demo rides at Daytona Bike Week. They will fill all of the spots early in the week, but if you want to ride one it is an excuse to go to bike week.
I have a very good relationship with the local Honda dealer, hopefully it will mean a test ride on this. I am very interested.
[image: View Post]Bent, on Oct 16 2009, 05:27 PM, said:
I won't buy one WITH a test ride and a discount.... :laugh:
I'd buy one, but I'd need BOTH the test ride and the discount. So, I'm prolly looking at a 2012 VFR1200 fast forwarded about 8 years on fleabay. Perhaps a sporting version will have been produced by then...ooooohh, I hope so! I'm sure the aftermarket will have stepped in by then. :goofy:
[image: View Post]UFO, on Oct 16 2009, 03:56 PM, said:
For those who are seriously interested in the new VFR, will you buy one without securing a test ride?
I'm not holding my breath that many Honda dealers are going to be allowing test rides on the new VFR. That doesn't bode well for my decision to buy it over the bike it's directly competing with as those dealers allow long test rides, sometimes 24 hour test rides. :dry:
Hell yes, I'll buy it without a test ride. As far as I'm concerned you learn nothing about a bike's long-term capabilities from a short ride. It's just not possible.
That said, my argument only really works if you are in the market for a
very particular thing. I did not test ride my '02 either, because I wanted a Sports Tourer that could take me to work and back, go on long holidays AND do weekend scratching duty. All the reviews said it was the best option, so there was no need for me to ride it before I bought it. The underseat pipes didn't hurt either.
Now if I was in the market for "a bike" - and didn't know if I wanted a sportsbike, a tourer, a sports tourer, or whether I liked the power deliver of an I4, a V4, or a twin - then I'd need to do some darned test rides!
I think also the current folks who own a 5th or 6th gen and are seriously cynical about the new bike based on the stats which concern them (shaft drive, 267kg, 85mm longer wheelbase, 190 section rear wheel) would need a test ride.
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 08:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
Sloan's in Murphreesboro, TN.
[image: View Post]Bent, on 17 October 2009 - 10:58 AM, said:
[image: View Post]ericlw, on Oct 16 2009, 08:13 AM, said:
what dealership lets you test ride new bikes other then maybe goldwings?
Sloan's in Murphreesboro, TN.
Yes, I was at Sloan's about a year ago, and by coincidence they were having a test ride day. At the time I was told Sloan's offered test ride days on the first weekend (Saturday) of every month. But - the test rides are conducted as a well-orchestrated group ride. You sign up for whichever bike(s) you want to ride, show proof of a valid MC license/proof of insurance, and of course, sign a waiver that you'll not hold the dealer liable in the event of an accident. Takes about 2 minutes to sign up. On the day I was there we were offered the FJR1300, VFR800, ST1300, Goldwing, Versys(sp?), Victory cruiser of some sort, and a few others which I don't recall at the moment. No CBR1000 or Gixxer 1000's. The ride was a controlled ride with leader and sweeper over a mix of country roads and urban city streets which lasted about 25-30 minutes, more than enough time to get a feel for the bike. I rode the FJR1300 AE and while I liked the bike, I hated the clutchless shifting.
Would you buy a pair of $17k shoes without taking them for a spin around the store? There's your answer.
TEST RIDE comin' as soon as my Dealer gets one.....already signed, sealed....RESULTS/OPINIONS will be here when I do.... :fing02: :beer:
I sincerely doubt that my local Honda dealer will offer test rides, but I might sneak one in. I've known him for the last 30 years, watched him grow up through mini bikes and into road racing and into retirement after winning a couple of championships. There might be a chance.
But, in answer to the question, no, I would never buy a bike without riding one.
Having said that, I'm sure that a lot of dealers would offer test rides of they saw a wad of cash in the potential buyer's hands and really thought they were a serious prospect rather than a "tyre-kicker". :rolleyes:
And, on that subject, I have asked the question in another thread and got no response. On the V4 site that we all signed up for when the "teasers" were being published there, it was stated that, by doing so, we could be the first to ride the bike. I wonder of that applied world-wide or just to the UK where the site was based?
Not only no, but hell no. Haven't been able to enjoy the one I have, much less paying to ride someone else's, for months.
I didn't test ride any VFR before buying my 6th gen, but that was on the 2004 leftovers sold in late 2006 to early 2007, and I got mine from 9 hour's drive away. So I figured, if I screwed up, I could probably sell it for what I had in it.
I wouldn't touch a VF12 without a test ride because it's supposed to be such a game changer. I also would have possibly ended up with a CB919 if the dealership in Wichita would have let me taken their new one (that had already sat on the showroom floor for 18 months) for a test ride but they weren't too interested.
[image: View Post]UFO, on 15 October 2009 - 11:56 PM, said:
For those who are seriously interested in the new VFR, will you buy one without securing a test ride?
I'm not holding my breath that many Honda dealers are going to be allowing test rides on the new VFR. That doesn't bode well for my decision to buy it over the bike it's directly competing with as those dealers allow long test rides, sometimes 24 hour test rides. :dry:
Salesman I had been in contact with for some time looked me in the eye and asked if I was serious and that if I was they would pdi a new 05 for a test ride. They did, I loved it (as much as you can love a lump of metal) and bought it. Motorcycle show at Tradex, salesman gave me his card said come and try the new Hayabusa (never did) probably would have killed myself on that one.
I didn't test my VFR before I bought it. Or any other VFR for that matter.
But I had been drooling over them for several years, so was already decided.
Other than 1 more bike, I've test ridden each before buying. Usually handing the seller an envelope of cash before I rode off. Sold bikes that way too. I just want to make sure it runs right, shifts the gears right and feels good. :beer:
If sufficient information is available online (a review by a populer magazine helps too), then I don't have a problem buying without a test ride.
If is doesn't get much coverage from the riding community and few reviews I would be hesitant to buy one.
It's all about the availability of information.
(yeah, I work in advertising)
I bought my new 2002 without a test ride because it had a badge that said VFR. I knew then that I could count on its background / reliability and it was likely more on the sports side versus touring. 68,000 miles later and those original presumptions still hold true.
The new one still has the VFR badge but I think it has crossed the "line" and is now more on the touring side.
No doubt the new VFR will be a great bike and if I was I was looking more on the touring side I would buy it without a test ride. Looking forward though if I stick with Honda they sort of force me into two bikes. Take the new VFR on the bigger tours but find something else to really shred the back roads and track days. Maybe this is Honda marketing genius; keep the 6th gen but get the 7th for the longer rides.
[image: View Post]keithbob, on 16 October 2009 - 08:47 AM, said:
[image: View Post]UFO, on Oct 15 2009, 09:56 PM, said:
For those who are seriously interested in the new VFR, will you buy one without securing a test ride?
I've only bought 3 brand-new bikes that I can remember, and none of them involved a test-ride.
Test rides are a relatively new thing. Up until about 10 years ago it was almost unheard of for motorcycles, at least in my experience.
I tend to wait and buy used, and that would include a new VFR1200.
Not true! As a kid (19~25) I had a hobby of every so often going to the dealers just to do test rides. My most fun test ride was a brand new first year Hurricane 1000. My knees were weak for a good 20 minutes after that ride.
I fall into the "I can't justify plunking down $20K with no test ride" camp. I don't know why dealers haven't found a better way to deal with this than their current method(s) (e.g. outright refusal or lame, chaperoned "ride days").
Then again, I didn't wait until I was married either, so perhaps I'm going straight to hell. Maybe the dealers there are test ride hos.
:)
Nope...nope..nope! Come on. I could give a rats you know what how good a manufacturer or a magazine reviewer says a bike is..I,me,my butt, my senses,individual ergonomic interface, needs to mesh with this 17K dollar machine in a performance regime other than the tile on the floor of the showroom!. Yeah I get it, the mileage,wrecking,ect. thing, but really....Especially in the case of the VFR12 with the new tech(DCT), shaft drive, new dimension,weight,ect. of the new bike. Honda would have to be insane to even think about not allowing potential buyers a good test ride to see if the new tech is for them. That would be a 17k mistake if you thought you MIGHT like DCT and end up hating it!
The other thing I have to ask my fellow riders is this:(Poll maybe anyone?) How many people out there are required by the dealership to put up a credit card w/ at least 2-3k on it for a deposit for a test ride? I have run into riders who have NEVER put up a deposit to do a test ride. I'm not a young kid with a mohawk who rode up on a ratted out GSX-R or something. I'm a near 40, former Marine, former cop, current business owner. There is nothing about me that says 'risky'. Am I missing sumthin'? I'm just sayin'....
But I digress....No, not buying w/out a test ride.
Well, short of a test ride, this video on Honda's website is about as close as I'll get to riding one until I have one in my garage!
This actually has some good audio of the bike, it sounds very good, like a P51 Mustang (well not quite but close enough). Use decent audio equipment for full effect.
http://powersports.h...m/vfr/#/gallery
This is not a direct link to the video, click thru to the press launch video at Sugo.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 17 October 2009 - 06:10 AM, said:
Hell yes, I'll buy it without a test ride. As far as I'm concerned you learn nothing about a bike's long-term capabilities from a short ride. It's just not possible.
Maybe not long term capabilities, but you can learn a lot in a short ride. Whether you like the suspension, the power, the handling. Mostly this helps see if there are any obvious problems. For example, I felt one bike was comfy in the showroom, but after 5 minutes on the road I realized the pegs were in a bad position for riding.
[image: View Post]pserve, on 16 October 2009 - 01:41 PM, said:
I'm not currently interested in the new bike at all, for a variety of reasons, but wanted to say that I was allowed a short ride on my '04 before the sale. They even had to pull it out of the crate and assemble it first. Obviously, I took it home, but I don't think that such a brief test had much to do with it. I had similar trials on a used 5th Gen and a used Yamaha before deciding to make that purchase. Prior to that, I had 4 bikes (used & new), all bought without a ride first. I figure that I'd really need at least a weekend with one before I'd be comfortable with making a truly informed decision. But, there are few ways to get that, so it's always a risk. A rental would be great, if I can find a place that does it. If I find myself shopping again, that's what I'll be looking for.
+1 Ive had 3 new bikes and only test ridden one of them but theyve all been pretty good, and pretty different ( for the record the two hondas were non test rides and one moto guzzi that was). Unless your something like a "professional" motorcyclist/test rider/journo/industry insider who gets to ride lots of bikes and get a propper feel for them and really discern the difference between them then your probably just a normal guy who is used to his own current mount and occassionally gets a go on a mates bike, or loan bike from the dealer while yours is being serviced. So other than sitting on a potential new mount and getting some feel of the posture/comfort/controls I tend to think any new bike is going to be so sufficiently different from your current bike that it will take more than a half hour test ride to really get to know it. Sure we all want to feel how the engine pulls in different situations and how stable it feels leaned over and all that stuff but in reality thats often not going to happen with our new baby until were pretty confident about how the bike feels and how we feel on it, and almost certainly not on a test ride in the suburbs where the embarassment of dropping the damn thing is fairly prominent in our minds at that point. As for those who say they wont buy without a discount on a brand new model, I think its a bit delusional. You might get told your getting a discount but if you want to be an early adopter the best you can do is try and get the most you can for your trade in (if thats what your doing), its the price you pay for being one of the exclusive few with bragging rights. In a perfect world a test ride would be great but failing that we will have to make do with research and maybe getting a go on an early trade in or demo. Having said that Honda Australia seem to look after their customers pretty well, Ive already got the email to book a test ride on the new Fury and apparently there will be one for the new VFR in March, heres hoping.
let the ****storm comence.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 17 October 2009 - 06:10 AM, said:
As far as I'm concerned you learn nothing about a bike's long-term capabilities from a short ride. It's just not possible.
I beg to differ. I can see that as being the "acid test." I bring it home, park it in the garage, tell the wifey I just bought it and see what happens. And just for kicks I'd tell her I have to have it painted yellow next weekend. :goofy:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 17 October 2009 - 06:10 AM, said:
I think also the current folks who own a 5th or 6th gen and are seriously cynical about the new bike based on the stats which concern them (shaft drive, 267kg, 85mm longer wheelbase, 190 section rear wheel) would need a test ride.
I'm not cynical at all. I can't wait to see the bike and try like hell to fanigle a test ride.
[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 06 November 2009 - 06:01 PM, said:
TEST RIDE comin' as soon as my Dealer gets one.....already signed, sealed....RESULTS/OPINIONS will be here when I do.... :fing02: :beer:
Maybe they could set up a day for a bunch of us to get a ride? I'm not sure I would be interested in buying a new one, unless it really blew me away. So I wouldn't be comfortable asking for a dealer demo if I was 90% sure I wouldn't buy.
I'm mostly interested in how the auto shift works.
End of thread · 60 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 8 Feb 2011