Need a demo ride.

There is only one dealer in the area that I have heard has a VFR so far. I called them this morning and asked if it was true that they had received on and whether or not I'd need to schedule a time to take a test ride on it.
Now this dealer is known for allowing Test rides in the past, but the salesman on the phone just said "no demo rides" and hung up.

I had a family emergency erupt before I could even hit the redial on the phone.
Now many many hours later, I'm wondering exactly what the sales guy meant.

I mean his English was broken and heavily accented (Russian I think), and I have gotten demo rides from this dealer before (Valk', ZX10, even a st1300).
So while I'm wondering what that short statement means, has anyone had an issue with getting a demo/test ride on a new VFR1200 at the dealer.

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 14 April 2010 - 07:10 PM, said:

...has anyone had an issue with getting a demo/test ride on a new VFR1200 at the dealer.


Only the people that have asked. :goofy:

The people I can recall posting here about it said the same thing about their dealers. Check some of the other threads.

Most dealers will only get one or 2 of these and many are spoken for... why would they let people test ride it?

If they had dozens of them it would make sense to set one aside as a demo unit, but they don't.

DFW Honda just got their first unit in a few days ago; they said they're going to get six of them this year, around one per month. The guy I was talking to said that if the first couple of units came in and weren't moving, then they would consider allowing demo rides, but they're going to let them sit on the floor for a few months first to see if they can sell them without. I gave him my contact info to let me know if they do start allowing demos.

As an aside, I swung by the local Duc dealer on the way home today and asked about the new Multi 1200. Their first unit is expected to be in-store at the end of the month, and it WILL be a demo bike. :wub:

[image: View Post]sckego, on 14 April 2010 - 08:30 PM, said:

DFW Honda just got their first unit in a few days ago; they said they're going to get six of them this year, around one per month. The guy I was talking to said that if the first couple of units came in and weren't moving, then they would consider allowing demo rides, but they're going to let them sit on the floor for a few months first to see if they can sell them without. I gave him my contact info to let me know if they do start allowing demos.

As an aside, I swung by the local Duc dealer on the way home today and asked about the new Multi 1200. Their first unit is expected to be in-store at the end of the month, and it WILL be a demo bike. :wub:


So here's what you do...

1. Go to the Ducati dealer.
2. Take Multistrada 1200 out for a demo ride.
3. Ride over to the Honda dealer.
4. "Hey, Mr. Honda - can I demo a VFR1200? You can hold onto this Duc as collateral..."

...Two bikes in one day! :laughing6-hehe:

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 14 April 2010 - 07:59 PM, said:

Only the people that have asked. :goofy:
The people I can recall posting here about it said the same thing about their dealers. Check some of the other threads.

Well, its like this, I'm not going to plunk down a big check for 16K to buy the VFR1200 without a test ride.
And as I said I have taken test rides before. In fact I took the test ride on the Valk while the guy was running my credit and confirming with Honda that they would finance me, only to have it kill my back in the short ride. Even the sales manager said that he was glad I had test ridden the bike instead of buying it then trying to return it or something stupid like that.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 14 April 2010 - 08:19 PM, said:

Most dealers will only get one or 2 of these and many are spoken for... why would they let people test ride it?
If they had dozens of them it would make sense to set one aside as a demo unit, but they don't.

Well duh, if it is spoken for then it really isn't dealer stock and I would not expect anyone to ride it before the owner.
But if it is just a unit for the floor, then what is the harm in letting a potential customer with pre-approved credit ride it.
I mean I know that I can get the $$ for the bike from my credit union, hell they just sent me a letter to tell me that I'm pre-approved for a car loan of nearly triple the cost of the VFR1200F.

I mean I'm never buying another bike without a test ride. You want to see that I'm a serious customer, run my credit. But there is no way you are getting me to sign off on a deal until I get to ride the bike.
I wouldn't do it for a $6000 bike so there is no way in hell I'm gonna do it for a $16,000 bike.

Has anyone in the NJ/PA/DE area heard anything about a Honda Demo Day??

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 14 April 2010 - 09:43 PM, said:

But if it is just a unit for the floor, then what is the harm in letting a potential customer with pre-approved credit ride it.



Because if you don't buy it then they've got to convince to the next guy to buy it with a bunch of miles on it.

I've bought several new motorcycles without a test ride, but I would never buy one that's been test ridden by a bunch of people.

My local dealer says: "You come in, write a check for the sticker price, take a test ride on my 12 mile designated course, return undamaged with 12 miles on the clock, we tear up the check, negotiations begin." "You don't ride anything you don't 'own'".

This is his policy on all motorcycles, not just the VFR.

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 14 April 2010 - 09:43 PM, said:

Well, its like this, I'm not going to plunk down a big check for 16K to buy the VFR1200 without a test ride.
And as I said I have taken test rides before. In fact I took the test ride on the Valk while the guy was running my credit and confirming with Honda that they would finance me, only to have it kill my back in the short ride. Even the sales manager said that he was glad I had test ridden the bike instead of buying it then trying to return it or something stupid like that.

I don't disagree with you. But Honda and/or the dealers are betting that supply is outweighed by demand (for now) and that if you won't buy it without a ride, someone else will. Sucks, but they hold all the cards.

[image: View Post]phobe, on 14 April 2010 - 08:19 PM, said:

Well duh, if it is spoken for then it really isn't dealer stock and I would not expect anyone to ride it before the owner.
But if it is just a unit for the floor, then what is the harm in letting a potential customer with pre-approved credit ride it.
I mean I know that I can get the $$ for the bike from my credit union, hell they just sent me a letter to tell me that I'm pre-approved for a car loan of nearly triple the cost of the VFR1200F.


Simple. Two things:
1. Your awesome credit won't necessarily help them get a new VFR if you bin it, and (present company excepted) there are lots of noobs out there with fine credit.
2. Again, Honda is betting that (for now) they are all spoken for. I'd be curious to know how long a "floor model" is actually going to be sitting there. I'd guess that if a Powerhouse dealer in a big city is only going to get one a month, and they can sell it for sticker - they will. And quickly What would be the point of having $16,000 in cash tied up in some floor model that no one can ride?

Give it time; you may get your ride yet. But be careful that you don't get trampled by the mobs of guys with fists full of money, going around you to go buy a VFR1200, sight unseen. ;)

[image: View Post]sckego, on 14 April 2010 - 08:30 PM, said:

DFW Honda just got their first unit in a few days ago; they said they're going to get six of them this year, around one per month. The guy I was talking to said that if the first couple of units came in and weren't moving, then they would consider allowing demo rides, but they're going to let them sit on the floor for a few months first to see if they can sell them without. I gave him my contact info to let me know if they do start allowing demos.

As an aside, I swung by the local Duc dealer on the way home today and asked about the new Multi 1200. Their first unit is expected to be in-store at the end of the month, and it WILL be a demo bike. :wub:


It took Dallas Honda three days to sell theirs.

When I first met Seb on his way south, we met up at Bob's BMW in Maryland. After some pleasantries, we though it would be a goof to test ride a coupla huge touring bikes. The guy told us it was no problem, we could ride away after they swiped our credit cards for 5000 each.

So we took pictures instead.

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 14 April 2010 - 11:37 PM, said:

[image: View Post]sckego, on 14 April 2010 - 08:30 PM, said:

DFW Honda just got their first unit in a few days ago; they said they're going to get six of them this year, around one per month. The guy I was talking to said that if the first couple of units came in and weren't moving, then they would consider allowing demo rides, but they're going to let them sit on the floor for a few months first to see if they can sell them without. I gave him my contact info to let me know if they do start allowing demos.

As an aside, I swung by the local Duc dealer on the way home today and asked about the new Multi 1200. Their first unit is expected to be in-store at the end of the month, and it WILL be a demo bike. :wub:


It took Dallas Honda three days to sell theirs.


That sounds pretty quick to me. It took them three years to sell my bike. :goofy:

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 14 April 2010 - 09:59 PM, said:

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 14 April 2010 - 09:43 PM, said:

Well, its like this, I'm not going to plunk down a big check for 16K to buy the VFR1200 without a test ride.
And as I said I have taken test rides before. In fact I took the test ride on the Valk while the guy was running my credit and confirming with Honda that they would finance me, only to have it kill my back in the short ride. Even the sales manager said that he was glad I had test ridden the bike instead of buying it then trying to return it or something stupid like that.

I don't disagree with you. But Honda and/or the dealers are betting that supply is outweighed by demand (for now) and that if you won't buy it without a ride, someone else will. Sucks, but they hold all the cards.
I should point out that I still bought a bike from that dealer just not the Valk.
I mean I'm at the point where we have negotiated, agreed on the price.
I the case I mentioned, I had a letter from the credit union stating how much I was pre-approved for on a recreational vehicle loan and the sales guy was only trying to see if I could get a better deal with Honda. He had a deposit on the deal and my copies of my current insurance at that time so he had protection in case I binned it.

[image: View Post]carlitos92, on 14 April 2010 - 09:59 PM, said:

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 14 April 2010 - 08:19 PM, said:

Well duh, if it is spoken for then it really isn't dealer stock and I would not expect anyone to ride it before the owner.
But if it is just a unit for the floor, then what is the harm in letting a potential customer with pre-approved credit ride it.
I mean I know that I can get the $$ for the bike from my credit union, hell they just sent me a letter to tell me that I'm pre-approved for a car loan of nearly triple the cost of the VFR1200F.


Simple. Two things:
1. Your awesome credit won't necessarily help them get a new VFR if you bin it, and (present company excepted) there are lots of noobs out there with fine credit.
2. Again, Honda is betting that (for now) they are all spoken for. I'd be curious to know how long a "floor model" is actually going to be sitting there. I'd guess that if a Powerhouse dealer in a big city is only going to get one a month, and they can sell it for sticker - they will. And quickly What would be the point of having $16,000 in cash tied up in some floor model that no one can ride?

Give it time; you may get your ride yet. But be careful that you don't get trampled by the mobs of guys with fists full of money, going around you to go buy a VFR1200, sight unseen. ;)

Well I can't blame them for wanting to be covered if I bin it, that is why there is a temp insurance from and you have to have full coverage currently in place on your bike (and I'm sure there is an unspoken rule about there being some deposit of some sort on the table). My point about the credit was I'm not some 19 year old with zero credit trying to test ride a gsxr with no history, insurance or approval.

And I'm pretty sure that if they have a new VFR and they put it on the floor its going to sit there next the c14 that has been there for nine months and eventually end up like the six VFR800 Vtec editions, the two DN-01's and the three furies sitting back in the warehouse of dealer. They don't sell at sticker in this area.

[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 15 April 2010 - 04:02 AM, said:

When I first met Seb on his way south, we met up at Bob's BMW in Maryland. After some pleasantries, we though it would be a goof to test ride a coupla huge touring bikes. The guy told us it was no problem, we could ride away after they swiped our credit cards for 5000 each.

So we took pictures instead.

Was this 5000 refundable if you did not drop it? Plus it sounds like he knew you were just test riding, not trying to make a final decision on buying a bike.
I could see that the dealer doesn't just want to roll up a bunch of miles on a new unit to some one that has no interest in buying it.
But in the case where you are asking a premium price on a bike, the rider should have an opportunity to test ride it.

I'm guaranteed a Test Ride "when" my Dealer gets 1 of 2 They ordered.... :fing02: ......still not in yet though.......... :pissed: :mad:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 15 April 2010 - 04:01 PM, said:

I'm guaranteed a Test Ride "when" my Dealer gets 1 of 2 They ordered.... :fing02: ......still not in yet though.......... :pissed: :mad:



Oh boy, skutter is getting a new bike!!!!! :warranty: :cheerleader:

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 15 April 2010 - 03:58 PM, said:

I could see that the dealer doesn't just want to roll up a bunch of miles on a new unit to some one that has no interest in buying it.
But in the case where you are asking a premium price on a bike, the rider should have an opportunity to test ride it.



I dont know about that.... A test ride could have sealed it.....
[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 15 April 2010 - 04:01 PM, said:

I'm guaranteed a Test Ride "when" my Dealer gets 1 of 2 They ordered.... :fing02: ......still not in yet though.......... :pissed: :mad:

Well, sure, you buy three or four bikes a year from him! Posted Image

[image: View Post]Knife, on 15 April 2010 - 06:32 PM, said:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 15 April 2010 - 04:01 PM, said:

I'm guaranteed a Test Ride "when" my Dealer gets 1 of 2 They ordered.... :fing02: ......still not in yet though.......... :pissed: :mad:

Well, sure, you buy three or four bikes a year from him! Posted Image



BMW dealers are really good about letting people test ride their bikes. The bikes sell themselves. Honda should learn a lesson on this, IMHO.

Flash

Sunnyvale CA dealer just got their first 1200...I sat on it and it's just a bit too tall for me. They're getting the double clutch model soon.

I don't think they offer any test rides on any of their bikes.

Jim

[image: View Post]flash1034, on 15 April 2010 - 07:24 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Knife, on 15 April 2010 - 06:32 PM, said:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 15 April 2010 - 04:01 PM, said:

I'm guaranteed a Test Ride "when" my Dealer gets 1 of 2 They ordered.... :fing02: ......still not in yet though.......... :pissed: :mad:

Well, sure, you buy three or four bikes a year from him! Posted Image



BMW dealers are really good about letting people test ride their bikes. The bikes sell themselves. Honda should learn a lesson on this, IMHO.

Flash

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 15 April 2010 - 03:58 PM, said:

I mean I'm at the point where we have negotiated, agreed on the price.



If you are that close, agree that get a test ride before you sign. No test ride, no deal.

To you, waiting till there are a plethora of bikes saves you money. By that time he is selling way below list and he can sell it to you now much higher. Hell, if you have to wait, you might be able to get a used one for half the price.

If he doesn't like that, remind him that you test rode the Valk and bought a different bike after that. It will show him that you are really interested by going through all the rig-a-ma-roll and protects you from a bike that just doesn't fit.


To me it makes sense. You won't buy without a test ride. If you are serious and they won't do it, no deal, you walk. Go to another dealer. You are the consumer, you have the money, you have the power.

If it ever gets to the point where dealers are sitting on inventory (of 1200F's) and have to discount heavily, then it'll be your turn to put the screws to him. Right now, the dealer is in a position of power...deal with it. None of us would have any qualms about buying an 'end of line' bike (read VFR800) from a dealer if he lost 2000$ on it, so it doesn't seem unreasonable if they don't let a fresh off the design board, first one in the country, everyone wants one bike go for LIST PRICE.

I feel your pain, I want one too, but will have to bide my time like the rest. My local dealer sold his 3 bikes in 7 days, the first two were sold BEFORE they arrived. He only has one more scheduled for the summer. I'm surprised they are not raising ABOVE list. It's been done in the new car market before.

Congrats to any and all who manage to scoop one this year. (the GREEN WITH ENVY icon goes here)

Brian

Local Honda Dealer had one unit marked HOLD. I don't think he even wanted me to sit on it. No Demo rides and no discounts. They aren't going to be ordering very many.

The Honda shop in Columbus, GA has one and is scheduled to get one more. They called me so I went down and took a look at it yesterday. Knew more about it than their sales team. Not offered a ride, but did not ask.

Felt like I was putting them out when I asked about the factory luggage.

Contrast with the Aprilia dealer about 12 miles from my house. They had the first RSV4 when it arrived for training the technicians. The guy called me to come in and take a look at it. Let me ride it in the parking lot.

It was just here on a DOT Visa for training and had a speed limiter on it, got the wheel up in the parking lot before it cuts the fun.

Very different attitude for very similar costing toys.

Russelville, AR Honda shop has a VFR1200 on ebay for $13,885.00 out the door. Looks to be about 86% of list and they are similarly priced for all Hondas.

Trying to find the pics I snapped of the RSV but all I can find is my recent trip to DC on my cell phone right now.

[image: View Post]VFR Capt.Bob, on 15 April 2010 - 08:50 PM, said:

... They aren't going to be ordering very many.


I have a feeling even if they ordered 100 bikes they are only going to GET 3or 4 from Honda, at least in the first wave.

We all thought 8 years was a long wait, apparently Honda thought most of us should wait at least one more. :dry:

Brian

[image: View Post]Chev, on 15 April 2010 - 07:38 PM, said:

[image: View Post]JES_VFR, on 15 April 2010 - 03:58 PM, said:

I mean I'm at the point where we have negotiated, agreed on the price.


If you are that close, agree that get a test ride before you sign. No test ride, no deal.
To you, waiting till there are a plethora of bikes saves you money. By that time he is selling way below list and he can sell it to you now much higher. Hell, if you have to wait, you might be able to get a used one for half the price.
If he doesn't like that, remind him that you test rode the Valk and bought a different bike after that. It will show him that you are really interested by going through all the rig-a-ma-roll and protects you from a bike that just doesn't fit.
To me it makes sense. You won't buy without a test ride. If you are serious and they won't do it, no deal, you walk. Go to another dealer. You are the consumer, you have the money, you have the power.

Well there are dealers in the area that won't let you test ride a bike. It is a strict policy of the store, usually because they have had some uninsured rookie rider with bad credit demo a bike and total it. I worked at two such dealers. The one store even had an r1 stolen a few years before buy a guy on a 'test ride'. So they just won't take the risk. And I can sort of understand that, but I have had test rides at this dealer before and know the owners.
I have not had a chance to call the owner and discuss the situation with him. Heck I don't even know if they have a unit to sell at this time.

[image: View Post]DDO-VFR, on 15 April 2010 - 08:05 PM, said:

If it ever gets to the point where dealers are sitting on inventory (of 1200F's) and have to discount heavily, then it'll be your turn to put the screws to him. Right now, the dealer is in a position of power...deal with it. None of us would have any qualms about buying an 'end of line' bike (read VFR800) from a dealer if he lost 2000$ on it, so it doesn't seem unreasonable if they don't let a fresh off the design board, first one in the country, everyone wants one bike go for LIST PRICE.

I feel your pain, I want one too, but will have to bide my time like the rest. My local dealer sold his 3 bikes in 7 days, the first two were sold BEFORE they arrived. He only has one more scheduled for the summer. I'm surprised they are not raising ABOVE list. It's been done in the new car market before.

Congrats to any and all who manage to scoop one this year. (the GREEN WITH ENVY icon goes here)

Brian

Again, I'm not talking about nickle and dime'ing the sales guy. I'm talking about taking a test ride on the bike to change my attitude from "Its a nice bike" to "I love it, I want it, I gotta have it". I mean that's the first thing they teach a car saleman to do "make you customer fall in love with the vehicle", then every little nickle and dime fee or optional cost is offset by them falling in love with the vehicle.

I'm not gonna fall in love with any bike sitting on it for a couple of minutes on a dealership floor.
I mean I don't love the MSRP of the new bike, but its not like its got a lot of years under its belt to undercut its price either.
All I'm saying is if I'm going to pay 3 times I what I paid for my 5th gen and I'm going to need to be in love with it to buy it.
And the only way I'm going to be in love with it is if I get a chance to ride one before I buy it.