New bikes at the dealership? Where I live, forget about it. The problem is that they can't get the insurance to cover it. You have some newbie come in, all full of it about what a great rider he thinks he is, he gets on an unfamiliar bike and drops it leaving the parking lot. I can't say as I blame them.
When buying used, I've found most sellers are extremely reluctant to let anyone take a test ride _unless_ they have cash in hand. I don't blame them either. When I've gone to buy a bike, I check it out as much as I can without riding it. If it looks great, I'll ask for a test ride. Sometimes the seller says yes, sometimes no. If I really want the bike, I'll show up with cash, and write on a piece of paper that I will purchase the bike at the agreed price - subject to a test ride. That usually works.
If selling one of my bikes, and the buyer wants to do a test ride, I've usually said I want cash in hand before letting them take it for a spin. If they come back with the bike in one piece, they can have their money back if not interested.
Once or twice I've agreed to let the potential buyer take it for a test ride - only because I was desperate for a sale, or because the buyer was clearly both a very experienced rider and seemed to have plenty of money.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
|