Purchasing a motorcycle from a dealer...?

I have ridden motorcyles for many years and I am licensed to drive one but I've always purchased used from private parties. For the first time I am buying from a dealer and they seem like it's a problem for me to test drive the bike. I've already filled out a credit application and have been approved.





My question: Is this a normal practice for Motorcyle Dealers to not let people test drive a bike before they purchase? The dealer has been around for over 20 years.
Purchasing a motorcycle from a dealer...?
They are usually pretty hesitant to do so - since they can't go with you, and bikes are REALLY easy to drop.





Maybe find out if they have a used bike on the lot that is similar to the one you are thinking about purchasing (maybe a prior year model with a few miles on it) that they will let you test ride.





It wouldn't be exactly like it, but you could get an idea.





I lucked out - one of my friends bought an '06 Suzuki Boulevard C50, and let me ride it (he knew I had way more experience than he did - and that I would be very careful with it). I was so impressed I went and bought myself one.





Very nice bike - looks sharp, isn't a rocketship or anything, but it isn't a dog either.





Fuel injected, liquid cooled, and shaft drive. All for around $7K - brand new.





You can't beat that with a stick.
Purchasing a motorcycle from a dealer...?
Yes, they don't like to do test drives, but some will with a copy of your license and/or name of your insurance company. You may need to let them know how serious you are about buying. Most dealers just expect you to know what you want.
Reply:Yes, it is normal practice. Too much Liability and risk to their interest. If You know which bike You are interested in, often at big Bike events such as bike week some of the companies offer test rides at a track or other closed enviornment.
Reply:Yes, it's normal practice, but totally unnecessary.





We have a Triumph/Ducati dealer here who allows test rides on all used bikes and usually has demos of the new bikes to ride. He has a 30 mile loop and lets you go on your own.





The rest of the dealers in town generally allow accompanied test rides on used bikes (the sales person follows on another bike) when they aren't busy, but do not have new bike demos.
Reply:I've had no problem test riding Triumphs and Victory's. We have a Ducati dealer in town who also offers test rides. The Japanese bike dealers though have been very remiss to allow test rides.
Reply:ok im going to break it down for everyone because i am a dealer. dealers hate giving test rides for these reasons first the insurence part of it. second even if the person is licensed who know if they are really going to be able to handle is new bike on there first time out. next must bike companies dont get demo bike from the factories so then after the test ride if the person doesn't buy they have a used bike. and lastly i have let people take test rides and you know what only half of those people went ahead with the purchase. and the other half tire kickers and just cost me a lot of money. and finally myself personly have owned tons of bikes before test riding and loved them all. ill leave you with two things. one, i a customer says to me that "i'm not buying anything untill he can ride it" right away i know he is wasting my time and he is full of it and that he is not buying anything. with that said if you really want a test ride i would say that i might be a good idea throw some money around. give them a $500 deposit on the bike show your not blowing smoke