So I'm sure most of us have experienced the frustration of relying on magazine reviews and press releases to help us determine which bike is the one - or at least the next one . Some dealerships offer demo rides (Harley, Buell, BMW, some Triumph etc) and I've been told that for the most part it is because corporate underwrites their insurance for these demo bikes. For the most part its like pulling teeth or nearly impossible to get any seat time on a new sportbike prior to the sale. Sportbike dealers have told me that they just don't want the insurance liability and unless you're somebody special - good luck . Now usually I've got such a hard on for the bike I'm considering it doesn't matter whether I get a test ride or not - but wouldn't it be nice?
Ok, so to my real questions.
1) How much luck have any of you had getting to test ride a NEW sportbike prior to the sale?
2) Would you be willing to pay a third party to demo not only the bike you are interested in, but also the other makes and models that are comparable, especially if the cost were refunded to you in some form upon the purchase of a motorcycle at a participating dealership?
3) Would this be a valuable service to you in determining what bike to purchase?
Personally, I've only been able to demo and/or rent Harleys, BMWs and I had a demo on a Buell Ulysses that had me sold (yes, even after owning an old tube-frame Buell )until the salesman tried to charge me $2k over retail when he had 3 bikes on the floor.