Dealer offered to let me Test ride an 07. Now what?

[lacofdfireman]

I was at my local dealer today that in the past told me no test rides. I recently purchased an 07 Polaris Ranger XP and was talking to the salesman I bought from and told him I was looking at purchasing an FJR but would not until I could get a test ride on one somewhere. He told me anytime I want to come on up and take one for a ride. So now I have some reservations about taking it out for a ride. First off I promised my wife I would not buy anything until we get moved into our new home that is being built in Tehachapi Ca, and that is still 6 month out. I don't want this salesman to think I am going to buy on the spot. On the other hand this might be my only chance to test ride a new bike since I have never found any other dealer that will let me test ride a new one.

My other question is what will the dealer expect from me as far as how long I can take it out, where I can go etc? Do dealers expect you to just ride it around the block then bring it back or can I take it out for an hour or so and put 20-50 miles on it? I would love to swing by the house and take my wife with me even though I know that would probably be a no no in the dealers eyes but might help sell it to my wife?

So should I take it out for a ride or just wait until I am ready with cash in hand in 5-6 months?

 

[HaulinAshe]

Don't torture yourself with a test ride if you are not prepared to buy. The one thing the FJR definitely is NOT, is disappointing.

 

[Kevin Daly]

Dude, you being a *****. you dont need a forum to tell you what to do. You made a committment to your wife. Now whats it worth

 

[2wheelingdawg]

ride it like you stole it!!!!!!

 

[Deej]

I was at my local dealer today that in the past told me no test rides. I recently purchased an 07 Polaris Ranger XP and was talking to the salesman I bought from and told him I was looking at purchasing an FJR but would not until I could get a test ride on one somewhere. He told me anytime I want to come on up and take one for a ride. So now I have some reservations about taking it out for a ride. First off I promised my wife I would not buy anything until we get moved into our new home that is being built in Tehachapi Ca, and that is still 6 month out. I don't want this salesman to think I am going to buy on the spot. On the other hand this might be my only chance to test ride a new bike since I have never found any other dealer that will let me test ride a new one.
My other question is what will the dealer expect from me as far as how long I can take it out, where I can go etc? Do dealers expect you to just ride it around the block then bring it back or can I take it out for an hour or so and put 20-50 miles on it? I would love to swing by the house and take my wife with me even though I know that would probably be a no no in the dealers eyes but might help sell it to my wife?

So should I take it out for a ride or just wait until I am ready with cash in hand in 5-6 months?

I would inform the salesman of your predicament and see if he would postpone your test ride until you get your new house, if he buys that your set. Besides, the 08's will be out shortly and this may be the only reason he is wanting to let you ride the 07 in hopes of selling it. Good luck, but I would have to please the wife if it was me. :clapping: (but I am whipped).

 

[lacofdfireman]

Dude, you being a *****. you dont need a forum to tell you what to do. You made a committment to your wife. Now whats it worth

Thanks for the kind words. I never said that I was going to go against the commitment I made with my wife. All I was asking is basically is it alright to take a bike for a test ride that I have no intention of buying at the moment? I have done this with cars many times but was thinking motorcycles might be a different ballgame. Personally if I was a salesman I would want everyone to ride them if possible just to help them make a decision. I don't know of any car salesman that wouldn't let you test ride in a new car just in hopes that you might buy wether it be today or 6 months from now. That's just good customer service to me.

 

[SR-71]

My suggestion. Be honest with the sales guy. Then if he goes along with your story, go ride the bike. I bought a new bike once with 16 miles on it, so someone obviously tried it out. 20 miles should do it - then you won't want to take it back! Now what? :dribble:

 

[2006FJR]

I would see if there is someone who is local that might let you ride their bike. If you were close I would let you ride mine, but I only have an 06.

 

[clutchless1]

What do you have to loose by test riding the bike? You didn't go against your word to your wife if you are to test ride it. Trust me when I say this, try the bike out while you have the oppertunity to do so, you may never again have the same chance as you do now. Yeah so what the dealer has this 07 sitting there collecting dust, he's paying the freight right now not you. From what I've seen and have been reading this bike most likely will be sitting there in 6 months anyway. The FJR is a bike someone goes out looking for specifically, it's not usually a bike some cruiser type is going to see and want; and not a bike the younger generation is really fond of (yet). And if this bike is still sitting there in his place of business in 6 months, I'm sure you'll get a better deal on it then.

Ride them all if you get the chance, ride the C-14, the FJR, and I hate to say this the BMW too. Hell the Moto Guzzi makes a nice looking Sport Touring machine, test ride that one as well. The only other suggestion I would make is if your wife rides on the back of the bike when you ride, make sure she's on the back when you do any test riding. You'll get the oppertunity to see and feel how the bike handles with another person on the back as well as see how the other half likes the ride, and mostly the seat.

Ride these bikes for at least a half hour, this way the engine will get up to it's operating temp and you can see first hand how any heat issues may affect your longer rides together. I say this because I did hear the C-14 does create a nasty situation for the passenger when they are on the back for a short period of time, it seems the exhaust or engine heat finds it's way directly under the seat where the passenger sits creating a very hot ass (sometimes that is a good thing, but in this case I don't think it's so good). One of these bikes also has a bad lean toward the the rider as far as the passenger is concerned, this seat lean makes the passenger riding position akward and very uncomfortable after just a short ride.

Test em all, it will take you 6 months to properly evaluate exactly which bike you really want anyway.

HAVE FUN TESTING! :yahoo:

 

[todd493]

If you ride it, it will follow you home.. I "test" rode an FJR because all my buds kept pitting the C14 against it. I couldn't help but wonder what one was like so when my dealer got 2 traded in for C14's I hit'em up for a ride. 3 wks. later I brought mine home. She's hard to leave in the garage, I find myself sayin' things like it won't rain, it's not too chilly, I can carry that home in the bags , etc..

Find a used one a dealer will let you ride and take the spouse with. they're hard not to like. TH

 

[Kevin Daly]

Dude, you being a *****. you dont need a forum to tell you what to do. You made a committment to your wife. Now whats it worth

Thanks for the kind words. I never said that I was going to go against the commitment I made with my wife. All I was asking is basically is it alright to take a bike for a test ride that I have no intention of buying at the moment? I have done this with cars many times but was thinking motorcycles might be a different ballgame. Personally if I was a salesman I would want everyone to ride them if possible just to help them make a decision. I don't know of any car salesman that wouldn't let you test ride in a new car just in hopes that you might buy wether it be today or 6 months from now. That's just good customer service to me.

No problem, tough love is never easy

PS JeffAshe and Todd hit the nail on the head.

 

[DynaSport]

I haven't test ridden many bikes because most of the dealers around here won't let you test ride their bikes. They seem to be more agreeable to letting you ride the used ones though. The last bike I test rode was a Buell Ulysses. I was totally honest with the salesman. I told him I was not buying that day, but that I was very curious about the Ulysses and would really like to ride one to see if it would be something I would want when I buy my next bike. The salesman was totally fine with that. I think alot of it depends on the dealership and their policies. I would just tell the salesman that you are not in the financial position to buy at this point, but you are in the planning stage and would like to see if the FJR is the bike you want. If he says no under those circumstances, that is information to keep in mind when it comes time to put the money on the table.

Good luck,

Dan

 

[broodwich]

If there's one thing I love about a BMW dealership, it's that there is almost always one of just about every bike there to test ride. In addition to the BMWs I have test rode, I also got a nice test ride on the Ulysses and a few Triumphs. I don't know why more of manufacturers don't have demo programs like BMW. The test rides I have taken on BMWs I have been accompanied by someone from the dealership, the Triumph test rides were a a special demo event and the Buell test ride was, here's the keys be back in about 45 minutes or so.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I test rode an FJR and told the guy I would buy within two months. I went back to buy it and it was sold. I bought my bike somewhere else. A dealer can't expect you to buy a bike just because you rode it. I would go back to that dealer and give them the first chance of selling when you are ready. However, if they don't make you a good deal (come here to check prices at the time) then you owe them nothing. Giving them the first chance to get your business is enough.

 

[painman]

Fireman, not for sure about where your located now but IMS, International Motorcycle Shows are having their new shows opening accross the country as they do every year. You can locate the cities that have dealer test rides. Not sure about the FJR as of yet for a test ride. You can try this link IMS Shows to see about a possible ride. You can also contact Yamaha or go to their website for updated demo rides. I went to their website and it is not up to date but I would check it often if interested. Under the events tab look for the motorcycle display & demo schedule. Also, if your going to the San Mateo, Ca. show, CMA will be doing their Helmet & Gear check at this show for all the riders coming into the event. So you can drop your gear with us and we'll bag it and tag it and keep it safe until your ready to go. No worries and its free. Take care and good luck. P.S. If you ride one you will want it. Beware. PM. <><

 

[protondecay123]

Dude, you being a *****. you dont need a forum to tell you what to do. You made a committment to your wife. Now whats it worth

Thanks for the kind words. I never said that I was going to go against the commitment I made with my wife. All I was asking is basically is it alright to take a bike for a test ride that I have no intention of buying at the moment? I have done this with cars many times but was thinking motorcycles might be a different ballgame. Personally if I was a salesman I would want everyone to ride them if possible just to help them make a decision. I don't know of any car salesman that wouldn't let you test ride in a new car just in hopes that you might buy wether it be today or 6 months from now. That's just good customer service to me.

Don't sweat it. Go sling your leg over that thing and see what you think about it. When I did it I "caught the fever" and got lucky that someone backed out of their PDP. I hung around the stealership for months waiting for a break and got it. Right now the 07's are going for some huge discounts. It might be a good time to try one out and see what you think.

This bike isn't for everyone and it may not be your cup of tea. There's nothing wrong with trying it to see.

h34r:

 

[Loki]

Well, if you want to avoid the issue altogether, you can come on up to where that new house is being built and ride mine! Not too many folks up here in Tehachapi, and I would welcome a fellow FJR rider in my neck of the woods. I have the 06 AE model, which, aside from the fact that they forgot the damn clutch lever, is not going to differ much from an 07. I did not choose the bike for the auto-clutch, but it's a neat feature after all is said and done. There are PLENTY of windy roads up here, especially in Bear Valley, to get a feel for her.

 

[dragonchef]

You're pretty close to Yamaha USA HQ, you would think that they might have a few testers hanging around the area....

map to 6555 Katella Ave. Cypress, CA 90630