Wanna buy » Road Test

[skywave-rider]

Getting sounds of reluctance from dealers when I ask about a road test. But I gotta ride it b4 I buy it. Did you? If you've road tested, how'd you make them say "yes" with minimal fuss?

[Robert C 2007 1100S (Red)]

After lurking here for about 6 months and reading every review I could find I bought an 1100S with no test ride. I did sit on a 1000, I could have got a test ride but my mind was already made up. I wouldn't necessarily recomend that route, although I have no regrets in doing it that way. I find the bike pretty much as I thought it would be. It is a fun bike that does a lot of things well.

Bob

[Scrambles 2006 1000 DS (Red)]

Some dealers get demo bikes from Ducati. All the same they don't want them 1) stolen 2) crashed. In NY they're probably a bit more wary than most other places, and they've probably already been bitten. I suggest doing everything you can, short of filling out a credit app (don't do it, you'll put a hit on your credit!), to assure them your are a serious & qualified buyer that knows how to ride a bike on the street.

I bought mine over the phone w/o riding. I have no regrets, it just gets better and better.

BTW, shop around. You should get numbers from at least 3 dealers before you buy.

[skywave-rider]

Thank you. I need the third set of numbers. Tomorrow I have the Guzzi test ride. But no Multi test ride. Wanted to do them back to back. Thanks for your advice. This is a real good board!

[_nelsonc 2007 1100 (Red)]

I was able to test ride Multis at both of my local dealers (Cleveland-Akron Honda, Crooked River Cycles). One (Crooked River) was kind enough to let me test ride a 1000S, 1100S, and a 1100. I bought the 1100.

[bgraber 2007 1100 (Red)]

I guess I'm just lucky. My dealer has put me on any bike I've shown an interest in. Some with 2 miles on the clock. I suppose it helps that I've bought eight bikes from him over the past nine years.

[jcs182 2004 1000 DS (Red)]

Which dealers have you been to in NY?

Some are more helpful than others.

[skywave-rider]

Hi Jon,
Gold Coast in New Hyde Park,
Formula One Motorsports, Oakdale, NY.

Although I live in Manhattan, I have a low opinion of the one right here in Manhattan. 2 weeks ago I sat on a bike (MTS) in the showroom and had to argue with a little d-bag motobarrista about it. It's really a Starbucks, not a bike shop. Hey, I've been hanging out in bike shops since I was 8 or 9. And I'm ooooold. So that gives me the right to judge.

I intend to look at dealers in a bigger radius. Some people on MTS.net have mentioned one in Conn., another in Jersey. I will call those tomorrow after my Guzzi test. Whoever treats me well and fairly gets my business. But I wanna test ride!!!

[Habanero 2006 1000S DS]

I can't imagine being in the business of selling bikes, but not allowing test rides..

If I show any interest in a bike at our shops here in the seattle area, of any brand, they want you to take it for a ride. I've actually had them call me to see if I want to take a bike out for the afternoon..

service sells.

[Scrambles 2006 1000 DS (Red)]

I intend to look at dealers in a bigger radius. Some people on MTS.net have mentioned one in Conn., another in Jersey. I will call those tomorrow after my Guzzi test. Whoever treats me well and fairly gets my business. But I wanna test ride!!!

I have nothing but good things to say about my experiences with Martin Motorsports both in Boyertown and Coopersburg PA.

[archkevinbrown]

Hi Jon,
Gold Coast in New Hyde Park,
Formula One Motorsports, Oakdale, NY.

Although I live in Manhattan, I have a low opinion of the one right here in Manhattan. 2 weeks ago I sat on a bike (MTS) in the showroom and had to argue with a little d-bag motobarrista about it. It's really a Starbucks, not a bike shop. Hey, I've been hanging out in bike shops since I was 8 or 9. And I'm ooooold. So that gives me the right to judge.

I intend to look at dealers in a bigger radius. Some people on MTS.net have mentioned one in Conn., another in Jersey. I will call those tomorrow after my Guzzi test. Whoever treats me well and fairly gets my business. But I wanna test ride!!!

You didn't say were you were getting the Guzzi test ride, but you might check out Rockwell up in Ft Montgomery. They seem more service-oriented than the shop in the city. Only been up there a couple of times, and don't know their test-ride policy, but they took care of me when I broke my shift lever up in their neck of the woods.

As for the local shop: Starbucks? Motobarrista? I know what (and probably who) you're talking about, but that's a bit harsh. You're right - it's there for visibility and convenience to status-conscious shoppers, not because SoHo makes for a convenient place to service motorcycles.

I don't think I'd go out to LI to buy or service a Multi, but one day I would like to check out the Bimota and other exotica they might have at Gold Coast.

[Dinola 2006 620 (Red)]

Jack Trebour in Ledgewood, NJ.. really good folk. I feel easy there.
Owner test rides every machine that leaves the shop.

[Dinola 2006 620 (Red)]

On the other hand, Fast by Ferracci has both Guzzi and Duc.

[lotus54 - Moderator]

At Seattle Duc David offered my a test ride over email. He brought it up.
I test rode the demo (I was the first to ride it), and bought the bike the next day. I forced myself to think about it for a day- I was sure that was what I wanted but...

The were more than happy to have me test an 1100S also. I told the salesman that I probably was,'t going to be buying, but I do get a LOT of questions on how the bike compares etc. He was more than happy to have me take it out.
I really need to ride a 620 and see what they are like.

I'd better not try out the Hyper Motoard though

Mark

[skywave-rider]

OK, I did it. I managed to get a road test. It wasn't easy. I had to sign my life away, but that was the easy part.

The bike was fun. All around mostly great, though my ride was brief and in some dense traffic.

One problem which really bothers me:
Bad turbulence to my head from the windscreen. I didn't expect that. I was only able to get up to 65 in the traffic I had to test in; but I assume the turbulence will worsen with greater speed.

Sad! I want to tour on this bike. I've dredged up a bunch of posts about aftermarket shields for the Multi. But do they work well? How are they installed? (Unfortunately, I forgot to look at the stock screen to see how that's attached.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.