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Test riding bikes?

  1. #1
    Member Gman021's Avatar
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    Test riding bikes?

    Hey Guys,

    In the near future I would like to test ride a few bikes (gsxr, r6, fz6r, ex650, etc).

    I'm a new rider so I'm still riding 250 every day, but I do LOTS of highway riding so a bigger bike is preferred down the road.

    Any advice for someone wanting to test out bigger bikes?

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    Last edited by Gman021; 06-11-15 at 09:33 PM.

  2. #2
    Lifer jasnmar's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Have cash monies.
    If you crash, you've spent those monies.

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  3. #3
    Member Gman021's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Do dealerships generally have bikes for test rides?

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  4. #4

    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Lookup demo days?

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  5. #5
    Lifer TIMMYDUCK's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    It's bike week in NH , this week .

    Demo rides are here.

    Demo Headquarters 2015 Laconia, New Hampshire motorcycle event

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    TIMMYDUCK

  6. #6
    KNEE DRAGGING BAGGER sedanman's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Go to Americade. Unfortunately it's held once a year on the first full week of June so you missed it for 2015.

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  7. #7
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Or be really old. If you are greying, test rides are no problem.

    Demo days sounds like the best tack.

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  8. #8
    Old and Slow Sheppo's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Moms in Manchester NH offers test rides on their used bikes

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  9. #9
    Lifer
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    I think moms south in foxboro does too.
    I've been offered a test ride like once, even when standing there waiving my checkbook at them the answer is usually no.. except at Mom's. They were cool.

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  10. #10
    KNEE DRAGGING BAGGER sedanman's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    BMW dealers usually offer test rides.

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    Normal is an illusion, what is normal to the spider is chaos to the fly.

  11. #11
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    As stated, show up with cash in the used market and people will usually let you test'em out.

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  12. #12
    Awesomeness, Inc. MattR302's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Penguin track days have Kawasakis you can demo, Ninja 300, Ninja 650, ZX6R, and ZX10R.

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  13. #13
    Senior Member Brendin87's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    I've got some bikes you can test ride. Just gotta put down a $6000 deposit. Could even arrange that you do it at NYST.

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  14. #14
    Posting Freak Scottg22's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry NH offers demo rides on Ducati, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi for customers interesting in trying or considering one for purchase.

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  15. #15
    Equal Opportunity Asshole DroFiveOh's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Motorcycles 508 in Brockton will let you test drive whatever bike you want... In their parking lot only...

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    49 states do it one way, and Massachusetts does it their own way.

  16. #16
    beige camry attack mojobreakfast's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Quote Originally Posted by Scottg22 View Post
    Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry NH offers demo rides on Ducati, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi for customers interesting in trying or considering one for purchase.
    Can confirm. Took out a demo Multistrada before putting down my deposit on the one I currently own and bought from them. They suggested a local loop. I really appreciated them letting me do that, and they were super cool about it. It probably helped I arrived on a bike and was fully geared and not drooling and I had no face or neck tattoos.

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    Last edited by mojobreakfast; 06-12-15 at 05:58 PM.
    no bikes currently

  17. #17
    Lifer Kenn157's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Test ride the Triumph 675 Daytona or Street Triple or Street Triple R. Nothing else matters except Triumph.

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  18. #18
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Triumph dealers have demo bikes. No way every dealer could have every model, but you can call dealers to ask which model they have available for a test ride before going.

    Harley dealers also have demo bikes, and a few other Euro bike dealers do too. I've yet to see Japanese bike dealers have new demo bikes, though if timing is right there are occasional visits of a factory truck with them.

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    2021 Triumph Street Triple R, Sapphire Black

  19. #19
    Member Gman021's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kenn157 View Post
    Test ride the Triumph 675 Daytona or Street Triple or Street Triple R. Nothing else matters except Triumph.

    These are usually compared to the Ducati Monster, right? I thought I would want a 600cc supersport, or a 650. But I'm seriously considering a ducati monster or something similar.

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  20. #20
    Lifer SprintPoser's Avatar
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    Yes, a Ducati Monster and a Triumph Street (or Speed) Triple are similar "naked" bikes of high performance, handling and braking for the given displacement and price range. You should test ride both in similar displacements to see if you're more "in tune" with a twin or a triple. Both are excellent bikes and can be head turners while being more comfortable to ride than a fully faired sportbike.

    That said, if you're still young and limber enough, perhaps try a supersport and your wrists, back and hips will tell you if that style bike is to your liking.

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    2021 Triumph Street Triple R, Sapphire Black

  21. #21
    Lifer
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    Re: Test riding bikes?

    If you do a lot of highway, my votes on a Sport Touring bike, but I might be biased. Something with a larger engine so it's not wound out, faired to not put you in the wind, and a little more upright riding position.

    My read is that OP's a newbie who doesn't really know what he wants based on limited experience. If so, tough scenario. Test days for sure, and swapping bikes with trusting friends. Neither option presents a lot of opportunity, especially if you don't know or trust other riders. If you want to swap with someone who has a bigger bike, the selling point is your 250 offers them an experience riding a lighter, smaller, nimble bike.

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