Do Motorcycle Dealerships Allow Test Drives?

Many people demand test drives of motorcycles at the dealerships for their satisfaction before the deal. But, it is still unavailable at the USA dealerships because of its drawbacks. 

Do Motorcycle Dealerships Allow Test Drives? Motorcycle dealerships do not allow test drives because it can damage the motorbike, specific policies, low insurance coverage, chances of theft, and no buying intentions.

In the United States of America, a few motorcycle dealers do not permit customers to even sit on the saddle. However, the policies are changing in a few states with upgrading agendas and regulations. 

Why do motorcycle dealerships not allow test drives?

Motorcycle dealerships in the USA do not offer test rides. Due to the following causes, it is not allowed. 

Probability of damage

Motorcycle dealers do not allow their demonstration rides because it is dangerous. Unskilled and untrained individuals can damage their frames. 

Furthermore, the probability of damages increases when the individual is underage. They are expensive to repair and cause financial crises for businesses. 

The dealers never give them to the clients and avoid the problems. Instead, the representative explains all features and benefits of motorbikes to the customers. 

But, demonstration rides of 2 to 3 miles are not possible because the probability of damages and accidents is high. The clients can drop them on the ground, which cracks their frame, and machinery undergoes failures.

They cannot compensate for such damages and avoid the root causes of such issues. 

Standard dealership policies

Several dealerships in the USA do not allow test rides because it is against their policies. According to the standard instructions, their representative does not allow the clients to touch them before the agreements.

Moreover, they do not allow the customers to check and inspect them by sitting on their saddles. Such facilities do not include in their policies to avoid various problems before the agreement.

The representative cannot work against these policies. They pay the loss through their salaries when the representative violates the standard policies.

Low insurance coverage

They do not allow demonstration rides or test drives. However, the variants at the showrooms have insurance that covers the damages.

But, their insurance policy has limited coverage. For example, the insurance policy does not include a refund of all the damages which happen at the showroom.

In such circumstances, the dealers compensate for damages and repairs. Therefore, it increases the overall cost of one variant, which affects the business.

The revenue decreases, and dealers face additional losses. Moreover, with this low insurance coverage, the customers cannot take a trial ride of showroom variants.

A few have costly insurance, and small businesses cannot afford them. 

Lack of license

Many buyers visit the dealerships without a riding license. Also, a few lack the driving license and authentic documentation of the USA.

In such circumstances, they cannot depend on the clients because they can cause more damage to the new motorcycles. 

People without licenses have low riding and control skills. Moreover, they do not take responsibility for the accidents.

They have chances to undergo more injuries which affect the business’s reputation. However, a few clients bring licenses and ask for demonstration drives.

Chance of theft

Hundreds of motorcycle customers visit the dealerships every day. A few have wrong agendas, and they plan to steal them.

These individuals forcefully demand test rides. The thieves do not follow the guidelines and take them away.

It causes a significant loss to the business and its owners. But, the mixed signals of their demand and behavior alert the dealers and other representatives. 

They do not allow the customers to take them from their premises. In such circumstances, the representative secures the motorbikes from theft and sudden stealing. 

No buying intentions

The experienced staff of the motorcycle dealerships attends to the clients. These representatives learn and assess the body language of customers. 

A few clients visit these motorcycle-selling centers for enjoyment. They have no intention of their selection. During the trial rides, they can damage the frames because of their irresponsible behavior.

However, it degrades and reduces the inventory. It indicates the staff’s negligence and reduces the value of the business.

In such circumstances, the dealers do not offer the test rides even when the clients have all the documents and licenses. 

When do motorcycle dealerships allow test drives?

Sometimes, motorcycle dealers offer test drives to enhance customer satisfaction. In addition, it provides reliability and dependability to various clients.

But, the procedure has strict requirements and policies. These demonstration drives are only possible when the customer properly intends to select them.

Moreover, the client can ride it inside the premises of the dealership. In a few conditions, the customers can ride them for 1 to 3 miles while the representative sits in the backseat. 

In addition, the clients cannot increase their speed from the recommended levels. These demonstration rides are allowed when the representative becomes confident about the specific deal. 

In such circumstances, the customer pays more than half the cost before the complete ownership. As a result, the client can ride them within the premises or outside the building.

Furthermore, these dealers do not offer return policies. The customer pays for the damages which happen during the trial procedure.

The insurance policy does not apply to these accidents and injuries of the individuals. Few modern and advanced dealers offer these demonstration drives for reliable and regular customers.

Which motorcycle dealerships offer test rides?

According to a survey in 2015, the trend of test drives is increasing at the dealerships of high-end and advanced motorcycles. In the USA, Harley Davidson, Ducati, and BMW dealers offer demonstration drives for customers. 

They have high-profile clients with a history of deals and high bank balances. These testing procedures have increased the business of these brands because they have improved client satisfaction. 

It has encouraged the dependability of various customers on these businesses. California-based Harley-Davidson dealerships are famous in offering these test rides.

You can book a free ride by filling out an online document. Also, you can add your information, previous history, and payment details.

For these procedures, they require your license and other documents. In such circumstances, the dealers select the route of about 5 to 20 minutes for the test rides.

The free test drives of Ducati and BMW models make the customers happy and satisfied. These businesses are usually based in California and offer these facilities with pre-scheduling. 

Do motorcycle dealerships allow test drives of used motorcycles?

These dealers offer a range of used motorcycles for several customers. In addition, they offer free test rides because their damage probabilities are low.

Also, their damages are fixable at minimum prices. Their original cost is low, which makes them less demanding.

However, these drives have supervision by the representatives. In addition, the authorities check the license of the customers and assess their intentions.

However, the riding distances increase when the customer tests the used models. With this method, they can check and inspect the engine and mechanical parts of the frame.

Related Articles:

Why do motorcycles have catalytic converters?

What To Do If Clutch Cable Breaks on Motorcycle?