So I have taken a slight hiatus from biking however, this is one topic which has continuously plagued my psyche since I was able to independently approach showrooms for test rides. As the title suggests (at least in my city) most of the Bike showrooms are extremely stingy in giving bikes for test rides. I have approached almost every single bike showroom and have had all sorts of excuses hurled at me despite always carrying a valid drivers license and a helmet.

For any biker the first step to taking a decision about buying a bike in undoubtedly a test ride. Sure we have online reviews but how many of us actually trust them? Ok, i worded that wrong, how many of us are exactly like that reviewer who has penned down his thoughts about the bike? We may/may not be the same weight, height and may not have the same sort of riding experience. So in the end it comes down to the potential/future buyer to decide for himself/herself.

Where I applaud certain Brands like RE and even Harley for allowing and even encouraging decent test rides I am often appalled by our National brands subjecting us to step motherly treatment. I shall share below some of my experiences:

1. Bajaj - The brand that got me into serious biking and touring. Absolutely disgusted with their approach. One of the showrooms here wanted me to buy the NS without test ride, when i was asking between a back to back test ride between the NS and the 220 to make up my mind. The executive said since both bikes are expensive I couldnt test ride them! Well thats the point isnt it? Anyway when I asked him again, he said I could ride only one of the bikes but that too inside the compound of the showroom since it was after 5 pm and he couldnt let me take the bike out since it would get dark. For reference here in Gujarat during that time of the year, we have sunlight till 7 pm also the showroom compound was maybe 50 metres long by 10 metres wide. I got up and started walking out when he agreed to give me the test rides.

2. Yamaha - These guys take home the first prize when it comes to optimism. I have to confess I went with my friend who was interested in the R15 but was a bit of a novice and wanted me to test ride the bike and give me feedback. We had gone by car and left my NS at home that day so I could pretend to be the one who was buying the bike and get the test ride. The sales executive outright told us to pay the booking amount and afterwards he would give us a test ride. We were certainly baffled and asked him why so since we had just taken a test ride from Bajaj for the NS. This triggered the most moronic rant I have ever heard. The executive simply went on as to how the R15 is higher in BHP than the NS and how the NS was even inferior to the FZ series. I didnt take it seriously but realized he was not interested. As we started walking out, he came running behind us and offered a test ride.

3. Hero - Same situation as above but this time he wanted me to test ride the Karizma. Hero guys gave us the bike to test ride in their service centre area, between the bikes which were being serviced. Yes you can read that line again. I actually felt insulted and as we started to leave they reluctantly agreed to sending the bike outside the compound.

4. TVS - Same friend, different bike! TVS didnt even have display models for the Apache series and said we would have to book the bike after which he would get the test ride model from another city after 4 days which we would be free to test ride.

5. KTM - Despite clearly discussing on phone that I would be needing a test ride of the RC 390 (I was actually planning this bike last year) upon reaching the showroom we were told that it was in service. Returned home.

6. Benelli - Ok, so this is the big leagues. I have to admit I was never planning to buy the 600 TNT immediately but thought of test riding it since we were passing by, I am saving up so one never knows down the line. The executive blatantly lied that the bike was in repairs since a test rider crashed it (by the way this excuse is has been used by Bajaj too). What really killed it was when one of the prospective clients vroomed in, in front of us on the same bike which was supposedly in repairs. I gave him a cold stare which would unsettle a mountain and walked out.

Good experiences:

1. RE - Have visited their showrooms at least half a dozen times in the past 2 years and the executives easily pass over they keys right from the Classic to the GT. Also I have test ridden multiple bikes on the same visit.

2. HD - Not personal experience but my friend has ridden multiple Harleys in a single visit out on the road with no restrictions.


Anyway, thats the end of my rant. Please do share your views/experienced on this rather strange thread.