Harley-Davidson's official website says that you can test ride any new bike at any participating dealer. I don't know about your dealer, but at mine you could only do that on demo days, so this will be pretty neat. I want to go test ride a few bikes. Anyone else excited?

edit: between now and June so get on it!

 

I saw it too. Another tool to sell. It is a good idea.

 

Personally I never understood how they expected someone to pay the kind of money a new bike costs without a test ride. Ofcourse sales were good, and they had that buy it or someone else will attitude. Now they are desperate for sales and using it as a way to bring potential buyers in.

Harley isn't the only ones who were guilty though. The Yamaha dealer near where I live also didn't allow test rides before purchase. Not sure if they have also changed their ways or not.

 

You can test ride any bike at the local dealer, as long as it is the 883, the FXD, or the FLSTC in their demo fleet

 

Website says, "any new bike available", says nothing about demo fleet

 

It's about time. I can understand dealers not wanting people taking joy rides, but most people who come in with a motorcycle license, insurance, helmet and jacket are probably serious motorcyclists who are trying to decide what motorcycle to buy next. Why not use that fleet of rentals that sits idle most of the time to sell some bikes? I tried to get my dealer to let me test ride a Night Rod to help me decide between it and the Heritage but he told me it would cost $150 to rent it for the day, no test rides. I bought the Heritage because I knew it was a good bike. Didn't want to take a chance buying a V-rod without trying it first.

 

Oh goody, I'm getting a tingle running down my leg.

 

Doesn't sound special until we know how many dealers will participate. I'll be in bed with Demi Moore before my dealer will go for that.

 

Note the fine print:
*Ride offered at participating U.S. dealers only between April 1 and June 30, 2009. Must be at least 18 and have a driver's license with motorcycle endorsement. Rides can be refused for any reason by dealer. Proper riding gear required.

They have a link to find a participating dealer in your state. I think most dealers will be participating, but not all of them.

I was at the dealer I bought my bike from yesterday (Ozark Harley-Davidson, Lebanon MO), and they were putting up the posters for this promotion.
They also had a showroom full of customers too.

 

Sounds good, if you can find a participating dealer.