I like test rides. I like doing them in late winter and early spring when I'm going stir crazy because my bikes are tucked up in the garage. Demo bikes aren't mine. I don't have to buy them and someone else has to wash them. Its a good way of easing into the biking year. And if my lottery numbers come up I need to be prepared. This year it was uprights and adventure bikes because I was in the market for one. Next year I thought I'd go for more variety. So the list so far is: The new 1100 Thruxton. To see if Triumph have finally made a roadster for people under 60. The new KTM 1290 GT. Rode the 1290 SDR last year and loved it but not more than I love my SF and I don't need two nakeds. The GT is a different sort of bike and if they've reined in the electro-nanny I could actually be tempted to add one to the stable.. The Ducati Scrambler. To see what all the fuss is about and to work out whether El T is a man of taste or mad. Pictures I've seen of him on the forum are inconclusive. 1299 Pantygirdle. I'll probably never be able to afford one so I must ride one while I still have the use of my faculties. 1199 Pantygirdle. To be sampled after trying its big brother. 1199s are becoming affordable S/H buys. Its just maybe a very distant possibility. I have to try it. A Fartly Wobbleson of some kind. Probably a Fat Bob or a Breakout, preferably with a stage three naughty kit on it. Because I quite like them. . That should should get the juices flowing as the daffodils start to appear. Anyone else got a to-do list?
I know what you mean. Its a risky business, test riding. You could just be tormenting yourself. On the other hand, I wouldn't have bought either of my current bikes, my Streetfighter or SMT, if I hadn't test-ridden them. Neither were on my radar at the time and it wouldn't have occurred to me to consider either if test riding hadn't pointed me in that direction. Now I've got two keepers. The real risk is the 1299 because there's no way I can buy one without a lottery win. Especially risky as I'm looking for a track bike as well. Could end up doubly frustrated..
I did buy two of the bikes I tried. Open days are great too. Its a social and there's free coffee. Bit like a pub bike night where you get to have a go on the bikes in the car park. I have had three demos at Crescent KTM without buying anything and then I went and bought my SMT somewhere else. But being a KTM they have done quite well out of me in spares so they don't hide when they see me coming yet.. :Smug: And one day, somehow, I will be getting a 1290 of some sort because that engine is epic.. They know its only a matter of time. Maybe I'm being groomed..:Shifty:
Oooh, I love testing bikes too :smiley: Recently tested a Diavel (fantastic) and 1200 Monster (good but not great), so next on my list: Trumpet Thruxton BMW R1200R MV Tourismo Veloce (tried a Brutale Dragster last year - hyperactive) Suzuki GSX-S (had various Suzuki's - super reliable but a bit boring) Love my 14yr old Road-King but the newer ones aren't really much better so won't be changing that until it gets too heavy to push out of the garage, then maybe a V-Rod...or by then a T-Max scooter :coldsweat:
R1200R is a good call. The water cooled boxer engine is a peach. I really liked the 1200 GS but a w/c one was too much money. I've yet to hear a single bad word about the roadster. I reckon it could be a real hustler. Interesting to see how the 1100 Thruxton compares. It'll be a direct competitor. I test rode the Diavel as well when I demoed my SF (escorted test ride and we swapped bikes halfway round). Great bike but not for me. Hilarious but I really can't gel with those looks. Had a ride out to Riders of Bridgwater today for a jolly. I came clean and said I wouldn't be buying a Harley in the near future but was really interested to try the Fat Bob and the Breakout (only ridden Sportsters) so I asked them if they had any Harley open days planned next year so I could try one without wasting their time. No problem they said. Any day's an open day. Doesn't matter if I don't buy. Come round on a week day when its quiet and we'll take one of each out and have a proper good run. Cheers chaps. That's an offer I can't refuse.
Fat Bob = Dyna = fair lean angle for an HD. Breakout (nice) = softail = scary scraping too easily, even for an HD. Worth a test though! Personally I like the Diavel looks but then I like HD's too, especially the Sportster XR1200X I had before my Monster.
The Guy at Riders did say that the Fat Bob was Harley's best handling bike. I think it looks cool as well. Shame you have to spend another £3000 on a stage 4 kit to get the full grunt out of it. I'll give it a go though.
To be honest, spending that much on performance without improving the suspension and brakes is just frustrating (because it's hard to use the extra grunt) or just dangerous (look out fence/wall). I have a stage 2 big bore on my Road-King. Wouldn't bother if I was starting out again. I would do a stage 1 and suspension first; then see if I really wanted more performance.
Thruxton 1200R KTM Superduke 1290 GT Panigale 959 Monster 1200R Hypermtoard 939 SP I really wish the DVT Multi was more like the Superduke 1290GT than a BMW.
I have quite a few on my test ride list, several of which I've already ridden (more than once) but enjoy riding so keep going back: Ducati Scrambler, Panigale - I'll start with the smallest the dealer has available and, if I like it, work up Diavel (new one when available, current and previous models until then) BMW R Nine T (to see if it's a viable alternative to my Bonneville t100) Bonneville T120 (to see if it's a viable alternative to my Bonneville t100) KTM 1290GT because I love the 1290 Superduke Harley Breakout and Softail Kawasaki Z1000SX As the Ducati salesman said when I asked him if he got pee'd off with the likes of me coming in for test rides, the only way they will sell bikes is if they get ridden.
Only 2 for me,have a sports bike and a tourer,i fancy a mellow jeans and jacket bike,so Scrambler,a little small for my generous frame i think. R nine T, a bit more than i would like to spend but my prefered option. Maybe the Thruxton,but may be a bit to focused for what i am after.
A smaller Multistrada/comfier Hyperstada would suit me. R1200R might, but BMW reliability and build quality is not what it was. Triumph maybe...
