I want to give you money

[Dexter]

I want to buy.... a maxi scoot.
I may as well be asking for 2Kg of crack cocaine with your 16yo daughter as a sweetener.

Truth be told I went through this fiasco 3 months ago and had as little joy then.

It seems, and I say this more through utter disbelief and frustration than humour, dealers do not want to sell the bikes they stock.

I go in, browse the showroom, wait patiently for a sales person to stop talking to their mates, engage in conversation like, "I'm interested in a maxi-scoot, I see you have a t-max, majesty 400 and Burgman (is that the 650 or 400?) and you have a t-max outside with DEMONSTRATOR written on it. What do I need to do to get a test ride?"
"We need at least a days notice, your driving licence and £750 deposit"

I have been ignored (thank you BMW), belittled (thank you Yamaha) and dismissed.
I am aware riding is a solitary passtime, but commerce?
Is it me?

[halfabusa]

i never tried a brand new bike but as far as my experience goes, i noticed the galleries are easier to lend 2nd hand bikes for a test ride... unless you're after a brand new model to test that might be something you can try.

[R1K SU]

Never, NEVER had probs getting a test ride, no money, just my license and a 10 min wait

[Funkycowie]

Did you ride in on your R1100S?

[wozza]

Never, NEVER had probs getting a test ride, no money, just my license and a 10 min wait

Yep likewise..

[anonstarter]

Human nature - judging a book by its cover?

[johnp]

Everytime i have asked for a test ride i got one if not there and then a couple of days later.

[Dexter]

Thanks for the input.
It is me then.

[SpikeOne]

No, it's not you. I had exactly the same problem in my local Piaggio etc. dealer.
I asked for some info on prices, and he said that, despite having a brand new Yamaha Majesty in the window, which he'd not been able to sell for six months, they were'nt really into scooters. He only had that one in the window for show, and was regretting it already, but was "sir interested in a 9 million cc crotch rocket"?
Err I think not - goodbye Frazers of Gloucester, I've learned all I want to know.

[Waldorf]

£750 seems a bit steep!
I understand the day's notice bit, though - when I was considering replacing the X9 I spoke to a Honda man at the Exel Bike Show.
Needless to say, they didn't have a Silverwing there but he took me outside and invited me to sit on his new 600 in the carpark.
I told him of the difficulties in getting test rides and he told me that Honda UK have centrally-located demonstrators which they will take out to dealers on request, hence notice needs to be given.
Seems fair to me.