I tried to arrange a test ride on a motorcycle I was interested in buying, at a dealer to who I am known, and from whom I have bought several bikes in recent years. Their insurer, I was told, generally does not insure test rides for riders over 70, so the salesmen rang their insurer to convince them I was an experienced current rider. I have been riding and insuring motorcycles for 59yrs, and I am not a " born again biker" or new rider, having no claims of any sort, no convictions, no accidents, no thefts, no damage, nothing, in fact a very long and safe riding / owning record. I have never troubled any motorcycle insurer apart from paying them the premiums.

The dealer's insurance company were not keen, due to my age ( 74 ), and the best they would agree to, after some attempts at persuasion by the salesman, was a very short test ride, no more than 10 mins, followed by a member of staff, to make sure I was a safe rider. I couldn't understand that bit, if I was going to fall off, or crash I would have done, whether being followed by a member of staff or not.


The salesman had done his best, but I wouldn't be able to tell if the bike was suitable for me after such a short test ride, so I declined it. It's a bit depressing, but I'll get over it

Test rides are becoming more difficult for older riders, even if we have a very safe riding record.

Found that out some years ago. One dealer I phoned about a test ride on a Triumph 400 when I said about age limits he answered no problem, we go up to 74. That’s a problem then , I’m 78 I replied. Riding and racing bikes since the1960s I’m hardly a novice and at that time eight bikes in my stable.

Yes, I have also had this problem, for the past 4 yrs, but it has normally been resolved when the dealer phoned the insurer and explained I was a long term, regular, experienced rider, and not an old " new " rider or " born again" biker. This is the first time I have been actually knocked back.
I have also encountered dealers that don't allow test rides, full stop. Sometimes, I have then not bought the bike, and other times I have bought a bike ( rarely ) without a test ride, but generally, I want a test ride. I have had plenty of test rides, and 80/90% of the time I have gone on to buy the bike.
I haven't done any racing, all my riding has been on the road, normally at legal speeds, but I know what you mean, you are obviously a competent rider. That doesn't seem to matter now to insurers, if you are over 70, they see you as bad risk, whatever your experience or riding record.

Some dealers that I know, do allow test rides for older riders , so I will have to buy from them.

Did you get your test ride on the 400 Triumph, and did you buy the bike?

I've had a test ride on three different bikes since I turned seventy , the burgman650 which I bought, a maxsym 600 and piaggio x10 350 which I didn't buy but my age was never queried. This may be down to my youthful good looks , but some how I doubt it .

I've had 6 test rides since I turned 70 ( bought 5 of them). Did you not have to sign a form to say you were under 70? They have done with me each time. I had to certify I was between 18 -70, and they then rang their insurer to clear it when I told them I was over 70, and they then allowed me a long test ride, 1-3 hrs. It depends on the insurance company.

When I finally got to sit on the Triumph it was just a little too tall for comfort, so didn’t bother. Got the Burgman anyway plus the 400/4 and the two Honda 125s do it was only a whim.

Yes - been a victim of this for some time; especially from the bigger, franchised dealers which are part of a chain. They're sympathetic, but all ultimately blame their insurers.
So I've now stopped considering Triumphs, and only bought the ADV because I know how good the basic Forza 350 is! But it's a pain when your bike's in for service, and they can't let you have a loan bike...
No point signing a form to say you're under 70, if they take your driving licence which shows you're 78!

Spot on Greyerbeard, if you make a false declaration on the form, and you are then in a collision, possibly not even your fault, you would have no insurance cover. I've had several test rides from this dealer in the past, some since I turned 70 - so either their, or their insurance company's policy has changed. Under the Equality Act 2010, discrimination on grounds of age is illegal, but one of the exceptions is insurance, so it's perfectly legal for insurance companies to refuse older riders the benefit of test ride, even if they are perfectly safe riders.

All of the above test rides I had were at small bike shops. I don't see why it would make a difference though, insurance is insurance no matter where you go.