Motorcycle events?

Aren't there yearly or bi-yearly events around where you can test drive different bikes? I'm having a hard time deciding what bike I would eventually like to get because I've only been on two. I've got a Honda Rebel and a Ninja 500. I'm keeping the ninja and selling the rebel because it's just too small. I won't buy another for a couple of years but would like to know what I'm looking for. Sometimes sitting on them is not enough. The shops will not let anyone test them out. Thanks:)

HI iam. Some dealers will have Factory Demo Days. For example, I went to a Triumph Factory Demo Day around Christmas here. They had the truck with demos of about 15 different models; you signed up and took escorted test rides (in groups) of about 15 minutes.

It is, at least around here, rare for the Japanese sportbike makers to have demo days but sometimes they do around biker rallies and such. When they do have demo days, they fill up SUPER fast. I bought my bike without ever riding one, a leap of faith I guess.

Harley, Buell and Victory generally give test rides if you are interested in those makes.

Go around to the dealerships (or call them) in your area and ask if they do the demo days, and if so when they are. I think its usually around the time the new models come out, I have not been to one yet, but I hope to go to one this year (I think the Harley dealer here is getting ready for one)

If you get a chance, go to the Cycle World Motorcycle Shows. I saw a lot of neat bikes that were availabe for demo rides. Their website is http://www.motorcycleshows.com/

Walk in to the dealer with your license and insurance in hand. The salesman asks if you need help and you say you are interested in that bike. He starts his thing and you ask when you can ride one. He says "our insurance doesn't allow test rides." You say no problem, mine does and I am not buying a bike I have not had the opportunity to ride. Especially when you are asking $$$$ for it. If he then says no you say "sorry, I will shop elsewhere." Just be sure that if you do this you are ready to buy.......

HOgrider, that must work in your area, but 100% of the sport bike dealers in the South Florida area do NOT do test rides, probably due to the high squid population here right off the Atlantic Ocean.

It is a frequent and common complaint amongst bikers here.

They will, however, sell you a bike, take your $$ or have you sign the papers, then tell you to ride it around the block and if you don't like, it, come back in and they'll tear up the paperwork and sell you a different model. Seriously.

this year at Bikes Blues BBQ rally in Fayetteville Ar. There will be bike demos from Harley, Victory , Yamaha, Kawasaki and I think Honda too. You just sign up for a ride and wait you turn ........

Rat

Many dealers around here let you test ride. They either have them as special test bikes, or rentals that you can test ride.

If your local dealer doesn't allow test ride and you are serious about buying, do what an acquaintance I know did this spring. He found a place down in Arizona that had a great collection of bikes for test riding, took a flight down there, test road the ones he was interested in, bought one and rode it back! From his talk about it, sound like he had a great adventure. I've contemplated doing something similar when its time to replace my wife's car.

Thanks for the info:)