Would you buy a demo bike ?

[PacoT]

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Would you buy a demo bike with under 1,000 km?

I’ve always had the impression that demo bikes tend to live a hard early life. Most of them aren’t even past the break-in period, and you just know a bunch of ham-fisted riders at demo days have been bouncing off the rev limiter (honestly… I probably would too).

On the upside, you avoid the biggest hit of depreciation. But on the downside, you might be inheriting future headaches if the break-in wasn’t followed properly (assuming break-in procedures matter at all, which is a whole separate debate).

I also get the feeling this varies by brand. For this discussion, let’s say the bike in question is European… and doesn’t speak German or English

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Yes, I would. But it better be priced as used

 

[oioioi]

Sì, lo farei. A patto che abbia la stessa garanzia del nuovo.

If that isnt your preferred language then

Ja, dat zou ik doen. Zolang het maar dezelfde garantie heeft als nieuw.

 

[Relax]

Just like buying a used bike, but I'd only do it if it included the full warranty, not prorated. With modern manufacturing tolerances, an easy break-in isn't as necessary as it used to be. In fact, riding it hard helps to seat the rings better.

 

[Priller]

Do the dealers ever allow unsupervised demo rides? I thought it was all sedate group runs at or under the limit.

(Excepting the Aprilia track day demo bikes, of course...)

 

[Evoex]

Would you buy a demo bike with under 1,000 km?

I’ve always had the impression that demo bikes tend to live a hard early life. Most of them aren’t even past the break-in period, and you just know a bunch of ham-fisted riders at demo days have been bouncing off the rev limiter (honestly… I probably would too).

On the upside, you avoid the biggest hit of depreciation. But on the downside, you might be inheriting future headaches if the break-in wasn’t followed properly (assuming break-in procedures matter at all, which is a whole separate debate).

I also get the feeling this varies by brand. For this discussion, let’s say the bike in question is European… and doesn’t speak German or English

yeah right, in this country? around here demo rides haven't been spirited for awhile.

 

[GreyGhost]

Do the dealers ever allow unsupervised demo rides? I thought it was all sedate group runs at or under the limit.

(Excepting the Aprilia track day demo bikes, of course...)

Long ago (pre HTA 172) I was on a "supervised" Honda demo ride and five of us (a vfr, 2x1000RR, 2x600RR) passed a cop at 180 in a 50. Thankfully he didn't bother to turn and light us up.

 

[Relax]

Do the dealers ever allow unsupervised demo rides? I thought it was all sedate group runs at or under the limit.

(Excepting the Aprilia track day demo bikes, of course...)

You're thinking of the manufacturer sponsored events like "Demo Days". But if you walk into GP Bikes any other time, they'd throw you the keys and let you go on your own - or at least they used to. I know Apex still does.

 

[Lightcycle]

It depends on the bike.

Treat the process like you were buying a used bike and do your normal due diligence in checking everything like you would a pre-owned vehicle.

Previous owners can be just as abusive and neglectful to their toys as demo-riders are.

 

[Lightcycle]

Do the dealers ever allow unsupervised demo rides? I thought it was all sedate group runs at or under the limit.

I think if the dealer knows or trusts you, they will let you take out a demo bike unchaperoned.

At least that was the case about ~10 years ago at Maranello BMW when I wanted to test ride a Multistrada trade-in they had on the floor. Salesguy peeked at the R1200GS Adventure parked outside and thought I could probably handle the MS. Might have been a different story if I showed up on a Grom...

Glad I live in a small town now where everybody pretty much knows each other. I get motorcycle keys thrown at me the minute I walk through the door of the store. No credit card required, no drivers license check, nothing to sign, just, "bring it back before we close". And of course, the implied, "We know where you live..."

Noice.

 

[Lightcycle]

let’s say the bike in question is European… and doesn’t speak German or English

Two questions:

1) When did they start putting Panigale V4Rs into demo fleets?

2) Can I ride it when you buy it?

thx in advance!

 

[adri]

In 2007 I bought a new 2005 50cc scooter for $2,000 out the door because I knew nothing. In 2009 I bought a new 2008 250cc motorcycle for $5,000 out the door because I knew little.

Then I learned things and bought dozens of motorcycle since then all used... but A LOT of the bikes I've bought were purchased with under 2,000 km, including three of my current six or seven bikes. I think that's the sweet spot.

Buying a demo, or even new, can make sense for a lot of people. If I were one of them, I would consider a demo, for sure.

I just find it hard to see the value when I know how far I could stretch that dollar. Case in point: in 2023, I thought about buying a new 2023 Bonneville T100. Then I realized for the same out the door price as the 23 T100, I could buy a used '09 Bonneville SE, AND a used '13 Moto Guzzi V7, AND a used '18 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, AND still have a couple thousand left over for repairs/mods/upgrades. I passed on the new T100, and bought the three used bikes instead, and did a nine part video series on youtube about it.

 

[Jampy00]

Bought a demo bike, enjoyed it with no issues for close to 30k kilometers.
Traded it in for another bike.

 

[JZ67]

Sure would. As long as it came with the warranty with the 'in service' date from the day I took possession.

 

[Relax]

I bought my 2000 Ducati 748S in the fall of 2000 as a demo from Terminal Velocity. It was the first "new" bike I had and have ever bought. It had a few hundred km's on it, and the price caught my eye because of the huge discount (vaguely remember it being around $5000 off). Full warranty started from the day I picked it up, and neither of the 2 issues I had throughout my ownership (ECU failure and suspected porous valve cover allowing oil to enter front spark plug hole) could have been attributed to improper break-in (assuming the worst).

 

[timtune]

Certainly not one I've test ridden.

 

[Bobo]

Long ago (pre HTA 172) I was on a "supervised" Honda demo ride and five of us (a vfr, 2x1000RR, 2x600RR) passed a cop at 180 in a 50. Thankfully he didn't bother to turn and light us up.

I was on a supervised Honda demo ride out of Shannonville years ago. One of the guys mid pack was holding back until he got a bit room and pulled a good long wheelie. The Honda rep pulled the group over to the side of the road and gave the guy a warning. Five minutes later the guy did the same thing. The lead Honda guy pulls over again to the side of the road, walks over to the guy and takes the key out of the bike and tells the guy his ride is over. That’s the only time I’ve seen that happen.It was early 2000’s and I was riding a nice little CBR 600, I think the guy was riding a 954 or something like that.

 

[Lightcycle]

I was on a supervised Honda demo ride out of Shannonville years ago. One of the guys mid pack was holding back until he got a bit room and pulled a good long wheelie. The Honda rep pulled the group over to the side of the road and gave the guy a warning. Five minutes later the guy did the same thing. The lead Honda guy pulls over again to the side of the road, walks over to the guy and takes the key out of the bike and tells the guy his ride is over. That’s the only time I’ve seen that happen.It was early 2000’s and I was riding a nice little CBR 600, I think the guy was riding a 954 or something like that.

It's not just squidly behaviour that leads to the abuse of demo bikes.

On one demo ride, the guy ahead of me was constantly dumping the clutch on every downshift. The poor motorcycle would be bucking towards every stop. The whole time I was thinking, "Damn... I wouldn't want to be buying *that* demo bike"

At the end of the ride, he got off and hopped on his Ninja 300... with a slipper clutch.

Guy never learned how to downshift properly because of technology.

I know some people love their tech: ABS, TC, WC, QS, MSR, etc. But at least learn to ride properly before you invest in tech that will do absolutely nothing to improve your riding skills and fine motor co-ordination.

[/boomer rant]

 

[High Flya]

Do the dealers ever allow unsupervised demo rides? I thought it was all sedate group runs at or under the limit.

(Excepting the Aprilia track day demo bikes, of course...)

The last demo day I did at GP; I just gave them a copy of my CC, signed my life away, and they said go wherever you want and be back in 30 mins. Bike did go to redline and power wheelies

 

[timtune]

I remember running out of gas on a demo. Tail gunner pulls over. We swap bikes and he says "See if you can catch up with them"

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