Dealer says Demo Rides are not possible - any suggestions?

[bigbadbrucie]

I'm amazed that any dealer can stay in business if they do not allow for demo rides. I was a 2 wheel rider for almost 40 years when I decided I either needed to go to a lighter bike (lighter than my 900 pound Honda Goldwing) or go to 3 wheels. I was mentally not really ready to go to 3 wheels, but at my wife's request called the Can Am dealer near me and asked about a demo ride on a Spyder. I was offered the chance to ride whatever I wanted, a Ryker, F3 or an RT. I chose the RT and it only took me about 5 minutes of riding to decide that this was what I wanted. I have no doubt that if I had not been able to get a demo ride I would have ended up buying a new Triumph T120 instead. When I took my demo ride, the salesman said to me "Take it for as long as you want, just make sure you are back before closing time in about 4 hours". My demo ride was about 30 minutes and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. I can't imagine buying a new vehicle of any type without having the chance to ride/drive it first.

This is exactly the way my dealer treated me, and I might add....is exactly the way it SHOULD be. $30,000.00 is a good chunk of change. If I’m laying out that much, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT I’M GETTING. If I had NOT been allowed a test ride, I would not be on my Spyder today. I really wonder if we would be reading all the complaints about the Spyders if the the complainer had test rode their unit BEFORE purchase. Don’t really know, not do I really care....I just know that I love my RTS.

 

[JohnRuckus]

A dealer told me the same thing. However, I knew it wasn't true b/c their other location offered demo rides by appointment. The salesperson basically treated me as if I were a nuisance until he asked how I was planning to finance. I laughed & told him I'm not financing. I'm paying cash. Well, he changed his tune and so did I. I purchased from a different dealer
Not saying that your dealer is being dishonest. Find another dealer willing to allow a demo(or even a guided demo) or try renting a Spyder. If possible, check to see if there is a Can-Am experience happening anywhere near you and register for that.

 

[DT5534]

I live in Daytona Beach. Have a great dealer in Sanford, "Seminole Powersports". Daytona had a great dealer, they sold to "Ride Now". Haven't been there for service since the sale. :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

Hi Tango,

Thanks for the info and heads up on the dealing in Daytona. I was going to check them out once I get moved and ride the SpYder down from Durham NC.

Are there any SpYder Clubs in the Daytona Beach area that you belong to or ride with?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Gitoa]

I am in the process of looking for a Spyder to rent.

I rented a Harley Tri Glide from Eagle Riders, and that was a great experience.

I wish things weren't so difficult, and these dealers are not doing themselves any favors. If they treat a potential customer in this manner, it makes me very leery of their ability to service the bikes. Hopefully, I am wrong about all my perceptions.

 

[Gitoa]

Harley Davidson dealer in Jacksonville has no problems with a test ride. Have bought and test-ridden four bikes from them.

 

[Motorcycledave]

Newby here. Longtime lurker but have rarely posted.

I took the 3-wheel rider course to get my endorsement in Florida.

I filled out the demo request on the Can-Am website. I was contacted by a local dealership representative by text, which I thought was odd. Car dealers always call. Anyway, he tells me demos are not possible. I ask if this is because of a lack of inventory. He said no, the dealer just doesn't allow test drives.

They had only Ryker 600s in the class, so that is the extent of my experience.

I am really more interested in the F3 and RT units, but without even the briefest of demo rides, I can't see how I could venture out and buy one.

Any suggestions? BTW, Customer Service at Can-Am at 888-272-9222 could provide no assistance or solution. I am willing to travel in the Southeast to make it happen, but they are making it difficult. It is interesting Harley has no problem demoing their units.

Thanks in advance.

Find another dealer

 

[dad2468]

I had to basically make a $500 down payment on the 22 RTL that I wanted to test drive. They said if I didn’t like it I could have my money back. The $500 was supposedly the fee for assembling it out of the crate. They had 2 still in the crates. One was the Black edition and the other was the Chrome edition. I ended up buying the bike and the $500 went to my down payment. I just couldn’t believe all the extra charges they added on to the price of the bike. Probably $3000 more dollars added on.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

Y

I had to basically make a $500 down payment on the 22 RTL that I wanted to test drive. They said if I didn’t like it I could have my money back. The $500 was supposedly the fee for assembling it out of the crate. They had 2 still in the crates. One was the Black edition and the other was the Chrome edition. I ended up buying the bike and the $500 went to my down payment. I just couldn’t believe all the extra charges they added on to the price of the bike. Probably $3000 more dollars added on.

My opinion? It’s all a bunch of Bull Hockey. They saw you coming and started rubbing their hands. If it was me, I would have told them to get stuffed and then walk out the door and NEVER LOOK BACK! My blood pressure starts to rise whenever I see another posting to this thread. Buttttttt....... that’s just my opinion. If I was told no test rides period, I’d be gone.....just like the wind.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I had to basically make a $500 down payment on the 22 RTL that I wanted to test drive. They said if I didn’t like it I could have my money back. The $500 was supposedly the fee for assembling it out of the crate. They had 2 still in the crates. One was the Black edition and the other was the Chrome edition. I ended up buying the bike and the $500 went to my down payment. I just couldn’t believe all the extra charges they added on to the price of the bike. Probably $3000 more dollars added on.

Back in 2014 I bought a new RT .... the ADD-ON was a small document fee, they put a Temp. plate on it and drove it home ..... But that was then , this is now ..... :gaah:.... Mike :thumbup: