We all know that driving a car is different than riding a motorcycle, right? And of course, test riding a motorcycle is much more important than test driving a car, right?
When was the last time you bought a couch without sitting in it? Or better yet, a car without taking a test drive? That’s right — never. So why should you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a motorcycle without making sure it’s the right one for you? You shouldn’t.
But actually arranging a test ride and knowing what to look for are both easier said than done. It's difficult to test ride a motorcycle - many dealers don't offer them, and those who do, don't let you take a bike for more than 15-20 minutes. Oh - and it's almost impossible to test ride a moto when purchasing the bike from an individual (although I was able to do so when selling my first bike).
When you test ride a bike, it’s important to remember the five C’s of a motorcycle test ride:
• Comfort
• Controls
• Cornering
• Coming to a Stop
• CCs and Weight
1. Comfort
Everyone’s body is different and so is every motorcycle. So making sure that a bike fits your body is very important. It’s one thing to throw your leg over a motorcycle and sit on it while it’s parked in the driveway. But it’s an entirely different feeling to ride a bike down the road and see how it really fits.
First, check the seat height. If it’s too high, you’ll have difficulty reaching the ground when stopped. I’ve ridden a BMW 800 adventure bike that was just too tall. I’m 5’10”, but the way I’m built (and the way the bike is designed) just didn’t work. When stopped, I was on my tip-toes. It felt scary. Not for me.
When you leave the driveway and begin the ride, make note of the seat. Is it comfortable? Take the bike for 1-2 hours on the highway. Does the bike vibrate at higher speeds, or is it smooth as pudding? Are your legs cramped and need to be stretched, or can you keep riding as long as the sun is up (and maybe even longer)?
If you’re planning to ride two-up, is the rear seat comfortable for your friend? How about rear foot pegs - are they positioned well for your passenger?
2. Controls
In the 1970’s motorcycle controls were standardized - the throttle, clutch lever, gear shift, and brakes are all controlled the same way. So there won’t be any surprises here. But how do they feel?
Some bikes have a wet clutch, which feels different than a dry clutch. Are the foot levers situated comfortably to your body? These can all be adjusted, but it’s something to be aware of before you give a deposit check.
Are there forward controls? Is the shifter comfortable? Become familiar with these. Try different bikes. See which you like most.
3. Cornering
Now that you know how the bike feels and understand its controls, take it for a ride around the neighborhood. How does it corner at slow speeds? Larger touring bikes corner much differently than smaller standard motos. In fact, you may be able to turn corners and change lanes just by leaning these iron horses. How does it all feel? Spend 30-60 minutes at slow speeds, taking turns. Really understand the bike.
4. Coming to a Stop
Make sure you understand the braking power of your bike. Again, at stops, do you have control of the bike? Are your feet comfortably on the ground? Are the brakes sensitive, or do you need to allow for more braking distance than you’re used to?
Take the bike to a parking lot. Park it in a spot. Can you back the bike up easily? Try parking on the street. Is it easy to maneuver around?
5. CCs and Weight
Lastly, we get to power and weight. These two go hand in hand — a bike with more power isn’t necessarily faster, right? Think about it for a minute: a 750 cc bike that weighs 450 pounds will feel different than a 1400 cc bike weighing 900 pounds. It won’t necessarily be faster, it will just feel different. You have to figure out which feels best for you.
We know that finding a place to test ride a motorcycle can be challenging, but it is a critical step before you purchase. If you can’t find a dealer who offers lengthy test rides, rent a motorcycle on Twisted Road to make sure it's right for you. Just make sure you know what to look for before you go. After all, this is a test ride not just your everyday ride!
