899 Test Ride before buying

11565 Views 26 Replies 17 Participants Last post by dogdoghowl, Apr 13, 2014

Sydneydude

Discussion Starter · Jan 31, 2014

Guys

just a quick question, i put a deposit down on a white 899 around 8 weeks ago in Sydney, the dealer advised that the deal would be done pending a test ride on an 899 and me being happy with the bike.

I just got a call to advise my bike has arrived, but they still dont have any test rides available.

Just wondering if any of you were able to offered a test ride on the 899 prior to full payment, or if you bought your bikes without test riding.

I was able to test ride an 1199 in wet mode

cheers

Armando

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

Quo Vadas

· #2 · Jan 31, 2014 (Edited)

No test bikes were avaiable when I got mine so I bought it after reading some reviews, sitting on one and test riding the 1199 three times.
I think Melbourne Ducati is having a demo late next month and when I did my trackday I had about 4 people ask me about the bike and if there was a demo to ride. I'm sure sales would pick up even more if the dealers had demos but certain territories are allocated a certain amount of bikes and if they are selling with deposits prior to having a demo, then the dealers priority is getting the new bikes in and delivering them to their owners.

So, the question is, what are you going to do now that you sweet 899 has come into town????

d

Reactions: 1

mattxr

· #3 · Jan 31, 2014

No test ride for me either, actually didn't even test anything.

Had not ridden anything other than my Ninja (still restricted licence when I got my 899) but wasn't worried buying sight unseen and not ridden. It's a Ducati!!

I read as many reviews as I could get my hands on, the were more favourable than the MV reviews (2nd choice) so I stick with the order.

Absolutely love it, do not have 1 regret about this bike.

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

Reactions: 1

ManofManyGTs

· #4 · Jan 31, 2014

I was merely interested in one and I test rode a demo 899. In fact the demo at this dealer had to stay a demo bike and could not be sold until it had at least 1800 miles on it.

rjjr

· #5 · Jan 31, 2014

I never rode mine before I bought it. Wasn't really an option with snow on the ground.

Sydneydude

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 31, 2014

Guys

thanks for the feedback, i really appreciate it, I am still going to buy the bike, but i am going to ask the dealer for a few freebies (bike cover, cleaning products, free first service). No harm in asking

At the moment i believe i am entitled to a free backpack and trickle charger

cheers

Armando

Reactions: 1

Oni

· #7 · Jan 31, 2014

Sydneydude said:
At the moment i believe i am entitled to a free backpack and trickle charger

I didn't even have to ask Fraser's for those. They were given for free just for buying the bike.

I got my bike back in December, there was no demo or even a bike in the country yet (well actually there was a white silk 899 in the shop up starts for the Sydney Motorcycle Show which i got to sit on and look at). That being said i test rode the 1199 and found it just like my R1. Way to much power to be usable on the road so thats what sold me on the 899 without even test riding it. I pretty much knew i wanted the bike the day it was revealed at Imola.

After i test rode the 1199 the salesman at frasers took me up stairs to see the only 899 in Oz which i just feel in love with instantly, turned around to the guy and said "where do i sign?" lol. Paid my deposit and 2 weeks later (20th Dec) i was riding my White 899 home with the biggest grin on my face which still has yet to go away.

Reactions: 3

adeyrob

· #8 · Feb 1, 2014

Orders mine at the beginning of December, I was fortunate that the dealer had a demo bike and I got to ride it. I'd already made my mind up I was having an 899 test ride or not after reading the early reviews and posts on this forum, the test ride just confirmed I was doing the right thing.

Definitely be worth seeing if you can get and freebies thought, I managed to get the seat pod thrown in with mine, in addition to the free Termi deal that was on in the UK at the time.

Sydneydude

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 1, 2014

Thanks again guys, going to talk to the dealer tomorrow to see what they can offer.

Cheers

Armando

Reactions: 1

Oni

· #10 · Feb 1, 2014

Try get them to throw in the first service as that costs around $500+ at Frasers. Don't ask me why though.

Reactions: 1

Sydneydude

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 1, 2014

Oni

Did u ask for this?
I thought first service was simply an oil/filter change and some checking of bolt tensions.

I will ask for this and a discount on the termi kit which i hope to get fitted with my first service.

Cheers

Armando

Ugrin

· #12 · Feb 1, 2014 (Edited)

Test ride 899

Sydneydude said:
Guys

just a quick question, i put a deposit down on a white 899 around 8 weeks ago in Sydney, the dealer advised that the deal would be done pending a test ride on an 899 and me being happy with the bike.

I just got a call to advise my bike has arrived, but they still dont have any test rides available.

Just wondering if any of you were able to offered a test ride on the 899 prior to full payment, or if you bought your bikes without test riding.

I was able to test ride an 1199 in wet mode

cheers

Armando

The dealer in my area offered me a test ride just because I was looking at the 899 Panigale wich surprised me since I don't think anybody else offers test rides on super sport bikes . I even asked him what I would need for that and he said ..."bring your gear, driver license and you'll follow me on 20 min test ride around town " . Do to the weather here in GA I haven't done it jet but the first weekend weather let me I'll do it . The only thing that it's making me think is that I might buy it after that, and I really need to free room in my garage first . I know I'll own one of this babies soon . It's my dream since I've seen one at very young age...lots of Italians we're coming to Black see on there Duc's . I'm talking 30 years a go...the bikes we're nothing even close to what they are today ...they still caught the eye of a little boy and made me dream .
Thanks
Dimitar U

Oni

· #13 · Feb 1, 2014

Sydneydude said:
Oni

Did u ask for this?
I thought first service was simply an oil/filter change and some checking of bolt tensions.

I will ask for this and a discount on the termi kit which i hope to get fitted with my first service.

Cheers

Armando

I didn't ask them for a free first service as i didn't expect it to be over $500 as like you said its mainly an oil change, filter change and bolt check. Luckily i got mine serviced elsewhere for $365 including parts and will probably continue to use them for non warranty related maintenance.

If i was you i'd definitely ask for a free first service and discount on termis. Even let them know that in the UK they are getting Termi's for free to see if they will throw you a bone or two.

Sydneydude

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 2, 2014

OK

Just finished the purchasing of my white 899, the only thing the dealer was prepared to include was a Ducati carbon fibre tank cover

Pickup on Friday ready for a weekend ride!!!
Will write a review after my first ride.

cheers

Armando

Reactions: 1

northerner

· #15 · Feb 2, 2014

Oni said:
Luckily i got mine serviced elsewhere for $365 including parts and will probably continue to use them for non warranty related maintenance.

Do you mind telling me where you went?

Cheers

impact4him

· #16 · Feb 2, 2014

No test ride for me either. I was able to ride an 1199 at the track & was very impressed. I had an 848 track bike with out the electronics. So I was hooked on the 1199 electronics & pre-ordered my 899. Its now converted to a track bike & I'm diggin' it! So much better than my 848!!

lumy

· #17 · Feb 2, 2014

Sydneydude said:
Guys

just a quick question, i put a deposit down on a white 899 around 8 weeks ago in Sydney, the dealer advised that the deal would be done pending a test ride on an 899 and me being happy with the bike.

I just got a call to advise my bike has arrived, but they still dont have any test rides available.

Just wondering if any of you were able to offered a test ride on the 899 prior to full payment, or if you bought your bikes without test riding.

I was able to test ride an 1199 in wet mode

cheers

Armando

I've owned four bikes and never was offered a test ride.

ILåÐÆMìçº³

· #18 · Feb 3, 2014

They just had a test ride day here in the US. Good fun, sold me on the bike. I don't think I would ever buy a bike without riding it first. Test rides are pretty common here if you have a motorbike endorsement and insurance.

nikka488

· #19 · Feb 4, 2014

I guess Saturday Feb. 1st was the 899 launch day here in the U.S. They had 899 lanyards, coffee, donuts, etc... I only know this because it happened to be the day I went in to buy my bike.

I hadn't been in the market for a new sport bike in a really long time (I've historically bought used bikes) and was really surprised that both BMW & Ducati (dealerships) let me test ride both bikes. I guess I expected the same type of treatment I got when I was 16 (Ignored at best while in the showroom).

I'm sure it depends on the dealership but BMW let me take the S1KRR for about 40 mins (They just said be back in 45 mins or so). I just did a really large circle mostly on major city streets. The bike was broken in but in Rain mode.

With the Ducati dealership I had to follow the sales person. At first I was a little annoyed at having to follow someone but we ended up doing a 30+ min circuit that included city streets, freeway & an industrial complex. He rode aggressive enough, but the big rule he hammered home was no lane splitting while on the ride. (I'm not used to it anyways being a transplant to the west coast).

They did warn me I was the first person to ride their 899 demo (It had the 4 miles on the OD) and to be careful w/ the new tires & keep it under 6K RPM.

Needless to say I was sold on the 899.

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Jasber

· #20 · Feb 5, 2014

I was hooked the second I saw mine on cycle trader. Went down to the dealer, saw it on the showroom floor and brought cash first thing the next morning. No test ride, no sales pitches. Just rode my new beauty home one day after laying eyes on it with four miles on the odometer.

All I can say is GOD I LOVE MY 899!!!

Sent from Motorcycle.com App

Reactions: 1

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