Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Down
Print
Author

Topic: Any other demo junkies here?  (Read 1745 times)
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
kendenton
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '08, '10
Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620, 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 750
Posts: 4887

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« on: July 11, 2007, 08:21:57 AM »
I've got to admit, I'm a complete addict for demo rides.  If a dealer within 100 miles (or sometimes more) is having an open house, or a demo truck, I'm trying to get there.  I don't generally ask dealers on "normal" visits for a demo ride, but sometimes I do that too.

I'm currently very happy with my ride, and really have no realistic plans to replace/augment it in the near future.

Just coming clean.

For the record, here's this year's demo rides so far.  This weekend should bring more Harleys and some Aprilias.

BMW R1200R
BMW R1200GS
BMW R1200GSA
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1200R Sport
BMW K1200GT
Buell TT
Buell Ulysses
Ducati Monster 620
Ducati Multistrada 1100S
Ducati GT1000
Ducati 800 Supersport
H-D Sportster 1200 Custom
H-D Street Bob
Honda VFR800
Moto Guzzi Norge
Moto Guzzi California Stone
Suzuki DL650 Wee-Strom
Suzuki Bandit 1250
Suzuki DR-Z400SM
Triumph Sprint ST (twice)
Triumph Tiger (twice)
Triumph Bonneville T100
Triumph Bonneville Scrambler (service loaner, 200+ miles)
Triumph Bonneville America
Triumph Rocket III
Victory Kingpin
« Last Edit: July 11, 2007, 09:01:11 PM by kendenton » Logged
Members, please login to hide this ad.

Guests, please register to hide this ad.
« on: July 11, 2007, 08:21:57 AM »
 Logged
1KPerDay
The Avocado of Death

Offline Offline

Posts: 8362

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2007, 08:28:57 AM »
That's very cool. I don't think I've ever ridden a demo bike.
Logged
We are a kinder, gentler ST.N. We experiencing a moment rich with promise.
--JustCallMeChris
Rincewind
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '08, '09
Motorcycles: Triumph ST675R
Location: SEPA
Posts: 11614

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2007, 08:45:41 AM »
I love to demo bikes, too.  When I was in the market, I tested BMW's, Ducati's, Buells, Hondas, Suzuki's, and Triumphs.  It helped me understand the great variety of bikes available.  Now that I'm not in the market, I would rather go riding than ride to a dealer, or be led on a group demo ride (blech!).  

That said, I would LOVE to test a Hypermotard, a Street Triple, and a Buell 1125R when available.   :leghump:   Drool
Logged
1KPerDay
The Avocado of Death

Offline Offline

Posts: 8362

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2007, 08:53:09 AM »
I'm signed up for a buell trackday in september... all their bikes are available. Hopefully the 1125R will be also. Inlove
Logged
We are a kinder, gentler ST.N. We experiencing a moment rich with promise.
--JustCallMeChris
kendenton
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '08, '10
Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620, 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 750
Posts: 4887

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2007, 08:54:08 AM »
Quote from: 1KPerDay on July 11, 2007, 08:53:09 AM

I'm signed up for a buell trackday in september... all their bikes are available. Hopefully the 1125R will be also. Inlove


Sweet!
Logged
H2Orat

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: '06 Triumph Sprint ABS, Sunset Red
Location: Queenstown, MD
Posts: 159

My Photo Gallery




Ignore
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2007, 09:21:30 AM »
 Thumbsup  I demo'd several bikes at a Triumph open house earlier this spring, even though I'm also not looking for a new ride.  I really enjoyed trying out the different bikes, and as long as the dealer/factory doesn't have a problem with it, neither do I!  Bigsmile  The only thing that was disappointing, was that the accompanying rider/employee kept us on a pretty short leash, though I can appreciate why!   Lol

  I think it's a good thing to ride a variety of different bikes: it makes for a better-educated consumer, and less tire-kicking when the time comes to actually pull the trigger.  I also like having been able to generate my own (limited) riding impressions, and not just have to rely on other peoples opinions or magazine reviews.  

Demo rides are really a double-edged sword: they can confirm and reinforce your happiness with your current ride(s), or (and here's the bad part!), make you want a shiny new one!  In my case, I'm still very much in love with my Sprint Inlove , but I've always lusted after the new Speed Triple  Drool and  would love to have one to park beside it.  The test rides (I took two on the S3) only made me want one more!  I knew there was a good reason those demo rides are so heavily promoted...  Thanks, Triumph!   Twofinger
Logged
Emerson00
Untitled member

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati MTS 1000S (Black)
Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore
Posts: 427

My Photo Gallery




Ignore
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2007, 09:27:34 AM »
H20rat - QUEENSTOWN!? I'm in Chester. I heard Four Seasons is going to Queenstown, instead. Wink

I love demo rides, but only do them if I'm at the dealer anyway; in otherwords, I'll take a demo of anything available if I'm waiting onthem to change a tire, or service the bike, or something.

Demo'd the Norge a couple weeks ago, and fell in love. I almost demo'd an ST3s yesterday, but declined, because I don't want to want a new bike.
Logged
Hardware
Fridge Magnet Repairman

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: '07 R1200RT (His); '08 F650GS (Hers)
Location: Prairies
Posts: 3490

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2007, 09:29:53 AM »
Over the years, yeah I've been a demo-ho.

I can't even remember all the models but I'll try...

Kawasaki - ZX-9R, KLX 650, Vulcan (1400?), Concours...

Triumph - Tiger, 955 Daytona, Sprint, Thunderbird...

Buell - every model in the line-up for '99...

Harley - Electra Glide Ultra Classic, Road King, Wide Glide, 1200 Sportster, Springer Softail...

BMW - R1200RT, K1200LT...

Honda - CBR 929 RR, Valkyrie Interstate...

Suzuki - GSX-R 750...

...there's been a bunch more - just can't remember them all...
« Last Edit: July 12, 2007, 05:23:44 AM by Hardware » Logged
"These instructions are at our present level of
knowledge. Legal requirements do not exist.
Technical issues subject to change."
H2Orat

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: '06 Triumph Sprint ABS, Sunset Red
Location: Queenstown, MD
Posts: 159

My Photo Gallery




Ignore
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2007, 12:18:31 PM »
Quote from: Emerson00 on July 11, 2007, 09:27:34 AM

H20rat - QUEENSTOWN!? I'm in Chester. I heard Four Seasons is going to Queenstown, instead. Wink



Nah, Four Seasons wouldn't want to move down 301; there are no wetlands to destroy!  Twofinger Besides, I'll bet they're too busy horsewhipping their lawyers for fecking up the KI deal!  Are you in any way related to/affiliated with RB Emerson, also a member of this site?  He keeps his boat near the Narrows.  If not, big coincidence!  What do you ride?  I might have seen you on the road somewhere (upper ES isn't that big)...
 Beerchug
Logged
Kootenanny
Poseur
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '09
Posts: 2805

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2007, 03:29:08 PM »
I do enjoy demo rides, in part because that's the only time I get to try bikes that are quite different.  I like to feel how the "other side" rides--so I'll often sign up to ride the heavy cruisers, dual-sports, or mega-scooters.  I've ridden lots of demo bikes, but some notable ones are: Victory Hammer, H-D Street Rod, Yamaha MT-01, Ducati Sport 1000.

Oh, BTW, I did buy my current bike after riding a demo (Buell Firebolt).  But so far, I've ridden nothing that makes me want to replace it.  
Logged
BMW-K
Official ER6i Pimp
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '09
Motorcycles: 2007 BMW R1200GS aka "Der Panzer"; 2001 Triumph Speed Triple aka, "Track Bitch"
Location: Anaheim Hill, CA
Posts: 3477

My Photo Gallery


- C'mon Iron Horse! Go faster! Go Faster!


WWW

Ignore
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2007, 03:31:47 PM »
Ahhh, but what bikes really stand out (for any reason, good or bad) that you've demo'ed?
Logged
ATGATT 35:12-14
"And Atgatt courted Motgatt, and took her for a wife.
And lo, he compromised with Atgmott, and verily she conceived,
and did bear a son, Notgatt. And Notgatt roamed naked,
and did bequeath his skin to the roads. And he was a wild ass and an outcast,
and was hated through all the land. And his forehead was branded, and he did become a sign and a warning to all the people."

IBA # 20880 
Chriscb750

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: Honda, Kawasaki, KTM
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 283

My Photo Gallery


Lean, Mean, Touring Machine




Ignore
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2007, 03:36:16 PM »
Quote from: 1KPerDay on July 11, 2007, 08:53:09 AM

I'm signed up for a buell trackday in september... all their bikes are available. Hopefully the 1125R will be also. Inlove


1kperday, please tell me more about this trackday?  unless it's top secret and only for those who have sheepskin on their rides.  Cool
Logged
My name's Dewey Oxberger. My friends call me Ox. You might have noticed I've got a slight weight problem. - No! - Yeah, I do. Anyway, I went to this doctor. Well, he told me I swallowed
a lot of aggression......along with a lot of pizzas.
Against The Wind
No, I really haven't figured it out.

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: CBR1100XX
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6855

My Photo Gallery


Feel the wind...and set yourself the bolder course




Ignore
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2007, 03:41:19 PM »
Quote from: kendenton on July 11, 2007, 08:21:57 AM
For the record, here's this year's demo rides so far.  This weekend should bring more Harleys and some Aprilias.

BMW R1200R
BMW R1200GS
BMW R1200GSA
BMW R1200RT
BMW K1200R Sport
BMW K1200GT
Buell TT
Buell Ulysses
Ducati Monster 620
Ducati Multistrada 1100S
Ducati GT1000
Ducati 800 Supersport
H-D Sportster 1200 Custom
H-D Street Bob
Honda VFR800
Moto Guzzi Norge
Moto Guzzi California Stone
Suzuki DL650 Wee-Strom
Suzuki Bandit 1250
Suzuki DR-Z400SM
Triumph Sprint ST
Triumph Tiger
Triumph Bonneville T100
Triumph Bonneville Scrambler
Triumph Bonneville America
Triumph Rocket III
Victory Kingpin


Holy cow Batman! EEK!
Logged
kendenton
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '08, '10
Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620, 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 750
Posts: 4887

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2007, 05:42:40 PM »
Quote from: BMW-K on July 11, 2007, 03:31:47 PM

Ahhh, but what bikes really stand out (for any reason, good or bad) that you've demo'ed?


The R1200GSA, because it was my first time on knobbies and it scared the crap out of me during cornering  EEK!

The Ducati Multistrada 620, because I liked it so much I bought it.

Both Guzzis stand out as great rides.  The California because it had the lustiest exhaust note I've ever heard, the Norge because it seemed damn near perfect for touring on.

The Victory Kingpin because it was much better than I expected.

The only bad was the Harley Sportster.  No power, forward controls, little windscreen that buffeted me silly on the highway.
Logged
kendenton
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '08, '10
Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620, 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 750
Posts: 4887

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2007, 06:15:03 PM »
What have I learned from all these demos?

  • BMW Boxers are tempting, but too pricey.
  • I'm not comfy on moderate-lean sport-tourers like the VFR and Sprint - I prefer more upright seating.
  • Guzzi's will definitely require more investigation  Bigok
  • There's something appealing about the H-D big twins.  Got to find the right version though.
  • I do not regret my Multi purchase.



I'd still love to score rides on the KTM SuperDuke, and a Guzzi V11.
Logged
Lon
Motorcycle Aficionado
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '09
Motorcycles: '01 Light, '02 XT225, 05 DRZ400S
Location: Hudson, NH
Posts: 977

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2007, 08:28:31 PM »
BMW R1150R
BMW R1150RS
BMW R1100S (x4 different ones)
Honda VFR 800
Honda VT1100CT Ace Tourer
Honda ST1300A
Suzuki M109R
Suzuki GS500
Suzuki SV1000S
Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Triumph Tiger 1050
Kawasaki ZX6E Ninja
Hyosung GV250
Honda Rebel
Ducati 996
Kymco Venox
Kymco Xciting 500
Victory Kingpin

Oh...
THIS year:

Tiger, Xciting 500, ST1300, M109R, SV1000S, VT1100CT, GV250.  Rest were previous years.

That might be it; not sure; I'll have to think some more.
Logged
'01 BMW R1100SA Light / '02 Suzuki Savage (Hers) / '02 Yamaha XT225 / '05 Suzuki DR-Z400S
AMA / ST.N / DoD#4269 / RoK
kendenton
You ain't a beauty, but hey you're alright
*
Offline Offline

Contributed: '07, '08, '10
Motorcycles: 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620, 1991 Kawasaki Zephyr 750
Posts: 4887

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #16 on: July 11, 2007, 09:01:41 PM »
Quote from: Lon on July 11, 2007, 08:28:31 PM

BMW R1150R
BMW R1150RS
BMW R1100S (x4 different ones)
Honda VFR 800
Honda VT1100CT Ace Tourer
Honda ST1300A
Suzuki M109R
Suzuki GS500
Suzuki SV1000S
Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Triumph Tiger 1050
Kawasaki ZX6E Ninja
Hyosung GV250
Honda Rebel
Ducati 996
Kymco Venox
Kymco Xciting 500
Victory Kingpin

Oh...
THIS year:

Tiger, Xciting 500, ST1300, M109R, SV1000S, VT1100CT, GV250.  Rest were previous years.

That might be it; not sure; I'll have to think some more.


Ah, a kindrid spirit....
Logged
sagerat
Ural Tourist; KLR 650; BMW R1200GS Adventure

Offline Offline

Location: Central Orygun
Posts: 4693

My Photo Gallery





Ignore
« Reply #17 on: July 11, 2007, 09:27:33 PM »
Guilty as charged, sir.   Lol

Ducs, Hondas, Moto Guzzi's, Beemers, Kawis, Buells if they'll toss me the keys, I'm gone for a demo ride.
Logged
The poster formerly known as VFRfan

Money can buy motorcycles, which means money can buy happiness
Busy Little Shop
V4 CyclePath racing his shadow down the perverted highway...

Offline Offline

Motorcycles: Honda RC45 RC30
Location: Sacramento Ca
Posts: 3979

My Photo Gallery



WWW

Ignore
« Reply #18 on: July 11, 2007, 10:27:40 PM »
I was talked into a 427 Camaro demo at John L Sullivan's... spun the thing at the first corner and ended
going up hill backwards facing traffic... the salesman freaked and pulled the keys... turns out the detailer
from Mexico Amoral the thread to impress the boss!!! mercy I didn't nailed it that hard...
Logged
Larry L
94 RC45 #2
90 RC30 #44
Have a wheelie NICE day.
Lean & Mean it in  every corner of your life.
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would  rust.
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants.
1952 De Havilland  Chipmunk.
Yank and bank your brains loose.
http://m
R.Markus

« Reply #19 on: July 11, 2007, 10:34:29 PM »
I haven't test ridden that many. For some reason it doesn't feel rigt to me to go ride bikes I have no interest in purchasing, although I realize I need to change that train of thought.  Lol

I have, however, demo'd the following few bikes:

Honda Valkyrie
BMW F650GS
Triumph Tiger 955
Victory Vegas
Logged
Pages: [1] 2  All   Go Up
Print
Jump to:  



ST.N

Copyright © 2001 - 2010 Sport-Touring.Net.
All rights reserved.
COMMUNITY: INFO: SPORT-TOURING.NET:
- Forums
- Register
- ST.N Store
- Articles
- Submissions
- Photo Gallery		 - About ST.N
- Advertise
- Privacy
- FAQ
- Contact Us		 Sport-Touring.Net is an online community of motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to the exhange of ideas, information and philosophy relating to all aspects of motorcycling. Our goal is to become the leading resourse for sport-touring enthusiasts seeking information and advice needed to plan, manage and launch their motorcycle adventures. Join us!