why bmw is not selling more bikes ...

[cbsnbiker]

personal liability i'll happily sign off on - just don't want to assume responsibility for their bike (geico said no).

Check on that. They may want your insurance to cover you.

Mine (Progressive) does.

[ferenc]

well, it pays to read the fine print, and thanks bmw in sf for being clear on all the requirements for a demo ride, including:
>>>>>>
- An active insurance policy that will cover you and the motorcycle that you are riding while on the demo ride. Be sure to call your agent before scheduling a demo ride if you are unsure on this point as some major insurance companies do not extend coverage to any vehicles other than the primary one listed on your policy.
<<<<<<

Well, that rules me out, as Geico said no to being the primary on a bike that is NOT mine ...

Auf Wiedersehen, SF BMW, I'm sorry to say.


here is what i just found on the bmw usa site:
>>>>>>
Do you meet the following criteria?
  º   age 18 or older with a valid driver's license endorsed for motorcycles
  º   must have experience on motorcycles appropriate for the bike you wish
to demo
  º   no serious moving violations on your current record while riding motorcycles
  º   fit to ride with appropriate rider clothing
<<<<<<
but their dealer list does not take into account dealer test ride supply, bike supply, nor dealer's own special test ride requirements.

[falconati]

I think you're just taking this too seriously.  They're not going to call up Geico and make sure you're covered.  They're just absolving themselves of the liability.

You should be able to walk in, talk to a salesperson, sign a form, and hop on a bike.

[Stripes]

You should be able to walk in, talk to a salesperson, sign a form, and hop on a bike.

That's exactly what I did yesterday! I am now buying either an '11 R1200RT or a '12 R1200RT... My friend, who has no intention of buying a new motorcycle took a brand new GTL for a demo & even told the owner he wasn't buying he just wanted to try it. A copy of the Drivers Licence, 4 initials & 1 signature later, we were on a 30 minute test ride! I love BMW!

[cbsnbiker]

I think you're just taking this too seriously.  They're not going to call up Geico and make sure you're covered.  They're just absolving themselves of the liability.

You should be able to walk in, talk to a salesperson, sign a form, and hop on a bike.

That's fine -- until something goes wrong. Then you may be on the hook for it.

That's exactly what I did yesterday! I am now buying either an '11 R1200RT or a '12 R1200RT... My friend, who has no intention of buying a new motorcycle took a brand new GTL for a demo & even told the owner he wasn't buying he just wanted to try it. A copy of the Drivers Licence, 4 initials & 1 signature later, we were on a 30 minute test ride! I love BMW!

Congrats!

Test rides have helped me make up my mind about buying bikes. But even when I haven't been shopping, a test ride can be helpful to the dealer. For example, I can tell someone else that I enjoyed a test ride, and *that* person may make the purchase.  

[ferenc]

I think you're just taking this too seriously.  They're not going to call up Geico and make sure you're covered.  They're just absolving themselves of the liability.

You should be able to walk in, talk to a salesperson, sign a form, and hop on a bike.

youre right!  they are absolving themselves of an liability if something happens.  I am the one who called Geico as I was not ready to be on the line to buy a test bike at full retail!
ferenc

[ferenc]

That's exactly what I did yesterday! I am now buying either an '11 R1200RT or a '12 R1200RT... My friend, who has no intention of buying a new motorcycle took a brand new GTL for a demo & even told the owner he wasn't buying he just wanted to try it. A copy of the Drivers Licence, 4 initials & 1 signature later, we were on a 30 minute test ride! I love BMW!

hey, glad it worked out for you!
incidentally, what did you initial and sign?
what if you did not like the bike and wound up having to pay for it in case, g*d forbit of a high side?

most of the time it does work out ok (i've not had a moving violation since college, and have never had a collision i was responsible for (ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh), but there is always that first time, and thus the insurance, especially on a new bike!

ferenc

[cbsnbiker]

hey, glad it worked out for you!
incidentally, what did you initial and sign?
what if you did not like the bike and wound up having to pay for it in case, g*d forbit of a high side?

most of the time it does work out ok (i've not had a moving violation since college, and have never had a collision i was responsible for (ssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh), but there is always that first time, and thus the insurance, especially on a new bike!

ferenc

Can you purchase a rider for your insurance to cover test rides? Maybe $10 or so is all it will take?

[ferenc]

Can you purchase a rider for your insurance to cover test rides? Maybe $10 or so is all it will take?

hey, even $25 - good idea.
when i called geico from moo-desto, they said the best they'd do is take a 2nd (?) and not a primary coverage position on someone else's bike.  apparently, if someone rides my bike once or twice, with my permission, my geico would take a first.

i may give geico a call in the coming week to confirm i understand the whole scenario.  in the meantim, no sig,
ferenc

[cbsnbiker]

hey, even $25 - good idea.
when i called geico from moo-desto, they said the best they'd do is take a 2nd (?) and not a primary coverage position on someone else's bike.  apparently, if someone rides my bike once or twice, with my permission, my geico would take a first.

i may give geico a call in the coming week to confirm i understand the whole scenario.  in the meantim, no sig,
ferenc

I don't blame you. I wouldn't do the demo without insurance coverage either. But if you can get it, all the better.

[Stripes]

incidentally, what did you initial and sign ?

Basically that I knew how to operate a big motorcycle, if I was uncomfortable operating while out on the test ride I would pull over & they would come get me & the bike, if I got injured due to something I did I wouldn't sue them, & if I wrecked the bike I would be responsible for fixing it or buying it. I've signed many of waivers before & have bought at least 8 motorcycles after the test ride. Cheers

[ferenc]

Basically that I knew how to operate a big motorcycle, if I was uncomfortable operating while out on the test ride I would pull over & they would come get me & the bike, if I got injured due to something I did I wouldn't sue them, & if I wrecked the bike I would be responsible for fixing it or buying it. I've signed many of waivers before & have bought at least 8 motorcycles after the test ride. Cheers

cool, and, again, i'm glad it worked out for you.  what if you did not like the bike and hit some gravel/oil (heaven forbit) - well, welcome to buying/fixing the bike, like it or not.
foolish, headstrong and blind in my eyes!
why have insurance if it does not insure you?
ferenc

[ferenc]

i'm happy to say that bmw did sell one more bike this week.
got a great deal on the f800r from ozzie's in chico.

one ride so far and looking forward to many more,
ferenc

[coho]

i'm happy to say that bmw did sell one more bike this week.
got a great deal on the f800r from ozzie's in chico.

one ride so far and looking forward to many more,
ferenc

Sweet.  Congratulations, ferenc.
Ozzie's are good folks.


Now turn off the computer and go riding. Also,

[ferenc]

Sweet.  Congratulations, ferenc.
Ozzie's are good folks.


Now turn off the computer and go riding. Also,

interestingly, i only have one photo of the bike, and that was on the back of my pickup at ozzies, with jessee and lily next to the truck.  i did not get their permission to post the photo, however.

i'll have to post a photo, for sure.
i'm very happy with the choice and purchase,
ferenc

[ferenc]

interestingly, i only have one photo of the bike, and that was on the back of my pickup at ozzies, with jessee and lily next to the truck.  i did not get their permission to post the photo, however.

i'll have to post a photo, for sure.
i'm very happy with the choice and purchase,
ferenc

so, i took these last night by the 'wall' up on grizzly, part of my AM and PM commute.  sorry they're grainy and the contrast is challenging.   pretty much original, except for the gloves on the pillion.
center stand being added today!
wohooo,
ferenc

[Bain Dramage]

Seems like their sales are doing fine:

January 2012 Sales: BMW Motorrad records the best ever January sales figures


After a new retail record in 2011, BMW Motorrad has started off the new year with a solid plus. With sales of 5,237 units (previous year: 4,714 units), 11.1 % more motorcycles were delivered to customers in January 2012 than in the previous year.



Full article: http://www.bmwblog.com/2012/02/07/january-2012-sales-bmw-motorrad-records-the-best-ever-january-sales-figures/

[Stripes]

cool, and, again, i'm glad it worked out for you.  what if you did not like the bike and hit some gravel/oil (heaven forbit) - well, welcome to buying/fixing the bike, like it or not.
foolish, headstrong and blind in my eyes!
why have insurance if it does not insure you?
ferenc

I would have paid my deductable & my insurance would've covered the rest...

[ferenc]

i shopped around for insurance this past few weeks (slightly off topic here), and got quotes ranging from $260 to $1260 for the same coverage!
still with geico, substituting the f650 with the f800r,
ferenc
ps  perhaps they were cheaper because they don't like to cover dealer's bikes?

[Dave.TX]

All I know is I've bought 2 bikes from Lone Star BMW/Triumph in Austin, TX, and each time they've been really good to me. Everyone is approachable from sales to service and the owner. I guess it depends on the owner.