No Diavel test drives?

[speedknot]

I was at the Ducati dealer today picking up my bike and noticed that they recently got a Diavel on the floor.  I asked if I could take it for a test drive and the salesman quickly said "absolutely not".  I've purchased two bikes from these guys and they wont let me go for a test drive?  The salesman said that I have to qualify for their credit or show that you can pay for the bike in full at time of test drive. 
Would you buy a $20,000 bike without getting in the saddle?  How come I can go to the Honda dealership and test drive a $35,000 van without signing credit forms or running my credit card through?  I guess they figure the demand for this bike will be enough where they don't have to let prospective buyers take it our for a spin.

[swampduc]

I think that's just your dealer. Ducati New Orleans has had no issue allowing test rides. I haven't ridden it because, well, I'm not interested 

[red baron]

Both dealers here in San Diego will let ya ride it.

[redxblack]

I doubt my local dealer would put me through those hoops. I have zero interest in the diavel, but I'd be shocked if they didn't let me test ride.

[Raux]

I was at the Ducati dealer today picking up my bike and noticed that they recently got a Diavel on the floor.  I asked if I could take it for a test drive and the salesman quickly said "absolutely not".  I've purchased two bikes from these guys and they wont let me go for a test drive?  The salesman said that I have to qualify for their credit or show that you can pay for the bike in full at time of test drive. 
Would you buy a $20,000 bike without getting in the saddle?  How come I can go to the Honda dealership and test drive a $35,000 van without signing credit forms or running my credit card through?  I guess they figure the demand for this bike will be enough where they don't have to let prospective buyers take it our for a spin.

I think that's their point. IF you can afford to buy it, you can ride it to test it. If you're just tire kicking, move on... sounds rude but you gotta understand the demand. If you take it out for an hour, that's 1 hour that a potential buyer could be riding it.

I've sold bikes, and can tell you it's tough to say no, but you have to protect your investment as well. That's a lot of cash to roll out the door with no intention of a sale.

[M900]

BMW Duc at Charlotte, NC will let you ride it, but the again, they've always been pretty cool about test rides.

[duclvr]

Pretty sure the Tour will have Diavels to ride.

http://ducatiusa.com/ducati_experience_tour_2011.do

[speedknot]

I think that's their point. IF you can afford to buy it, you can ride it to test it. If you're just tire kicking, move on... sounds rude but you gotta understand the demand. If you take it out for an hour, that's 1 hour that a potential buyer could be riding it.

I've sold bikes, and can tell you it's tough to say no, but you have to protect your investment as well. That's a lot of cash to roll out the door with no intention of a sale.

Oh yeah, I totally understand weeding out the tire kickers from the serious buyers but I've already purchased two bikes from them and have most of my work done their.  You would figure they would be trying to chain me to the seat in hopes of another sale.

[rideserotta]

I think that's their point. IF you can afford to buy it, you can ride it to test it. If you're just tire kicking, move on... sounds rude but you gotta understand the demand. If you take it out for an hour, that's 1 hour that a potential buyer could be riding it.

I've sold bikes, and can tell you it's tough to say no, but you have to protect your investment as well. That's a lot of cash to roll out the door with no intention of a sale.

I totally disagree with that approach. You will run a lot of buyers off with an attitude like that. He's a CUSTOMER of theirs. Meaning he buys Ducatis... their Ducatis. I'd want him to ride it as many times as he wants. The dealers I see thriving are those that provide excellent services - pre-sale and post-sales. Relationship is everything in consultative selling, which is how bike should be sold.

The local dealer in Greenville will let you ride. In fact they practically beg customers to ride it every time they walk through the door.

[Raux]

I totally disagree with that approach. You will run a lot of buyers off with an attitude like that. He's a CUSTOMER of theirs. Meaning he buys Ducatis... their Ducatis. I'd want him to ride it as many times as he wants. The dealers I see thriving are those that provide excellent services - pre-sale and post-sales. Relationship is everything in consultative selling, which is how bike should be sold.

The local dealer in Greenville will let you ride. In fact they practically beg customers to ride it every time they walk through the door.

point taken. And quite honestly I should know better. I know people that pulled that game. came in all bummy looking only to have a check from the bank already in hand.

[geoffduc]

We have a range of bikes on demo and I've never seen any one refused a ride.

I know that some dealers over here in the UK do refuse, what we require is to photostat the guys licence and have them sign a disclaimer (crash it, you buy it).

Geoff...

[csorin]

...and have them sign a disclaimer (crash it, you buy it).

Well there goes any test rides for me.  Wouldn't be prudent to test ride a bike I have no intentions of buying, nor afford to if I crashed it.

[Goat_Herder]

I was at Atlanta Motor World today, having the tech check on the expanding tank.  Got to BS with the guy for a bit.  He asked me if I have had chance to test ride the Diavel yet.  The moment I said no, he literally dragged me out to the front entrance where the demo is.  Too bad somebody took it out for a demo ride already. 

[ChrisH]

My local dealer seems to have no problem giving test rides. The diavel seems to almost always be out with someone every time i have been there since launch.

[Mhanis]

When I asked at my local dealer about a month ago I was told they didn't have any to test ride because paying customers already had deposits on all of the bikes they had coming in. I fully understand if that is the case.

Why would they risk somebody test riding someone else's bike? I assume that once demand has slowed they will allow a test ride.