Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one or
borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.

Any options? Any workarounds?

--
David T. Ashley (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com (GPL Publications and Projects)

"David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com> wrote in message
news:eICdnd0sLffNtzPanZ2dnUVZ_hGdnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one or
> borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>
> Any options? Any workarounds?
>
> --

Yup. Buy one slightly used from an owner. He'll ride with you.

David T. Ashley wrote:
> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one or
> borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>
> Any options? Any workarounds?

Ask a different dealer. Also, many dealerships have manufacturer
sponsored demo days where you can ride brand new examples of a wide
range of bikes. I've test ridden brand a new BMW K1200GT, BMW R1200GS,
Honda Gold Wing GL1800, Yamaha FZ6, Suzuki DL650, Suzuki DL1000, and a
few other miscellaneous bikes. Some bike have been offered to me that
I haven't bothered to ride. Sometimes I have declined to ride because
I was pretty sure I'd end up buying yet another bike that I don't even
have room for...

If you want test rides, it helps to show up on your bike, and be dressed
as a serious rider, wearing a helmet, a full riding suit, gloves,
and boots.

--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7

On Feb 9, 2:33�pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:

> Any options? �Any workarounds?

Look in your local yellow pages for sportbike rentals. There are two
or three places here in the west that will rent a sportbike for about
$120 a day so you can see if you like it.

David T. Ashley wrote:
> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one
> or borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>
> Any options? Any workarounds?

The bike is brand new. I wasn't even sure they were out yet when I saw the
model mentioned in another thread.

I suspect you might find a dealer that will let you test ride though there
aren't many around here, evidently, where I live. I've found BMW, KTM, and
some Harley dealers will do it but I haven't seen any Japanese bike dealers
who will.

I've read the write-ups on that bike and they're very positive. Good ergos
and nice power delivery.

"Jeff Mayner" <jeffmayner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:WpGdnXp38Y103DPanZ2dnUVZ_saknZ2d@giganews.com ...
> David T. Ashley wrote:
>> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one
>> or borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>>
>> Any options? Any workarounds?
>
> The bike is brand new. I wasn't even sure they were out yet when I saw the
> model mentioned in another thread.
>
> I suspect you might find a dealer that will let you test ride though there
> aren't many around here, evidently, where I live. I've found BMW, KTM, and
> some Harley dealers will do it but I haven't seen any Japanese bike
> dealers who will.
>
> I've read the write-ups on that bike and they're very positive. Good ergos
> and nice power delivery.

I sat on one and also read some reviews. They mentioned that the sitting
posture is a little further upright, and they mentioned that "older riders"
might like that.

The bike seems to be a compromise on all fronts, which is what I'm looking
for.

a)It seems to be a steel frame rather than aluminum (heavier). I like that,
because I understand steel more than I understand aluminum, and less $$$.

b)It seems to have power delivery at lower RPMs (great for people who want
to pretend it is a Honda Civic rather than a motorcycle) ... I don't want to
bother to downshift unless I really have to. I assume that this comes at
the expense of horsepower at higher RPMs.

c) It gets decent gas mileage.

I'm just looking for something with a little more zing than my Honda Shadow.
I still want it to be practical transportation. If a bike is only getting
35 MPG, I might as well be driving a car.

--
David T. Ashley (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com (GPL Publications and Projects)

David T. Ashley wrote:
> "Jeff Mayner" <jeffmayner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:WpGdnXp38Y103DPanZ2dnUVZ_saknZ2d@giganews.com ...
>> David T. Ashley wrote:
>>> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one
>>> or borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>>>
>>> Any options? Any workarounds?
>>
>> The bike is brand new. I wasn't even sure they were out yet when I
>> saw the model mentioned in another thread.
>>
>> I suspect you might find a dealer that will let you test ride though
>> there aren't many around here, evidently, where I live. I've found
>> BMW, KTM, and some Harley dealers will do it but I haven't seen any
>> Japanese bike dealers who will.
>>
>> I've read the write-ups on that bike and they're very positive. Good
>> ergos and nice power delivery.
>
> I sat on one and also read some reviews. They mentioned that the
> sitting posture is a little further upright, and they mentioned that
> "older riders" might like that.

This older rider does. ;-)

>
> The bike seems to be a compromise on all fronts, which is what I'm
> looking for.

As far as compromise goes, I don't think that bike gives up anything to any
thing. That's just it, it does everything well, or so the magazines are
saying anyway. I do not have first hand knowledge. I sat on one at the Long
Beach Motorcycle show a couple of months ago and was pretty impressed. I
wouldn't buy one as it's a bit smaller than what I'd want but that doesn't
take away from the fact it's a good motorcycle.

>
> a)It seems to be a steel frame rather than aluminum (heavier). I
> like that, because I understand steel more than I understand
> aluminum, and less $$$.

Aluminim heavier? Not sure I agree with that.

>
> b)It seems to have power delivery at lower RPMs (great for people who
> want to pretend it is a Honda Civic rather than a motorcycle) ... I
> don't want to bother to downshift unless I really have to. I assume
> that this comes at the expense of horsepower at higher RPMs.

I've read that there are no issues with the power relative to engine size.
It's a 650 in-line 4. Modern design. Can't remember if it's FI or carburated
though.

>
> c) It gets decent gas mileage.

I suspect it's in the mid to high 40's. Depends, as always, how you ride it
though.

>
> I'm just looking for something with a little more zing than my Honda
> Shadow.

The Suzuki has a lot more "zing". You will be amazed. ;-)


I still want it to be practical transportation. If a bike is
> only getting 35 MPG, I might as well be driving a car.

Feh...

As far as commuting I guess I agree with you. That's only a very small
reason I ride motorcycles though. I put 22 thousand miles on my ST last
year, 2/3 of it commuting.

I just love to ride motorcycles, plain and simple.

"Jeff Mayner" <jeffmayner@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:moGdnRzDFJIaxjPanZ2dnUVZ_oqhnZ2d@giganews.com ...
>>
>> a)It seems to be a steel frame rather than aluminum (heavier). I
>> like that, because I understand steel more than I understand
>> aluminum, and less $$$.
>
> Aluminim heavier? Not sure I agree with that.

I put the word "heavier" in a bad place. I meant that steel was heavier. I
meant the steel frame is heavier than an aluminum frame (in a more expensive
bike) would be.

>> b)It seems to have power delivery at lower RPMs (great for people who
>> want to pretend it is a Honda Civic rather than a motorcycle) ... I
>> don't want to bother to downshift unless I really have to. I assume
>> that this comes at the expense of horsepower at higher RPMs.
>
> I've read that there are no issues with the power relative to engine size.
> It's a 650 in-line 4. Modern design. Can't remember if it's FI or
> carburated though.

It is EFI, which surprised me for the price.

>> c) It gets decent gas mileage.
>
> I suspect it's in the mid to high 40's. Depends, as always, how you ride
> it though.

I was hoping for 50+ on the freeway. Some reviews I read suggested that
might be possible.

>> I'm just looking for something with a little more zing than my Honda
>> Shadow.
>
> The Suzuki has a lot more "zing". You will be amazed. ;-)

It will be interesting to find out.

> I still want it to be practical transportation. If a bike is
>> only getting 35 MPG, I might as well be driving a car.
>
> Feh...
>
> As far as commuting I guess I agree with you. That's only a very small
> reason I ride motorcycles though. I put 22 thousand miles on my ST last
> year, 2/3 of it commuting.
>
> I just love to ride motorcycles, plain and simple.

When I took the MSF basic course, one of the instructors pulled up with a
Triumph Rocket, which I think is a 2.3L engine.

I don't even think my truck has a 2.3L engine.

That thing was an engine with wheels.

http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/Rocket%20III_5364.aspx

It seems to me you get to a point where it isn't a motorcycle anymore -- it
is a deformed science project.

--
David T. Ashley (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com (GPL Publications and Projects)

David T. Ashley wrote:
> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one or
> borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>
> Any options? Any workarounds?
>


Test ride a bike before buying it!!??

What a novel concept! I buy my bikes blind.

BrianNZ wrote:
> David T. Ashley wrote:
>> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one
>> or borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>>
>> Any options? Any workarounds?
>>
>
>
> Test ride a bike before buying it!!??
>
> What a novel concept! I buy my bikes blind.

And ride them that way as well!

<snap drum-roll> ;-)

On Feb 9, 6:18�pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:

> It is EFI, which surprised me for the price.

As I said previously, it has to meet tighter 2008 air pollution
standards. I doubt if you'll be seeing any carbureted street bikes
offered anymore.

Jeff Mayner wrote:
> BrianNZ wrote:
>> David T. Ashley wrote:
>>> Dealership today indicated no dealership would let me test drive one
>>> or borrow one for a day or two to see if I like it.
>>>
>>> Any options? Any workarounds?
>>>
>>
>> Test ride a bike before buying it!!??
>>
>> What a novel concept! I buy my bikes blind.
>
> And ride them that way as well!
>
> <snap drum-roll> ;-)
>
>
>

Mutter, mutter, bloody mutter......blindsided (King-hit?) again.......

On Feb 10, 3:18 pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
>
> It seems to me you get to a point where it isn't a motorcycle anymore -- it
> is a deformed science project.

OMFG, he who has tamed the mighty VT600 all the way to a knuckle
whitening 80 mph condemns the rocket III to a "deformed science
project".

Perhaps you might try actually riding the next bike you knock before
making such a judgement in the future.

Martin

"durkster" <martin@durkster.org> wrote in message
news:f85799db-a412-448b-9036-e2f6884284e0@u10g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
> On Feb 10, 3:18 pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
>>
>> It seems to me you get to a point where it isn't a motorcycle anymore --
>> it
>> is a deformed science project.
>
> OMFG, he who has tamed the mighty VT600 all the way to a knuckle
> whitening 80 mph condemns the rocket III to a "deformed science
> project".
>
> Perhaps you might try actually riding the next bike you knock before
> making such a judgement in the future.

I appreciate the humor, and you've made a valid point. On some level, I
agree with you.

However, there are two tests I use for "deformed science project":

a)Does the bike have a bigger engine than most cars I've owned?

b)When viewed from the front or back, does it resemble a cow?

What does that thing get, anyway, about 25 miles per gallon?

--
David T. Ashley (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com (GPL Publications and Projects)

On Feb 10, 8:47 pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
> "durkster" <mar...@durkster.org> wrote in message
>
> news:f85799db-a412-448b-9036-e2f6884284e0@u10g2000prn.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On Feb 10, 3:18 pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
>
> >> It seems to me you get to a point where it isn't a motorcycle anymore --
> >> it
> >> is a deformed science project.
>
> > OMFG, he who has tamed the mighty VT600 all the way to a knuckle
> > whitening 80 mph condemns the rocket III to a "deformed science
> > project".
>
> > Perhaps you might try actually riding the next bike you knock before
> > making such a judgement in the future.
>
> I appreciate the humor, and you've made a valid point. On some level, I
> agree with you.
>
> However, there are two tests I use for "deformed science project":
>
> a)Does the bike have a bigger engine than most cars I've owned?
>
> b)When viewed from the front or back, does it resemble a cow?
>
> What does that thing get, anyway, about 25 miles per gallon?


a: IMO 2300 cc is a rather small displacement for all but economy
sedans in the USA (unless you perhaps live in hippie land and
everyone around you drives some sort of microcar ( by us standards
i.e. honda civic etc) .

b: the view from behind is mostly all rear tire

c: close to 40 mpg can be obtained with restraint from the rider on a
NON modified rocket III

d: As a rear tire runs close to USD 350 over here ( in NZ ) fuel
economy is not the reason you ride one esp. when you can deal death to
a rear in under 3k miles

e: It's all about the torque. 125 ft/lbs from just off idle increasing
to 140 odd at ~5k says no tap dancing required to pass.

f: I have loaded it up with 2 * 25 kg bags of dog biscuits, a case of
beer, a fair whack of tools, a small air compressor and enough
clothes for a weeks simultaneously with no noticeable loss of
acceleration or drop in economy , it just doesn't care.

If you want economy get your GSR 600 or 650 ( I guess the 600 would
have to be a held over demo assuming they imported them to the US ) it
will put your vt600 to shame power wise.

Its all about horses for courses.

Just in case you think I am always a torque junky wasting the worlds
precious resources every day;

I ride a 22 old honda GB500 as my daily and it gets a whole lot more
than 40 mpg and I doubt I will wear its rubber and brakes out before
I wear the bike out as a whole.