How do I test ride a motorcycle before purchasing it in South Africa?

Testing testing

It goes without saying that purchasing a vehicle of any kind should never be done sight unseen. You must always test drive or ride the vehicle you are going to buy to ensure that you aren't buying a cat in a bag. The procedure for this is very much the same for both cars and bikes, but what should you be paying attention to, and what should you be looking at?

Related: Used bike buyers guide - Everything you need to know

A big part of buying a new bike is not getting caught up in the excitement of the experience wherein you ignore red flags. A very important factor is that any private sale or dealership that will not allow a test ride should be avoided. Most private sellers will allow a short test ride if you leave some sort of collateral, and dealerships will be very keen to let you test ride if they can smell a sale, often letting you have the bike for a few days, once again with some sort of collateral in place. So.... How do you go about doing a proper test ride?

What affects the cost of motorcycle insurance?

Put together a mixed test ride route

1. Decide on a route

Take the bike in question on a route similar to or the same as the one you are going to ride regularly or will be taking the bike on. It also helps if you are familiar with the route and the road conditions on it as it will give you a very good understanding of how the bike will react and handle in those conditions.

Check for oil leaks

2. Pre-ride checks

Do a full walk around the same as you would for a license test. Check lights and indicators, check for fluid leaks, check the brakes and tyres for wear and also check for signs of abuse.

Get a feel for the weight of the bike

3. Push the bike around

Give the bike a push around the parking area. if there are any problems with it rolling easily it may be signs of bad things to come. This will also give you an idea of the weight and dynamics of the bike at a slow speed. A bike that is difficult to handle here will be difficult to handle the entire time you own it.

Get a feel for the power delivery

4. Power 

Once you are out and riding, ease onto the throttle and feel the power output. The power delivery should be smooth and without hesitation. If the bike feels down on power or hiccups it may point to problems in the tuning or it may need a service.

Feel out the braking system for any issues

5. Braking

Once you are up to speed do a few brake tests bringing the bike to a stop with varying degrees of application, begin with gradual pressure, working up to an emergency stop. Listen for grinding or squeaking and watch for fade in the levers.

Listen for anything untoward while riding

6. Listen with more than your heart

While you are out riding, listen to the bike. You will be looking for rattles, squeaks, exhaust leaks and feeling for excessive vibrations that could point to potential issues.

Familiarise yourself with the tech onboard

7. Feature Listing

Go through the features that the bike is equipped with and make sure that they all work and that you understand how they work. If there is something too complicated to understand or that does not function correctly, it could be an expensive thing to fix in future.

Follow these top tips before signing on the dotted line

Top Tips

1. Don’t let the excitement of testing a new bike cloud your judgement.
2. Despite saying not to get caught up in the moment, you will do – so book a second test ride to trial the motorcycle again!
3. Negotiate longer test rides – a full day or even a weekend. And test on a variety of road types. Simulate the normal use of your riding habits.
4. Test ride the motorcycle in real-world settings. Does it do what you need it to do? It needs to be practical.
5. Comfort is key – don’t compromise.
6. Check competitor models – and don’t be afraid to tell the salesperson that you’re taking another motorcycle out for a test ride elsewhere.
7. Research owner reviews.
8. Be realistic with the dimensions of the bike. If it’s too heavy or too tall for you, it will always be too heavy and too tall for you. Move on.
9. Does it make sense financially when you add on the insurance and servicing costs?
10. Are you comfortable with the menus, gadgets, rider modes, and ancillary capabilities?