Been noticing something weird since I bought Yolie. My dealer specifically said I would not get her with 0 miles. There's be a minimum of 10 miles on her. This was because the dealer had a mandatory 10 mile test ride by one of their technicians to ensure road worthiness and proper assembly. Yet I see people showing pics of their new toys with 0 or less than 1 miles. I've only heard of 1 other case where a guy's dealer insisted on a test ride. And in that case, his bike failed the the test ride

So what's the deal?

 

My bike had .7 miles on it when i picked it up friday. I know they let it idle for some time cuz it was pretty hot when we did the walk-around. The only thing i can guess is that they are so slammed for time theyre skipping the test ride for more productivity in the shop. the clerk told me that service work at the dealer i was at was at least two weeks out, and only getting longer.

 

Right now, I can believe the service desk getting slammed. Lotta guys going out to the garage, turning the key and going 'uh oh'.

But are dealer rides supposed to happen? Sure, I'd loved to get a pic of 0 miles on the odometer. Then again, the guy who's bike failed the test ride was throwing a check engine code and required a new ecu. Hate to have to argue that I didn't screw it up.

 

Guess theres an argument for both sides i suppose. It would be nice to see them make sure everything was in working order. But at the same time, most brand new cars have 0 (or close to it) miles on the clock... wouldnt they require such a test as well??

 

I would be very careful of a bike with 0 miles on it. That just shows to me that the service department didn't bother to take it out for a shakedown ride to be sure everything is OK.

Mine had 4 miles on it when I bought it. The service department manager said he personally takes each bike out after assembly to initially seat the rings, scrub the tires, etc.

 

When I was looking at a 09 Phoenix it has 0 miles.

 

Dealers are privately owned (at least in cars they are. Ive worked for two). it may be a dealer rule and not a franchise rule.

 

I don't know about bike dealers/manufacturers but Toyota requires at least a 2 mile test drive during the pre-delivery inspection to make sure everything is up to par when we are finished

 

We house 9 brands and every unit that comes through service (including newly prepped bikes) are taken on a test ride. I figure the reasoning is if the tech has to take it out, he's gonna be damned sure it's all kosher.

 

Simply tell them you don't want a unit thats been test driven. If they say no buy somewhere else. Some dealerships insist on it for a liability reason. Some understand peoples reasons and work with you. They've all told me they won't give me a bike in a crate and still give the manufacturers warrenty though....jerks. I got my f4i with 0 miles. Might have helped I was a service writer at the dealership but Im fairly sure they'd do it for anyone.