Back

A Motorcycle Test-Ride Guide

Jul. 2 2021 Buying Guide By Cool Springs PowerSports

Share

When you’re shopping for the perfect motorcycle, you want to do everything in your power to make sure that you’re getting the right bike for your riding needs. One of the best ways to determine if a given model is good for you is to go on a test-ride with it. 

It’s important to be ready to do a test-ride when you head to a dealership. Cool Springs Powersports in Franklin is your Tennessee motorcycle dealer, serving Nashville, Spring Hill and Columbia, TN. Here are our tips for getting ready to go on a test-ride on your chosen bike before you put down your hard-earned money for it.

1. Schedule the Ride in Advance

If you’ve shopped online and discovered that a dealer has a make and model that you think is right up your alley, schedule a test-ride via the website or by calling the dealership. This way, the dealership can get the motorcycle ready for you to ride it, as well as preparing themselves to answer any of your questions about the brand or the model’s features.

Remember that the bike you ride will likely not be a brand-new model; the dealership will have set aside special test models, so they will have been ridden by others and won’t operate exactly the same as a new model will.

2. Bring Necessary Items

In order to test-ride a motorcycle, there are a few things you’ll need to bring with you. Don’t leave home without

  • Your driver’s license with its motorcycle endorsement.
  • Your insurance card.
  • Your safety gear, including a helmet, riding gloves, eye protection, riding jacket and closed-toed shoes.

3. Check the Motorcycle’s Fit

When you sit on the bike, you should make sure that it fits your height, weight and reach. This ensures that riding the motorcycle will be comfortable for you, rather than a strain. You should be able to see out of both mirrors, plant both your feet flat on the ground and sit without pain. The bike should also be easy to mount and dismount. Some motorcycles may be adjustable to account for different heights, but it may cost a little extra to get those changes.

4. Perform a Few Tests

Once you’re on the motorcycle and ready to head out, it’s time to perform some quick tests to determine whether the bike performs as you want it to and that it suits your riding experience level. Tests to try out include:

  • Riding at lower speeds while in a high gear to test the throttle.
  • Engaging brakes at different speeds to experience the stopping distance.
  • Shifting gears to feel how they change.
  • Listening and feeling for noises or vibrations when the motorcycle is idling.

Seeking a motorcycle dealer near Nashville, TN? Stop by our dealership in Franklin, TN, to check out our full stock of new and used motorcycles for sale. Cool Springs Powersports proudly serves the greater Nashville area as well as the cities of Columbia and Spring Hill, TN.