It is a proven fact that test rides help sell more motorcycles. But as an
owner, with all you own invested in your business, you may take a different
viewpoint. Just because you ride in on a motorcycle, and you may even have a
license, doesn’t mean you know how to ride, or can handle more horsepower.
“Ride it like you stole it,” the shirts say, and many ride their own like that.
Imagine how they will treat something that isn’t theirs? Who for a few miles
and a few minutes may add years to both the bike and dealership? The potential
to crash is always there...no matter how good a rider you are. But who buys a
bike without a test ride? Do you? Would you? Come along on a few test rides
and then decide...
I was selling Suzukis for Motorsport when the new RM370 came out. Not a
dirt rider, the only dirt in Jersey is in the air, in Albuquerque the desert was
everywhere, and so were those who rode. And they were all a buzz about the new
RM’s, So warming one up for a potential buyer, I zipped it around the dirt back
lot, then accelerated onto the pavement, trying to show off. I should have
known by the size of the crowd not to, but when I hit the pavement in third
gear, WTO, the bike slid, then slid on its side for 100 feet, then across 3
lanes of Montgomery Blvd, hit the divider, stood up and headed west. Losing the
right side of my double knit pants, and most of my platform shoe. Coming back I
was embarrassed, I had crashed in front of a crowd. But they saw it different,
“cool Mister,” said one, “do it again.” My look said one was enough, but I did
sell the bike.
My friend Brett was crazy on two wheels, fearless. One afternoon at
Alcon’s Harley Davidson, Jake let him ride a Sportster. Brett had never ridden
a street bike, let alone a Harley, and proceeded to wheelie it off the lot and
down San Mateo. “Is your friend nuts?” Jake exclaimed in horror. Again a
smile told more than words, and my test ride was cancelled. And over the years
I have owned dozens of bikes, and ridden hundreds. With numerous test rides in
between. And some offers I passed on. A Buell test ride was offered one day to
me, with a Harley riding friend along. I had a Speed Triple press bike that
day, and the manager offered me a ride, in fact insisted I ride it to compare
it. Since I knew how to ride, as evidenced by the ST3. But out of earshot of
my Harley riding friend, he told me my friend could not have a ride. “These
Harley guys cannot ride bikes with this much power,” and so I passed. He knew
his customers, as he owned the dealership. So much for letting those who ride
decide.
Jim had been wanting to sell me a new bike for years, not content with me
financing his service department with all my repairs there. One afternoon he
talked me into riding a new Seca II, and so I did. I took it for a ride, and
was gone over 30 minutes. When I got back, he was furious, thought I had stolen
or crashed the bike, and was about to call the CHP! Hey Jim, I ride long
distances, and a test ride is more than around the block. Or sliding across
three lanes of traffic....He eventually calmed down, now we laugh about it...or
at least I do.
I like the new Indian motorcycles, and have ridden two of them. A big
Roadmaster, with Theresa on the back. A crowd ride as I call them, and I hang
back so I can get on it, as you only go as fast as the leader. I was impressed
with the power, but it was big, and the handling was not sport bike as I am used
to. When asked by the exuberant manager how I liked the bike, I told him I did,
except “it handled like pushing a wheelbarrow through gravel, full loaded.” I
guess honesty is not the best policy sometimes. But on another Indian ride,
just me and a salesman, I rode the new Scout, which I liked. Good power, looks
cool, had a pipe, but the rear shocks were horrible. Thankfully Indian already
has an accessory for that. But after our short ride of five miles, he turned to
go back to the dealership, and I pulled up next to him. “I’m not ready to go
back yet,” and took off down the freeway as the light changed. He gave chase,
but I outran him, that Scout ran pretty good. He was more scared than mad as he
caught me after getting off, “just don’t tell the owner what you did.” I
didn’t, and later let him the new Street Twin I had, warning him not to take off
on me. He smiled and all was forgiven. There would be other test rides...but
me he would remember.
For what it was worth, I apologized after each test ride if I had been
rude. Well, at least said I was sorry. And added to myself to never do it
again. At least until the next time...like test riding George’s ZX14 before he
bought it. Did you know it will do 120 in third gear? But saying you are
sorry, is different than meaning it. Only when you realize what you are doing
is wrong will you repent, and change your ways. Test rides included. Only in
Christ will we be offered forgiveness, not only of past sins, but also of future
one. “You mean I can go out and sin again? Some more? Test rides included?”
No, that is not what scripture tells us, or even implies. For our actions and
attitudes will display what is on our heart, and any changes Jesus has made in
it. And being forgiven is where it is at, being accepted by God, and gaining
entrance to heaven. But what about future sins, future road tests?
When we are born again we are regenerated, and any continuing sin will show
that we have not been. We may be sorry we got caught, but not sorry about our
sin. It would show we don’t understand what Jesus has done for us, and that sin
still stands between us and God. Maybe not losing our salvation, but not
enjoying it. Not walking or riding in the spirit that forgave us, only seeing
what we think Jesus has done for us, but not worshipping him for it. We forget
that all things work together, and get down on ourselves when we do repeat the
sin, but have to know we are forgiven. Repent and move on. When you reflect on
your relationship with Christ, do you see him or your sin? Is the cross empty,
or is he still on it? Is the tomb empty, or have you not given in to his
resurrection? Are you truly sorry that sin got between you and the one who
loves you so much he sent his son to die for you? God has no quarrel with you,
he loves you, but your actions are a form of quarreling with him. And who has
ever argued with God and won? That is one test ride I don’t want to take ever
again.
Everything Jesus did was predicted by the prophets. Every prophet told of
how only in Christ can and will your sins be forgiven. Long before he came to
earth, it was written down for all to see, and hear. The gospel, the good news
of Jesus Christ, that he died for your sins and you can be forgiven. And as
much as he loves you as you are, he doesn’t want to leave you like that. And he
won’t, and as your heart changes, so will your actions and attitudes. We are
forgiven, that is the resurrecting power of Jesus, taking us dead in our sins
and giving us life. Without forgiveness there is no path to God...
Many will test religion and see its failings. I suggest trying Jesus. See
if the claims are true. Let him show you the way, let him love and forgive
you. And when you repent, your life will change. And no sin will ever show up
on your credit report in heaven. Take a test ride today, as long as you want,
but know that the sooner you accept him, the sooner the real ride begins.
Riding a test bike is one thing, having your name on the title is another. Take
a pretest check out with him today, let him show you why you need a savior and
why it can be only him. Or you can be like John, who wanted to show off on a
BMW, and not knowing the fork was locked, rode right into the wall. OUCH! Or
the young husband who “knew how to ride,” and rode his new bike into the fence,
throttle WTO. Stupid hurts, only Jesus forgives. Now about that test
ride.....Harley still offers them, they call it a rental. What do they know
about you we don’t?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com