Buying a motorcycle is exciting.
It's also one of the biggest purchases many riders will make, yet surprisingly few people spend enough time test riding before committing.
The truth is that motorcycles have very different personalities. A sports bike, cruiser, tourer and adventure bike may all have similar engine sizes, but they can feel completely different to ride.
That's why test rides matter.
A test ride isn't about proving whether you're a good rider. It's about discovering whether the bike is the right fit for you.
So over the coming months we'll be sharing reviews and the women in our rider stories all talk about the bikes they ride and love, and we hope that will help in your search for your perfect bike BUT in the Women On 2 Wheels spirit of empowerment (and fun!) we want to encourage you to Test Ride widely and find The ONE!
Start at a Motorcycle Show
One of the best places to find inspiration and begin your search is at a motorcycle show. It's a little like speed dating.
Shows allow you to sit on lots of different bikes so you can compare seat heights, feel the weight, explore different riding positions and of course discover models you may never have considered.
Keep an open mind. At this stage, you're simply learning what feels comfortable and appealing.
Why Test Ride?
One of the biggest mistakes riders make is deciding what bike they want before they've ridden it.
Perhaps you've spent months watching YouTube reviews. Maybe you've fallen in love with the way a bike looks. Or perhaps your friends all ride a particular model. The reality is that the bike you think you'll love and the bike you actually enjoy riding are not always the same thing.
Many riders are surprised by what they end up buying. Sports bike enthusiasts discover adventure bikes. Adventure bike riders fall for cruisers. Riders convinced they need a litre bike realise they're happiest on something much smaller.
The only way to know is to ride them.
Preparing for a Test Ride
Choose the Right Dealership.
It's worth thinking about where the dealership is located. If the showroom is in the middle of a busy town centre, your first ten minutes may be spent dealing with traffic lights, junctions and unfamiliar roads. Where possible, choose routes or dealerships that allow quick access to quieter roads where you can focus on the bike rather than the traffic.
Take Your Licence
Most dealerships will require your full motorcycle licence, and possibly additional proof of address. They will certainly need you to book in advance so check when you do so there are no surprises.
Be Open About Where You Are in the Buying Process
It's perfectly acceptable to say "I'm still exploring my options and not ready to make a decision yet."
A good dealer won't pressure you. In fact, most would rather help you find the right bike than sell you the wrong one.
Consider Going Alone
This might sound surprising, but many riders find they get more from a test ride when they go alone. When you're riding with a partner, friend or group, it's easy to become focused on following someone and keeping up, or taking directions and riding at someone else's pace.
The purpose of the ride is to evaluate the motorcycle. Going solo allows you to concentrate entirely on how the bike feels.
Remember: You Don't Need to Buy Today
A test ride is not a commitment. You do not need to make a decision before you leave the dealership.
Take the pressure off yourself and simply enjoy the experience.
During the Ride
The First Few Minutes Are Not the Test
Most riders feel slightly awkward during the first few miles. You're adjusting to different controls, brakes, a different clutch feel and a different riding position
That's normal. Give yourself time.
Plan an Early Stop
One of the best test ride tips is to stop after ten or fifteen minutes.
Pull into a safe lay-by, café or parking area, take your helmet off and walk around the bike. Adjust the mirrors if needed. Take a moment to think. If you're testing several bikes, they can quickly start to blur together. Take photos of the bike.
Many riders find the bike starts to make much more sense after this short pause.
Don't Rush to a Conclusion
If you're still undecided after twenty or thirty minutes, that's absolutely fine. Keep riding. Try different roads, try to experience town traffic, country roads, faster roads, junctions and roundabouts. Some motorcycles take time to reveal their strengths.
Pay attention to slow-speed confidence. Many riders focus on acceleration and performance but some of the most useful information comes at walking pace.
Try a slow-speed turn, a mini roundabout, a car park manoeuver and riding through slow traffic. A bike that feels wonderful at 60mph but intimidating at 5mph may not be the right choice for you..
Ask yourself:
Can I comfortably put a foot down?
Does the bike feel balanced?
Is it easy to manoeuver?
Is the weight distribution right for pushing it in/out of my garage?
Do I feel confident?
The goal isn't to make a quick decision. The goal is to make the right decision.
Most Importantly: How Does It Make You Feel?
Forget the specifications for a moment. Ask yourself:
Am I comfortable?
Do I feel relaxed?
Am I enjoying this?
Am I smiling?
The bike that makes you grin is often the bike you'll still love six months later.
After the Ride
Make Notes, Take Even More Photos
If you're testing several bikes over a number of weeks, it's surprisingly easy for them to blur together. A bike that felt amazing on Saturday can be difficult to compare with another you rode two weeks earlier.
Before you leave the dealership:
Take a few more photos, including the spec sheet if available and the price if advertised to help with later negotiations elsewhere if needed.
Record your immediate impressions while they're fresh. You don't need anything complicated. A simple score out of 10 can be incredibly helpful.
Your Personal Test Ride Scorecard
Looks
How much do you enjoy looking at it? Score: __ /10
Comfort
Could you imagine spending several hours on it? Score: __ /10
Confidence
How comfortable and relaxed did you feel? Score: __ /10
Maneuverability
How easy was it to move around, manoeuver and handle at low speed? Score: __ /10
Fun Factor
Did it make you smile? Score: __ /10
Overall Score
Would you be excited to own it?
Score: __ /10
The right bike for you is the one that you will be looking forward to riding, will find easy to handle. It only has to be the right one for now. Your dream bike can still be in your future if you need to work your way to it.