9GT for a day......

[wordsmith]

I don't know where you live, ZigMerid, or your particular circumstances, but my experience over far too many years is that test-rides are always readily available, assuming that the bike being considered is in stock.   This experience covers both BMW and Yamaha brands.   I have rarely been allowed to go out without a dealer/rep riding along too, but that has never bothered me.   However, the usual $2000 excess insurance in case of damage might turn many off!

[HGP61]

On 8/1/2022 at 2:22 PM, bowlin01 said:

I think I test rode bikes from Triumph, BMW, Suzuki, Yamaha and Royal Enfield before I made my choice.

I had booked test rides for the Tracer, BMW XR 900 and the Triumph Tiger 850 Unfortunately for two of the dealerships I test rode the Tracer first and was convinced it was the one half way through the demo ride. Other two tests got cancelled. 

[FarmForce]

On 7/30/2022 at 7:44 AM, kilo3 said:

Whhhaattt?

This is a thing over there? Would be laughed out of the dealership if you even though about asking for that here.

Well, it's true ... the reason is that US people are the dumbest lot on earth when it comes to money ... List price of a bike here is the starting point; then B.O.H.I.C.A sets in: add $850 in freight, $400-800 in "Dealer set up costs" and $500 in documentation fees. On top of that sales tax on everything. CONGRATULATIONS! You've enjoyed being BF'd and welcomed it!  e.G. On BMW GS bikes the dealers here mark them up $2 to $3k PLUS those fees and the bikes are sold before they are assembled in the shop. American customers love to bend over and take it up the rear end; then go online and complain about inflation and socialism. W_T_F! We are the dumbest nation on earth. So why would dealers provide loaners or let you test ride a bike. No need! We pay any price up our  @$$es. Insane here. We Americans a dumber than $#!t when it comes to money!

Edited November 29, 2022 by FarmForce

[Heli ATP]

I walked into a dealer to purchase a FJ-09 and was refused a test ride. I bought it after 3 more visits which resulted in wearing the sales man down as well as the price.

I rode my then 3 year old FJ-09 into a different dealer hundreds of miles from home, and asked for a test ride on a NIKEN. The sales man said "if you can ride the FJ I guess we should leave you ride the NIKEN".

I rode the Niken  home 2 hours later, not sure I would have purchased it without the test ride.

No regrets either.

[Paddy01]

I think we’re all fascinated by the Niken but have never had the balls to ride/buy one. Please post your initial impressions when you’re ready. 

[Ride365]

On 12/13/2022 at 4:49 AM, Paddy01 said:

I think we’re all fascinated by the Niken but have never had the balls to ride/buy one. Please post your initial impressions when you’re ready. 

Section here on the forum for that. 😉

[pgeldz]

On 7/30/2022 at 1:30 AM, bowlin01 said:

Whilst my 2018 GT900 was in for its' 24k mile service I was loaned a 2022 9GT so, for what its worth, here are my initial impressions on the 9GT after riding it for just under 250 miles....

Seat/ seating position (in the 'low' position as I'm a dwarf)- I've never had an issue with the GT900's seat (as many seem to) but found that the 9GT seat was very comfortable and liked that I felt that I was sat more 'in' the bike rather than 'on' it, very nice.

Engine/ gear box - Smooth as butter, lots of torque and acceleration, absolutley LOVED IT! The quickshifter is sooo smooth, although I rarely use it as I think they detract from the riding experience.

Windscreen - Pants, awful, just as bad as the GT900 oem was.

Handling - Excellent, great in the twisties. The whole ride felt much 'smoother' than my GT900 (could be just that the loaner  bike had only 500 miles on it)

Dashboard - Awful, do not like the split screen layout and it is at the wrong angle, as soon as the slightest sunlight hits it I couldn't see a thing. Very poor both asthetically and functionally.

Looks - Generally better irl than in photos, although I can't stand that fact that only one 'spotlight' is on when in daylight running. Why not have both on ???? Looks awful.

Would I get one? - No. Not yet at least, the spy shots seem to suggect that Yamaha are replacing the split screen dashboard with that from the TMAX. If that happens then I might consider it. The aftermarket parts suppliers would also have to have produced much more for the 9GT before I would consider buying one. (This should have improved in a year or so I'm hoping)

Cheers

Steve

 

Nice write up!