Test Ride Insurance?

[Ducatiloo]

I was at Corse Super bikes with a goodolboy.  When the time came to test ride, the dealer asked up if we had motorcycle insurance.
Me having a motorcycle had insurance, goodolboy not having a bike, did not, and why would he?  They told him he needed insurance to test ride bikes.  Tonight I checked my policy and I don't have any magic insurance that covers all bikes.  I asked the dealer what kind of insurance they expected riders interested in buying a Ducati to have, if they did not currently own a motorcycle. His response was "shrug".  Seriously has anyone ever run into this?  Shouldn't dealers have insurance?  How can a person be expected to pay for insurance to test ride a bike?  I think the dealer I talked to was the top dog there that day.  I'm trying to run down the Managers or Owners e-mail address but have not had any success.

They are not that great of dealer, but sadly they are the only dealer in Wisconsin.

[hyphen]

I was at Corse Super bikes with a goodolboy.  When the time came to test ride, the dealer asked up if we had motorcycle insurance.
Me having a motorcycle had insurance, goodolboy not having a bike, did not, and why would he?  They told him he needed insurance to test ride bikes.  Tonight I checked my policy and I don't have any magic insurance that covers all bikes.  I asked the dealer what kind of insurance they expected riders interested in buying a Ducati to have, if they did not currently own a motorcycle. His response was "shrug".  Seriously has anyone ever run into this?  Shouldn't dealers have insurance?  How can a person be expected to pay for insurance to test ride a bike?  I think the dealer I talked to was the top dog there that day.  I'm trying to run down the Managers or Owners e-mail address but have not had any success.

They are not that great of dealer, but sadly they are the only dealer in Wisconsin.

I've test rode 4 different bikes from 2 different Ducati dealerships before I bought mine.  No one asked me if I had bike insurance, however they did ask if I had car insurance.  I'm not sure how car insurance would cover a motorcycle that's being test ridden. 

[IdZer0]

I've test rode 4 different bikes from 2 different Ducati dealerships before I bought mine.  No one asked me if I had bike insurance, however they did ask if I had car insurance.  I'm not sure how car insurance would cover a motorcycle that's being test ridden. 

My guess is it 's just a way of only allowing people with riding experience (without explicitly saying so). I've always wondered though about what would happen if you crash a demo ride. I don't think your insurance would cover it and they either don't have one or have one with a very large 'forfait' (I can't remember the english word for it).

[the_Journeyman]

My local dealer basically makes you sign a form that says you are financially responsible for any damage to the bike.  They're not concerned whether it's covered out of your pocket or if is somehow covered with your insurance.

JM

[sportskid1]

This is a very good question.  I did a demo ride a few years ago and almost crashed the bike coming off the freeway section of the drive.  Comes out that something let loose on the bike while I was on the freeway and oil was pouring out if it.  The whole rear tire was covered with oil.  Thanks god I was taking it easy.  Hopefully I could have got out of that one.

[Cucciolo]

This is a very good question.  I did a demo ride a few years ago and almost crashed the bike coming off the freeway section of the drive.  Comes out that something let loose on the bike while I was on the freeway and oil was pouring out if it.  The whole rear tire was covered with oil.  Thanks god I was taking it easy.  Hopefully I could have got out of that one.

wow.. that must have been scary.. oily rear tire is the last thing you want.. and on the high way.. 

[Ducatiloo]

Up til Friday, I had just figured that the dealership had insurance.  That's really getto not to.

[Kyna]

Is it that different than a car dealership?  I never had to prove insurance at a dealership just for a test drive.  I can't believe that dealerships don't have some sort of coverage for that sort of thing.

[goodolboy]

I'm thinking the best offense is a good flat out lie next time I go to test ride!

[Ducatiloo]

I'm thinking the best offense is a good flat out lie next time I go to test ride!

And we will talk to a different sales man.

[Bun-bun]

I tested a 696 a bit ago, and yeah, the dealer asked for insurance. Matter of fact, the salesman wanted to see an insurance card, and was all set to deny the test because I didn't have it on me. The owner happened by, and approved the test ride.
The kicker to all of this is that I rode up to the dealer on my 620.

[bucky]

And we will talk to a different sales man.

Hi there, I know the owner, manager, and many of the people that work at Corse, they are top notch and I have always had a great experience with them.  Sometimes people come in there wanting to flog a ducati and have no intention of buying.  Maybe that sales person was trying to sort things out, I don't know.  However when you go in there next ask for Sam, he will take care of you guys. 

I bought my first Monster there, and almost bought my last one there even though I live In Colorado currently.  I don't know everyone that works there now, as I have lived out here for over a year now, but if you want to know some others to talk with send me a pm and I'll let you know.  I wouldn't want an experience that can be turned around next time, to stop you from starting a good relationship with some very good people.

[DoubleEagle]

I have bought 7 new bikes  from the same Dealer in the last 4 years and I test rode a Hyper Motard earlier this Summer .

I had to have my bike insurance card and Driver's license phtocopied before I could take the bike off the lot and sign a form of some kind .  Dolph