I remember back about 8-10 years ago and before, KTM and Yamaha would do test ride days at Red Bud (and I’m sure in other areas where moto is big, I’m assuming they probably did them in California, Florida, and the Northwest). Theyd bring every model of their new MX line for that year out to the track and you got to do a lap or a maybe a few on each bike. All you had to do was sign up at the dealer that was putting it on, I dont even remember if you had to pay. I’m sure some here probably did this before. It looked awesome.
I never was able to do it, and it seems like in the last 5 years they stopped doing it entirely. Does anyone know if any manufacturers or dealerships are still doing this kind of thing? Id imagine it would really help a new brand like Ducati or Triumph.
Beta and Yamaha still do it. Not sure about the other manufacturers.
KTM has had practice days at the Rattlesnake National Enduro.
I have seen a couple for Ducati in Oregon recently. I did a KTM ride day at Washougal in 2015 or 2016, it was nice to ride the different sizes back to back.
I did a beta one last year.
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I think it’s more dealer ran than OEM, unless at a national track. Had a local Yamaha and beta dealer do a couple at local ride spots, haven’t seen any in a couple years. Was supposed to be one from a different beta dealer last year but it was cancelled a couple weeks before it was going to happen.
In the UK, I remember I went to a Suzuki test day, I think it was about 98/99.
It was in the winter at Chippenham (known as wild tracks) so the ground condition was soft, thick sand. So you had to gas it quite hard to get moving. Not ideal on brand new bikes.
The first guy to fire up the brand new RM250, went out and was hammering this poor bike. It must’ve only been his third lap,
He got sideways out of a left hand turn and swapped back on the face of the following jump and binned it big!
Bent bars, ripped off rad scoop, twisted up radiator & broken rear fender.
the poor bike was less than 8 minutes old!
The guy returned to the pits, got a telling off from the Suzuki guys, got in his car and fucked off home!
I don’t recall riding the 250 that day, I don’t remember it getting back out on track, but I did ride the RM125.
For Beta I know it works like this.
Beta has bikes that dealers basically rent for a demo day. They send the dealer the bikes, EZ-up’s and other supplies for them to do the demo’s.
It’s on here.
https://betausa.com/demo-events/
That story made my night! LOL.
Good for a recovery after reading that dumpster fire Minear thread...
Way to keep this place cool man.
Have a great evening!
I've seen KTM set up at Mid-Ohio
Last year or year before can’t recall. I was at the Beta dealer in Magnolia, Tx. They had all the factory demo bikes out back power washing and getting them ready to load up and send to the next location. I was surprised at how many demo bike they had. Lot of bikes to clean and prep.
Where in Oregon have you seen them? I must have missed it. I would be all over a Ducati test ride.
I think it was at Eugene mx park.
MotoCorsa Ducati in Portland. I follow their facebook and found it there.
We did a demo day at highland park in GA, I don't know, about 15yrs ago for Husaberg. After I got off that piece of junk, I thought that certainly isn't how I would try to sell a bike like this. I would do the typical, I will sell it to you then you can ride it, at that point too late sucker!!!
Yamaha is very committed to it. Rarely see the others
x1000 on the Yamaha comments. You can catch dealer demo days in Colorado most summers as well.
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