Five Tips For Test Riding A Motorcycle

[@spitescorner]

Got any tips for Test Rides that I missed? Don't forget to check out Fanttik's X8 Tire Inflator here: fanttik.com/products/fanttik-x8-tire-inflator

[@lf3skillz921]

The best thing to do might be grabbing the manual and going through it with the bike. Depends how much you're spending and willing to risk. This is a great guide with great jokes. Wish I would have had this at the start of summer. I had to learn all this AFTER I bought my bike and read the manuals. Not sure if you mentioned drive chain slack/condition. Loose rusty chain and needing to stop quick is no bueno (wonder how I found out?). Also make sure indicator lights work on the dash.

[@delgrundy]

Loving that Spite is consistently pulling in double the views of YN.

[@davidtruong9367]

You’re doing a great job with your own channel and I’m proud of how far you’ve progressed and yet retaining the traits & personality that makes your videos top notch. Yammie is a dum dum for doing what he did and it’s clear that it’s a blessing in disguise. Keep up the great work!

[@contentinstigator2019]

What happened with Yammie?

[@luke992011]

@@contentinstigator2019 people liked spite on yammies channel more than yammie so spite got 'let go' in a pretty awkward exit interview where yammie was immature and kinda just talked shit

[@raiden000]

Just ordered the tire inflator. I had no idea there were inflators that small that were actually good, I just got my first bike a month ago so this is perfect timing. The type c charging is a really good sign, shows they are willing to spend a little on their product instead of just making the cheapest possible item for a given task.

[@ADingoTookMyDasco]

If it's an older used bike you should also check the manufacture date on the side of the tyre. I've seen plenty of examples where the tyres are 10 years old or more. This is usually because the bike has been in storage for a few years or the owner rides it so infrequently that there's little tyre wear. Either way, even though the tyres look like they have plenty of tread the grip level is compromised.

[@Claimjumper55]

This is one of the first things I check. If the tires are over 3 years old, or show any cracking or damage, there's no way I'm riding fast or aggressive. If they're over 5 years old I'll look for something else.

[@laynetravis]

I thought that too but one big channel about only tyres reviews and test results that if the tyre stored correctly doesn't matter the years really..they test 10years old...but if it is on the sun and rain its then yes...and check break fluids too on used

[@freebehindbars8654]

All it takes is a trained thumbnail. You can tell by trying several spots.

[@ADingoTookMyDasco]

@@laynetravis I've test rode bikes where the owner has sworn the bike was kept in storage in a garage & the rear tyre has slipped going through every corner. Even my own bike, which spends most of its time in a garage at home & underground carpark at work, sometimes slips in corners. And the tyre is only 6 years old with plenty of tread left. It may be less of an issue where you are, but here in Australia its a big issue with our harsh sunlight,

[@peterhallbus1114]

This sure is true, my dad gave me his old bike from storage and it had a rear tire 20+ years old on it.

[@carver7689]

Your videos are looking more polished lately. Well done! Also, at 5:12, was that Josh?

[@martinlegrice1414]

Love love my Fanttik! Never leave home without it.

[@LeanBackMac]

I like how you brought up enjoying the bike in its stock form. I tested two mt07's over the summer. one was the rider event with a stock mt and the second was through riders-share and it was fully modded. knowing I would want to swap the fork and rear shock. and uncork it helped me realize maybe i should just be looking for something different. Great bike but just trying to keep mine stock or as close to stock.

[@PubRunner]

All good points. At one of the local Triumph dealer they tell a tale of a dude that was test riding a brand spanking new Rocket 3 and after being warned the tyres are new take it easy. He had written the bike off in under a mile. He is probably still paying it off.

[@alternator7893]

Awesome video dude! 👍

[@ryanashley347]

Spite Rules!

[@magnushate1488]

Spite, loving the content, keep it up! It's awesome to see your channel growing.

[@basedury]

i’ve been trying to find some info like this for my first test ride, considering i’ve never owned a bike. great video spite, thanks!!

[@arronrooks6595]

Spite, your nailing it! Thx.

[@Saint_Arod]

Been riding on the road for about a year, while I do most of these already it’s nice to get a refresher while I’m saving up for my next bike!

[@InfiniteEverythings]

Very insightful and intuitive. Your own channel is your own best fit. 👍

[@skapemaster2]

Leaving those who shouldn't be named was the best thing you could have done by far my favorite moto channel. Keep it up, man.

[@Jagknorr]

Fanttik! I bought one of those a couple months back and its GREAT! Fits under my back seat too

[@Firestorm637]

Great video. I am a pilot. I always walk around the plane, car, or motorcycles before operating. Looking at tires, damages, loose or missing stuff.

[@rollerangel]

Picked up my FanttikX8 today at an AMAZING price! thanks Spite

[@odnod]

Ditto Spite's comments on the Fanttik X8. I love it!

[@Stripping_Bolts]

I've been suffering from explosive diarrhea today. Looking in the toilet afterwards made me think of Yammie Noob & looking at his channel now there's no doubt in my mind he bought subs.

[@spykp]

Getting closer to 100k every day! Keep going Spite!

[@motochuti2078]

Nobody talks about the 5:12 Epic apparition

[@gforcepowersports]

😉

[@wanderingcalamity360]

New to bikes, been watching KZbin videos for research. Ditched YN and came here after hearing what happened. Sorry that happened to you, my dude. But it seems like you've come up on your feet. Great content!

[@ForTheChristians]

Thanks for the content! Just found your channel and I’m a prior big fan.

[@humano1196]

As a relatively new rider, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on motorcycles.

[@ridingwithrusso7790]

Great video Spite, all great points! One thing I’ve noticed, generally dealerships in my area (Massachusetts) aren’t to keen to let you test ride, especially in 2021/2022, like they want you to basically guarantee you’ll buy the bike after test ride, it’s BS. I wish bike dealership were more like car dealerships. I bought my used 2016 Versys 1000 in May from a small independent shop that sells used bike, they refused to let me test ride, they said because of insurance and liability they don’t do test rides. They had a good return and warranty policy and I’ve since put 3,000 miles on my bike without issue, but it almost made me not buy the bike. Just my thoughts!

[@AyaWetts]

same... hardly anywhere I can test ride anything, except Harley... they let me ride whatever I want.

[@petercreagh8797]

It was never an issue when I was younger but the first thing I suss out is ergonomic fit as if the seat is too tall and the bars are too low I walk away. When deciding to ride the first thing I do is get the dealer to set the bike to its highest power riding mode. This avoids me finding the bike not powerful enough by omitting to select the highest mode myself . Another thing I do is avoid looking down at the speedometer too much due to the fact I grew up before the fancy electronic ones were invented and with a new bike today there is a greater temptation to spend longer looking at them due to all the extra info they display which is a recipe for having a test ride crash in my opinion. One thing that gave me a bit of a fright when I took a cruiser for a test ride once was the fact I could not reach the brake pedal when I began the test ride but it did come to me that in order to reach the brake pedal all I needed to do was just have the back of my heel on the foot rest. I always try and do an emergency stop on bikes I test ride too and with this cruiser I noticed the sidewall of the rear tyre flexed under emergency braking which could have been due to insufficient air although it did not feel unsafe. Also if a bike ticks some boxes but not others try getting a second test ride to see if you could end up living with the features you don't like. I remember test riding a BMW once and hated the indicator switch not being in the one place so I had a second test ride to focus on whether I could get the hang of that and I decided I could and ended up buying it.

[@123mirc]

A perfect video which I needed. As the weather will allow it, I'm gonna test ride every bike that I can get my hands on. As a new rider I need to find my style. Cheers Spite! Keep up the good work!

[@jimdiamondcoles]

Good reminders. Thanks.

[@MrEiniweini]

I actually found watching multiple reviews and reading the full spec sheet on the dealer site gave me a pretty accurate expectation. I pre-ordered the Sportster S and knew before I got it that the rear suspension was an issue on rough roads, that the clamshell rider position was an issue and that the seat did not hold you in. Those are fixed. Watching one review or only reading off the spec sheet is not a good starting point. Read the spec sheet and look for reviews where the riders are similar in size and weight. Pay attention to the road condition before judging suspension. Then test ride before purchase if you are still interested. Mostly you will not be surprised.

[@joed.916]

Hell yeah dude! I’m watching your videos and making sure I don’t see yammis. You were the talent anyway

[@gtrguy17]

love this video! Useful, practical, entertaining and most importantly excellent taste in music.

[@MichaelBLevi]

You're soooo close to 100K subs here dude! Keep up the great work 👊

[@redhammer92]

Happy to see you already getting good sponsors man keep it up!

[@johncaswell2648]

No tips, but a funny story about a test ride. I was testing a Daytona 955i, it was a slow day so the dealership let me have it for a couple hours, I was heading back after my test ride when someone decided the bike looked expensive and tried to do a swoop-and-squat scam on me.. suddenly changed lanes right in front of me and slammed on the brakes even though the road ahead was open, so it was pretty obvious that they were trying something, especially since after they failed they sped back up and changed back to their original lane. I'm no stunter but somehow I managed to loft the rear wheel of that Daytona without losing control and avoid hitting them, so that was the moment I knew I had to get a Triumph. I didn't end up buying that Daytona but I did get my Sprint ST shortly after.

[@deaks25]

Great guide, most of it is stuff I do anyway, but it's always good to get another perspective.

[@Knoxvillemoto]

I ordered my first bike (rs660) and had it shipped straight to my house. The first bike I ever actually test rode was an rsv4 1100 factory (at my rs660 600 mile service). I went out with one of the dealerships staff. After pulling out of the dealership he immediately rolled the throttle all the way back and expected me to keep up. Crazy experience.....and now I'm buying an RSV4.

[@calebwilcox6496]

Keep at it man.

[@famousj6]

Bout to hit that silver play button milestone bro!

[@jw2918]

13:05 Hi Spite! I’ve been out of motorcycle-vlog things for a while and touched back in recently with some Yammie Noob. I got to wondering how come I wasn’t seeing you there, did a little exploring and found you here. Bummer things seem to have played out badly between you two; it was a fun dynamic to watch and I miss it. But I am a new subscriber now to this channel and I even bought that cool tire gauge/pump from your advertiser, so you can let them know their support of your channel is paying off. Good luck and Godspeed!

[@unclecousinmario2693]

Now THIS is great advice!

[@jerryspencer5453]

Good info Spite. Thanks for helping us to stay well informed.

[@mattbandfield]

Great original topic Spite!! I’m super impressed with your original approach to this thing.

[@AZ-wc5ot]

wish this video had been here a couple weeks before lol. I was in the market for my second bike and ended up buying a 2000 yamaha fzs 600 from a friend of my brother's. Impeccable condition, every small service noted down ever since he bought the bike in like 2013. Didnt even ride the bike before i bought it rofl. My first ride was an 8 hour long trip at night at 0 degrees Celsius. Gotta say - loved the bike. The price was pretty good too ngl

[@Martinez271992]

The "fun" rule is my favorite. Makes the bike more valuable to the rider.

[@danytheunicorn95]

I love this content. Keep it up spite!

[@gronkgrunk]

I'm guilty of forgetting to check the tyres every time, lol. Great content, Spite!

[@fredecks4641]

Heheh, Lookout Mountain! Nice place for a test ride. 😁 Thanks for a great vid - I sure like what you're doing.

[@lexievv]

Went from 3 years on my first bike - Ducati Monster S4 2001, to my new to me Multistrada. I was so afraid I'd have a hard time riding of without struggling since it was a much bigger and higher bike. Ended up being really surprised with myself just driving off as if I'd been riding the thing for a while.

[@ivansikora1834]

Thank you so much!!

[@PMitchell106]

Spite well on his way to 100k 📈

[@Jagknorr]

Very good and useful video!

[@rjgallman4916]

Hey Spite! Just heared about your getting fired. We're here for ya, better on your own I can imagine almost everyone saying it. More power sir!

[@daninthepan]

Great vid Spite, more of these please. (Although I'm pretty sure there was more than five tips there.)

[@spitescorner]

There are like 5 categories I think, ngl I didn't count them up lol

[@EDP1]

your advise is golden . avery new bike you have to act like a newbie again .

[@zackadams419]

My biggest fear of test driving other bikes is dropping it, especially at a dealership. Dropping a Harley street bob at the dealership I took the MSF at scares the hell out of me lol

[@gabrielkopp2036]

That's great info..keep it up spite!!

[@airadaimagery692]

I’ve never been to a motorcycle dealership that allows you to test ride anything.

[@bestestusername]

Seems common sense but very handy video, great work mate. The comment @11.40 mark is poetic considering your last job😉, was always fiddling with new bikes.

[@bestestusername]

@spitecorners lets not scammer

[@Muppetfanforevah]

This is perfect timing!

[@pervysage5237]

On my first ever test ride after getting my license the drive sprocket came off during powering up on an industrial road, heard something pulled the clutch and brakes called the guy and luckily he wasn't mad about it. We found the sprocket a few meters away from where it happened and I was very lucky the chain didn't wrap around and hit me. There wasn't really a way to avoid this but I was happy it didn't happen omw home despite me not buying it anyway.

[@El_Guap]

Fanttik X8 APEX FTW. Awesome. I use it constantly. I don’t know what I did before.

[@5x16adventures6]

I bought two Fanttik 8s based on your recommendation

[@RobertWilliams-oy9qk]

Good stuff Jake

[@lex1945]

You're spoiling us my friend! THX for yet another upload!

[@philipdandridge4127]

Lincoln Park forever!!! I knew I liked you spite!!!

[@Cosmo12007]

Try to find a company event where Honda, Kawasaki, or Yamaha has an event and test rides at you nearest dealer. Usually its only at the super size dealers but usually worth the ride or drive there.

[@robz2325]

Great Video as always Spite. Appreciate the link for tire inflator but may I suggest adding other links for the gear you wear in video as well. Thanks Bro.

[@theroadcrow]

Another good one! Almost 100k subs! Oh yeah 🤘💀

[@wraymogg]

I do love you Spite, but I did exactly opposite from what are you sayin'. In one of your previous videos you said don't buy a FTR, I bought a FTR. Now You're saying don't buy it if you need mods to love it. I HAD to lower the shocks, to change the seat, put a riser and to make a tune in order to get rid of that nasty cold start and the jerkiness of the throttle. In the end that FTR is a godsent now!

[@OldDirtGuy]

I would add that you should run your hand down the tread of the front tire to see how cupped it is. Your hand can feel a lot more cup than your eye can see.

[@FrenchyRider574]

Can you please make a video about your opinion on the T7 ? Maybe compare it to your KLR or 690?

[@ZinoAmare]

I don't like ADV bikes but damn that Yamaha looks awesome.

[@WillieJohnRidesAgain]

I test drove a Kawi at the dealer and at the end of the ride, the handlebar bolts were coming loose on one side on a brand new bike. Can't trust them...Do a safety check!!

[@ohTHATaaronbrown]

Great set of advice :)

[@hikingwithchris]

Great video!

[@fullmetalcorgi1350]

Tip #6: Use a fake name and take the bike home.

[@ilbald4052]

Wise man words

[@spitescorner]

Works every time!

[@larryyoung1765]

60% of the time it works, everytime.

[@ronoldcross8189]

Out here, unless you have a good counterfeit license and possibly other matching ID, you can only dream....

[@velvetandchester]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesdewhirst788]

Yeah G-Force and Colorado!! How did you like our twisties? You going to move here? You should check out an awesome ride called the Hogback challenge. 400 miles and over 1500 turns in one day. Look it up through Hogback Distilling in Boulder Colorado.

[@ntme6506]

Spite needs 100k for Christmas. Super close

[@brentrichardson3366]

All fantastic points, Thanks Spite. Can someone sponsor this guy for some good riding boots :)

[@rickbradshaw2148]

Solid topic!

[@themerpking8445]

10:29 hey look, its one of the situations in the msf course!

[@TommyNitro]

Five tips for riding a motorcycle and in the thumbnail is "don't drop it".....seems like good advice to me.

[@ohxno3085]

whoa whoa denver?? dude i took my motorcycle course and bought my 22 KLR at that g force powersports

[@vancemarin8022]

Good luck getting a dealer to let you have a test ride anywhere near where I live in Canada. Insurance and licensing law make it near impossible !!

[@twrcrew8852]

I've always wanted a GSXR 750. But I was financially strapped so I got an Energica Eva first (yes. the "expensive EV bike") so that I could save money on running costs until I could find and aquire the right GSXR 750 (used). don't think too hard on the math, but in short - the plan worked and I now have more than enough cash to buy said GSXR - new if I wanted to. But having started on a 140hp EV super naked... I quickly came to realize my failure to consider one fatal flaw - I had FORGOTTEN how to ride a normal bike in all that time spent riding my EV. let alone a high strung yet torquey middle weight supersport. See, I went from the MSF on a forgiving DRZ dirtbike to this Energica. So gone are my abilities to shift and modulate properly - further still - nonexistent are my abilities to properly shift an aggressive sport bike - despite riding for a few years. Those years riding were almost for nothing, as I did not build any relevant skills other than learning how to move my weight around on a naked style bike which is already extremely easy to ride at speed. I don't know how a supersport will differ from side to side, it's much lighter weight means I will have to account for strong side-drafts of wind on my mountain roads with more caution, as I myself weigh nothing. I will have to remember that the bike does not back itself up on my tippy toes as I am short, and I will also need to remember that riding in town and during rush hour will get very very HOT, and that I should probably keep that in mind before setting out from my apartment at peak hours of the day on it. maybe take the car or my EV instead. lol

[@twrcrew8852]

Replying to myself to say that EV bikes are like Automatic cars. This is essentially a challenger hellcat. heavy and engaging in one way, but not in all ways. Once I aquire my GSXR, I will see if it's in the cards to keep it forever, as knowing how to shift should be a forever skill that one must cherish and keep fresh. I call myself a pretrolhead because all of my cars are manual, but bikes and cars are not equal. therefore I require myself to get "right" with my bikes too.

[@urbanadventurer5]

Hey! That’s one of my local shops. I was just there on Friday lol. 👍🏾

[@gforcepowersports]

🤝 thanks for your business!

[@urbanadventurer5]

@@gforcepowersports No problem at all. You are one of my favorites. It’s where I got my rider certification and it’s a place I enjoy stopping by to see what new bikes you have, etc.

[@Firestorm637]

I buy power from the factory as stage 2-4 are expensive what you get. Suspension is something much less expensive to modify to your own preference.

[@digichalk]

Sup Spite, nice channel

[@gforcepowersports]

Great video dude! It came together great and was so much fun filming. Next time you come up let's hit the Colorado BDR 🤙

[@spitescorner]

For sure! Thanks for bringing me out.

[@darius0lupus]

What sucks is a honda dealer had a demo bike, asked about buying at demo pricing they offered only full pricing saying they had to get x number of demo ride emails in before they can, sold it the next day to the owner who offered to resell it for 1k less then msrp

[@ianaldridge227]

Cool to see you in my hometown on mt. Zion. What brought you out to the golden/Lakewood area?

[@alextutunarov3374]

I'd like to hear your thoughts about the T7 because I thinking about giving it a try

[@location9196]

The Fanttik X8 doesnt ship to the UK but looks useful was thinking about getting one

[@joereeves3639]

Hey spite i loved listening to your podcasts while i was at work, the new yamcast isn't the same. I was wondering if you had any interest in starting a spitecast

[@TrinityRSV]

Here's a tip you missed. 10:58. Use the bike like you want to... you've not going to learn a damn thing. Think you've got your head in the clouds. Maybe its because you've in the industry and these dealer/owners want you to showcase their bikes/dealerships etc. For us laymen, yep, go up to a dealership or owner and say. I'd like to test ride the bike like I'd want to use it. You've in CO so you tell them I'd like to test ride this like I'd like to use it. Can I have to for 5 hours, hit some trails, fire roads, over some passes and while you've at it, can you throw on some panniers and camping gear so I can feel the handling with those? Or to a private party owner and say, hey where's the neatest trail? I'd like to see how this bike handles in whoops, jumps, rocks, mud etc. You've full of it. Get your head out of the sand.

[@alanaspurling6469]

I was at a track day, where Yamaha Champ School was at… they offered a free chance to try their motorcycles. I had a chance to ride both an R7 and an R6… Thanks to Ryan @ YCS

[@OfficialDegenerate]

I saw an article about equipment you should have for a bike and saw the X8 there not even 12 hours ago, then you mentioned it here. Is Spite spying on me?