Most riders waste their test ride. Not because they’re careless, but because they focus on the wrong things. When you only get 20–30 minutes on a motorcycle at a dealership or demo day, you’re not trying to decide if the bike is “perfect.” You’re trying to figure out if it’s right for you.
In this video, I walk through exactly what to pay attention to during a short test ride - from throttle pickup and clutch engagement to low-speed balance, brake feel, midrange character, and the mental effect the bike has on you.
If you’re about to spend your hard-earned money on a motorcycle, this is the framework you should use before making that decision. Whether you’re riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or any other bike, the process is the same.
Chapters:
00:11 Before you ride
02:35 Start the bike
03:26 Test the clutch
04:18 Slow speed tests
05:13 Speeding up
06:28 Off road test
07:02 High speed test
08:24 Test the brakes
09:04 Combine it all