[13630]

"but I'll be damned if I buy anything without a test spin."



Go ride one on their demo tour. They'll probably have one at Sturgis, Daytona, and all the other events they attend.

 

[13630]

"what the heck is Yamaha trying to pull with this down payment, "you-gotta-place-an-order" shtik? Afraid they won't sell?! "



I would say that that is exactly what they are afraid of... like any smart company, they are trying to guarantee that they won't have a bunch of inventory left over at the end of the year.

 

[13630]

"Yamaha is offering a bike so exclusive that evidentally only motojournalists are allowed near them..and of course, bike show attendees. "



What's exclusive about it? You can buy one right now. It's no more exclusive than any non-Sportster H-D.