[longride]

First, how does someone make a 2004 model at the beginning of 2003? Why would I put $500 on a bike I can't see, or sit on to "guarantee" I get one by December? Why not just wait until March 2004, since I can't ride in December anyway? Why can't they just make them and put them in the showroom like everyone else? Is this the new "artificial increase in demand" sales mojo of Yamaha? I'm sure the bike is nice, but I'll be damned if I buy anything without a test spin. If I can't ride it, it won't get sold to me. Maybe they are afraid you really won't like it, but since your money is down it's too late? Dropping 13 large on a picture and words is the goofiest thing I have ever heard of.

 

[longride]

Nope. No "demo tour" for me, playing "follow the leader" for a few miles. I'll take it out in my domain and see what is what. Been there, done that with the demo's at Daytona.

 

[longride]

Showrooms will tell you what sells. Lots of cruisers, less sportbikes, and sport-tourers are very few, if any. You are lucky to see one sport-tourer type in most showrooms. I believe they don't sell many, and I'm not talking about bikes like VFR800's, which is lots more "sport" than "tourer".