Atlanta Motorworld (in Alpharetta) is having an open house Sat. 4-15-06. They are now also a Ducati and Aprillia dealership (ini addition to Honda and Kawasaki). Word is they are going to have about 18 Ducatis there for test rides (all the models are supposed to be available to test ride). They are going to go out in groups with designated control riders (leader, midpack, and sweeper). So it will be a controlled ride but with a pace so you can get an idea of the performance of the bike. You'll probably need the minimum of safety gear, (boots, jacket, gloves, etc.)and a current M/C license, and be ready to sign your life away. Sean says they are going to be riding all day starting at around 10 am. Remember, this is an open house, so they will probably have more than test rides going on. That's all I know, someone out there probably has more info than me.

If you don't know, Atlanta Motorworld is in Alpharetta off Upper Hembre Road near highway 9. This is near Harrys Farmers market and North Fulton Hospital. Hope to see ya'll there

Man, I wish I didn't have a full slate of "to do's" for Saturday!    I wonder if they'll continue it over to Sunday ...

TB, do you happen to know how late they'll be open?  Actually, it shouldn't be too hard to find their number ....

Dude, put some of it off!   I live about 10 minutes from Atlanta Motor World... if you want, you can come do your valves in my driveway.  I don't have any cool ratcheting socket wrenches like you've got, but I have a decent ratchet set and some allen wrenches

I'd do it...if they ran aprilias, too...and it was 700 miles closer...

Cool I wanna get an older ducati M someday so I'll prolly roll out.

Hmmmmmm .. rides start at 10am.  I wasn't going to do the valves til Sunday, anyways.  But, our first engagement is around 10:30.  Maybe I can be 'fashionably late' and sneak in an early ride.  You feel like heading up there around 9-9:30 to maybe beat some of the crowd?   

Crim, want to make an early morning of it?  C'mon guys, I need some peer pressure here! 

Quote from: secondgen7 on April 14, 2006, 08:05:55 AM
Hmmmmmm .. rides start at 10am.  I wasn't going to do the valves til Sunday, anyways.  But, our first engagement is around 10:30.  Maybe I can be 'fashionably late' and sneak in an early ride.  You feel like heading up there around 9-9:30 to maybe beat some of the crowd?   

Crim, want to make an early morning of it?  C'mon guys, I need some peer pressure here! 

Hmm I need some peer pressure too.  If you wanna meet up there at 9, I'm game, I'll set my alarm right now so I don't forget.    I'll probably come in my shitbox or in my Z.  Don't think I'll ride the GS out.  I guess I'll keep an eye out for a GS out there and introduce myself.

I'm kinda skeptical about riding bikes from a dealership.  I don't think I'd have any problem, but I wonder what happens if you drop one heh

I've never been on a demo ride so am not sure of the policy/procedure.  I know they're controlled rides to limit the probability but you never know ... stuff happens.  I'd probably think twice if they make you sign a waiver stating that you drop it, you've bought it.  Anyone else that can shed some light on demo ride policies?

TB, how's 9 work for you?  I saw something on GSB that mentioned rides may even begin at that time (rather than 10) .. not sure how reliable that info is, though. 

Crim, I'd be on the GS .. black '00 with bar-end mirrors.

Cool 9am it is.  I wanna snag a ride on a ducati Monster, hopefuly they have some of the smaller sized ones there 

Quote from: secondgen7 on April 14, 2006, 09:05:21 AM
I've never been on a demo ride so am not sure of the policy/procedure.  I know they're controlled rides to limit the probability but you never know ... stuff happens.  I'd probably think twice if they make you sign a waiver stating that you drop it, you've bought it.  Anyone else that can shed some light on demo ride policies?

TB, how's 9 work for you?  I saw something on GSB that mentioned rides may even begin at that time (rather than 10) .. not sure how reliable that info is, though. 

Crim, I'd be on the GS .. black '00 with bar-end mirrors.

Ohhh sweet! 


I work in Alpharetta, and live only a few miles south (in Sandy Springs).  Maybe I'll see you guys out there.
Crim, I also have a 2000 black GS, but mine has a Targa front mini-fairing.

-Paul B.

Cool, come on out Paul!  

More info here: atlantamotorworld.

9am?   Well... I'll try to get up that early.    No promises, though   Be sure to check google maps/earth before you head up there (hybrid view).... it can be a bit tricky to see the sign for Atlanta Motor World if you haven't ever been there before.  It is a bit north of Killer Creek Harley Davidson.

Thanks for the tip.

Btw, I saw they open at 9:30 (and I'm ~30 miles away), so I'll probably get there closer to 9:15.  Crim, I'll keep an eye out for a Z or NX (or GS, should you decide to ride anyways).  And don't forget to bring your gear.

Did we ever find out what the ride policy is?  As a new rider, I'd only be willing to hop on one of the Ducs (even a little one) if there was NOT a "you drop it, you buy it" policy...

FYI: I left a message with Sean (of Atlanta Motorworld's sales dept.) and will post if I hear back from him on the test ride policy.

-PB

I'm gonna crawl out onto this limb over here and say that there is absolutely such a policy you must sign. You think they're gonna run the risk of just letting any geek off the street hop on a bike worth that much and take it for a spin with no insurance against being stuck with a busted, unsellable bike? Hell no, I'm saying nay on that one. I'd say that probably well over half the people who go there are like you all: going to try a sweet bike with no intentions of purchasing it. And I'm sure they know that. They're probably happy if 10 people show and 1 buys a bike.

Having a motorcycle endorsement and knowing how to ride are 2 entirely different things. And knowing how to ride and riding a Duc are again different.

Don't misinterpret my post though: props to you all for going and taking them out, especially as a group of GSers. I'm jealous. Enjoy!

You're probably right.  I was thinking maybe personal insurance (or proof thereof) would be required.  Who knows.  Even if I don't end up riding one, any time is a good time to go oogle some Ducs!

Quote from: ptoncracker on April 14, 2006, 11:17:05 AM
Did we ever find out what the ride policy is?  As a new rider, I'd only be willing to hop on one of the Ducs (even a little one) if there was NOT a "you drop it, you buy it" policy...

2nd... I don't think I'd drop it, but I know I couldn't afford it if I did.  I'll prolly swing by and check it out.

Sorry for the late notice, but I got a call back from Atlanta Motorsports, and he claims that the "standard" Ducati test ride policy applies, and that it was on Ducati's website.

Welll, I couldn't find it.  I'm assuming that he means "You drop it, you buy it." 

Don't know about you, but on a schoolteacher's salary, a $7000 test ride would be, um, prohibitively expense.

If I come out tomorrow, I'll be ogling- but not riding any Ducs.

-PB

Quote from: ptoncracker on April 14, 2006, 06:36:35 PM
Sorry for the late notice, but I got a call back from Atlanta Motorsports, and he claims that the "standard" Ducati test ride policy applies, and that it was on Ducati's website.

Welll, I couldn't find it.  I'm assuming that he means "You drop it, you buy it." 

Don't know about you, but on a schoolteacher's salary, a $7000 test ride would be, um, prohibitively expense.

If I come out tomorrow, I'll be ogling- but not riding any Ducs.

-PB

I didn't make it out, I figured the same thing as you.  Be one expensive ride if something unfortunate did happen.