Are demonstraters run in ? I have waited a year to maybe purchase a Speed 400.there a several used around now but i don’t like the thought of getting one that’s been thrashed from new.Any thoughts ? Although any of them could have been ridden that way.
These are the demo’s on sale at my local dealer at present. As you can see two of them are not run in. As far as thrashing goes, you don’t know that with any bike, and at least these have 2 years of warranty…
Triumph Speed 400
- van €7000 voor €5950
- 740km
Triumph Speedtwin 900
- Van 11750 voor 9995
- 1965km
Triumph Trident 660
- Van €9595 voor €8450
- 197km
The last two demo bikes I rode had less than 600 miles on them, so not run in. Although I treated them with respect, I’d bet not everyone does! Personally, I’d be dubious about buying an ex-demo bike, but in reality they’ll probably be fine.
My Multistrada was an ex-demo. I know one rider gave it a bit of a thrashing but that was me so it’s ok.
Not really a thrashing but probably went over the rev limit at some point.
I also wouldn’t be too concerned if there’s a decent warranty. I’m unlikely to keep the bikes in to old age where premature wear and-tear might become a factor.
My S3 is 19 years old, 37500 miles on it, still gets the occasional thrashing (by me ) and runs like a dream.
I’d be a bit wary about buying an ex-demo myself: too much of a risk of elderly hooligans having been trying ‘wot’ll it do?’ before it’s been properly run in. It would probably be OK, but the discount on the new price isn’t usually big enough to take the risk. I’d sooner buy new and know exactly how it’s treated from the beginning.
My 2018 1050 Speed RS was an ex demo and so far so good. … Runs perfectly and I got it at a great price. Had circa 1000 miles on it at the time of purchase. Now has 5600 on it.
Still required to a degree, but modern manufacturing makes running in less critical than back in the day.
Being too gentle can also be damaging.
I think it depends on the deal as to whether it’s worth the risk.
(It was for my S1000XR, although not a demonstrator as such)
Edit:
Also, one of the few benefits of modern ecu electronics is that it protects the engine to some degree. The rev limiter is set lower during run-in period until released at first service (I’m assuming others are the same as BMW).
And my XR always sets a lower limiter each start up until the engine reaches full operating temperature.
Here’s something worth considering, lots of cases about of new cars being refused warranty on grounds of the vehicle being abused. New stuff stores all sorts of data and even sends it to the manufacturer. If bikes are doing this now (if not they will be soon enough) and you buy an ex-demo that someone revved to high, any future warranty claim may be refused.
Got any links to information about this sort of thing going on?
I recall one of the euro regulations including data logging, 6b perhaps, I’m not sure. And cars with SIM cards (SOS button) can send data packages to the manufacture. Toyota apparently refused warranty claims on GR Corollas when they caught fire because there was speed information sent in one of these data packets which led Toyota to believe the car was abused. Wouldn’t surprise me.
When I owned a Lotus car I asked for a copy of the data pulled from the ecu at a service. I was staggered by the amount of detailed information recorded - there were sheets of it. Everything from time and percentages spent at various rpm’s, numerous acceleration times - fastest 0-60, 0-100 etc. Number of times launch control had been used (none!) and a host of other technical data.
Pull all this at a 600 mile service and they can easily see whether it’s been abused.
I’d be surprised if this data wasn’t available from modern bikes as well.
God help the poor sod that buys a certain speed triple demo bike