[epbrown]

Funny timing - I'm reading a thread on a Honda forum where people are posting about crashes they've had during test rides at dealerships. Makes you think. One recurring theme? Most of the crashes are on cruisers like your dad's, by people unused to the weight and the fact these bikes can't lean as much as other types.

As for me - I've never test ridden a bike. What I do is ask to watch the owner ride it (not an option here, I guess). I think that gives me a more objective/detached view of the bike running, and eliminates the risk of me crashing on someone's bike and 1) hurting myself (one of the above stories, the guy broke his collar bone), 2) risking injury on what could be a dodgy bike and 3) feeling obligated to by a bike I had so much trouble riding I crashed it.

What I do request is to sit on them, as I'm 6'1" and bike manufacturers seem based in Lilliput or Munchkinland or something.

I hope the bike's going back to your dad when the detailing is done. I really hate the "I'm selling it for" deals.