It’s tricky. If you are buying from a dealer, you have a few years under your belt and a clean license,these days a test ride should not be an issue.
But if you are buying private, well would you let a stranger have a shot of your bike? But then there should be a decent saving over the dealer on price.
But yeah, my last three bikes have been new. The FZS600 and FZS1000 I bought new. They had great reviews in the press and I was sure it was what I wanted - so I didn't bother trying to get a test ride.
On the other hand I’m gad I did a few test rides before I settled on the Beemer. The MT10 was fun, but the range is sick joke and it is frankly a bit demented. Then I was sure I would go for the CB1000R – what a lovely looking bike – but whilst it was quick, handled and stopped, well it just did not gel with me, it left me cold, and I was happy to get back on the old thou afterwards.
I tried the R1250R on the strength of reviews I had read. I very much doubted I would be interested, but yeah I liked it and bought it.
I guess older bikes you want a shot to check its OK. Newer stuff, you wanna a shot to see if you like it.