Most riders waste their test ride. Not because they’re careless, but because they focus on the wrong things. When you only get 20–30 minutes on a motorcycle at a dealership or demo day, you’re not trying to decide if the bike is “perfect.” You’re trying to figure out if it’s right for you.

In this video, I walk through exactly what to pay attention to during a short test ride - from throttle pickup and clutch engagement to low-speed balance, brake feel, midrange character, and the mental effect the bike has on you.

If you’re about to spend your hard-earned money on a motorcycle, this is the framework you should use before making that decision. Whether you’re riding the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or any other bike, the process is the same.

Chapters: 00:11 Before you ride 02:35 Start the bike 03:26 Test the clutch 04:18 Slow speed tests 05:13 Speeding up 06:28 Off road test 07:02 High speed test 08:24 Test the brakes 09:04 Combine it all