THUNDER BAY – Harley-Davidson held an event on Saturday where people could test drive any 2024 model of motorcycle.
Mandie Ciotucha, owner of Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson, said the demo rides are typically a yearly event.
“Harley-Davidson corporate sends this big transport truck full of every single current 2024 model.
“Basically, anyone who has an M2 license and a DOT approved helmet can come and test ride at as many bikes as they want for free."
Ciotucha said a lot of people come out and do three or four different bikes.
“If you're in the market to buy one, it's a good opportunity to try before you buy.
“There are lots of different reasons we do this, to give the opportunity to customers to try the different bikes. But it's also a good time to have an event. We always like having motorcycle events because we get to see our customers."
There was also a sale inside the store, she said.
“You can come in and pay no tax today. We have all kinds of sale racks that are buy one, get one free. We also have a barbecue going on for sausages and hamburgers. And we’ve got an adorable group of kids selling lemonade and rainbow loom bracelets.
Every dealer chooses if they want to host a demo ride or not, she said.
“The transport truck travels all across Canada. They would be stopping in Winnipeg before us and Sudbury after us. They spend all summer going from dealer to dealer and letting everybody try the bikes.”
Molly MacLean said this is her third year on a motorcycle.
“I saw on Instagram that the Harley demo truck was coming into the dealership today. I came down and I've been demoing Harley-Davidson's all morning.”
MacLean said this day is so fun.
“I love having the opportunity to try new bikes. It's not a very normal thing to do. It's nice that Harley offers the demo trucks.
“It's just cool to be able to come try new things, maybe look at buying a new bike in the future. And you get to test ride before you buy it, so it's kind of nice.”
The demos give people an opportunity to ride the bike before making a commitment, she said.
“I think that’s a really great opportunity because there's a lot of money involved in bikes. You want to make sure your dollars are being put in a good spot and for something that you like and will enjoy.
“If I could buy any bike today, it probably would be the Low Rider S. I felt like the coolest person ever riding down the highway on that,” MacLean said.
Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson’s next event will be on Sept. 7. It is the annual poker run that will get customers together.
“What is really interesting about this year is, we're actually giving a motorcycle away at the event as a door prize.
“During the day people ride around on their motorcycles and do a poker run, then we have a big band and a steak dinner here at the Galaxy after. At midnight or 1 a.m. or so, we're going to draw a raffle ticket and somebody's going to go home with a bike,” Mandie Ciotucha said.
Ciotucha said it's $100 per ticket and the bike for raffle is a Harley-Davidson Breakout 117.
