advice on bike rentals? [Archive]

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Mr. Spock

09-02-2008, 10:04 PM

gammaqueen

09-02-2008, 10:27 PM

Around here you can rent a Buell Blast for 50.00, a Sportster or a V Rod for 100.00 per day, Buell 1125R for 125.00, and the bigger ones for 145.00. You have to be over 25, have a major credit card, and at least one year of riding experience. I don't know about anything other than the Harley's. I am planning on doing the fly and ride program next year when I fly to Seattle. HOG members can rent any bike for 100.00 per day.

WACB650

09-03-2008, 02:53 AM

Can't you test ride bikes at the dealer anymore? Or do they not let you do that?

rexmitchell

09-03-2008, 07:45 PM

Can't you test ride bikes at the dealer anymore? Or do they not let you do that?

Depends on the dealer, don't bother going to test drive a crotch rocket, won't happen at least around here. I have heard of some dealerships doing test ride days and the sort but have never attended one.

gammaqueen

09-03-2008, 08:08 PM

They do demo days at my dealer.

Goliath616

09-03-2008, 09:35 PM

I have not found one dealer here that will let you test ride (other than the HD demo days, but they are hard to find out about)

Mr. Spock

09-04-2008, 02:49 PM

Test drives seems a lot more appealing (not to mention cheaper). I think I could tell within 5 minutes of riding whether a bike was right for me. Not sure I would need to spend a c-note on a whole day.

iamgumby

09-06-2008, 12:48 AM

buellosaurusrex

09-15-2008, 10:06 PM

Hi folks - I'm shopping around for my first bike (licensed and competed MSF). I'm looking for a cruiser in the 750-900 range, but I want to try some bikes before I take the plunge.

Anyone rented bikes before? If so, any advice? Thanks!

Yes. Don't.

You might well end up buying a bike that you don't particularly like, or maybe isn't rideable at all....anymore.
I always have....and always will......recommend buying a decent used motorcycle for a reasonable amount of cash, that won't leave you sobbing your eyes out if you lay it down or ding it up a little. Look for your cruiser after a season or two in the saddle, real-world, when you know a little bit more about who you are and what you want. Right now you are reacting out of speculation on both points.
Chances are, if you guess.....you'll be wrong.
eBay and Craigslist are chock-full of such speculation-cycles and the sellers are taking a bath on them.
Well, you asked.........:rolleyes:

Slayer

09-18-2008, 08:16 PM

If you are able to rent a bike that you think might be for you, I'd do it in a heart beat. I don't know of anyone who rents in my area. As for test rides, no dealer in my area that I know of does that either. You would be hard pressed to walk into a dealer as a newbie and have them let you take one out for a spin anyway. Perhaps if you pulled up on a bike and have the proper credentials like insurance and a M/C license as well the necessary credit rating, you might have a chance, at least with a used bike. Maybe not even then with a new one.
When I bought my Nighthawk, I was told "no test rides" but that it came with a 30 day, 1000 mile no questions asked return policy. The next best thing I guess.
Again, if you have a bike in mind and you have sat on it somewhere and it feels right, and someone is renting them, I'd rent one. Spending a day with a bike is way better than a 5 minute test ride. IMHO of course.

misterdub

10-03-2008, 11:55 AM

Hrm, this is close to a month old but I'll post it anyway in case you're still looking. In my area, we have a place called Eagle Rider. I believe they're a national chain. Their prices are a little high to rent them on a regular basis but if you want to try a bike out for a day prior to buying, it's definitely worth a go.

I know they say they're a Harley-Davidson rental place but they also have other makes. The one around me had a couple of the mid-sized Honda cruisers for a bit.

Hope this helps...

Slayer

10-03-2008, 02:17 PM

Hey, I checked that place out. I guess the closest one to me would be Knoxville, TN. They rent 'wings for $135 a day. ST1300's for $119. If I was contemplating buying one, It would be worth the money, the 5 hour ride to TN and the hotel stay just to ride one for a day and be sure it was what I wanted. If they had one closer to me, I'd rent one just for the heck of trying out the bike. $135 a day is a little steep when compared to car rentals but still worth it IMHO.

misterdub

10-03-2008, 02:23 PM

Yeah, the one by me has one of those new Spyders. I've been considering renting one of those just to try it, they look freakin' awesome. :)

Slayer

10-03-2008, 04:20 PM

Oh, I agree. They look real cool. The most recent edition of Motorcyclist tests the Spyder. They like it but they say it raises it's inside wheel in a fast turn. I'd still love to ride one. The one they really dig is the Piaggio MP3. It looks like a scoot with 2 front wheels. I'd try either one if I could.