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+--- Thread: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? (/showthread.php?tid=229955)
Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - wurm - 06-29-2019
Despite recent news stories of motorcycle accidents, I'm starting to get the itch. I rode many years ago for a few years (Honda 450 and Honda 500) but stopped before I got married. Now, 35+ years later, I'm feeling like I might like to jump back on. I am constantly pissed off when I see cyclists weaving in and out of traffic, pulling wheelies ( on the f'in highway!) and just being a$$holes while riding, so I'm not going to be one of them. I envision being a boring rider.
For the hell of it I've been checking Craigslist for the type of bike I remember liking. I found a 1981 Kawasaki KZ440 which is about the size I'd be looking for. The guy's asking $1100 for it. But hell, it's 38 years old! Then I thought that before I even think about buying one, I should see if I can rent a bike for a day and see if I still like it or if I'm "mis-remembering" the fun. Turns out I can. The one place that looks promising has a limited selection of bikes. I don't want a racer. I want to ride sitting upright. I don't want a Harley. I don't want a big bike. Which leaves me with the possibility of a Yamaha V-Star 250. It's a nice looking bike. A bit smaller than I'd prefer, (I'm 6'1", about 215) but for just getting re-acquainted with riding, it might be a perfect option. After insurance, damage coverage, etc., I'm looking at probably $150 for a day. My biggest qualm about booking one in the near future is the weather aspect. I'd have to check with them about any considerations in that regard, but other than that, does anyone see any major flaw in my thinking?
Thanks. And yes, I have thought about that. I still have life insurance through my work, so if I'm going to test the waters I should do it before retiring.
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - space-time - 06-29-2019
My former coworkers did that about once a year, usually a group of 4-5 would rent them in the evening, then meet up early in the morning, ride a little, have breakfast then ride to Pennsylvania and have lunch, then ride back to NJ and return the bikes in the evening. All of them said it was fun. They did that several years in a row.
If spouse approves, go for it. Better to find a friend and ride together.
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - DeusxMac - 06-29-2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOGlgVldAs
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - Todd's keyboard - 06-29-2019
Been thinking the same thing (about getting back to riding a motorcycle). Currently, am partial to a Moto Guzzi Norge.
Before I would even think about renting (or buying) a bike, I would take a course.
Todd's four-stroke keyboard
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - wolfcry911 - 06-29-2019
I've been riding for 4 years and can't get enough of it. In my first trip to the west coast last summer, my brother and I rented Harleys for 3 days. I'm not a Harley guy but had fun regardless. We rode through the Angeles National forest and the next day up and around Big Bear Lake - beautiful, with great twisties!
Are you sure you want something that small? I guess you're not sure, hence the post. You might want to look at larger metric cruisers. I have a Yamaha Stryker 1300 (my first bike). Some people said to start with something smaller, but this bike fit like a glove and I was comfortable riding after 2 days. I can't imagine anything smaller - I'm actually considering a bigger bike now.
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - C(-)ris - 06-29-2019
See if your local technical college offers a rider refresher or rider certification course. They provide the bikes, at least mine does, and for a small cost you can make sure you are safe and still want to ride. Well worth the fee and afternoon of your time.
https://mnscu.rschooltoday.com/public/getclass/category_id/26/program_id/5/subcategory_id/1145
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - testcase - 06-29-2019
Check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation: https://www.msf-usa.org
I took their Basic Course back in 2012. They provide classroom and on the road training; you use THEIR motorcycles and helmets (the class I took used Honda 250cc bikes). I had rented from a dealer decades ago but, in today's litigious society, I doubt many dealers would accept the liability of renting motorcycles. I passed ALL phases of MSF's curriculum and, I received a document that certified I had passed the requirements to receive a motorcycle endorsement on my Driver's License. Taking the MSF class, I didn't have to worry about registration, insurance etc and, was under the direct supervision of MSF's trained & licensed staff. I did buy a Honda Silverwing (motor scooter) afterwards.
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - cbelt3 - 06-29-2019
Definitely take riding course and get a bike tag on your license. Many states require them. And I doubt you can rent without it. Stay safe!
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - robfilms - 06-29-2019
i rode a motorcycle in my teens and my 20s.
i thought like a kid. i acted like a kid. i road a motorcycle like a kid.
(i have various scars from all three of the above knucklehead decisions!)
years and years and years later.
i am happily married. both daughters left for college. i get the motorcycle itch.
i ask my most wonderful, ever-loving, partner in life and all adventures, if i can get a motorcycle again.
she knows i was a knucklehead in my younger days (and occasionally it still leaks out!).
her reply; "if you get a motorcycle and die, i am going to kill you!"
but she didn't say "no".
so i heard "yes"!
but i am happily married. i am a dad to wonderful children. i have a business to run. and i have a future to spend with my wife. i do not want to die on a motorcycle.
i decided to take a msf class.
it was fantastic. totally basic. instructional. informative. i LOVED it.
after the weekend of lessons, i hired the course instructor and put together a personalized next level "course". i did two additional sessions with the instructor.
and then i went out looking for a craigslist motorcycle.
seven years later i am still riding.
i am on my third bike.
each has been bought used.
i keep each motorcycle for at least two years and then move on to something closer to what i then want.
i ride four seasons-winter-spring-summer-fall.
i commute into manhattan.
i ride up and down the hudson valley.
i look for twisty roads so i can practice lean control.
i literally count the number of my rides-i try to average two rides a week or 100 rides annually.
i have taken one long 2k mile ride.
i am gearing up for another.
my experience might not be yours.
PM me and i am happy to answer or discuss any questions or concerns.
i really do LOVE riding a motorcycle.
so you go scratch that itch!
thumbs up.
rob
Re: Anyone ever rented a motorcycle? - The UnDoug - 06-29-2019
Your post could have been written by me, wurm! I, too, had a motorcycle "back in the day" (about 1992 - 1995, and before any kids). I had a 1969 Honda CB350K1! So my first bike was already over 20 years old--but I loved it. Loved how it looked, and find myself looking on Craigslist for similar era and style bikes.
It *is* surprising that a 35 - 40 year old motorcycle could still command nearly $1000, but such is the market. I know around here, some people buy those older bikes and turn them into "cafe racers."
A local (~30 minute away) motorcycle shop (Montgomeryville Cycle Center, about 30 minutes outside of Philly) recently had a Kawasaki "Demo Days" event, which I thought about attending, but didn't. Had, I, I would have been able to try riding one of their bikes.
I am looking into the Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, as well, since as others have mentioned, they have bikes you can ride. I still have a "Class M" designation on my driver's license, so could technically get a bike right now.
Keep us posted about what you do!