Anyone ever rented a motorcycle?

[wave rider]

The UnDoug’s post got me curious. I too still have the motorcycle endorsement on my license. Dang, been at least thirty years since I’ve driven a motorized two wheeler.

A buddy showed me some GP racing recently, amazed at the techniques they are using these days. Riders were scrambling about their bikes like sidecar monkeys! And kicking the inside leg forward on a curve like motocross or flat track had me flummoxed.

[RAMd®d]

I too recommend a motorcycle safety course.

Not just for the riding and defensive riding knowledge, but as much for the opportunity to get back on two-wheels in a very controlled, non-rushed environment.

A metaphorical and literal limbering up and stretching before hitting a not so open road.

I still ride, and love it.

You've found that vintage UJMs (Universal Japanese Motorcycles), especially in good condition, can command an inordinately high price, especially in the class you're looking at. Even if the price was reasonable to you, I'd be leery of a bike that old. Many items should be fairly new and that doesn't happen on a lot of CL deals.

To anybody buying a new or new to you bike, make sure the brakes are properly bled. Yes, there's all the usual stuff – clutch, battery, tires, oil, radiator fluid, yada (if applicable) but properly bled and functional brakes are extremely important.

Over my many decades, traffic has become worse, and occasionally you may find a careless vehicle operator or one who isn't fond of motorcycles. Either can disrupt your day, as much as you enjoying the ride more than paying attention to your surroundings.

I would say the risks of riding have increased over the years, but can be mitigation substantially with vigilant situational awareness.

In CA we're allowed to split lanes, and no matter who careful and respectful it's done, there is not-infrequently someone who objects. That's an edge case, especially since CA has been the only state to allow it, until relatively recently.

I'm not a Harley guy, but there's much to be said about a big twin's low RPM, casual pace. Yes, you can crank 'em, but they lack the buzzy, itchy, 'let's GO' attitude of a lot of Japanese bikes.

I like the Moto-Guzzi Stone line of bikes. The only recommendation I might offer is try not to get too much or too little bike for the riding you want to do.

And make sure your quads are in good shape to move the bike around, and to pick it up should it be lying down for whatever reason. I recently saw a rider who looked like a 12yo riding an HD of some nature. There's no way she could touch the ground with both feet. It she's an accomplished rider, not a problem. But should one pick a bad spot to stop, leaning on one leg, especially where the ground is lower than expected, could be embarrassing at best.

But if one has a taste for it and exercises due care and caution, it's about the most pleasure one can have on the earth's surface.

[Psurfer]

Another possibility is just getting a scooter. Lots less cost, less noise, less gas, less laws, less insurance apply. Not as high top speed, so no highway use (but that could be a plus), but just as much fun.

[mrbigstuff]

Depends on what you think you can spend, pay the state reg fees, tax, inspection fees. and then re-sell when you are done with it. it may serve you well to borrow someone's bike to see if you want to do this at all. but, if you buy used, I would buy from a reputable dealer, who will check things like tires, brakes, etc. and ask them if other parts need replacing. I think the highway cruising requires about 500cc minimum, and it does depend on the engine/bike, of course. and age of said bike.

as to being in shape, I would work out for a few months before any long road trips. you work a lot of muscles you don't expect to when you are in the saddle for hours at a time.

[Dennis S]

I would rent one once and then see where you stand.

[wurm]

Thanks, all. One of the reasons I'm considering renting is that I might be able to satisfy the itch in a day for $150. I have a Motorcycle license already and as much as I haven't ridden in a while, I'm fairly confident I can pick up where I left off in short time. That said, for the heck of it, I just checked out courses. There's one place about 5 minutes from my house that I drive by quite often. I always thought their courses were strictly for people who have never ridden or maybe even been on a motorcycle, but I just checked out their website. For about twice what I was prepared to spend, they have a class that seems designed for someone like me. They also have a downloadable 80+ page Course Guide which I just looked through and realized how much I could gain from such a refresher course.

Returning Rider Basic Rider Course (RRBRC) 1 DAY -- $295
The RRBRC is for students that have experience riding a motorcycle but do not have a bike that they can use for the class. We will provide you with a 250cc training motorcycle and helmet (or you can wear your own).

[Grateful11]

I feel sure someone has.

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

wurm wrote:
Thanks, all. One of the reasons I'm considering renting is that I might be able to satisfy the itch in a day for $150. I have a Motorcycle license already and as much as I haven't ridden in a while, I'm fairly confident I can pick up where I left off in short time. That said, for the heck of it, I just checked out courses. There's one place about 5 minutes from my house that I drive by quite often. I always thought their courses were strictly for people who have never ridden or maybe even been on a motorcycle, but I just checked out their website. For about twice what I was prepared to spend, they have a class that seems designed for someone like me. They also have a downloadable 80+ page Course Guide which I just looked through and realized how much I could gain from such a refresher course.

Returning Rider Basic Rider Course (RRBRC) 1 DAY -- $295
The RRBRC is for students that have experience riding a motorcycle but do not have a bike that they can use for the class. We will provide you with a 250cc training motorcycle and helmet (or you can wear your own).

Sounds absolutely perfect, do it! (And let us know how it goes.)

[tenders]

I recently got back into scooter riding after having seriously enjoyed a tiny Honda in college. My current badazz 150cc Vespa requires a motorcycle license, and the MSF course I took to get it was fun and hugely valuable. I wish I'd taken it in college and strongly recommend it to anyone on two wheels. I intended to drive conservatively but made a lot of what I now know were ignorant mistakes on that Honda.

Robfilms, I've seen your thoughtful posts on various cycle boards, can't remember where though. I live in a northern suburb and would love to commute into lower Manhattan down the West Side HIghway, but the stories of police harassment and parking hassles have so far dissuaded me.

[tenders]

Psurfer wrote:
Another possibility is just getting a scooter. Lots less cost, less noise, less gas, less laws, less insurance apply. Not as high top speed, so no highway use (but that could be a plus), but just as much fun.

There are many 250cc-and-up scooters which handle highway speeds just fine! Even my 150cc is highway-legal. It'll go 58mph, which is not good enough for most highways most of the time, but it is doable for SOME highways SOME of the time.