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I have purchased numerous pieces of equipment from rental fleets and have never regretted any of them. I feel the rental fleets are serviced well and due to liability they are checked out well.
Boughty an 03 Fatboy from the rental fleet. It was 1 year old, and had 4K miles on it. 3 years and absolutly no problems. Traded it in for the new Ultra.
I don't think I would buy a rental. I know what I used to do to rental cars (blown 2 transmissions in rentals) and could only imagine what some of the bikes have been through.
I have a riding buddy that bought from a rental dealer, got a good bike, well maintained, but he paid plenty for it. I think he would have better from a private seller.
I used a rental bike this fall and made an cash offer to the stealer after the weeks ride back because I like the bike so much. They swap out their fleet every season, the bike had 18k, and they would only come 4 to 5 k off the price tag.. my opinion,,for that price I'd buy new!!!!! I have not problem buying a bike from a rental program...but not for that price!!!
When buying work vans, cars, equipment for the biz, I seek out rentals or fleet vehicles. Having worked with fleet maintenance, I believe MOST are well cared for.
But as posted, it has to be a decent deal, or where's the savings?
Guess the 'important' thing to me, is what is the 'original' owner like. If they invest in maintenance and care for their equip/vehicles, good to go.
IMFUO, MOST dealers are going to maintain their rental bikes in good form, they don't need the bad press ON HERE.
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I bought the rental because I got sticker shock when I saw the out-the-door price of a new bike. At the time I purchased it I did not know how to ride at all and I just couldn't justify laying out that kind of cash at that time. The rental's total cost to me was about 5K less than new. I took the risk and did not extend the warrently (So far it's been trouble free). I figured with the money I saved I could (and have) spend on gear and accessories.
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