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If you bought your bike used, you have no idea how many people have ridden that bike. So unless I don't know the persons riding ability, I'd let then take it for a spin. Haven't had a problem doing that in 38 years of bike ownership. And like it was stated in a earlier post, it's insured.,,
I've let several close friends take mine for a ride. How else they gonna know how it rides if they don't try it???? I let them because, 1-they a very good friends. 2-they know how to ride.
I'm not so viegn that I won't allow someone else ride my bike, as long as they're a good friend, and know how to ride.
Hell, I'm trying to get my 15 y/o boy on it, he rides a YZ450F on the MX track.....but he won't touch the Harley...."it's to heavy"
Anyway, when he gets the urge, he gets to try it. Hell, if he dumps it, hopefully the engine/saddle bag guards will help alittle.
I wont let a hunk of iron come between me and my son/good friends.
There is no way in hell anyone who I WOULD let ride my bike would allow money to become an issue. Those who I would let ride it would straight up fix ANYTHING that may happen while they have it and tell me about it. So this money ruining friendship line is crap. Maybe some here need better and more trustworthy friends.
Fathers friend has 3 bikes (well, 2 now, gave one to his son). His VTX1800 and a 90-something sportie. Last time I was home I brought my bike. He, my father and myself all went out for the day. My dad doesn't have a bike. He had bikes up until he had kids 33 years ago. So he used his friend Sportster. We all had a blast.
It's a thing. I like my bike, but it's a thing. It can be replaced. My friend/neighbor has ridden every bike I have had. When I brought my dyna home, he took it for a blast around within the first week to see how he fit on it. No biggie.
Guess my priorities are a bit different.
My thoughts exactly, Money or the lack of is no qualifier or dis-qualifier for my friendship
Originally Posted by Kumite
Lots of rational persons answering this morning... the overly macho "I would let them ride my wife before I let them touch my Harley" is refreshingly not present.
For me I let responsible and capable persons (friends) have access to anything that I have. I value friendships more than possessions and take the risk of scratches or dings.
But... to each his own
R. Todd
So true, I value a good friendship way more than money (probably cause I will never have tons of money, but can have tons of friends).
I have a select few well chosen friends. I've only been disappointed by one of them. But, as to the question at hand. When I'm riding with a group of friends, we often switch and ride each others bikes. Noname
I have let a couple of others ride my Springer. The mechanic who repaired it after my crash, another mechanic who replaced my tire, (I will tackle many jobs, but I prefer to leave the tire issues to a pro) and a couple of good friends. If I trust you, I will let you ride it. If I don't trust you, you will walk. Simple as that.
After my crash, I got my Hog back, then had to go in for shoulder surgery. recovery time was over two months of no riding. I asked a buddy of mine, who has earned the title Brother, to come and take my Springer out for a couple of rides just to keep things exercised. I will admit to being a little nervous while he was gone, but I won't specify whether it was for my Brother or my Springer.
I would not let a stranger ride my bike, but some of my friends have ridden it. No big deal. If you ever have service done on your bike it is pretty likely that they take it for a test ride too.
have had about 8-10 people ever ask..just one has been able...the wife got to sit on my lap and pull it into the garage.. she was afraid of dropping it.. my hands were on the bars too she squealed when she let out the clutch and it went ...i said what did you think was going to happen?? fun times..
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