Renting a bike!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I rent several times a year. But....I'm on the road for up to 7 month's at a time. It's worth it to me because otherwise I'd only get to ride when I'm home in the middle of winter. Not complaining about winter riding.....just nice to ride when the weather is good too.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
Granted, it's not cheap but how much does a new (or used for that matter) bike cost? Not to mention insurance and maintenance costs? If you're someone like IA above, it's not a bad option at all and you can choose whatever model you want to take this time. It's a great way to check out different bikes. 
Also, the $2000 is just a deposit. They run your credit card on it but don't actually charge it (at least the two dealers I've rented from didn't!) unless you damage the bike. Even then, they'll only charge the cost to fix it and not the full $2000 unless you actually do that much damage.
Ride Safe,
Steve R
Also, the $2000 is just a deposit. They run your credit card on it but don't actually charge it (at least the two dealers I've rented from didn't!) unless you damage the bike. Even then, they'll only charge the cost to fix it and not the full $2000 unless you actually do that much damage.
Ride Safe,
Steve R
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,217
From: In your head rent free
I rent several times a year.
Fly in, pick it up, run the heck out of it, then drop it off.
I am lucky enough to get to travel for a week at a time on someone else's dime so the weekly rental out of my pocket is worth it.
Plus I get to ride every bike in the line up.
Fly in, pick it up, run the heck out of it, then drop it off.
I am lucky enough to get to travel for a week at a time on someone else's dime so the weekly rental out of my pocket is worth it.
Plus I get to ride every bike in the line up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
Like Intrepid say's, if you only use it for the experience (ie. a trip) on a brand new bike - it's worth it.
Ownership is waaaay more costly! Of course you'll OWN a bike though.
I did it once for a trip and think it was well worth it.
I just figured the cost of owning vs renting (over a 20,00 mile 2 year period)(WITHOUT BLING or UPGRADES) yeh right!:
Owning $23000
+ interest $1200
+ Maintenance $500
= $24700
- bluebook on 2 year old bike $13650 (trade-in)
= $11050
divided by 10 (2000 mile) trips
= $1105 each trip!
Add some bling and performance, ouch!
Ownership is waaaay more costly! Of course you'll OWN a bike though.
I did it once for a trip and think it was well worth it.
I just figured the cost of owning vs renting (over a 20,00 mile 2 year period)(WITHOUT BLING or UPGRADES) yeh right!:
Owning $23000
+ interest $1200
+ Maintenance $500
= $24700
- bluebook on 2 year old bike $13650 (trade-in)
= $11050
divided by 10 (2000 mile) trips
= $1105 each trip!
Add some bling and performance, ouch!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 247
From: Florida
I had exactly the same experience, could believe they wanted to take a $2000 deposit for two days riding, I declined, luckily a friend offered me his bike for my holiday, only trouble was I got the bug and one day before I flew home purchased FatBoy below. I know I will only get to ride it once or twice a year but the thought of owning a nice bike did it for me
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Florida
I rented several time and learned more about which bike was next for me! I thought it was a good deal. I would never ride a freinds bike like I rode them!
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Inland Northwest
I didn't rent for a week, but I did rent for 3 days. Wanted to see if the wife could handle sitting on the back of an EG. She couldn't (bad back) on my old Road Star, but she had no problem riding on the air suspension and cush seat of the Ultra. So, I was able to talk her into a new bike. That was a rental well worth it to me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
The two rentals I did were to help me make up mind whether or not I actually wanted to buy a Harley and after that decision was made, which model did I prefer. I rented an 08 Ultra and later, an 08 Road Glide. I liked both. Preferred the Road Glide on several points but really liked the Ultra too. Ultimately, I bought the Ultra because I wanted the bells and whistles that come standard on that bike. If Harley had offered the Road Glide decked out like the Ultra, that would have been my choice. As it is, I'm more than satisfied with my 09 Ultra Classic and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
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