Motorcycle Hire

[Cav]

So an internet friend of several years is coming to the UK this year for the IoM TT and there's a big group meetup and ride out being planned. It's going to take more effort than I can be bothered with to get my ZX6R on the road.

I've taken a look at a couple of hire bike sites. One mentions age limits, the other does not. The prices are pretty good though and hopefully I can get a Tuono 1100 for less than £300 for 2 days (review would be following!).

Does anyone have experience of hiring motorcycles? Anything I should be aware of? Any suggestions?

[Kwacky]

Just check the policy excess and any restrictions. A few of them are very particular about where and how it's kept overnight.

[kiwikrasher]

Check the policy on tyre wear as well. When I hired in NZ the contract mentions being up for the cost of new tyres for ‘excessive tyre wear’. Very subjective.

On dropping the bike back off, first thing he did was look at the rear. I thought here we go.

“Good to see someone scrub up the chicken strips for a change”

[duke63]

Is the bike going to the IOM?

I would check the small print if is and in all honesty a Tuono would be a waste on the IOM at TT time.

[Cav]

No no... I'm not going to the TT. Theres a tour route mapped out for North Wales

[Cav]

I sent an enquiry into one of the places, they've just called me to gain an understanding on my riding history, etc. They're happy to let me hire the Tuono if I wish to do so. Happy days possibly. Just got to get myself into a high paying job asap so I get to keep some redundancy money

[Kwacky]

Which company is it Cav?

[Cav]

Spyder Motorcycles. The guy seemed genuinely interested in keeping me alive which is responsible at least.

[Kwacky]

Good prices. It looks like it's probably cheaper to hire a bike for a week to go touring than to own one.

[Cav]

Yeah prices aren't bad. Typically £700 for a week doesn't seem bad to me either. Insurance and maintenance will eat into that easily.

I'm thinking 2 days with a Tuono would definitely give me good insight into ownership too. I love the prospect of having one as a road bike.

[Kwacky]

They seem to be popular. My local Ape dealer has sold 3 in a week.