Who's comfortable loaning bikes?

[Murph]

HE was amazed because I was the first person in 15 years to even offer to replace/repair.

That is ridiculous. Who are these people that wreck somebody's stuff and then don't ante up?!!?

I'd expect anyone who used my equipment to be as respectful of my stuff as I am of others machinery.

Absolutely! While riding a friend's dirtbike on a recent Baja trip, I rode very gingerly because I didn't want to mess up his bike. I'd expect the same.

Back on topic, there is a very short list of people that I would be comfortable lending my bike. And only for short periods at that. In fact, my bike is at the dealer right now and I'm paranoid that they're making like the parking attendant did with the Ferrari in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Bottom line.... the risk of lending the bike is usually not worth the aggravation in the instance that something goes wrong.

 

[Caba]

For me it's case by case. I have to have ridden with them, seen how they ride, and know them well enough to have a quick judge of character.

Normally it's only a "swap" for a few miles or a short test to see how the different bikes handle. And never to anyone who likes to find the edges of performance! I'm always leery of people who regularly ask to borrow things. Every time I've loaned my bike out, it's been to someone who didn't and wouldn't ask to do so.

Ramblin Man - with the situation you described I would make the same decision. If you're not comfortable with how they handle the machine when you're there, what are they going to do when you're out of sight.

 

[sonicspeed]

its a very short list that I would loan my bike to.

+1 a very very very short list

 

[cadman]

A buddy of mine rides a '05 R1. He let me ride it once while he rode my XS1100. poor guy!...LOL.

I wouldn't hesitate to let him ride my FJR. I feel its all about skill level, and respect for the machine you are riding.

I damn sure will not let someone who hasn't ridden anything as powerful ever ride my FJR.

Someone that blips the throttle while the engine is cold, as the case was stated, doesn't respect your things as he would his.

As soon as he did something that you didn't like, you have every right to let him know how you do things to your things!

later,

alan

 

[FJRAust]

This very question came up recently.

I ride with a few blokes who are excellent riders only one of them I would let ride my bike, he's a man of integrity and respect. He rides a ZZR1000 ad would not hammer the FJR.

On the other hand .

I was asked for a ride recently.

The situation.

Has ridden a agricultural 125cc often.

Hasn't ridden a road bike in 20 years.That bike was a Z650 (or the like)

Normally I would say flat out no. As I just know the FJR may well suffer damage. (without considering the bodily injury issues) But in this case I was only really concerned about the person as it's my brother..

I do think he was a bit offended when I tried to put him off by explaining this is a modern MC with more HP than any car he's owned and a lot more go..

What do you think, should I just hand over the keys and wish for the best?

 

[Murph]

What do you think, should I just hand over the keys and wish for the best?

NO! He'll put an eye out!

 

[mdisher]

It really depends on the person.

I have loaned my FJR to a buddy who was considering an FJR. I trust him and if he'd wrecked it he'd make good on it.

There are certainly folks who I know, like and trust, but in the interest of protecting them from themselves I'd not loan them even a bicycle.

As a rule though I don't swap bikes with anyone for any reason. There is a very small circle with whom I'd do that with. I know there have been many cases of folks with similar circles who have had their stuff wrecked and the guy didn't make good. I hope it never comes to that.

 

[FJRay]

If it is powered in anyway, gas or electric I don't loan it out. I may volunteer to be the operator but won't loan it.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Uh oh I'm in the minority....Again.

I've twice loaned my bike for "test" ride to guys I'd never met. Both were curious about buying one and wanted to see if they "fit" them. One fella drove up on his beemer, the other on an ultra glide.

We swapped keys and hit the road. Didn't bother me none, I'd do it again if someone asked. It helps if your a good judge of character though.

:jester:

 

[Old Michael]

It helps if your a good judge of character though.

Would you let YOU take a test ride? :lol:

 

[Niehart]

"Would you let YOU take a test ride?"

Now that's funny :lol:

 

[Bustanut joker]

Well that would depend on how much I had to drink

:jester:

 

[v65]

I grew with the rule that you never touch another man's bike. If someone asks I figure they're too ignorant to know that and shouldn't be riding my bike, and if they know that they don't ask. :lol:

 

[odot]

I'd lend a scoot out to anyone I knew had "miles" under their belt. Of course, you gotta have "bustanut" senses to know who to lend it to.

 

[rushes]

Never loan your bike or your girl to anyone. They might throw a rod in either one.

 

[Duff]

Well that would depend on how much I had to drink
:jester:

I just wonder which "you" you are referring to! :dribble:

 

[Malve]

I lent my AE out to a perfect stranger from the forum a couple of weeks ago. I love my bike but things are things.

 

[kiteman11]

Last time I loaned my bike, in 1988, the dude showed up at my door with road rash. Fucker could not even handle a 1987 Kawa EX500. Never again.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Wow, most of you need to get new friends like MM2 said. Trust is a very strong feeling. I have loaned lots of my bikes to friends road and off road. But I know they will make it right if something happens. If I don't feel this way about someone or a situation its a no go. I also hate to ask to borrow anything from anybody but I am usually willing to lend my things out. Just the way I was brought up by my dad. He was a very giving and trusting soul.

 

[FJReady]

I feel very fortunate to own my FJR and a nice home and a bunch of other crap. But my friends mean much more. I usually never refuse an offer to ride my bike. Of course I'm not usually approached by strangers asking if they can ride my bike- I know very well the abilities of my riding friends.

When my bike was a week old I offered a guy I met on the 'other' forum a chance to ride it in the parking lot at work. He and I had ordered our FJRs during the darks days of February 2004 and mine showed up first(in August- you newbies have no idea what some of us endured). He was ecstatic to be able to get a taste of the FJR.

I've offered Ionbeam to take my bike whenever he desired whilst his was in surgery. He never took me up on my offer- perhaps he's wiser than me.

My bike is a wonderful machine but its replaceable. Great relationships are the candy of life. If lending my bike to another person brings them joy then I'm happy to do it. I like to watch and listen to my bike from the observers seat too.