Your Safety

[charismaticmegafauna]

Yesterday I visited with a touring couple on a (rented) Kawi Concours 14. The bike had no front fender, so I asked about it. (It had a Santa Monica lic. plate frame) The rider told me this story: He rented it to ride on vacation and pick-up and tour with his lady-friend en-route. When he got the bike at the rental/dealer they told him that they'd just installed a new front tire. A day or so later (I didn't get the exact time frame -- but, his g/f was with him when it happened) the fasteners holding the front fender un-screwed and the fender came-off -- wrapping around the tire at road speed -- and, ripping-off the front brake hoses (in the process).

They continued on tour -- and were (when I met them) a couple states away -- with no front brakes. I asked if the rear brake still worked and he said yes, it did.

The question is -- did he need to be more dilligent in his inspection? I think the 'fine print' in the owners manual cautions to check-over your bike before each ride -- paying special attention to nuts and bolts?

A friend once called it the "The Helen Keller Method" (hands-on). Another friend also has bits of polish always showing on his bike. When asked about why he did such a poor job waxing/polishing? He said, "It's more important to put the wax on -- put your hands all over the bike."

Anyway -- shame on the shop that worked-on and rented that bike. But, maybe some rider co-responsibilty -- too?

 

[Scab]

Sounds like a classic mistake of making assumptions. Sure, it should not have happened, but why did he assume this bike was maintained correctly? It is very dangerous (obviously) to make assumptions when someone else does the work. Check it yourself.

Of course, the legal liability issues will probably be an entirely different story.

 

[cadman]

There is no way i'd ride a bike without a front brake!!!

I'd have been on the phone with the rental company as soon as the incident happend.

It should be at the nearest dealer for proper repair.

This fella cares not for himself nor his G/F!

cadman

 

[ShawnKing]

I'd have been on the phone with the rental company as soon as the incident happend.
It should be at the nearest dealer for proper repair.

This fella cares not for himself nor his G/F!

I agree - it's stupid to continue riding without contacting the agency.

 

[wfooshee]

I would think that once he continued riding with the problem known, he's implied accesptance of the problem, which might make it no longer a problem for the agency.

The first thing to do with a problem with a rental anything is to get the owner to fix it.

OTOH, was he violating a rental restriction, say, by riding out of state or something? Couldn't tell them about it until he gets back?

Edit: I was gonna add something about how stupid he is to continue with no front brakes, but Skooter already did. Nevertheless, the agency is responsible for the bike's readiness, but once something broke, the rider is totally responsible for getting it fixed by the owners.

 

[SkooterG]

The pious among you can say what you will, but there is NO FREAKING WAY I WOULD HAVE CHECKED THE FENDER BOLTS FOR TIGHTNESS on a rental. The rental place is responsible (to the tune of millions in liability insurance I bet) to rent a safe vehicle. Period.

That being said, that guy is one stupid ************ to continue travelling on a bike with no front brakes. Now if he would like to eradicate himself from the gene pool, well be my guest. But to do this with a passenger is completely and wholly irresponsible.

Moron.

 

[SockMonkey]

Another friend also has bits of polish always showing on his bike. When asked about why he did such a poor job waxing/polishing? He said, "It's more important to put the wax on -- put your hands all over the bike."

While I may not necessarily subscribe to the bit about "It's more important to put the wax on...", your friend's basic contention is the reason I wipe my bike down before every ride. That habit forces me to look at every fastener, notice every nick from road debris, the condition of the tire tread, any leaks, fluid levels, etc. It's much like a pilot walking around his plane before take off; he's performing a visual inspection of the aricraft as well as physically tugging on the rudder and ailerons, wing struts, aux. fuel cell or other payload, etc., testing whether a component is bound-up or securely fastened as appropriate.

IMHO, the operator is the final sign-off on the operating worthiness any vehicle - whether it be on 2 wheels, 4 wheels, floating or flying, before the key goes into the ignition or the starter button is pushed. One should only trust the maintenance people to the point that you don't trust them enough to put your life completely into their hands.

 

[radman]

Rode my 'ol Snortster for 10 years without a front brake, spools were all the rage at the time. At the same time, I knew the limitations, and rode accordingly. Traffic flow though was different then, and I was drunk a lot, so it would have been a wash in any case. I'm with Skoot, one shouldn't have to do a DOT on a rental unit, nor would I. **** falls off, ain't my deal, and it wouldn't be the first time (see addendum Snortster,, para 1; sub J, or ElectraGlide, para 1-12). Don't think I'd be riding 2 up cross country on a fenderless brakeless rental scoot however.

 

[HartClimbs]

I wouldn't have checked the fender bolts on a rental bike either. I don't check the lugnuts on rental cars either.

But - once it came loose, I would have just called the company and had them come pick up the bike. I wouldn't have continued riding it. No telling what else is wrong with the bike and I'd rather rent from someone who takes care of their bikes (and customers).

 

[odot]

You guys are a bunch of wussies.

 

[HotRodZilla]

I wouldn't have checked the fender bolts on a rental bike either. I don't check the lugnuts on rental cars either.
But - once it came loose, I would have just called the company and had them come pick up the bike. I wouldn't have continued riding it. No telling what else is wrong with the bike and I'd rather rent from someone who takes care of their bikes (and customers).

Exactly what Hart said; except when I called the rental company there would have been a LOT more cussing.

Since I am of the belief that my safety is my responsibility I look over my bike before a ride, but I do not check every single bolt and fastener on the thing. I can't believe this guy is riding around without a front brake. Now when he has to stop fast and gets killed cuz he's cruising aroud with no front brake, the responsibility for that is mostly on on him...IMHO.

 

[JRO]

I think this guy was giving you a load of crap. Some silly sonofabitch riding a sport-touring guided missile without a front brake, hauling a passenger, and telling a story like that, sounds a little thin. I can't think of anyone that stupid; with pieces falling off a rental and causing major control damage, even Daredevil Dave would have called it in.

I think this idiot either:

1. stole the bike

or

2. Was responsible for the damage, himself.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I think this guy was giving you a load of crap. Some silly sonofabitch riding a sport-touring guided missile without a front brake, hauling a passenger, and telling a story like that, sounds a little thin. I can't think of anyone that stupid; with pieces falling off a rental and causing major control damage, even Daredevil Dave would have called it in.
I think this idiot either:

1. stole the bike

or

2. Was responsible for the damage, himself.

Don't agree at all.

Working in the accident biz, this sounds like one of our repeat customers.

Darwin will get him, but unfortunately may also get the g/f.