Craigslist bike rental

[Fraidknot]

I haven't used my bike for a few weeks now. Actually, I'm considering selling the FZR. More on that in a later post. I was searching through craigslist, mostly to see what FZRs were going for in my area, and I came across a post that reads as follows:

Looking to rent a sportbike - $100 (San Diego)
I'm coming to town for a conference Aug 10-17. I would love to rent someone's sportbike (600 or bigger) for a 1 day ride probably on Aug 10. I have a valid CA motorcycle license and have been riding for 20+ years. I could leave a cash deposit or my car or whatever, I'm sure we could work something out that makes us both comfortable. I have 2 bikes (2002 FZ1 and 1977 RD400) and my insurance would extend to your bike if I'm riding it. I'm not expecting someone to give me thier 2008 Ducati or anything, I sure wouldn't. But an older CBR or FZR or something? Maybe it's your spare bike, or your track bike (that happens to be street legal of course), or maybe your brother left it at your house 2 yrs ago and you wonder if it even still runs. If it runs decent and won't leave me stranded I'm interested.

Now, I'm a fairly trusting person. I don't really have a problem with letting someone rent my bike. Although I generally have a pretty grim outlook on humanity as a whole, I usually feel that most individuals deserve the benefit of the doubt. What do you guys think? Is $100 for a the day a fair deal? What should I ask for in collateral? Maybe I can get lucky and he accidentally trashes my bike and his insurance pays out more than I could have sold it for...

[tommyj27]

$100/day seems like a good deal for you. Eagle rider charges around that for bike rentals on '08 bikes. As far a collateral, I'm not sure. Maybe a cashier's check for $xxxx

[demon_knight69]

$100 is a good deal. azsportbikerentals.com charges about $150 a day for most 600's, but there is also the $1,500 refundable security deposit, plus you HAVE to get the insurance which i think is an extra $30 or something. so if the guy is offering to let you hang on to the car, that might be a good idea. or like tommyj said, hold on to a cashiers check. at any rate make absolutely sure you get something in writing, not saying that everyone is out there to screw you, but if the opportunity arose for a good % of people, they'll do anything for a bit of money . so write up some kind of contract and be sure to use something as collateral that is worth around the same as the FZR.

[PIMPMYFZR]

Man I wish they did this in Detroit ! You can't rent a bicycle unless you leave enough deposit to pay for the whole thing outright .

[demon_knight69]

i'm still contemplating on whether i want to take out the ducati 749 for a day or go sky diving for my birthday. right now i'm leaning more towards sky diving but i probably won't get many chances to get on a ducati either

[PIMPMYFZR]

Man go skydiving ! Only cuz that somthing ice always wanted todo but can't come up with the nuts todo it. That being said , I'd take the duc for the day . Lol

[megaloxana]

Doesn't sound too bad if he leaves his car with you...Granted it is HIS car.

[tommyj27]

If he's flying in he'll have a rental.

[YAM93]

Sounds ok. If you get collateral ALSO be sure he provides a copy of his Driver's License.

I gotta say though, I'd never let a complete stranger ride my FZR, but I'm pretty anal.

[95FZR600]

I dont think I could let someone off the street take my bike for the weekend for a measly couple hundred bucks.

[old_school]

Yeah, I've thought about doing a similar thing... We should start a traveling bike swap on the board...