Do You let Other Riders ride your ride?

[Sunbeemer]

I've heard of this several times from my brother-in-law. After each of his son-in-laws rode his R90GS they both sold their Suzuki and Harley, respectively. Both became avid long-distance riders after getting their 1100RT and 1150GS, respectively. Unfortunately, the RT was wrecked, the boy was hurt, and he hasn't returned to riding (yet). The GS has over 88,000 miles and going strong!

I think that speaks volumes about our rides.

While visiting a Harley-owning friend in upstate NY last summer, his wife made the somewhat derisive comment that "HE owns a BMW", to which he replied,"Smart man!" Even they know!

[wncbmw]

Nope, nada, nilch, never, nyet, non, verbotten!

I will, but only people I know and riders of known skill level. It might be insured but it would still be a pain, not to mention any mental suffering if an unskilled rider wrecked and hurt himself!

Of course, these opportunities usually involve a trade!

[challey]

I switched bikes with my brother when we were on a short trip in VT last summer.
When he got home, he traded his V-strom in for new RT.
I've also traded rides with many of my friends who ride American V-twins. They mostly say that the Beakster is "fun" or "different" but since it sounds like sewing machine, they're not too inclined to actually own one.

Charlie

[NAIAD]

My friend who had the Harley had never ridden more than 100 miles or so from home (Nevada). It was 900+ one way to my house by the route they took. After a couple hours in the saddle of my Silver Bullet R(aka "Quicksilver) he could clearly see the difference.

Guess that's why he's shopping for an R! Part of difference to him is now in retirement he actually has the time to ride some big miles. We might just attend the BMWMOA in Wyoming this summer....

Later...BJ

[reef]

I used work with valet parking guys and I saw how they drive cars,it was close to shocking. So maybe Iam just paranoid but I would have to say hell no!Besides I do owe still reasonable amout of$ on my bike,and if somebody crash it I would be devastited.Is just too pretty.I dont think that people have same respect for things what belong to somebody else.(meaning shifting,breaking for example) regards Mark

[tonyff]

I have not let anyone ride my bike, and I don't plan on changing this practice anytime soon. My insurance will not cover the bike for damages if wrecked by anyone but myself. They will cover damage to another vehicle and they would pay the medical....but not the bike. Sooooo.... No. Not likely to happen.

My neighbor has offered to let me ride his Harley look alike. It is a nice looking bike. Yamaha I think. I declined as I would have been, by virtue etiquette, been expected to extend the offer of my RR for him to ride.

My girlfriends father has an RT that he has offered to let me ride, but I have always declined.... mostly because it is just way too tall for me. I guess when I think about it..... I would allow him to take my bike for a trip around the block...but I know he would be good for any damage and quite frankly, I don't think I could say no.

If my insurance were different...I would most likely be more liberal, but still not the type to run around offering.

That was my 2 cents worth of rambling.

[CycleRob]

There's 2 things you never let anyone borrow.

Your wife and your ride.

If you do, the chances are they'll both get ***k'd.


.

[NAIAD]

...make that 3 things,

My wife, my ride,...or my Ruger.

But that's another story!

BJ

[OU812]

There's 2 things you never let anyone borrow.

Your wife and your ride.

If you do, the chances are they'll both get ***k'd.


.

Why delete? I like it.

[iowabeakster]

I've let a few ride it. Others have been too intimidated.

[mogu83]

No -- In 45 years of riding and a few dozen bikes I've only let three people ride one of my bikes.

It's getting too hard to tell the real riders from the posers. I don't even like leading a ride unless I really know who I'm riding with.

[NAIAD]

mogu83,

Amen, that's pretty much why I prefer solo 98% of the time. Few years ago was member of a local Ducati rider group. On one big gathering we had some show up with brand new 996's, riders wearing T-shirts, tennis shoes, and no gloves, one was wearing sandals! Picked a "partner" for the ride who was on a super clean 916SPS, he had full cover gear, and premium helmet as well, had the look of a veteran rider. On the ride that 916SPS was super fast...on the straights. In the corners, a newbie on a moped would have been quicker. He had the "look" down right, but had not a clue how to ride.

After watching the antics, wheelies thru intersections, passing on blind curves, etc, I peeled off on my own. Never rode with these guys again.
Brother-in-law is with a big cruiser club, went along with those folks for awhile one afternoon. No hi-jinks, but some very clumsy riding.

So, now just max group of 4 or 5, and just people who have the knowledge and skills to ride safely. Guys I know really well, etc. Nice to be able to ride with someone you trust and know they won't do something foolhardy or get in your way.

Would I trust one of these guys with my ride? Yes. Anyone else...no way!

Ciao! BJ

[bransan]

I switched once with My buddy bones. He rides a Honda shadow 1100, We switched one day while riding together. He killed the Beemer twice before He figured out the clutch. I had no problem on the Honda, but I did notice My feet were cooler on the Honda.

[frozennorth]

My wife and I switch bikes every once-in-a-while . . . oh wait, she rides an R too Guess that doesn't count.

Seriously, I only let people ride if I'm switching bikes with someone and a: I respect them as a rider and a person b: I know they have enough money to fix it if they break it

[ASQTec]

Thirty-odd years ago, I let my brother borrow my '66 GTO. As he turned the corner, he spun the rear wheels. They didn't stop smoking until he put the telephone pole dead center into the front bumper. He was OK, but my "goat" was f***ed.

Since then, his driving and riding record has been impeccable. He rides an RTP himself.
He is the only person I let ride my bikes. I figure, what are the odds of him crashing one of my vehicles twice in a lifetime?

[Ian]

Thirty-odd years ago, I let my brother borrow my '66 GTO. As he turned the corner, he spun the rear wheels. They didn't stop smoking until he put the telephone pole dead center into the front bumper. He was OK, but my "goat" was f***ed.

Since then, his driving and riding record has been impeccable. He rides an RTP himself.
He is the only person I let ride my bikes. I figure, what are the odds of him crashing one of my vehicles twice in a lifetime?

If u hurt him really bad - u would get away with it!

[12bar1]

I always tell them I need a cash deposit of $10K and they can ride it all they want, so far no takers.

[CorvuS]

Only someone I really really know... oh, and trust offc. (can hardly trust anyone these days huh )

(The wife can be replaced, the bike can't)

[Boxer]

Only in an emergency situation where I had to have my bike ridden somewhere by someone other than me.
Actually you have someone else riding your bike every time you have it serviced at a dealer, but then its under the protection of the service dealer's insurance.

I would just feel too uncomfortable having someone ride mine, even an experienced rider...that is unless its like I stated above, an emergency.

[twindave]

Ted Nugent can ride my bikes...only cus he's got lots of guns!