My neighbor wants to rent my bike

SuperMike

SuperMike

unsexy
OK, so my neighbor has a 57 mile commute (Clayton to Palo Alto). He wants to "borrow" my SD to ride to work for the next 2 weeks instead of driving his full-size pickup. He has a DR-Z but it's experiencing electrical gremlins so he can't use that.

1. Should I?
2. What is a fair rate to charge if I decide to do so?

edit: He's started negotiations by offering me $100/week (ha!) and an oil change.
 
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DReg350

Well-known member
That's such a tough position for him to put you in. I had a neighbor do the same. Wanted to rent my RV. I gently said no, mentioned some of my reasons, but that seemed to embolden him. He persisted and I finally said flat out "No. Not gonna happen." I mentioned that Family RV was in town and that he could rent one there for far less than what I'd want, that they have roadside assistance worked out, etc. He was kinda pissed, which in turn pissed me off.

Too much personal exposure in my opinion. People make mistakes, things happen, then people are looking for someone to blame. If I'm charging rent... I'm pretty confident I'd be at the top of the blame list. Nope. Not gonna happen. :dunno
 
thePUNISHER

thePUNISHER

RAMPAAAAAAGE!
Are you and your neighbor friendly? No negativity, no animosity?

Yes?

You want it to stay that way?

Yes?

Then I would say no, don't rent it to him. Way too much liability. What happens if he crashes it? What happens if he crashes it, gets hurt super bad and decides to sue you because the crash was somehow your fault? What if he accidentally kills someone and they both(renter & victims family) blame it on you for something wrong with the bike that you should have taken care of before loaning it out? Just way too many what if's in this sue happy society nowadays.

I would just say sorry, can't do it and point him towards twisted road, eagle rider or riders share.
 
Gary856

Gary856

Are we having fun yet?
I wouldn't do it, but if I did, not for less than $300 per week (600 miles). It's up to him to match what you want, not the other way around.
 
SuperMike

SuperMike

unsexy
DReg350 said:
That's such a tough position for him to put you in.

Too much personal exposure in my opinion. People make mistakes, things happen, then people are looking for someone to blame. If I'm charging rent... I'm pretty confident I'd be at the top of the blame list. Nope. Not gonna happen. :dunno
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thePUNISHER said:
Way too much liability. What happens if he crashes it? What happens if he crashes it, gets hurt super bad and decides to sue you because the crash was somehow your fault? What if he accidentally kills someone and they both(renter & victims family) blame it on you for something wrong with the bike that you should have taken care of before loaning it out? Just way too many what if's in this sue happy society nowadays.
Click to expand...

You guys make good points.
 
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DReg350

Well-known member
I'd be much more inclined to give him a Saturday and/or Sunday, pitch in and help him find and fix the gremlins. That I'd do.
 
F

FatCampChamp

Well-known member
Typically insurance will exclude situations which are considered commercial. So you need this neighbor to lie for you under pressure. He's got little downside but you do. No for me.
 
F

fubar929

Well-known member
SuperMike said:
edit: He's started negotiations by offering me $100/week (ha!) and an oil change.
Click to expand...

Tell him there are plenty of companies that rent motorcycles: Dubbelju, Eagle Rider, and Riders Share are good places to start. Prices at Riders Share start around $50-60/day, Eagle Rider is $90/day, and Dubbelju is $125/day assuming multi-day rental discounts.

There's no way I'd rent a motorcycle to any of my neighbors...
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
no
i'd sell it to him for high KBB, refundable-500$ when he's done if it's in as good or better shape
 
splat

splat

Well-known member
No. Simply put, there's too much risk for you and much much less for him. Also, I'm pretty sure your insurance won't cover any damages if it's a business vehicle (which this would be considered).

Bring a 6 pack and a lawn chair and help him diagnose the problem.
 
O

ocoas

Well-known member
I agree with DReg 350

“I'd be much more inclined to give him a Saturday and/or Sunday, pitch in and help him find and fix the gremlins. That I'd do.”
 
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davidji

bike curious
He was doing that commute on his DRZ before its electrical troubles?

Even if he likes that thumper for that long freeway commute, he'd still be better off buying another bike than renting a bike until the DRZ is fixed.

I try to always have 2 bikes good for commuting. I don't want the service needs of one bike to put me in a tight spot for getting to work. Which sounds like the position he's in now.

Plenty of bikes he could buy that would easily make that commute twice on a tank, and would be more pleasant to commute on than what he has. Some are even inexpensive.
 
R3DS!X

R3DS!X

Whatever that means
Just say no, but say it like you appreciate him being a good neighbor and you wanna keep being on good terms and to avoid anything ugly potentially happening you're out on the deal because a few hundred bucks isn't worth a good neighbor. And then you two make out.
 
SuperMike

SuperMike

unsexy
I just told him that it's not a good idea. Too many unknowns and I'd rather not risk it. We would have made out but his 7 y/o daughter was right there.
 
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