Local Rentals

David Lowenstein · June 03, 2009, 10:46:03 AM

Other than Eaglerider out of Chantilly, does anyone have any experience or guidance regarding local motorcycle rentals? I have a 4-day riding trip in VA & WVA planned for next week, with a friend and his dad. My friend had been planning to buy a used Multistrada for this trip and beyond but he hasn't made it happen, and for some reason he hasn't been enthusiastic about my offer to take both my Monster and Bonneville and trade off. Apparently he doesn't relish seat time on an old British bike the way I do. ;-)

A Duc rental would be great but I suspect that's not realistic. Eaglerider has very little with sporting character - BMW 1200GS is pretty much the only one and that might be bigger than he really wants. Another option is this place: www.rental-motorcycle.com/namerica/usa/washington_dc/washington_dc_rental.html , but again the only modestly sporting options are the ST1300 and 1200GS, both big bikes.

Any ideas or feedback would be welcome. Thanks!

Dave

zooom · June 03, 2009, 12:21:21 PM

actually, even thought the ST1300 isn't a looker or the lightest bike in the world, they are damn good bikes and very nimble...I would seriously consider that one if I were in your shoes...

David Lowenstein · June 03, 2009, 01:00:52 PM

I agree, and I will encourage my friend in that direction if these are the only options. But he is an infrequent rider so for general comfort/confidence reasons we were hoping to find something a little smaller. Thanks - Dave

Quote from: zooom on June 03, 2009, 12:21:21 PM
actually, even thought the ST1300 isn't a looker or the lightest bike in the world, they are damn good bikes and very nimble...I would seriously consider that one if I were in your shoes...

zooom · June 03, 2009, 01:08:19 PM

Quote from: dlowenst on June 03, 2009, 01:00:52 PM
I agree, and I will encourage my friend in that direction if these are the only options. But he is an infrequent rider so for general comfort/confidence reasons we were hoping to find something a little smaller. Thanks - Dave

how much is he looking to spend?...maybe you can find an absolute beater offa CL for stupid cheap and rag on it for a couple days and then resell it when done?!?!?

David Lowenstein · June 03, 2009, 02:16:40 PM

We considered that but we'll probably end up doing 800+ miles on this trip, and at a fair distance from home or support, so we really want the mounts to be known quantities/reliable. There's too much risk in taking a beater right off CL and riding off into the great unknown. - Dave

Quote from: zooom on June 03, 2009, 01:08:19 PM
how much is he looking to spend?...maybe you can find an absolute beater offa CL for stupid cheap and rag on it for a couple days and then resell it when done?!?!?

potomacduc · June 03, 2009, 06:18:59 PM

They have a rental counter at Battley, but I didn't pay attention as to what they rent or if it is affiliated with Eagle Rider or anyone else or a new operation.

twolanefun · June 04, 2009, 03:14:40 AM

The ST1300 is way more tour than sport, it is a beast on back roads, quite at home on the superslab or roads with big sweepers, they are not nimble unless you are comparing it to say a K12/13 or one of my Victory's. But since you did not mention the type of roads your trip involves not sure if it will matter. - Gene

zooom · June 04, 2009, 04:25:40 AM

Quote from: twolanefun on June 04, 2009, 03:14:40 AM
The ST1300 is way more tour than sport, it is a beast on back roads, quite at home on the superslab or roads with big sweepers, they are not nimble unless you are comparing it to say a K12/13 or one of my Victory's. But since you did not mention the type of roads your trip involves not sure if it will matter. - Gene

tell that to the Police motors divisions who are using them instead of Harley's or BMW R1200RTP's...I've also seen videos of the Euro spec and Japanese spec versions of these in police trim doing precision riding drills and pursuit drills...they are in fact pretty nimble....but I guess it goes back to the old addage of whether it is the bike or the rider now doesn't it?

David Lowenstein · June 04, 2009, 04:45:33 AM

Hi Gene - We'll be doing almost entirely back roads and SRs. This is why we're looking for alternatives to the Eaglerider and Admo Tours bike options. The ST1300 is definitely not ideal for our intended use - just among the best of very limited applicable options at those two places. - Dave

Quote from: twolanefun on June 04, 2009, 03:14:40 AM
The ST1300 is way more tour than sport, it is a beast on back roads, quite at home on the superslab or roads with big sweepers, they are not nimble unless you are comparing it to say a K12/13 or one of my Victory's. But since you did not mention the type of roads your trip involves not sure if it will matter. - Gene

twolanefun · June 04, 2009, 09:49:51 AM

Well I persaonlly have not ridden the BMW 1200GS, not my style and I only have a 30" inseam, so I do not usually comment unless I have first hand experience but I hear the GS is pretty quick on the back roads and I can attest to two different riders on two different occasions being able to keep up at a spirited pace on some of the back roads between Winchester and Grafton - FWIW - Gene

David Lowenstein · June 04, 2009, 10:18:23 AM

My experience riding with 1200GS riders is similar to yours. If my friend chooses Eaglerider, I'm sure that will be the bike he picks. And he's 6'2", so the tall seat won't be a concern - I was just hoping we could find something a little more flickable ;-)

Quote from: twolanefun on June 04, 2009, 09:49:51 AM
Well I persaonlly have not ridden the BMW 1200GS, not my style and I only have a 30" inseam, so I do not usually comment unless I have first hand experience but I hear the GS is pretty quick on the back roads and I can attest to two different riders on two different occasions being able to keep up at a spirited pace on some of the back roads between Winchester and Grafton - FWIW - Gene

potomacduc · June 05, 2009, 02:56:46 PM

Quote from: dlowenst on June 04, 2009, 10:18:23 AM
My experience riding with 1200GS riders is similar to yours. If my friend chooses Eaglerider, I'm sure that will be the bike he picks. And he's 6'2", so the tall seat won't be a concern - I was just hoping we could find something a little more flickable ;-)

Please post what you end up with and some of the details; e.g. cost, ease of dealing with the company etc. I have a friend thinking about coming to town and renting a bike and I'd like to let him know the options.

David Lowenstein · June 08, 2009, 03:16:17 PM

Well, much as I'd like to report back it turns out I don't have anything to report :-(

My friend's dad fell ill and had to go into the hospital up in Philly, so we postponed the trip before moving forward with any rental options. I'll post back to the group when we come back to this.

Dave

Quote from: potomacduc on June 05, 2009, 02:56:46 PM
Please post what you end up with and some of the details; e.g. cost, ease of dealing with the company etc. I have a friend thinking about coming to town and renting a bike and I'd like to let him know the options.

potomacduc · June 09, 2009, 08:08:20 AM

Sorry to hear it and hopefully a speedy recovery.

On the subject of rentals, I was in Anchorage for business and managed to sneak a one day rental in to my schedule. I rented a wee-strom from akrider in Anchorage and took a nice ride down to Seward and back with a side trip to Exit Glacier. The folks at akrider were great and I recommend them if in Anchorage.

zooom · June 09, 2009, 07:34:47 PM

just as an FYI....here's a couple video's of ST1300's in action...these just happened to show up in my mailbox today...1st one is beter than the 2nd....but hey!

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/595/Motorcycle-Video/Honda-ST1300-Police-Training.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/140/Motorcycle-Video/2008-Supersport-Touring---Honda-ST1300.aspx

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