probably stupid newbie question

In article ,
Paul Elliot wrote:

> MayQueen wrote:
> > Hi - is there anywhere in the bay area that rents bikes? We are taking
> > a class in a few weeks and have no idea if we are going to like riding
> > or want to buy bikes for weekend rides. It would be great if there were
> > a place we could rent bikes so that we can see if it is something we
> > would like to start doing before we go ahead and possibly invest some $$
> > into this sport.
> >
>
> There are several in SF and SJ, but you DO need to have your M1 license
> first.

I recently checked out a new bike rental place near Otis & Dubose in SF.
They want $180/day for a big Harley, BMW, or Goldwing. They'll go down
to $120/day for 3 days, and $110/day for a week. This includes
insurance but no gear.

They also had new Yamaha 250F dirt bikes which cost the same as the big
street bikes!

The business model is that they can write off the entire purchase price
of the bike over 2 years, sell it for whatever they can get, and then
buy a new one. I wonder if I can start my own personal motorcycle
rental biz?

Ken
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad wrote:
> On Jun 20, 5:42?pm, MayQueen wrote:
>
>> I will also have to make sure I can fit on a bike and don't know if a
>> rental place would have a bike for me. I'm 5'.
>
> The subject of motorcycles for vertically-challenged persons arises
> frequently.
>
> You may have to buy one to test your commitment to motorcycling.
>
> If you like a sportbike, look around for a used Kawasaki EX250.
> Kawasaki has been building them forever, new ones only cost about $3K,
> so used one may be quite a bit cheaper.
>
> http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/kawasaki-ninja-250r-45983.html
>
> http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3864
>
> Kawasaki also built cruiser versions with the same engine, they were
> the EL250 and the EN250.
>
> Suzuki made some GN125 single cylinder cruisers.
>
> Buell makes the 500cc Blast. It's quite low to the ground.
>
>
>
>

My daughter (5'2") rides a Ninja 250 and loves it. It can be a good bike
for most duty, plenty fast.

--
Heaven is where the police are British, the chefs Italian, the mechanics
German, the lovers French and it is all organized by the Swiss.

Hell is where the police are German, the chefs British, the mechanics
French, the lovers Swiss and it is all organized by Italians.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/paul1cart/albums/
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

MayQueen wrote:
> Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad wrote:
>> On Jun 20, 7:28?am, MayQueen wrote:
>>> You are AWESOME! Thanks so much! That's a huge list and more than a
>>> few are close by. We will check it out!
>>
>> Dubbleju rents BMW F650 singles, which might be suitable for
>> a beginner if they have the ones with a low seat height. The taller
>> ones are more like a dual sport.
>>
>>
> There might be a problem renting after all. We will just have gotten
> our licenses. I looked at Dubbleju and they want you to have a few
> years' experience. I can totally understand that. If I were renting
> bikes out, I would want experienced riders as well.
>
> I will also have to make sure I can fit on a bike and don't know if a
> rental place would have a bike for me. I'm 5'.

Aha...short like me!
When I moved to the bay area, I bought a Honda Twinstar from Monroe
Motors. Great little bike, low to the ground and nimble.

barb
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

>> I will also have to make sure I can fit on a bike and don't know if a
>> rental place would have a bike for me. I'm 5'.
>
> Aha...short like me!
> When I moved to the bay area, I bought a Honda Twinstar from Monroe
> Motors. Great little bike, low to the ground and nimble.
>
> barb

What I am gathering is that I'm not so much in the minority as I
thought. I'll make sure the Twinstar is on my list to check out.

--
Queenie

*** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

MayQueen wrote:
>
> What I am gathering is that I'm not so much in the minority as I
> thought. I'll make sure the Twinstar is on my list to check out.
>

If you're able to deal with older bikes like the Twinstar you'll
have many more choices.

For example, should you happen to find a Honda TLR200
it's worth a close look. I have one, it's by far the best teacher
in my stable. Unlikely, but possible. I found one. Kept it.
www.zefox.net/~bob/mc

It might pay to visit
Hayasa Motorbikes
430 E 10th St
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 834-8803
to learn more about what's available and maintainable.
The shop services collector bikes mostly, but they
will have a sense of what's out there.

Good luck, welcome to riding!

bob prohaska
ps, where will you be doing your riding?
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

On Jun 19, 8:02 am, MayQueen wrote:
> Hi - is there anywhere in the bay area that rents bikes? We are taking
> a class in a few weeks and have no idea if we are going to like riding
> or want to buy bikes for weekend rides. It would be great if there were
> a place we could rent bikes so that we can see if it is something we
> would like to start doing before we go ahead and possibly invest some $$
> into this sport.
>
> --
> Queenie
>
> *** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

NOT a stupid question, and of course we ALL wanna help ya out,
right???

Have a safe ride.

-Jose' aka "Hawkeye Joe"
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

On Jun 19, 8:02 am, MayQueen wrote:
> Hi - is there anywhere in the bay area that rents bikes? We are taking
> a class in a few weeks and have no idea if we are going to like riding
> or want to buy bikes for weekend rides. It would be great if there were
> a place we could rent bikes so that we can see if it is something we
> would like to start doing before we go ahead and possibly invest some $$
> into this sport.
>
> --
> Queenie
>
> *** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

Brand new place:
Thunder Road Motorsports (123 S. Van Ness Avenue, SF). Give them a
call, they rent a variety of brands and models.
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

On Jun 20, 5:42 pm, MayQueen wrote:
> Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad wrote:> On Jun 20, 7:28?am, MayQueen wrote:
> >> You are AWESOME! Thanks so much! That's a huge list and more than a
> >> few are close by. We will check it out!
>
> > Dubbleju rents BMW F650 singles, which might be suitable for
> > a beginner if they have the ones with a low seat height. The taller
> > ones are more like a dual sport.
>
> There might be a problem renting after all. We will just have gotten
> our licenses. I looked at Dubbleju and they want you to have a few
> years' experience. I can totally understand that. If I were renting
> bikes out, I would want experienced riders as well.
>
> I will also have to make sure I can fit on a bike and don't know if a
> rental place would have a bike for me. I'm 5'.
> --
> Queenie
>
> *** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

V-Star Custom 1100 has about the lowest stock seat height I have seen.
(Strangely enough the 650's seat is higher). My wife, 5' also, had one
and was totally comfortable on it. Put 12,000 miles on it her first
year.
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question 

Guzzisto wrote:
> On Jun 19, 8:02 am, MayQueen wrote:
>> Hi - is there anywhere in the bay area that rents bikes? We are taking
>> a class in a few weeks and have no idea if we are going to like riding
>> or want to buy bikes for weekend rides. It would be great if there were
>> a place we could rent bikes so that we can see if it is something we
>> would like to start doing before we go ahead and possibly invest some $$
>> into this sport.
>>
>> --
>> Queenie
>>
>> *** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***
>
> Brand new place:
> Thunder Road Motorsports (123 S. Van Ness Avenue, SF). Give them a
> call, they rent a variety of brands and models.
>
Thanks! Looks like a good place to check out.

--
Queenie

*** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***
 >> Stay informed about: probably stupid newbie question