Stand your ground, dont let them ride it if you dont want them to ride your motorcycle.
I have been riding motorcycle for more than 30 years now, and one of the things that bug me the most is when someone asks me if they can try my motorcycle. Being a grumpy old bastard that doesn’t really happen to often. I have rode other peoples motorcycles, and allowed people to ride my motorcycle over the years. It amounts to only 4 people in life, my wife, my daughter, and my two best friends.
It’s amazing some people think it is ok to ask to ride another persons motorcycle. It even amazes me they want to ride somebody else’s motorcycle that they are really just acquaintances with. Every motorcycle rides a little different, so why trust somebody else’s skills on your motorcycle. Particularly when you aren’t even sure that they could handle riding your bike.
Years ago I was selling a Yamaha Maxim 650. I understand that when you buy something used you usually want to try it out. While he was looking over the motorcycle he told me that he used to own a motorcycle and now wanted another bike. He said he had not rode a bike in 6 years. He then asked me which way the gearing went. I was getting more and more scared about him riding my bike every time he opened his mouth.
He told me he was interested in the motorcycle. Now he wanted to take the motorcycle for a spin. I was quickly looking for an excuse to not let him take it out. I knew a lot of people around our area rode without a proper motorcycle license, so I asked to see his drivers license. He showed me his license which did not have a class 6 endorsement (Class 6 is for motorcycles in BC). That was the quick easy way out of letting him take the motorcycle without trying to lose the sale of the motorcycle. I would have eventually said no to him anyways, and he never did buy the bike either.
Others have asked to ride my motorcycle over the years, but with my insurance I have an automatic out. Our insurance company requires people to list anybody that will be riding your motorcycle. There are four people listed on my insurance that can ride my bike. It still amazes me though that I hear other people ask if they can ride, somebody else’s motorcycle. These same people would never phone you up and say, “Hey can I borrow your car”. So why is something that is even more personal asked for?
I do know some of you occasionally allow others to ride your motorcycle, so if you are one of those that don’t mind people riding your motorcycle at least protect yourself. Here is a few suggestions for you to help protect yourself.
- Make sure they have a valid motorcycle endorsed license.
- Will your insurance company will cover your bike and them if they are in an accident.
- They have recent experience on a motorcycle at least as big as your motorcycle.
- They will pay for any damage done to the motorcycle if they damage it. This could include insurance deductibles and future rise in insurance rates.
- They have a helmet if laws require it for riding the motorcycle. You don’t want to get a call that the cops have impounded your motorcycle.
- They are sober!!!
Written By Grumpy The Biker