Comments on Motorcycle Philosophy: Riding Someone Else's Motorcycle

Steve is right. We are privileged in our club to h...

2009-11-09T19:02:42.653-08:00

Steve is right. We are privileged in our club to have the opportunity to ride each other's scooters. I've ridden every bike in our club several times (a few times when I've had a few beers!). We all know each other and trust that, should something tragic happen, the rider will fix or replace the bike. It's important not to borrow what you can't afford, however. But what kind of friends would we be if we just told each other to, "go rent one?" Riding other bikes if fun and improves your skill by widening your experience. Our guys rock!!

If you want to know how a different bike feels, I ...

2009-11-09T16:23:34.593-08:00

If you want to know how a different bike feels, I think the safest bet is to demo one at a dealership! I know I ain't never lettin' anyone touch MY baby!

Yikes.. I thought I was wound a little too tightly...

2009-11-09T15:29:56.972-08:00

Yikes.. I thought I was wound a little too tightly (more like asking to sleep with my wife). Perhaps the real danger is in loaning "UP" to someone with a less powerful or lighter bike. If the borrowed bike is an increase in power, weight, or both, bad things seem more likely to happen.

Actually, I did not ask to ride his Goldwing, he o...

2009-11-09T13:07:40.597-08:00

Actually, I did not ask to ride his Goldwing, he offered it to me because he readjusted the suspension and wanted me to feel it.

But I do know someone who borrowed another friend's Road King, and totalled it. Fortunately, he had full coverage.

For most people, opportunities for such comparison...

2009-11-09T10:23:52.946-08:00

For most people, opportunities for such comparisons are few and far between.

Asking another man if you can ride his bike is often taken the same way as asking if you can sleep with his sister or try on his underwear. For me, my bike is a very personal thing. Where I could care less if someone borrows my car, I just can't see someone else riding my bike. For that reason, I personally would never ask someone else if I could ride theirs. Even if I knew they wouldn't care, I just wouldn't want the responsibility should something happen.

Don't get me wrong. I realize this isn't a big deal to everyone, and there are lots of gray areas.

I actually have two Harleys. My 04 1200 Sportster which was the first H-D I ever owned, and my 07 Springer. I hadn't had any luck selling the Sporty, and then I met my now live-in girlfriend who has an 08 883. She wanted to ride my Sporty to see if she'd like a 1200 better as she already feels she's outgrown the 883. Because I no longer ride the Sportster, even though it is still mine, letting her ride it didn't really bother me. Then yesterday, she dumped it for no reason either one of us can figure.

She's ok. The bike is pretty f**ked up. I was pissed at first, but I'm over it now. The bike can be fixed, and it's more important that she is alright. It's just something that can happen if you let someone else ride your motorcycle. If you're not prepared to deal with it, then I say....DON'T DO IT.