What to Look For When Hiring a Motorbike

Some of us have been burnt very badly when it came to returning a hire bike to the company which was so friendly to begin with. But when it comes to motorcycles for hire, you have to take into consideration the time it takes to sort out the repairs, the trips back and forth to the shop, dealer and/or detailers and also the time the bike is being repaired and is forced to be off the road. Also, parts can be very scarce especially for new motorcycles.

So, how can you avoid not being charged for the excess premium?

Let's first define what excess is. Insurance Excess on your rental motorbike is what the motorcycle hirer is liable for in case something happens with the motorbike. But motorcycles are not like cars. If you were to drop a fully faired sports motorbike from a stand still position, the damage would usually be around $3,000-$8,000. And there is very little you can do about it. The fibreglass or plastic fairing must be intact for those high speeds. If there is a single crack in the fairing, the bike is deemed unsafe as the fairing rattles and snaps off other parts at higher speeds.

Frame sliders, crash bars or otherwise known as Oggy Knobs prevent cosmetic damage and are quite good when it comes to stand-still drops and/or slow wipe-outs. However, when it comes to higher speeds, the prevention is quite minimal. But even though these bars minimise the damage, they are still quite expensive themselves. For a cheap pair of crash bars you would be paying between $150 and $200 for the pair. After every drop, these would have to be replaced.

So, what counts towards the damages for the insurance excess?

1. Any scratches which cannot be buffed.
2. Any damages to the motorbike cosmetics
3. Excessive tyre wear (such as burn-outs)
4. Gear damage
5. Breach of contract

So what can you do to avoid paying excess on the insurance premium? Well, treat the bike as if it was your own. When you first take possession of the motorbike, make sure you spend some time getting used to it. Take it around the block and practice basics. Stay away from 3-point turns or U-turns until you are absolutely confident you know how the bike handles in such positions.

One of the easiest ways to drop a motorbike is whilst doing a U-Turn on the intersection. An average sports motorbike weighs from 200kg to 260kg (including the fuel). Once you lose the balance, there is no stopping it from hitting the gravel. Do not try to turn the bike on a sloping road as this will increase the chances of you dropping it.

Each and every motorbike is different. Every sports motorcycle handles differently. If you are used to riding a cruiser, please spend extra time getting used to the different riding position. All motorbikes have slightly different riding positions. It takes time to get used to the motorbike, and this time is very precious as it can save your life in the long run.