Hiring a Superbike...

[Silver]

I very quickly get bored with bikes and cars. Now, I've had my GSXR750 six months and whilst I'm not bored of it (per se) I increasingly find myself thinking "I wonder what the GSXR1000 is like?" I already know that I don't need one for the road - no-one does. I don't need my 750; the ZX6R was more than enough for legal (and very illegal) road riding. The only real possible legal reason for needing the bigger bike on the road is more torque, and it could be argued that a big CC sports/tourer would offer that without the 180mph top speed.

No, I don't need the bigger bike but I would like to have decent blast on one (and the torque on my 750 is plenty thanks - I want the power!). It'll either cure me of the curiousity, or make me go and buy one. As I don't know anyone with a GSXR1000 (and if I did they wouldn't be that stupid to let me rag it anyway) I'm left with few options. I always thought hiring a superbike would be expensive, but I've found Superbike Hire London and they will hire a GSXR1000 at £290 for the weekend (Fri to Mon). That includes insurance and unlimited mileage. Just need to be over 25, have held a licence for 2 years and leave a £750 deposit. It's got to be cheaper than giving into my urge, (I would eventually, I'm too weak willed when it comes to bikes ) spending a small fortune only to find that it's no better than my 750 in real conditions and I'm risking my life/licence everytime I go out.

What do you think?

[Bendy]

I reckon it's a good idea.

Try Raceways Rentals as well.

[Adam_P]

Would a test ride at a few dealerships be out of the question too?

Or are you looking for more time with the bike?
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[Silver]

More time would be ideal. Over a weekend I can put a couple of hundred miles on it and have a very good feel for it. I wouldn't be able to get that from a test ride - I wouldn't be able to take it down my favourite roads etc (I don't live near a dealer).

[Black Knight]

For me that would be a lot of money to blow on a bike for just one weekend. £300 odd quid could but you plenty more usefull things.

What I would do is search out any old bikes to buy cheap. Im sure you could get something like a FZR1000 for little over a grand. Buy it keep it a few weeks, tidy it up a bit and sell it for the same or more than you paid for it.
If you have the readies do the same with something slightly newer, a Blade or maybe an R1. Im sure these can be had relativly cheaply these days.

Yeah it would b nice to have a ride on the latest bike out. but you've got the worry of dropping it too, bye bye deposit!
Have you thought about weather, sods law its rain the weekend you rent it too!

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Old FZR1000 or newish GSX-R750, hmmn I know which one I'd choose.

[Black Knight]

[mchaggis]

If you've got the money, then why not? It should certainly be fun, without the hassle of actually buying anything... yet.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[dainesefreak]

The devil sits on your shoulder.

Why waste the best part of £300 on a hire bike when you could put it down as a deposit?

[map]

Hiring sounds like a good idea to get the feel for a bike. I know BMW dealers give extended test rides (yes sir, take it for the day, just try and be back before we close , but I don't think a K1200S is what you're looking for )

Check out the insurance though, suspect there's a £500 or £1K+ excess on the hire. Scary if you bin it on some diesel in the car park

Some hire places let you bring down the excess for an extra payment.

HTH
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[froggy128]

find some one selling one on ebay whos willing to let you test ride for the day.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[Black Knight]

hmm ok,

Well my point being he could still buy a bike, use it for a week or two and if he's clever, sell it for the same or more than he bought it for. I was just using the £290 + £750 as a price guide. I suppose if you havebthe readdies, you could do it with any bike.

[mchaggis]

[Black Knight]

oh, I realise that...although it still could happen!

I included the £750 as he would have to be able to put it up, deposit or not. Therefore he has got available if he needs it

[dainesefreak]

Not wanting to be pedantic or anything but what are you arguing about?? He wants to know whether hiring a GSXR1000 is worth doing or not. Whether it will satisfy his urge to go out and blow lots of cash. I've not heard of any other bikes mentioned, GSXR1000 for gods sake!


Anyway go and arrange a test ride of a K5 and don't expect to not have to make space in the garage. Only don't do what one of our American cousins did and flip it in 3rd on the way back from the dealer.

[Wave2k]

i like the idea of a V-twin superbike
such as a mille
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[VTR SP1]

I would test the 1000 first at a dealers then if you still feel the need hire one.
My local Honda dealer allows a 1 hour un escorted test. For me this has been enough to get a good idea of the bike. Some other local dealers only allow 10 minutes along the local bypass with a escort.

The 1000 obviousley has more power than the 750 but I would be interested to know if it really makes that much difference on the road.

SP1

[Phoenix]

[zx636]

Great idea to hire a bike but...........

One of the guys who works with me has done exactly what you are thinking of, Hired an R6 for the weekend. He said never again over the weekend. The bike broke down on the Sunday and could not be fixed at the roadside by the RAC, added to this there was no one available at the company to talk to. And no compensation for the lost day.
Another suggestion is that you look the bike over REAL careful when you pick it up and point out any marks or damage it already has. Check the mileage too. This guy had hell of a job getting all his deposit back because of a scratch on the fairing he did not do. Take a pic is a good idea. I'm not suggesting all hire companies are same but beware. another good idea is to make sure either you have some breakdown cover or it is included in the cost.

[Silver]

[Reevo8]

Bridge Motorcycles do bike hire check on there website and it mentions about hire!

HTH
____________________
05 ZX10R, (**05 WKR)

[Wave2k]

Milles have a V-twin engine that pulls like a 1000 inline through the rev range.

Look nice, specially R version
Fast and lazy
Pulls like a litre inline through the revs
not /that/ expensive

or be a legend and buy a ducati
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[VTR SP1]

Wave, have you ever ridden a 1000cc v-twin?

sp1

[Silver]