That ONE question !!

[kennym4]

First off let me just say if you asked anyone of my friends they would tell you that I would give the shirt off my back to ANYONE.......Now with that said,

 What do YOU do when someone (a friend) asks to ride your bike ? I let my friend one time ride it, and he said he was going to take it down the street, and back, so that's what I thought he was going to do. After 25 min.'s I started getting that sick feeling in my stomach. 40 min. later when he pulled up I was in a sweat !!! When he pulled up I was kind of upset, and he said "why were you so worried, you have full coverage" ? Well my insurance is already $290.00 a month because I reported it stolen last year. An accident would KILL ME !! And that right there tells me if something would happen, he wouldn't pay for it, right ?
 Man, I won't even ride other peoples bikes, that I'm riding with. I know they are just machines, but I love my bike. And he keeps hinting around to me about letting him take my bike on a ride sometime, I think he's talking for like the day ?

Am I being petty ??

 

[PaceMaster]

So far i let only one friend try my Busa--- i was on his bike and he was conservative on mine... generally now no way

 

[smithabusa]

You aren't being petty. Tell thim a $12K deposit and they can ride it LOL.

Hell no i have only let a couple people ride ever, they should never ask, if you offer is another thing.

 

[Robot]

I say, bike is like my toothbrush. I dont let anyone else use it.

 

[el stumpo]

You're not petty...

I don't ask to ride other people's bikes (even though there are a few I would love too!) and expect the same. If someone asks me for a ride, I'll jokingly say "sure thing, I just need a $10k deposit". If they don't get the hint, I'll tell them "I can't let you drive, but you're welcome to hop on the back and I'll give you a ride". Usually the hump is on so that is not an option

 

[LCB]

Absolutely not! Very few people will ever be given the opportunity to ride my bike (you're 1 of them, Kenny) so don't feel bad about saying "No!" If a friend doesn't take no for an answer - they aren't your friend.

 

[SANDFLEA85]

Like you said,you wont even ask a friend if you can ride his bike and thats because you RESPECT the fact it is his.I say you needa a new friend.I wont let anyone sit on my bike let alone ride it.I put too much sweat into it.and if they cant understand that.then FUK EM!

 

[Mr Bogus]

2 ways to get on my bike and I wont even ask questions... you leave your equally nice Bike (I have done this with 3 Harley guys) with me to ride OR leave me 15G (going to cost me that to replace my bike) in cash....

I love trading rides with guys for a short time... around the block does not give you much of a feel but 10 or 20 miles gets you a bit comfy... then give it back before you get too comfy

 

[flybybusa]

it kind of depends are their net-worth and riding experience. The most painful thing about letting an inexperienced rider ride my bike is listening to them shift. It can be worse than a tooth ache. Aside from all monetary and sentimental reasons I think about how bad I'd feel if they do something stupid and loose skin or worse.

 

[kennym4]

Absolutely not!  Very few people will ever be given the opportunity to ride my bike (you're 1 of them, Kenny) so don't feel bad about saying "No!"  If a friend doesn't take no for an answer - they aren't your friend.

Yeah I'd let you ride my bike , NO PROBLEM !!!!!!! I KNOW you can ride !!! The only other bike he's been on is a Katana 600. I let my Pop ride it all the time, and don't even give it a second thought, but that's my Dad. This has REALLY been bothering me ! I think it was the insurance statement he made ?

 

[Cblast]

I tell them, if they want to try one of these, then go buy one. I am not in the habit of taking risks with what is one of the most important purchases I have made.

 

[kennym4]

Never even thought how I'd feel about them getting hurt ? I'd probably be getting sued, while feeling guilty, without a bike.....

 

[Lurch]

No you are not being petty. Before the Ex and I split up last fall, we had a large group of bikes and riders, mostly Family members. It was known as a courtisy not to ask to ride bikes that the others owned. We did offer them up but it just RUDE to ask to ride another persons bike. It is like asking to ride somebody's wife. You just don't do it.

 

[kennym4]

There was a guy that got his bike stolen, that lived in the apartment next to me for a couple years. I maybe said 15 words to this guy, and one day he was going to the store about 2 miles from where we lived, (I asked where he was going before I offered, LOL) and I threw him the keys, and told him to have fun. It was SUPER nice outside, and I knew what it felt like to have your bike stolen. I still paced the floor till he got back, LOL !!

 

[celticBandit]

I hate it too.........but if I really have to I usually start by saying "You break it, you bought it".

Then watch them bimble about at 10mph cause they're afraid to hurt it.

 

[hayadooin]

I never let anyone ride my bike... I agree with the toothbrush line...

If you want to ride buy your own....

 

[kennym4]

Thanks people !!!! I know I can't even force myself to ride a friends R-1, that ALWAYS offers, and I LOVE that bike !!! I'm just too afraid of something going wrong, even if it wasn't my fault, I'd feel awfull !!!!!

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

A real friend would wait until you asked him if he wanted to ride it.

 

[DocDrop]

I don't let people ride my bike, i'm kinda funny about things like that. I bet you were on pins and needles when he was gone so long.

 

[Jimshog]

The answer is easy, smile and gently say NO! You're not being petty at all. I once let a very close friend - who has an identical Harley (81 Low Rider) take mine out just after putting the stroker motor into it - just around the block he said. 45 minutes later when he returned I was soaked in sweat from anxiety. He was amused and perplexed that I would worry; evidently he was so impressed with the new motor he just wanted to take a little putt and time got away from him. I however felt every second pass. So, I agree with everyone else who has posted thus far, the bike is too personal to lend out, I'll never feel comfortable letting someone else ride it and I'd feel terrible if something happened to them while riding it. Thinking about it I remember an unfortunate incident that happened to an old friend of mine who allowed the cousin of a mutual friend to ride his Kaw 500 triple back in 76 - the guy made it roughly a block and a half till the road turned - a right hand sweeper, he didn't make it literally and figuratively. Scratch one bike and uncle, add one bad memory. And for those of you who have ridden the old two stroke triples ya'll know they were scary in their raw acceleration but nothing like the warp speed of the Busa. I like the bike/wife analogy I don't want someone else riding either of them. My two cent$.
-Jim