Peer to peer bike hire uk?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Are there any peer to peer bike hire setups in the uk like there are in other places in the world?
I really want to do a proper test of whether I would prefer an f650gs single, an f800 gs twin or an older klr650 but you cant really decide on a 10 minute test ride.

[trickywoo]

It’s hard enough to hire any bike in the UK never mind a peer to peer setup.

Dealers will let you out for a decent ride if they think you are a serious buyer. They may charge a small fee refundable if you buy which I think is furry muff.

[OldGermanHeaps]

I absolutely wont be buying from a dealer, so wasting their time borrowing their bike isnt really fair.

[Pebbles167]

I always just bought which bike I thought I'd like the most. I figure it's unlikely I'll hate any of them, so if I find it's not what I want after a while, I just sell it on as you'll easily get your money back if you paid a sensible price.

Alternatively just rock up to the seller, and let them hold the cash, they should let you take it for a ride. Any major compatibility issues you have with the bike would show themselves pretty quickly.

[esuuv]

Depends what you want it for I guess - but the 800 is a way nicer bike.

I had a 650gs for a few years and did about 25k on it commuting - never missed a beat and was great on fuel, but you would never just go for a ride.

I'm 6'6 so tall bikes work for me.

[trickywoo]

OldGermanHeaps said:

I absolutely wont be buying from a dealer, so wasting their time borrowing their bike isnt really fair.

There are currently 5 800gs for sale privately in the whole country on auto trader. I don’t know if the prices reflect non-dealer support or not.

[OldGermanHeaps]

trickywoo said:

There are currently 5 800gs for sale privately in the whole country on auto trader. I don’t know if the prices reflect non-dealer support or not.

Auto trader is where to go if you want to pay top money, it is useless for bargains.
There are dozens on ebay, gumtree and marketplace right now including a few with faults up for cheap, perfect project for a bit of Dad-daughter winter spannering in the garage ready for spring.
Will be used 70% off road carrying a pillion. It will get scratched up and bashed about so there is zero point in buying some shiny example.
I havent ridden a gs, but i have ridden a funduro and liked it. Riding a klr off road with a pillion was what made me sell my WR, it was st with a passenger but great solo.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Saturday 9th September 21:15

[OldGermanHeaps]

How does the 800 twin f650gs compare with the f800gs offroad for a 6 foot heavy but strong rider?
Would be sticking knoblies on and upgrading the suspension and bashplates and guards etc on whatever i get.
This looks promising. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325797956102?mkcid=16&a...
I love electrical faults, had plenty of bargains that way and never not been able to fix something as i have been doing component level repairs to lots of things without schematics since 1995.

[s2kjock]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Are there any peer to peer bike hire setups in the uk like there are in other places in the world?
I really want to do a proper test of whether I would prefer an f650gs single, an f800 gs twin or an older klr650 but you cant really decide on a 10 minute test ride.

Do most BM dealers not do hires? The Edinburgh Motorrad dealer certainly does, although unsure if they do it for less than a full day.

[OldGermanHeaps]

I will check. Not too convinced that riding a 2023 new bike would help to choose a 1990ish to 2014 used one though but it would be at least a day i would hire one for.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Sunday 10th September 13:08

[OldGermanHeaps]

F750gs 500 quid for 23 and a half hours. They charge 23 and a half hours as 2 days.
Think i will pass.

[Krikkit]

£500?!

[OldGermanHeaps]

I reckon i could buy a ratty funduro for that.

[KTMsm]

Not that I'm aware of, I did look into hiring bikes as I deal in them and am near(ish) Birmingham airport

The issue was insurance - peer to peer, I can imagine it being a disaster particularly whether a scratch was there at the time / abusing bikes

If you're looking for a project, I'd simply see what came up, buy it, fix it, if you don't like it, sell it and make a profit

It's because I wanted to try lots of different bikes that I became a dealer

Having ridden all of the above the F650 single simply isn't powerful enough for me. The F650 twin is cheaper than the F800 but doesn't have the spec (if it matters)

The KLR is the choice if you wish to go into the middle of nowhere for months and fix it with a piece of string

[KTMsm]

OldGermanHeaps said:

How does the 800 twin f650gs compare with the f800gs offroad for a 6 foot heavy but strong rider?
Would be sticking knoblies on and upgrading the suspension and bashplates and guards etc on whatever i get.
This looks promising. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325797956102?mkcid=16&a...
I love electrical faults, had plenty of bargains that way and never not been able to fix something as i have been doing component level repairs to lots of things without schematics since 1995.

The issue with that bike is that it's worthless with that mileage and that colour - fine if you're going to keep it forever but if you spend any money upgrading suspension etc you're not going to get it back

I was out yesterday with a mixed group on everything from a Freeride to a 701 we all covered the ground fine, any bike is capable, it's mostly down to the rider and what you want

[OldGermanHeaps]

Public transport in this country is a fking joke. 120 quid one way off peak for a train ticket to london. 44 quid to fly.
The train ticket is 30% dearer than a full years comprehensive insurance for an 800cc bike.

[KTMsm]

OldGermanHeaps said:

Public transport in this country is a fking joke. 120 quid one way off peak for a train ticket to london. 44 quid to fly.
The train ticket is 30% dearer than a full years comprehensive insurance for an 800cc bike.

I don't think you'll find anyone arguing here

I hadn't been on a train for 30 years, I tried one to go and collect a motorcycle last week, three hours of hell, I won't be trying again even if it was free.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Picked up a project bike for the price of a couple of days hire, with the view that if i change my mind and want the f800 instead I cant fail to make a profit on this one.
The other thing is, a popular mod on the 650 is yamaha yz forks and front wheel and ohlins rear shock which makes it more capable than the standard f800 offroad so plenty options.

Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Wednesday 11th October 13:16

[OldGermanHeaps]

Well, the f650 is complete and utter dogst off road in every metric, and comfy but gutless on the road. Less overtaking oomph than my friends klr650 despite being a lot more powerful on paper. That was a mistake, back to the drawing board. Probably the most boring bike I have ever owned. Cub 90s can land from jumps more gracefully than this thing.
Do i try to sell now or wait until the spring price rebound and just chug about the roads all winter. decisions.
Probably try to punt the thing just now to someone looking for a winter bike tbh, i dont really enjoy road riding, I like to be up to my ankles in mud.

[KTMsm]

I think I told you that

BMW don't make a fun bike with the possible exception of the S1000

The good news is, this time of year it should sell to someone who wants a snotter to ride through the winter