Bike Rental around San Francisco ?

[inspiron]

So, the powers that be have decided that I haven't spent enough time sitting in airplanes and suffering from jet lag, so they are sending me back to California.

I'll be leading a project in Emeryville, CA (just east of San Francisco) from early November until just before Christmas. Yup, I'll be heading back to the states in 3 weeks ...

During the almost 7 weeks I'll be in the area, I would like to take advantage of the weekends and do some riding! Now, since the flight, hotel and expenses are going to cost my company close to $10K (and the person who wrote the offer [NOT ME] "forgot" to include travel expenses, so my company is swallowing these rather than billing the customer!), I am trying to convince them to let me rent a bike instead of a car.

I need some information about bike rentals in the San Francisco area. I would like to rent a standard bike - something like a Suzuki Bandit, if possible. I've never ridden a "heels to the wind" cruiser, and can't imagine that would be very compatible with my riding style. And I *prefer* 4 cylinders, but could get along with 2 ... can anyone recommend a rental place (a web address would be sufficient, to get an idea of prices and availability).

Thanks in advance!

[Rickster]

I don't know about rentals in SanFran, but where I live, the only bikes one can rent, are Harleys. If you find that's all you can rent, you might be more comfortable on one of the V Rod's with the more "standard" riding position, or maybe even a Buell

[ChicsterMG]

Jim, you're gonna pay for cycle rentals in CA. They aren't cheap. I was farting around, looking at prices and saw one place at $140 for 8 hours. Thise was for some big H-D dealer and a big bike. All the rental places have weely and monthly rates. You'll have to shop around.

California Motorcycle Rental: BMW rentals from/to San Diego, Seattle and Salt Lake City
EagleRider Motorcycle Rental Heard of this one. Supposedly very respectible and fair priced.
motorcycle rentals dubbelju motorbikes in san francisco A lot of rentals come out of here, so I'm told. I did see a lot of stickers for this place on bikes.

Mostly BMW as far as touring or standard and H-D and some metric cruisers I have seen also.

You'll have to search around.

[inspiron]

Over $2000 for 2 weeks? W.T.F.?

If I could figure out how to register and insure a bike without a local address, it would be cheaper to buy a used bike, ride it for the 6 or 7 weeks I'm there, then resell it.

That shouldn't be a big problem around a big city like San Francisco, right?

Maybe I'll check with Swiss or Lufthansa how much it would be to fly my GSX to the states ...

[SoCalCruisin]

I've seen some stuff in my AMA magazine regarding rentals of all kinds of bikes. Can't check it right now as I'm at work, but I'll get back to you.

[Rickster]

A couple from England that I rode route 66 with last year said the break even point between renting here, or shipping there own bikes over was 6 weeks. They were going to be here for 3 months, so they shipped their BMW's over and back.

Concerning buying a bike here, If you were coming to my area, I'd have no problem fronting you my address to use well you were here, and help you selling the bike when it was time for you to leave. Perhaps there is someone in the SanFran area that will step up, and offer you the same.

[LCA_koolaid37]

Inspiron,

Now really... don't you act like there aren't enough sweet thangs to ride in San Francisco.

[inspiron]

Sorry LCA, I don't swing that way.

[LCA_koolaid37]

LOL

Oh, I forget... the good Dr. Inspiron is above petty sarcasm.

[SoCalCruisin]

I'm sure you can look on the internet as easy as I can, but here's one I found that is less expensive than most. $390 a week for a Honda 600.

http://www.venturental.com/

[inspiron]

I've fired off an e-mail to a bunch of Triumph dealers in the Bay Area. Maybe some dealer has a demo machine that they are willing to "lease" out during the off season ... ?

[kay]

I would assume that renting cars will be much less expensive given the much bigger demand, just like bike tires. Here, bike rental is scarce and VERY expensive. Maybe the vulnerability of two-wheelers to be dropped and damaged adds to that.

Good luck on your search, though.

I can see how difficult it will be if you can't ride for so long and in CA!!

[4dtvman]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Over $2000 for 2 weeks? W.T.F.?

If I could figure out how to register and insure a bike without a local address, it would be cheaper to buy a used bike, ride it for the 6 or 7 weeks I'm there, then resell it.

That shouldn't be a big problem around a big city like San Francisco, right?

Maybe I'll check with Swiss or Lufthansa how much it would be to fly my GSX to the states ...

Just tell everybody if you get caught that you are undocument alien, and you can also apply for welfare while your here.

[LCA_koolaid37]

Chortle... Chortle... read a book?

ETA: And this is just a presumption on my part of Inspiron's attitude, but since he is a person living as an alien in another country and he has commented on the fact that there is a prejudice against immigrants in Switzerland, I doubt that he thinks immigration jokes are all that hilarious... based in some semblance of fact or not.

[inspiron]

I can't claim the "undocumented alien" defense ... since I still have a US passport. Dammit!

[ChicsterMG]

Jim, aren't you a US citizen living abroad? Not with a broad, but abroad...Overthere....Overseas...You know what I mean.

[inspiron]

Yup. That's why I've got a US passport. US Citizen, but a permanent resident of Switzerland.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by ChicsterMG

Jim, aren't you a US citizen living abroad? Not with a broad, but abroad...Overthere....Overseas...You know what I mean.

Lol...............I had to laugh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I read your post fast, and thought you said "living as a broad overseas".