Topic: Why is it so expensive to rent a motorcycle?

[JohnCurW]

I've been trying to plan a vacation for next year, on a bit of a budget.  I figured, why not rent a motorcycle instead of a car, it would be a fun way to see a new place.

Average car rental: $35-55/day
Average Motorcycle rental: $130/day

Not to mention they are all H-D's, I guess the upside is no one you know will see you on those overprices POS's.

Anyways, Why do you think its so much more expensive?  Insurance? Tourist price gouging?

[Inigo Montoya]

Look at it from a business standpoint. First, motorcycle rentals are not as common as car rentals so there is probably not as much made. Second, it is much easier to crash and unfamiliar bike than a car so the chance of loss is higher. You might argue that insurance covers this but it may be that insurance on rental bikes is very high.
these are just a couple of things. It could also just be plain greed.

[Dead Bound]

dont forget the the $2000 deposit. 

[333]

One other factor is how few people ride.  Only 3% of the population of the U.S. rides motorcycles(that includes dirt bikes and ATVs).  That might have "jumped" to 4% when gas hit $4.00 and people went crazy buying scooters, but...

[Kevin D]

they are all H-D's

I'm presuming you are looking at Eagle Rider. Yes mainly HD, but depending on location I have seen BMW, Gold Wing, ST1300, KLR dual sport as well. If you look for a one way ride you might save some dough.

Dang, theres even Ducati, Buell, Kaw1400, YamFJR1300, MotoGuzzi listed here:
http://www.eaglerider.com/Rentals.aspx

JCW, if you get your hands on this Ducati, available in Dublin, Ireland, for $1682 per week, are you going to drive it at legal speeds?  

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Maintenance much more frequent and more expensive.

You can get a set of 4 car tires for, say, $500 that will last for, say, 50,000 miles. You can have 2 motorcycle tires for, say, $500 that will last 10,000 miles.

Rental cars are plentiful and used by the multitudes. Fleets bought cheap and sold probably for almost what they paid for them.

No where near as many rental places for bikes. Market rates.

Etc, etc. 

Yes, I agree, it's a damn shame! I really want to ride Europe. I could ship my bike over, not! I could buy a bike there then sell it, not! Or I can just pay what it requires to ride one of their bikes. OR, not do it!!

[754]

Man that is cheap..

 Up here 190 or 195 a day.. be worth it for me to ride a Spyder  or HD, for a full day, probably put 500 miles or more on it..

 But I dont have 2500 for the deposit..

 Ride your bike on your holiday, make it somewhere, where that is possible, its cheap and worth it..

[j-conn]

Im going to Lauterbrunnen and Tuscany next summer for 2 weeks and thought it would be so awesome to get a bike for a day but just too much money.

[Rocking-M]

Im going to Lauterbrunnen and Tuscany next summer for 2 weeks and thought it would be so awesome to get a bike for a day but just too much money.

I checked in to a bike tour in Tuscany and thought it was fairly reasonable. For someone that has a little bit of money.
Me on the other had, with no money couldn't afford a bicycle tour in Tuscany. 

[j-conn]

its the deposit...
and those figures are in euros too... shesh!