Ladies: Motorcycle Rental Question

[RocketGirl]

Hi All,

My friend's husband is looking to get back into motorcycling. He has a motorcycle endorsement on his license. He has vehicle insurance, but it doesn't cover motorcycles.

His plan is to rent a bike. He can only pay with cash. I'm thinking that he will have to pay the dealership extra for proper coverage during the rental period. How likely will the dealership be willing to rent him a bike without a credit card? Would you discourage me from using my credit card to rent the bike on his behalf?

Any and all advice is appreciated. Thank you.

[Johnj]

Do you trust this fellow for the price of the bike?

[Lion_Lady]

I would strongly urge you NOT to use your credit card to secure his bike. Why is that he "can only pay with cash?" Just say, 'hey, I'm sorry, but I'm not in a position to offer my credit card (or whatever other security he asks for).

It sounds like the guy is in a situation to just purchase a used bike and insure it. Renting a bike is going to cost way more money and and he'll get no return on it once he's done, or ready to move up.

P

[Thumper]

The potential incurred liability on your part is too great to risk, even if he could pay cash for a bike he wrecked. By using your credit card you *might* be setting yourself up for medical, comp, and liability on anyone he injured in a collision, whether he gets dealer-backed insurance or not. Personally, I'd only do that for my husband, and maybe my son...wouldn't even do it for a sibling, though.

[Brackstone]

Don't:

Money always ruins friendships trust me.

[Loonette]

I'd also have to say "don't". For most people, getting into (or back into) motorcycling is a luxury/hobby. If this is something he'd like to do, then he should be able to manage it on his own through whatever channels he needs to do it. This would also include the research involved for finding the best way to manage his situation. There is no telling what damage you may incur to your credit report by allowing someone else to use your credit as security (especially for something so non-essential).

Cheers,
Loonette

[RocketGirl]

Thank you everyone. I kind of already knew the answer, but sometimes I can be "too nice" and all your comments and advice has really helped. I trusted him just enough to let him ride my bike around the parking lot, but I don't want to accept the financial risk of securing the bike rental. If getting back into motorcycling is important to the guy then he'll have to find a way to secure the bike himself.

[Kat]

Old post, I know, but for future reference: agreed with everybody. What someone else said: why can he only pay cash? Mind you, I don't have a credit card either, but it's because I don't want one, not because I CAN'T get one. If he doesn't have one because he is unable to procure one, what does that tell you about his reliability (at least fiscally)? Friend or no, sometimes the truth hurts.

[blues2cruise]

Rocket girl....what did he end up doing?

[RocketGirl]

Rocket girl....what did he end up doing?

Well apparently my friend, his wife, holds the purse strings. Although he'll always be grateful for me giving him the opportunity to ride in the parking lot and exchange riding stories of days gone by, it wasn't enough for him to turn his life around and get back into riding. He has had a couple of health issues since last year. He doesn't talk about riding anymore and I don't bring up the subject. Thanks for asking.