If you are planning to start riding a motorcycle, you need to decide if you want to rent or buy a bike. While each option is different in terms of rules and budgeting, you can enjoy several benefits of both buying and renting a motorcycle. Of course, those benefits are going to depend on your needs. If you need help determining your next step, use these five tips to decide if it is better to rent or buy a motorcycle.
Your Budget
The first thing you want to consider is your overall budget, which needs to include your safety gear as well. If you cannot commit to a long-term payment through financing right now, motorcycle ownership may not be the best option for you. However, you do have the option of renting a motorcycle for just a few days.
This way, you have the opportunity to ride without the monthly payments. When your budget allows it, you can always rent a motorcycle again for several days. If you are saving up for bike ownership, looking into rentals gives you the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding a motorcycle until you can purchase a bike.
Test Drive
It is understandable to want to test drive a motorcycle before putting any money down on a rental or payment. However, some motorcycle companies do not allow you to test-drive the bike before making a purchase.
The reason test drives are not allowed is that you do not have motorcycle insurance, and the cost of an accident can be expensive when you do not own the bike.
Luckily, Harley Davidson rentals allow you to test drive the bike before you sign a short-term or long-term lease. This allows you to ensure you are renting a motorcycle that fits your wants and needs.
Length of Ownership
Your preferred length of ownership is something to consider before you make the decision between renting or buying a motorcycle. If you only plan to ride for a few months before switching to another type of transportation, you may not want to spend the money to finance a bike.
Renting a motorcycle is a better option for short-term ownership. If you are planning to make the motorcycle your second or only vehicle, it may be better to look into buying a motorcycle. It is important to determine how long you plan to own a motorcycle before you start paying monthly installments.
Frequency of Use
You also need to consider how often you plan to use the motorcycle. After all, you may not want to spend too much on a vehicle you may only use once in a while. Are you only planning to ride the motorcycle sporadically?
Renting instead of buying gives you the opportunity to only spend money when you are planning to ride a motorcycle. If you plan to ride your motorcycle often, buying a motorcycle is a better option because you have permanent ownership of the bike. The last thing you want is to pay a monthly installment on a motorcycle you only use every three or four months.
Possible Modifications
When you rent an apartment, you are not allowed to make any changes that are permanent or could cause damage because the unit needs to appeal to future tenants. The same rules apply when you rent a motorcycle because someone else is going to rent the same bike later.
If you want to modify your bike to fit your aesthetic or needs, it is best to buy the bike to ensure you have full ownership before you make any changes. This way, you do not have to worry about any restrictions. Renting is a better option if you only plan to ride occasionally without making any modifications to the motorcycle.
Bottom Line
Whether you should rent or buy a motorcycle is all a matter of personal preference. If you are an occasional rider who does not need to make any modifications or possess a motorcycle around the clock, renting a bike is a better option for you. It is best to buy a motorcycle if you are planning to ride often and want to modify the bike. The key is to sit down and decide which option works best for your overall needs and budget.
