What to look for when hiring a motorbike

Some of us have been burnt very badly when it came to returning a hire bike to the company which was so friendly to begin with. But when it comes to motorcycles for hire, you have to take into consideration the time it takes to sort out the repairs, the trips back and forth to the shop, dealer and/or detailers and also the time the bike is being repaired and is forced to be off the road. Also, parts can be very scarce especially for new motorcycles.

So, how can you avoid not being charged for the excess premium?

Let’s first define what excess is. Insurance Excess on your rental motorbike is what the motorcycle hirer is liable for in case something happens with the motorbike. But motorcycles are not like cars. If you were to drop a fully faired sports motorbike from a stand still position, the damage would usually be around $3,000-$8,000. And there is very little you can do about it. The fibreglass or plastic fairing must be intact for those high speeds. If there is a single crack in the fairing, the bike is deemed unsafe as the fairing rattles and snaps off other parts at higher speeds.

Frame sliders, crash bars or otherwise known as Oggy Knobs prevent cosmetic damage and are quite good when it comes to stand-still drops and/or slow wipe-outs. However, when it comes to higher speeds, the prevention is quite minimal. But even though these bars minimise the damage, they are still quite expensive themselves. For a cheap pair of crash bars you would be paying between $150 and $200 for the pair. After every drop, these would have to be replaced.

So, what counts towards the damages for the insurance excess?

1. Any scratches which cannot be buffed.
2. Any damages to the motorbike cosmetics
3. Excessive tyre wear (such as burn-outs)
4. Gear damage
5. Breach of contract

So what can you do to avoid paying excess on the insurance premium?

Well, treat the bike as if it was your own. When you first take possession of the motorbike, make sure you spend some time getting used to it. Take it around the block and practice basics. Stay away from 3-point turns or U-turns until you are absolutely confident you know how the bike handles in such positions. One of the easiest ways to drop a motorbike is whilst doing a U-Turn on the intersection. An average sports motorbike weighs from 200kg to 260kg (including the fuel). Once you lose the balance, there is no stopping it from hitting the gravel. Do not try to turn the bike on a sloping road as this will increase the chances of you dropping it.

Each and every motorbike is different. Every sports motorcycle handles differently. If you are used to riding a cruiser, please spend extra time getting used to the different riding position. All motorbikes have slightly different riding positions. It takes time to get used to the motorbike, and this time is very precious as it can save your life in the long run.

Adrenalin Junkies Turn to Motorcycles

Rough, rugged and tough looking hogs driving Harleys, not so long ago, they used to dominate the highways and freeways of the world. They were the road’s masters, intimidating all other motorists that travel along their path. Tough and rugged, most of these riders used to conform to this iconic image of masculinity. However, with the increased awareness and emphasis on the importance of riding safety, all that toughness seemed to have lost impact. More and more riders are cutting their riding time for maintenance; more riders are spending more time tinkering with their motorcycle than actually riding it. With that, the identity of today’s tough riders has softened up. Who’s the tough one now? Seems like that today’s riders have lost command of the roads that they used to reign. With the classic rider image in crisis, Nick Dinic of Thrill Rider has something else in mind, a solution that can bring back the toughness.

Nick Dinic, the owner-manager of ThrillRider.com.au is very much aware of how today’s riders have turned out. Everyone has developed a habit of checking the engine many times before hitting the road, prepping them up for safe adventures. Gone are the days that riders ignore and never treated rust, dust and grime as potential safety threats and just to go on their way. With the need for routine tune-up and maintenance, modern riders are more into preserving the power of their engine rather then putting them in tough and rough road test. Every piece of two-wheel rides are now kept shiny and grime-free, all the trouble in exchange for freedom to experience road adventure. Isn’t that what riders and meant for? So what’s there to do now? Thankfully, Nick’s expertise in motorcycle tours is now extended to Adrenalin.com.au. Now, adrenalin junkies are provided with more riding adventure possibilities with Nick’s rugged riding concept.

If there’s an expert on riding adventures, Nick is certainly it. From the company who capitalized on thrill-seekers never ending quest for on and off track adventure, he has created a new diversion for adrenalin junkies – the motorcycle tours. As a solution to the hassles of ensuring safe travel, Nick motor tours have introduced one fine solution to bringing back the toughness in today’s riders. The company offers classic rider motorcycle rentals for their guided and unguided motorcycle tours around Brisbane QLD, Australia. With that, all tough riders at heart will be relieved of the hassles of ride maintenance and just focus straight to the riding experience. All they need to do is pick up the phone, look up Thrill Rider and gear up for a road adventure like never before.

Nick, along with a team of motorcycle experts, takes hold of a fine selection of for-rent road rider motorcycles. All of which are kept in top-notch riding conditions and prepped up for safe road adventure. All of which offer a new kind of motoring adventure by spending their adrenalin holiday in a scenic Australia countryside. Aside from the well-maintained rides, Nick’s carefully planned routes keep Australian countryside motor tours and Adrenalin experiences safe. Fast and monstrous motorbikes and breathtaking sceneries while driving down Adrenalin’s select adventure routes, what else would make the greatest road adventure greater?

To Nick, hassle-free, rugged and tough road adventures is the key to giving today’s riders the image of commanding intimidation, one that made them dominate the roads not so long ago. Adrenalin motorcycle tours aim to bring back the toughness in all great riders’ eyes. It’s time to be a true rider once again. Join Nick in his next road quest. Check out ThrillRider.com.au and Adrenalin.com.au and watch out for the next big adrenalin experience.