What's the "best" loaner bike you've been given to use?

[strandedinnz]

I got loaned a Suzuki GZ 250 today while my bike got fixed.

I was almost pissing laughing for the first 5 minutes, it took almost a minute to get to 100 :-) I've never ridden a more awful bike, uncomfortable, slow, REALLY useless brakes ... it even made the Scorpio 225 I got loaned once feel awesome! (do people honestly buy these things?)

Anyone else ridden what they think is worse ?

[Drew]

Buell X1 (I think) lightning.

Hilarious fun...but prolly buy a GN before it.

[xXGIBBOXx]

A Gn 110 , fully tapped out at 105 kms . Yeah it had crap brakes, laughed my way to work and back would own one just for shits and giggles bike

[Maha]

Yamaha R15.... minty fun.

[jim.cox]

Honda Chappy scooter - such crappy suspension it was like a pogo stick with wheels - but it gave me grin

[skippa1]

GSX1100 or CB900

[gjm]

Suzi RG500.

My knees were almost on the floor while riding in a straight line. Quite quick, though.

[Voltaire]

Norton Commando 750.....oh I do my own servicing :rolleyes: does that count?

[caseye]

Nope! hey Biatch!

[nerrrd]

Traded in my f650cs at the end of last year on a brand new bike.

When I had some accessories fitted they gave me my old bike as a loaner, was a good opportunity to compare. Come to think of it, whenever I got some work done at BMW on the f650cs I always got...an f650cs. Boring.

Did get a Scorpio once though, felt like riding the naughty chair from primary school, but fun just because it was different.

[AllanB]

Back some time now - KR250 - that was fun! Accidently did a stoppie before they were called that back then!


Z900 - cosmetically ratty but sweet mechanically - almost purchased it. kind of wished I had.

[boman]

The "best" was a VTR 250 from Amps. Would just do 100. Just. Used most of a tank of gas to do the round trip. They lost my future business because of it.

The BEST, was a Z750 from Mr Motorcycles. Hell what a fun bike that was. Awesome to throw around.

[Motu]

Norton Commando 750.....oh I do my own servicing :rolleyes: does that count?

Same here - best use of a bike I didn't own was a Commando (metalflake blue) that some guy crashed...ran over a brick in shorts, singlet and jandals. Went to see him in hospital and he was worried about his bike, he hadn't paid the last few payments and the repo men were after it....told us to look after the bike and keep it away from the repos. What a shit load of fun it is riding a bike you don't give a damn about, we totally thrashed it. We gave it back a couple of months later in a bad state, and were a bit puzzled about all the histronics about the condition of it - fuck mate, you still got your bike haven't you?

A bike shop give me a loaner? - no, not even when I worked there.

[scracha]

GPX750..... I was stupid enough to buy it.

[yevjenko]

Nitrous enhanced scoot in the UK. That was FUN

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[Gremlin]

Worst, I had a Yamaha 250 cruiser or something... urgh. Also a ZXR250 at one point. Tried to think back to what mates said, ah, power at 14k... 15k... 16k... change gear, nah, there isn't any. Also a CB250 (the low power one). First 4 gears ringing it and then reached the 50kph speed limit :laugh:

Best have been demos, Honda Goldwing F6B, 2013 F800GT (600km on the clock), NC700S (100km on the clock). Good opportunity to get seat time on something different. Still like mine (thank goodness). Often if a flash bike goes out as a loaner I'm the one getting it...

[DamianW]

Last year was given a Gilera 500 Nexus maxi scooter for the day. Service shop guy told me it was rideable but the steering head bearings were completely gone. Just what you want to hear before heading over the harbour bridge in 60kph gusts.

[DMNTD]

Worst was a GPX250 thing but that was quite some time ago.
Best is completely debatable... ZX14, 1098, Brutale 1078

[SILVER SUZI]

Worst loaner I got was a Honda Bros! What a POS! Best is the 620 monster I have at the moment. Loaned by my sister so not sure if it counts. Sounds awesome, and lane splits better than the R1.


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[Wingnut]

Worst was a GPX250 thing but that was quite some time ago.
Best is completely debatable... ZX14, 1098, Brutale 1078

And we have a winner - pretty keen to get my leg over 2 outta 3 of those

[release_the_bees]

My favourite was an RS250. That was great fun to blat around on.

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[DMNTD]

And we have a winner - pretty keen to get my leg over 2 outta 3 of those

Have been fortunate enough to have owned the ZX and 1098. Have had a 910 Brutale but ffs, that 1078 is just a different animal! :blink:

[Oakie]

Had a CX500 for few days and that was entertaining. Best was a 1200 Bandit with brand new rubber "so be careful" they said. I was impressed but thought a 600 would be plenty big enough for me ... so two years later I bought my 600 Bandit.

"Good" one was a ZXR250 I had for two or three days. The bike itself was fairly reresentative of the model (I'd ridden a couple of others) but I remember thinking there's no way you'd give one of these to someone to learn on. Probably the most unfriendly bike I've ever ridden.

[SVboy]

Suzuki gladius in the green. I could literally feel it drain my masculinity as I rode!

[Swoop]

Best loan bike: VTR 1000. 100km on the clock. An absolutely superb machine and a whole lot of fun to ride!

[pritch]

A CBR1000RR demonstrator.

[F5 Dave]

My bike was out of action so a mate loant me a GS thou with knackered rec reg. went to Auckland on it and wouldn't hold a charge so had to bump it. Stayed at the batch so loaded it up, no start. Un load it, push down drive way, bump it on Tarmac, re load it, it stalls. Good times,had to laugh and better than my bike of the time.

[Crasherfromwayback]

The "best" was a VTR 250 from Amps. Would just do 100. Just. Used most of a tank of gas to do the round trip. They lost my future business because of it.

.

Let me get this straight. AMPS lent you a motorcycle, free of charge I assume whilst yours was being worked on, and because it was below your obviously lofty expectations you sulked and stopped giving them business?

Tough customer. Do you have any idea how many customer motorcycles a large shop may be working on at any one time? Should we have a fleet of Busa loan bikes?

[Berries]

Yes please.

[yevjenko]

Should we have a fleet of Busa loan bikes?

Well, if you're offering ;-)

I did think that a was a bit harsh of boman

[pritch]

Should we have a fleet of Busa loan bikes?

If you did that you'd probably find that in fairly short order you had less customers and correspondingly fewer rideable 'Busas.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Well, if you're offering ;-)

I did think that a was a bit harsh of boman

Hey...I'll always try and sort out a nice bike for a good reg customer to use if it's avail...one of the latest demo bikes etc. But sometimes, it's simply not possible. When I was on the other side of the counter, I never once assumed the shop SHOULD give me a bike. Sometimes they were good enough to offer, and if so, I couldn't give a shit if it was a GN125.

[Crasherfromwayback]

If you did that you'd probably find that in fairly short order you had less customers and correspondingly fewer rideable 'Busas.

Lol. You know it. Lots of short wheelbase versions.

[Corse1]

Toss up between a 2008 RSVR Factory and a 1098. 1098 was nicer I think

[Gremlin]

Let me get this straight. AMPS lent you a motorcycle, free of charge I assume whilst yours was being worked on, and because it was below your obviously lofty expectations you sulked and stopped giving them business?
Don't forget he used up the gas in it. I always try to return it with more gas than when I took it, small favour to give them one less thing to do...

[boman]

Let me get this straight. AMPS lent you a motorcycle, free of charge I assume whilst yours was being worked on, and because it was below your obviously lofty expectations you sulked and stopped giving them business?

Tough customer. Do you have any idea how many customer motorcycles a large shop may be working on at any one time? Should we have a fleet of Busa loan bikes?

Not quite. As my trip was all open road speeds, a bike capable of doing those speeds, safely, and without a struggle, was anticipated.

As over $20,000.00 had been spent with them, I was expecting something a little better. As my only other experience with a loan bike had been a considerably better bike.

And they offered a bike. I didn't ask. If I had known prior, as to the condition.

Then I would have taken my bike up on the back of my Ute.

Hard customer. Maybe. I don't think so.

[yevjenko]

I always try to return it with more gas than when I took it, small favour to give them one less thing to do...

Same. Although with the klr650 I had as a loaner this week that wouldn't be too hard as it ran out of petrol on the motorway coming away from the dealer

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[Crasherfromwayback]

Not quite. As my trip was all open road speeds, a bike capable of doing those speeds, safely, and without a struggle, was anticipated.

As over $20,000.00 had been spent with them, I was expecting something a little better. As my only other experience with a loan bike had been a considerably better bike.

And they offered a bike. I didn't ask. If I had known prior, as to the condition.

Then I would have taken my bike up on the back of my Ute.

Hard customer. Maybe. I don't think so.

You did say it was a VTR250 yeah? If so...they'll do well more than 100kph safely. So they even offered you it? Yet you moan about it using a full tank of fuel? Was it fuel you put in it? How much fuel would your ute have used...let alone the hassle of loading your bike, unloading it at AMPS, then loading it again at AMPS, and unloading it again when home?

And you don't think you're being unreasonable?

Odd.

[DMNTD]

As over $20,000.00 had been spent with them, I was expecting something a little better. As my only other experience with a loan bike had been a considerably better bike.

Why did you only buy half a bike?

[gammaguy]

A Kawasaki Z650 called Johnny

Loaned to me for the weekend by Dallas at the bike clinic in Welly,must be 1982

Took it to Hawkesbury road races to watch Hiscock,Holden,Robbie Deans and Rodger Freeth do the business

Top weekend,best loan bike ever,my ears are still ringing from the dam 4-1 pipe that Z had on.

Great times

[Crasherfromwayback]

A Kawasaki Z650 called Johnny



Z650 was a very underated motorcycle. No matter what it's name.

[mulletman]

B King when Sportzone was around... really liked that machine

[gammaguy]

B King when Sportzone was around... really liked that machine

No wonder they closed down,lending out BKings to all and sundry lol

[Big Dog]

Lol. You know it. Lots of short wheelbase versions.

I always found they were a nice genteel bike. Mine certainly was. Blindingly fast but as gentle as a kitten. The sort of person that likes to ride them? Different kettle of fish and not Suzukis fault.


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[Brett]

Worst - some 50cc scooter thing by Holeshot

Best - Desmocedici RR.







Not really - best was a BMW S1000rr

[paturoa]

Got a RC8 currently. Now I remember why I gave up sprots bikes.

[James Deuce]

Anything and everything has been enjoyed and appreciated.

[nudemetalz]

Mine was a Griso 8V. Awesome fun. After that was a V7 Classic and Norge 8V.

Yes, they're all Moto Guzzis...

[Fastmark]

Many moons ago my then GS1000 was in the workshop having a big bore kit fitted, which they managed to screw up so while they fixed my bike (big fight between the bike shop and machining subcontractor) they loaned me first a CB550, which lasted about 3 weeks before the clutch let go, then a super dream 250 with a knackered chain which lasted about two weeks, then a 350 YPVS for 4 weeks with another knackered chain and finally another 250 super dream.

Only good thing to come out of all of it was a desire for the 350, as when I got my bike back it only lasted 2 weeks as they had re-assembled the alternator end of the crank wrong and it got chewed up........

So I got a great deal on my bike against a 350 YPVS

[rustyblade]

KTM RC8 while a 600f was in for a service.

or the Honda CB500F I had for 6 MONTHS while my 600rr got fixed.
Being a rental bike it was WAY faster than my 600rr. Tyres got absolutely shredded. I wasn't allowed to do anything helpful to it either.

[turtleman]

It's not always possible for a shop to provide a loaner, so I appreciate it when it can be done.
Motomart lent me a road registered XR250 once, and it was ok. The Yamaha 250 (virago?) from Botany Honda wasn't too flash, but did the job.
Wild West Honda loaned a VTR1000 once - that was a bit of fun.
WMC loaned a Harley Switchback when I had the first service done on my bike - it was a hoot (thanks Pete !)

[SMOKEU]

No one ever lets me borrow their bike. :no:

[Grubber]

Best was a Triumph Tiger 1050. Felt like puttin the leg out every corner. It was cool fun.
worst was definitely a Harley Wideglide. Brand new out of the box for the whole day. Took it back after 2 hours cause it was such a shit to ride. Drank coffee for 6 more hours while mine had some work finished on it.

[Crasherfromwayback]

WMC loaned a Harley Switchback when I had the first service done on my bike - it was a hoot (thanks Pete !)

Any time mate! Tis what demos are for!

[imdying]

As over $20,000.00 had been spent with them, I was expecting something a little better. As my only other experience with a loan bike had been a considerably better bike.$20k is nothing, it's not even one fucking motorcycle :no:

[Robbo]

A second class ride is better than a first class walk. I have always appreciated the offer of a loan bike regardless of what it has been and consider a loan bike a privilege and not a right unless you are paying for hireage.

[imdying]

Hey...I'll always try and sort out a nice bike for a good reg customer to use if it's avail...one of the latest demo bikes etc. But sometimes, it's simply not possible.The importers have probably been doing this since forever, so have already worked out what level gives the best returns... but for me the smartest money they can spend is to make sure the dealer that services my bikes pushes a demo bike to ride down my face. The chances of me binging on another bike go through the roof if I get on one and love it. Ha, bet the Ducati dealers do it :laugh:

[young1]

Years ago Took my VT 250 commuter in for a service and brendan Keogh gave me a brand new R1 (as in less than 100 km on clock). Talk about intimidating, that year at cemetery circuit for the life of me I couldn't work out how they could be ridden so hard.

(The r1 was going to Manfield for a track day and they wanted some kms put on it, I heard later that it been dropped on the track).

[Marmoot]

Ducati Monster 695 from Cyclespot.
It was so good I was thinking of buying one.

[bgd]

When I was in the UK I used to ride BMWs. Their loners were always current models. Over the years I ended up riding most of the boxer and single ranges. Some I got to keep for several days. I guess the 1150 Adventure was the best. It was riding the standard GS at the time and the Adventure was a definite step up.

[tbs]

Coleman's loaned me a demo Hayabusa when I took my GSX-R 600 in for it's master cylinder recall. Predictably, when I brought it back the salesman asked me what I thought of it and i don't think he really appreciated my describing it as a boat.

It was a really fast boat though.

[Latte]

Nothing as I do my own work (which explain why I have so many "spare" bikes haha).

Mate at work got a loaner gsxr1000 , spankers except for a pipe and pc5 o_O. Shop is literally 100m away from the office too (as the crow flies no less). He still managed to scare himself in the 30 seconds he rode it.

[ellipsis]

...going back a few years, 42ish to be exact, and I still feel a bit of guilt, which means it was definitely wrong, a young fellow had an SS90 Honda. He wanted to be a popular lad so he kept 'loaning' us, a group of similar aged lads his bike. It did numerous long trips around the Peninsula and one that the guilt hinges on...a really long trip to a small place south of Hokitika, two up, to visit a girl who lived there. A big ask for what was already a battered bike, from Lyttelton to Westland. It was a hell trip but he got his 'loaner' back in one piece...some days later. The loaner was silly, the loanees were cunts but the wee loaner SS90 was fantastic...