Why Are Harley Rentals So Expensive?

Discussion in 'General Harley Davidson Topic' started by Dr. Dolittle, Jun 24, 2008.

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  1. Dr. Dolittle

    Dr. Dolittle Experienced Member Staff Member Moderator Contributor

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    There've been plenty of threads on the internet about whether Harleys are overpriced so I won't even go there. My question is why is it so darn expensive to RENT a Harley? I can rent a $20,000 car for around $30 or $40 a day but a $20,000 Harley will set you back well over $100. Over $700 for the week in most places. I love renting and exploring new places when I have enough time in other cities I visit but it's killing my checkbook!

    I'm sure there's a very logical explanation that I'm simply missing so maybe someone can help me out. I hope the answer's not - "because they can!"
     
    Dr. Dolittle, Jun 24, 2008
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  2. glider

    glider Veteran Member

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    Let me ask you this...Is there anything cheap about a harley?:s
     
    glider, Jun 24, 2008
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  3. Dr. Dolittle

    Dr. Dolittle Experienced Member Staff Member Moderator Contributor

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    Ummmmm.... I'm still thinking..... give me a minute...... hang on, hang on....

    OK - nope
     
    Dr. Dolittle, Jun 24, 2008
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  4. biscuit

    biscuit Junior Member

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    Good question.But go further--Why does ANYTHING associated with 2 wheels
    cost so much?Tyres,oils,spares,clothes etc etc.A lot of this stuff is made in
    huge volumes so that old chestnut about "special" market niches isn't valid.
    But yes,every time i've seen H-D rental prices and compared to cars,i've
    thought exactly the same thing.:31:
     
    biscuit, Jun 25, 2008
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  5. kemo

    kemo R.I.P

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    Because someone is willing to pay that much.
     
    kemo, Jun 25, 2008
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  6. silentflyer

    silentflyer Active Member

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    Harleys are just like women, lovely to look at, no two are the same, EXPENSIVE, and will hurt you bad if you are careless with them........
     
    silentflyer, Jun 25, 2008
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  7. denblaq

    denblaq Member

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    When my wife shops she goes to the "Dollar Store", when I shop I go to the
    HD store. That would be the "Hundreds of Dollars Store". Same thing applies
    with car versus bike rentals.
     
    denblaq, Jun 25, 2008
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  8. gs34

    gs34 Junior Member

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    Well Doc, Here's a couple of thoughts that have run thru my head.
    Renting a bike takes in a very specialized market. VS everybody in the world out there trying to rent cars.
    There is no reason for competitive pricing. I honestly don't know if you can even rent another brand of motorcycle. Can you?
    And if you can, Who would want to??
    It really hasn't been all that many years ago that HD started their rental program in a big way. Maybe, now that it has been established a few years, it is time to make some revisions and upgrades to the system. Possibly they could consider a "preferred customer"..ie.."frequent flier" type program where customers who use the rental service more often are given special pricing or other percs.
     
    gs34, Jun 25, 2008
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  9. Dr. Dolittle

    Dr. Dolittle Experienced Member Staff Member Moderator Contributor

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    Good point on the specialized market. They know an out of town HD rider simply wants to rent a Harley, will pay high prices, and certainly can afford it.

    I think a large part of it is simple supply/demand also. Look at the size of a typical HD dealer rental fleet compared to the number of cars on any Hertz lot. The HD dealer has to spread the costs of his rental program over a smaller number of units. I rented from Sacramento HD a while back and they are getting out of the rental business because their manager says it is the least profitable portion of their business.

    Yes, you can rent other brands. I'm not sure about through the dealers but there are independent outfits that do it.
     
    Dr. Dolittle, Jun 25, 2008
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  10. SledDog

    SledDog Senior Member Staff Member Moderator

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    Here's the reason...

    HD=Hundred Dollars :bigsmiley24:
     
    SledDog, Jun 25, 2008
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