"Uber" for motorcycles

[Tom]

Maybe not or just participate with a bike you don't mind getting crashed.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/twisted-road-is-sort-like-uber-for-motorcyclists?CMPID=121717&spMailingID=32274376&spUserID=NzQ5OTQyOTQyODAS1&spJobID=1181969486&spReportId=MTE4MTk2OTQ4NgS2

[Triple Jim]

It seems interesting, but I wonder who is responsible for liability insurance.  That could come up if the guy riding my motorcycle maims someone and blames my motorcycle, or if I don't maintain my motorcycle, and the guy using it gets maimed when the front wheel comes loose.  I have a feeling that my insurance company would not want to be involved at my current premium, if I started letting others ride my bike(s) for money.

Their site: https://www.twistedroad.com/

[aftCG]

Actually, the big flaw with Uber is that the drivers lie to their insurance company that all the miles are for personal use when they are quite clearly commercial (let's dispense with the notion that we are ride sharing).  If the drivers told the truth their insurance would be 10x what they pay for personal use and commuting.

At some point there will be an accident, someone will get killed or mutilated and then it will be "discovered" that it's really just an illegally run taxi service.  I've heard people say they are specifically asked if they'll be driving for Uber, Lyft etc when they get an insurance quote.

For the record I don't give two s***s that people drive or use taxi alternatives, just sounding the warning of what is to come.

[Tom]

From their Q & A page. "However, all liability claims will otherwise be covered by the renter�s insurance provider � Twisted Road will not be responsible for paying any liability claims."

[kingoffleece]

They can say whatever they want to say-have any paper they want signed-no matter.
State statue will take precedent.  You can't legally enter any contract that is in conflict with the applicable laws. If it was me (and it won't be) I'd stay a country mile away from that service-from either way.  It's a legal mess waiting to happen.

[guzzisteve]

Looked & looked and saw a Guzzi V7 Classic by corn fields.  Punched in to rent in DeKalb, IL and that bike pops up to rent 54mi away.

[Triple Jim]

From their Q & A page. "However, all liability claims will otherwise be covered by the renter�s insurance provider � Twisted Road will not be responsible for paying any liability claims."

Yeah, if a guy is riding my motorcycle and maims someone, then sues me for not maintaining my motorcycle properly, his liability insurance isn't going to cover me.

[Kiwi_Roy]

The insurance company and lawyers will gladly tell you a million reasons why not to but at the end of the day it's a great concept.

People have been doing it forever borrowing / loaning a bike to strangers from another country.

[Triple Jim]

The insurance company and lawyers will gladly tell you a million reasons why not to but at the end of the day it's a great concept.

People have been doing it forever borrowing / loaning a bike to strangers from another country.

But once you start taking money for letting someone use your motorcycle, things get more complicated.

[rothbard]

Hey everyone, I'm the founder and CEO of Twisted Road and I thought I'd join the conversation and answer any questions you might have. If you'd rather email me directly, me email is austin@twistedroad.com

Let's start with my bike - the bike in the Chicago area is mine. It's the 2010 v7 Classic. We are a relatively new company, so right now, we show all bikes whenever you do a search. So the gentleman who searched in DeKalb got all bikes in our system. My bike was 54 miles away. We are in the process of changing that and you can expect to see the search be more refined next year, likely in Q1.

As for insurance - this was my biggest hurdle. It too 11 months for us to get the necessary coverage. In order for someone to rent from our site, they need three things:

1. A valid motorcycle license (which we check with the DMV)
2. Riding experience
3. Valid insurance on a bike

We ask for a copy if insurance for two reasons. First, we want active riders. To reduce the risk of accident, we'd prefer that people who use our services own and ride their own bike.

Second, should anything happen during a rental, we want to make sure that the rider's insurance is primary for liability. Could there be a lawsuit? Of course, and we do what we can to prevent one; however, if this happens, we will rely first on our Terms of Service, second on the rider's insurance, and finally on our policy.

I hope that this answers your questions. Please let me know if there is anything else you'd like me to address.

Austin Rothbard
Founder and CEO
Twisted Road

[Triple Jim]

Hi  Austin.  My main question is the one I brought up above... If I take money to let someone ride my motorcycle, and he hurts someone and then he or the injured person sues me, claiming something like I was negligent in maintaining the motorcycle, what protects me?  My first guess is that I need to make arrangements with an insurance company ahead of time to get a policy that covers this.

[rothbard]

Hey Jim. Let's start with our terms of service. These are signed twice by every renter. The first time is when they rent the bike, and the second is when they pick up the motorcycle. At the time of pickup, they conduct a visual inspection of the motorcycle with the owner. Images of existing damage are uploaded to the site, and he then signs the terms of service again.

If the owner or the rider don't feel comfortable for any reason (including safety), they can cancel the ride.

Take a look at the attached - I took a screenshot of a section of our terms of service for your use.

[rothbard]

Let me know if the screenshot didn't post, and I can email it to you directly. Thanks

[Triple Jim]

It didn't post, but I found it on your site.  Without spending an hour or two studying it, there is a section that says the vehicle owner is responsible for registering and insuring it.  I'm pretty sure my insurance coverage excludes commercial use, which I would think accepting money to let someone else ride it would be.

[rothbard]

Ultimately, the rider is responsible for damages that happen to the bike during the rental period. He can opt to pay for this with his insurance if he chooses. The owner isn't responsible for damages that happen during the rental period.

The section below is the important part that covers liability.

[Tom]

One thing on rentals.  It would be the same for your state like renting real estate.  The person renting "legally" owns it for that period of time.  If involved in an accident then the renter is responsible for liability.  Not a real problem like a rental car.  Of course YMMV depending on your state and the judge's discretion if it goes to court.

[twowings]

I'm sure the lawyers will have the last say on all this, but first of all: YIKES!

I'd have no problem with my Guzzi brothers riding my bike, but a stranger? I dunno...

[Triple Jim]

The ability to use a motorcycle at a reasonable price is very attractive, but when breaking new ground like this I'd probably want to consult an attorney before jumping in.  A waiver is a good thing, but whether or not it will hold up in court is another.

[guzzisteve]

"Let's start with my bike - the bike in the Chicago area is mine. It's the 2010 v7 Classic. We are a relatively new company, so right now, we show all bikes whenever you do a search. So the gentleman who searched in DeKalb got all bikes in our system. My bike was 54 miles away. We are in the process of changing that and you can expect to see the search be more refined next year, likely in Q1."

I was just checking, if I fly up and want to ride to the DeKalb Breakfast. I thought it may be someone on WildGuzzi.

[Shorty]

   OTDW<--->Official Thread Drift Warning: I did not read the contract of waver on the above ad. When my brother wanted to come with me to the 2012 Virginia, he rented a new Heritage Softail at Staunton HD. I don't know the price, etc, but he signed a liability deductible for $2000 bucks if he damaged it. I was scared to death, because his only other experience was dirt bikes (mine  ) and his Yamaha SR185 Exciter.    I was praying the entire time he did not drop it on some of that storm-strewn foilage up on the BRP. He once asked if I wanted to trade bikes for a spell. I told him no, I could not afford a HD fender for 2 grand. BTW, He did just grand in Virginia. Survived the trip, bought himself a Softail. Then a lady ran a light in front of him, he low sided and barked the skin off his arse. Healed up, took a MSF course, and bought another Softail.  Get good coverage if ya gonna rent. That is all.

[chuck peterson]

My car insurance, State Farm, says commercial use only...if someone pays me to use the car, whether or not I'm in it, I'm NOT covered....

So your saying the bike borrowers insurance is going to cover any damages...they have to show coverage from their insurance...I understand my bike insurance covers me if I have casually borrowed a bike from a friend, as will their insurance, but only because no money has changed hands...as soon as it becomes commercial there is a whole new set of rules

Would I sign a liability waiver and provide proof of insurance to ride a Ferris Wheel at the local town fair? No.  Any driver for Uber that doesn't have commercial insurance is crazy and open to huge fiscal responsibility...

I would think Liability rests with the commercial enterprise...follow the flow of money...I'm making money by renting my bike...that's a commercial use needing commercial coverage

[sbaker]

There are 2 companies in London that have been offering Motorcycle Taxi services for quite some time. (goole to find them)  They also provide protective clothing for the passenger, including a helmet  and rain/weather gear. They are very busy as 'filtering' is legal in London so that are able to beat the traffic ....

[Tom]

Merry Christmas, Sam!