Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Motorcycle Rentals in Tucson, AZ. can be brutal

Here are the emails that outline my experience in renting an HD (my first mistake) from Big Sky Motorcycles (my second mistake) in Tucson AZ. What experiences have you had?

From: rmayes@premierdatasoftware.com
To: bigskytucson@bigskymotorcycles.com
Subject: HD Rental
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 15:48:40 -0600

Hi Caren:

I rented a motorcycle from your company on February 2, 2008.

I found Big Sky Motorcycles on the Internet and reviewed the page on Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic

http://www.bigskymotorcycles.com/ind...d=28&Itemid=10

While it did not say what year the cycles were, the specifications were very specific including a 6-speed transmission and no mention of Python custom exhausts.

When I asked about the cycles I was told there were two 2007s and I put deposit on my credit card to reserve one of them.

When I arrived that morning, I was told the 2007s were still out, but they had a 2006 for me. In addition, as I rode away with the 2006 the exhaust was extremely loud. This was not a stock HD. I examined the pipes and saw that they were aftermarket Python pipes. They were so loud my ears still ring at night.

The cycle ran good and road well, but I feel that this was a bait and switch transaction. If I would have known this rental would a 2006, a 5 speed, or had a loud exhaust I would have shopped elsewhere for a rental.

Please review my charges, consider a significantly adjustment to the fees you charged me for the rental, and forward your response to me.

Rob Mayes MSE/MTD
Senior Software Engineer
www.PremierDataSoftware.com

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From: Caren Cooper [mailto:bonemamas@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 10:26 AM
To: Rob Mayes
Subject: RE: HD Rental

Rob,

I received a "Red Light Running" ticket in the mail yesterday. I have responded to the Tucson Police Department with your information as the operator of the vehicle at the time the Red Light Running occurred. (see attached scanned documents)

It is very unfortunate you had such a bad experience renting our 2006 Heritage Softail, however in light of you putting approximately 200 + miles on the bike and deciding to proceed with the rental after being informed it was not a 2007 we have decided no refund on your rental is warrented.

Thank You,
Caren
Big Sky Motorcycles
www.bigskymotorcycles.com

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Hi Caren:

Mail me the ticket promptly so we can deal with it, I cannot read your images clearly.

I think your logic is flawed on the refund.

1. I was told there was a per day charge with no mention of a limit on the mileage. If the mileage on a 24 hour rent was limited to 50 miles I should have been told. 200 miles for a day on a motorcycle is nothing. It was almost 30 miles to pickup and return the cycle to you shop.

2. I was told what you had available and it was a 2007 and was asked me to pay a non-refundable down payment for that rental vehicle. I was not given an option of getting my deposit returned, only taking a larger cycle that I was inexperienced with. Your staff person was informed at the time I was unhappy and he told me he would ask you about an adjustment on the rates. I clearly contested the whole affair and was at convinced I would be treated fairly.

It is beyond me why you did not offer a small refund. I have been dealing with the public for years and have always been willing to listen to a customer when they are unhappy and all they want is an adjustment, usually they demand full refunds and expect to be compensated for their aggravation. I had a legitimate complaint and you get greedy with a few misguided thoughts of “Your drove it more that we expected and your really were not forced to do business with us”. Any time “fraud in the inducement” can be proved any protections a contract provides are null and void.

I will turn to the Tucson Better Business Bureau and will post my experiences with your firm on using these key search engine words Motorcycle Rentals, Tucson, Bad Experience and will suggest to our club members next year on our Tucson ride we avoid your firm since you do not deliver on the agreed upon reserved rentals and penalize on mileages if they exceed 200.


Rob Mayes MSE/MTD
Senior Software Engineer
www.PremierDataSoftware.com

Must. Not. Make. Comment. About. Harleys.

I've only ever seen 2 or 3 places that rent non-Harley bikes. They seem to be the only choice for the rental guy who's not on a NE or NW coasts.

Too Bad.

Anyone have any positive experiences with rental companies?

I hope this service doesn't extend to the whole of AZ.

Let's see what service is given in Sedona ...

Quote:

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If the mileage on a 24 hour rent was limited to 50 miles I should have been told. 200 miles for a day on a motorcycle is nothing.

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Uh...Dude.
These are Harleys, ya know. And rentals at that.
Main customer base may be just renting them to hang out (pose) on "bike night"

Oh, yeh, the Billy Queen story. I'd like to read/hear it. I saw the documentary of it on Dish Satellite.
btw, just saw some Mongols at the Jeff Williams bike show today in OKC. But, saw some great Brit bikes too,...way cooler.

<<<<I'm listening to "Under and Alone," the book written by the guy who went deep undercover with the Mongols. He's a bigtime Harley fan. In the first chapter he describes an old Triumph 650 (probably bonneville) that his brother had and his calls it a piece of crap. But then goes on, in just about every chapter, talking about having to fix another Harley (his or the Mongol's) that breaks down. Good book, but they author, predictably, has the usual myopic view of motorcycles.>>>>>

Changing the exhaust must be common where it's hot...
all the bikes my friends and I have rented in Vegas had aftermarket or drilled pipes. We've ridden from Vegas to the GC and back, no problem, L-V Harley has no limit on mileage....
No idea about Tucson, but in Vegas you can try out the different bikes and pick the one you like. However, they pbly have a couple hundred bikes to rent...
Sorry you didn't get something different.
The big Glides are just as easy to ride as the Heritage.
I want a Road Glide to go with the Sprint I want to buy...<G>
But not telling you of a mileage limit totally sucks.
that I would really argue about.
Mary

From their perspective, had you turned around and gone back when you heard how loud it was instead of just going ahead and riding it, it would probably have been different.

Also, I imagine they get a lot more complaints about stock pipes being too quiet than the aftermarket ones being too loud.