US car rental company Hertz is broadening its horizons.  Known for renting cars all over the world, the rental company has apparently decided that it wants to rent motorcycles as much as it wants to rent cars forming a branch of the company called Hertz Ride.

Hertz Ride now offers motorcycle rentals in Europe and the US.  The idea started as “motorbike collection” and was offered only in Portugal.  But now, the company has moved to take motorcycle rentals more seriously.

Hertz Ride models available

The company rents BMW motorcycles to include the following machines:

• F700 GS
• F750 GS
• F850 GS
• G310 GS
• K1600 B
• K1600 GA
• R 1200 GS
• R1250 GS
• R1200 RT
• R1250 RT
• R Nine T

With this product breakout, it looks like BMW is looking to cover and rent motorcycles from nearly all moto segments.  Whether they plan to offer any other brand of motorcycles is not known.

Hertz Ride offers BMW motorcycles. Photo credit: Hertz Ride

The new branch is independent of the car rental business.  Hertz’s marketing spokesperson Michael Pereira made it clear that Hertz Ride is “not another Hertz Collection”.  He was quoted as saying:

“Hertz Ride was launched as a startup activity independent from the traditional rent-a-car business.  The motorcycle industry and its set of values are indicative of an urban tribe, a highly emotional community engaged through its main passion.  The understanding of this concept is key to the success of this new venture for Hertz.”

I don’t know if I agree with all of Pereira’s statements, but it is nice to see that the company recognizes that motorcyclists and automobile drivers have different needs and wants.  And that is refreshing.

Rental locations

Hertz Ride now offers motorcycle rentals in the following countries:

• Austria
• France
• Italy
• Montenegro
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Spain
• USA

For a complete list of locations, you can go to Hertz’s website.

Hertz Rides is also offering 12 different guided and 8 self-guided tours in Europe.  Tours do not presently seem to be available in the USA.

If you are renting, it seems that Hertz wants to outfit you as well.  According to a press release issued by Rev’It and Nexx brands, they are the official apparel and helmet partners of Hertz Ride.  They also indicated that anyone wishing to purchase their gear at the end of their ride can arrange to have their gear drop-shipped to their home address.

This new initiative is an exciting one.  Having more motorcycle rental options can only be a good thing and it’s nice to see a company as large as Hertz take motorcyclists seriously.

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