EagleShare motorcycle rental platform is now live

[advrider]

Travel has understandably taken a major hit over the past year, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. But, if you’re looking to do a fly-and-ride, EagleRider wants you to know its new EagleShare rental platform is live. You can see the website here. Rentals opened on May 5.

We first mentioned EagleShare back in March, when EagleRider announced the service. Basically, EagleShare is a “motorcycle sharing” platform that works similar to ride sharing services like Uber or Lyft. Instead of actually owning its own infrastructure, the sharing service links customers to independent vehicle owners and facilitates payment and other business necessities. Uber and Lyft operate by opening access to independent drivers’ cars, and EagleShare works by facilitating access to private owners’ motorcycles. You pay EagleRider to rent the bike through its platform, and the bike’s owner gets a cut of the money.

EagleShare is not the first platform to do this; Riders Share and Twisted Road already operate similar services, and other startups have tried to do similar over the years. Now, the EagleRider option joins the market.

It’s a major change for EagleRider, which was probably the best-known motorcycle rental outfit in North America. Previously, EagleRider was known for its strong concentration of motorcycle rental outlets in the US, with a focus on Harley-Davidsons and strong secondary options from other big-bore bikes. EagleRider also had presence in other countries, often close to cruise ship ports or other tourism destinations.

But even before COVID-19 disrupted the tourism industry, EagleRider was making changes to its business model, with greater integration to Harley-Davidson dealers. No doubt this was partially intended to reduce overhead costs.

Now, those overhead costs will be even lower, as EagleRider is only a middleman on the EagleShare platform.

Taking a spin through the new EagleShare site, it seems rental prices are very similar to the older EagleRider platform (which is still in operation as well, and those are some of the bikes available). However, there’s probably a more diverse selection of bikes available, at least, with adventure bikes and dual sports on the menu. Depending what city you’re looking at, you can find a bike on the cheap, though, depending what you want.

It’s also worth noting that EagleShare has the capability to have much wider geographical spread than officially-owned EagleRider rental sites ever would.

Is EagleShare a good idea for motorcycle owners, to make some cash off their bike while they aren’t riding it themselves? EagleShare says riders earn an average of $775 per month off the service, with a million bucks in third-party liability insurance, and other protection for the renters. As per EagleRider’s press release,

“Private and commercial hosts that list vehicles on EagleShare are protected by the platform’s industry leading insurance, which includes up to $1,000,000 in third party liability, and up to $25,000 for damage while their vehicle is on rent through EagleShare. Potential renters are screened for a valid motorcycle endorsement, as well as several other factors. Vehicle owners may approve or deny any request.”

Still, this is very much a case where we’d advise any owner to carefully read the fine print of the contract. See more details here.

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