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Hertz Introduces a New Way to Rent BMW Motorcycles

When it comes to renting motorcycles, you typically don’t have that much freedom. There aren’t that many motorcycle rental services available and America, and those that exist either have a limited selection or rely on peer-to-peer rentals — which may be off-putting to some. A new service from Hertz, however, shows this may be starting to change.

Hertz Brings Hertz Ride to the U.S.

Last year, the Hertz Ride program finally arrived in the United States. The program — which allows customers to rent motorcycles at certain Hertz locations — was initially available in Riverside, California and Las Vegas. Over the past few months, Hertz expanded the program to two new locations in Long Beach, near Los Angeles, and New Jersey.

The Hertz Ride fleet is made up entirely of BMW bikes. There are six to choose from. The F 750 GS and R 1250 GS will work best for adventure rides and any tour that features on- and off-road riding. The K 1600 B, R 1250 RT and K 1600 Grand America will be most suitable for long-distance touring and road trips.

The R nineT Scrambler will be serviceable if you need to go off-road — but, despite its name, it is a better fit for city streets. It will be the best option of the six if you just need to get around town in Miami, Los Angeles or Vegas.

The program also allows customers to rent top-level riding gear — right now, riding apparel from Rev’It and helmets from NEXX, two top-of-the-line motorcycle apparel companies. If you like your gear, you can buy it once your rental period is over, and Hertz will ship it to you.

Hertz Ride also offers tours, although its American tour list is much more limited than European offerings. There’s only one U.S. tour right now — a 14-day, 2,100 mile round-trip tour of California. The tour package includes your bike, accommodations, meals and guidance from a tour leader. 

If the European tour options are anything to go by, your options are likely to expand in the near future.

Why the Hertz Ride Program Has Motorcyclists Intrigued

One of the reasons the service has drawn attention is how few motorcycle rental options there are across America.

Car drivers outnumber motorcycle riders by a significant margin and motorcyclists tend to be more vulnerable than other motorists — so while it’s easy to rent a car just about anywhere in America, motorcycle riders are typically limited to a handful of services or their local dealer.

This is typically a Harley-Davidson dealer that will feature a limited selection of bikes. Often, these dealers and rental services will only have motorcycles from big-name American brands like Harley-Davidson, and maybe the addition of a few Toyota or Honda motorcycles.

If you’ve ever wanted to rent a BMW bike, you’ve probably been out of luck. Now, there’s a service that’s effectively dedicated to letting customers rent BMW motorcycles.

While peer-to-peer rental services like Twisted Road exist and typically feature a much wider range of bikes to choose from, your options are limited if you want to rent from a business. Hertz Ride is a sign that this may be changing.

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Smart Tech Upgrades to Bring Your Classic BMW to the 21st Century

Modern vehicles are coming out with all kinds of crazy tech features aimed at making driving more enjoyable and safer than ever before, from traction control systems that make it easy to take sharp corners at blistering speeds, to autonomous driving features that allow drivers to get to their destinations without touching the steering wheel. If you drive a classic BMW, it’s normal to find yourself wishing you had the latest car tech. Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a new car to experience some of the latest and greatest inventions. You may not be able to add forward-collision warning or blind-spot monitoring to your classic E24 M6, but there are many other tech upgrades you can add to any classic bimmer without messing with its authentic feel. 

Modern infotainment systems 

No matter how much you love the sound of that classic engine, it can be boring to drive without your favorite tunes blasting in your ears, especially on long rides. It gets even worse when you have kids in the back that are bored and throwing tantrums. A modern infotainment system like Apple Carplay allows you to access your favorite music from your phone on your dashboard as well as text and receive calls without touching your smartphone. You can pair it with an amp and speakers to ensure that you get the best sound quality. 

Navigation system

Whether you are taking a road trip to an unknown location or looking for a traffic-free route during rush hour, a GPS navigation system can come in handy. Unlike a smartphone, a GPS navigation system does not require a data connection, so you can count on it to get you to any destination. The most advanced GPS navigation systems can also provide drivers with a wealth of information including speed limits depending on where you are driving and notifications of upcoming gas stations, traffic lights, stores, school zones, and high-speed cameras. 

Dashcam and rear cam 

Dash cams are inexpensive upgrades that have one job; to record out of the windshield every time you drive. A dashcam has become essential especially in the event of an accident as it provides drivers with a clear view of the events leading up to the accident. Rear cameras also serve the same purpose, but they can also come in handy when you’re trying back up into tight parking spaces. The most advanced dash and rear cams have connectivity features that allow drivers to access the camera remotely as well as basic driver assists like lane assist. 

Air conditioning system 

Air conditioning in vehicles was once a luxury only enjoyed by the rich and famous. Today, every driver expects to be comfortable when driving, and nothing adds more comfort than a proper air conditioning system. If your classic BMW did not come with air conditioning originally, you can find plenty of kits available in universal designs that can fit any classic car. 

You don’t have to buy a new car to experience many of the features that come with the newest vehicles on the road. By making a few smart tech upgrades, you can make your classic bimmer super smart while maintaining the design and nostalgia that you fell in love with in the first place. 

DIY

How to Put a Bike Rack on Your BMW

Riding a bicycle can be a great way to get some low-impact exercise, which is perfect if you want to get active but your knees or ankles just won’t let you start running. Unfortunately, if you don’t live in an area that is surrounded by trails, you might find yourself leaving the bike in the garage if it doesn’t fit into your car. The best solution is to put a bike rack on your vehicle — a task you can do yourself, even if you drive something like a BMW. 

If you want to get more out of your bike, here are a few tips and tricks to help you install a bike rack on your car.

Types of Bike Racks

The first thing you need to decide is what style of bike rack you want. This will depend on a lot of different variables, from the type of bicycle you own to the kind of BMW you drive. 

You may find more specific options depending on the make and model of your BMW, but in general, you’re going to have four options to choose from: 

  • Roof-mount racks that attach to crossbars on top of your vehicle
  • Hitch-mount racks that attach to an existing trailer hitch
  • Trunk-mount racks that don’t need a lot of extra equipment to install
  • Interior or truckbed-mounted racks that allow you to transport your bike securely inside your vehicle or in the bed of your truck

Now that you know what types of racks are out there, let’s look at how to install each of them. 

Installing a Roof Rack

If your BMW already has a roof rack or crossbar, you won’t have to do a lot of work. Most bike racks that attach to the roof are designed to work with existing equipment. 

If you drive a sedan or another BMW that doesn’t come equipped with a roof rack, you can opt to have one installed by the dealership or you can attach one yourself. The only difference between the two is that factory-installed bike racks are screwed into the car’s frame, while aftermarket ones tend to just be pinched down. Both are capable of safely transporting your bike. The only time a factory-installed rack might be more convenient is if you’re purchasing a new BMW and you’ve got the option to add it on.

Installing a Hitch Rack

If you want the easiest installation possible and you have a BMW with a trailer hitch, then look no further than a hitch rack. The hardest part of installing this type of bike rack is figuring out which model will fit your bicycles. Once you bring it home, all you have to do is assemble it and hook it into your trailer hitch.  

Installing an Interior Rack

If you drive a larger vehicle, like an SUV or a minivan, you might want to opt for an interior rack. These versions bolt to the cargo area of your car or in the bed of a pickup. These racks work by securing the bicycle via a bolt through the front fork. This means you have to take the front tire off to attach the bike to these racks.  

If you drive an older BMW X3, it comes with an interior bike rack as standard equipment. BMW premiered this in 2003, and it’s just as handy today as it was then.

Installing a Strap-on Trunk Rack

If you don’t want to drill holes into your BMW, you can still hook a bike rack up to your car. These attach by wrapping straps around the top and sides of your trunk. Once you tighten these down, they support the bike rack and any bicycles you hook to it.  

If you’re looking for something a little more secure, opt for a model that uses straps that all meet together inside your trunk. They’re harder to remove, but that means it’s less likely that someone is going to walk off with your bike. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask For Help

If you don’t trust your mechanical skills or are worried you might mess something up, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Getting a bike rack installed is an inexpensive and easy way to take your bicycle with you everywhere, no matter what you’re driving.

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