Bike storage - side hustle? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Bike storage - side hustle?

Jampy00

Jampy00

Well-known member
Site Supporter
New property will be mine on Nov 30
Was thinking as a small side hustle I could store some bikes, up to 10 (maybe)
While not heated, will offer full protection from elements and I'll provide pest control, needed regardless. My thoughts is to offer this at a reasonable cost and as a service to my fellow riders. But I'm sure some paperwork is required.
Any Liability will be owners responsibility, but they would have access to bikes upon request.

Not sure if anyone is interested or worth the hassle (I'm sure most will say not worth it) but figured it would make an interesting conversation.
 
Jampy00 said:
New property will be mine on Nov 30
Was thinking as a small side hustle I could store some bikes, up to 10 (maybe)
While not heated, will offer full protection from elements and I'll provide pest control, needed regardless. My thoughts is to offer this at a reasonable cost and as a service to my fellow riders. But I'm sure some paperwork is required.
Any Liability will be owners responsibility, but they would have access to bikes upon request.

Not sure if anyone is interested or worth the hassle (I'm sure most will say not worth it) but figured it would make an interesting conversation.
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Just saying that.. and/or having someone sign something saying it... doesn't make it true.
If you protect yourself properly.. it will cost you more in insurance than you will bring in.
 
raginduck said:
Just saying that.. and/or having someone sign something saying it... doesn't make it true.
If you protect yourself properly.. it will cost you more in insurance than you will bring in.
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Good point, was thinking of this as a courtesy, friendly service, but it just takes one moron to ruin everything. Are other storage facilities 100% responsible for the vehicles they store?
 
I'm sure proper storage facilities have proper insurance or at least some legal documents removing them from any responsibility etc.......

Would you be doing this in a current large workshop that is on the property or are you thinking of adding a storage container to the property for this purpose.

I can see this working but probably on a smaller scale and like you said, as a friendly courtesy.
 
I floated the idea when I was selling my shop. I didn’t get much response.

I had security concerns about a bunch of bikes in one spot resulting in a looting.

Rules have to be tough. I let a friend use my shop to fix up an old boat and he started thinking of it as a clubhouse.
 
raginduck said:
Just saying that.. and/or having someone sign something saying it... doesn't make it true.
If you protect yourself properly.. it will cost you more in insurance than you will bring in.
Click to expand...
I asked my lawyer the cost of writing a waiver letter. He said a couple of hundred for the letter and about ten grand to research what to put in it.
 
oioioi said:
I'm sure proper storage facilities have proper insurance or at least some legal documents removing them from any responsibility etc.......

Would you be doing this in a current large workshop that is on the property or are you thinking of adding a storage container to the property for this purpose.

I can see this working but probably on a smaller scale and like you said, as a friendly courtesy.
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Yeah, at this point just a conversation. No new building, just in the barn, not to make record profits, was thinking 30 a month or less, but mostly to be helpful, but we all know where that will land me... Lol
 
I wouldn't do it. Too many potential headaches and hassles. Liability, customers wanting access to their bikes at their convenience, not yours, etc.

As a side hustle without insurance, you're in the money.

With insurance, it'll be very expensive for both you and your customer.

The dealerships already have insurance for motorcycles on their premises, so they are able to make it work.

There was a guy on here a few years ago running an uninsured motorcycle storage business. Unfortunately, he damaged one of his customers bikes while moving it around, and he ducked calls and emails for a quite a long time to try to avoid the repair bills his customer was asking him to pay. Not sure if it was ever resolved - there is a thread somewhere on GTAM if you look hard enough.
 
This is one of those, it's a great idea until it's not.

It's shaky ground if you just let people store their stuff for free, as soon as you charge money, you are in a whole different ball game.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, being helpful can put you in the poor house.
 
If you’re taking money to store or take care of other peoples property…doesn’t matter how many signs you have ‘we are not responsible’…

You’re responsible for anything that happens to those bikes.
 
Jampy00 said:
Good point, was thinking of this as a courtesy, friendly service, but it just takes one moron to ruin everything. Are other storage facilities 100% responsible for the vehicles they store?
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It's my understanding that you can waiver some of the responsibilities.. I don't think you would be held liable for things like tip over, dents, etc.
But... Those things are minor compared to things like someone falling, or crashing, on your property.. if the bikes and barn burns.. a bike thief injures themselves while steal the bikes.. etc, etc...
Your personal policy will not cover any of it...
 
All valid points. Like I said this is a conversation and knew exactly where it would go.
Kind of a shame, but expected.
 
I’ve stored my bike at other peoples garages, but that was always free with the understanding that should anything happen the garage owner would cover damage.

Mind you this was for free with family or friends.
 
Hypothetically speaking and just trying to learn more on this subject.

Does the property owner assume responsibility only if there is money exchanged for said storage.

Or does he assume responsibility because it is on his property (Shed,barn,shop) regardless of money exchange.

What if this is a friend doing another friend a favour with no money exchange. Who assumes responsibility? Or which insurance policy covers what?
Barn insurance for bike damage, theft or bike policy?
 
In contract law, the transfer of money is the magic moment that seals a contract. You can't dispute there is a contract anymore.
No money... there's room for argument there is no contract.
In contract law, if there was money handed over, there has to be a reason. If I'm giving you money to store my bike, it is assumed you have assumed the responsibility, of what a REASONABLE PERSON would infer (this is a VERY important concept), of storing my motorcycle.

oioioi said:
What if this is a friend doing another friend a favour with no money exchange.
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Pretty sure they would have the same liability, but it up to you if you wanted to use that liability... meaning if you tried to make to claim the damage with your insurance, they would abrogate to your friend... they'd actually probably tell you to pound sand and to sue your friend yourself.
 
I'd just be picky about who you let store a bike in your barn.

Feel people out, if they give you d-bag vibes.

Friends, & friends of friends.

Anything you receive is a "gratuity".

"Here's a couple hundred bucks for your trouble. I'll be back in the spring, unless you want me to pop in for a beer".

Keep it low key. Invite only. As said, it's not a clubhouse.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
matt365 said:
I'd just be picky about who you let store a bike in your barn.

Feel people out, if they give you d-bag vibes.

Friends, & friends of friends.

Anything you receive is a "gratuity".

"Here's a couple hundred bucks for your trouble. I'll be back in the spring, unless you want me to pop in for a beer".

Keep it low key. Invite only. As said, it's not a clubhouse.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
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But again it only takes one to make it a headache. Good guy comes in to add a farkle or check something on his bike and scuffs another bike. Now you've got to tell the second guy what happened and you're in the middle. What happens when first guy is dragging his feet making that fix and second guy wants his bike as it's almost riding season. You're still in the middle. For the little you'd bring in even being picky with customers it's not worth the hassle imo.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
But again it only takes one to make it a headache. Good guy comes in to add a farkle or check something on his bike and scuffs another bike. Now you've got to tell the second guy what happened and you're in the middle. What happens when first guy is dragging his feet making that fix and second guy wants his bike as it's almost riding season. You're still in the middle. For the little you'd bring in even being picky with customers it's not worth the hassle imo.
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There comes the "pick and choose" part.


Eg. My bikes are all cheap. I wouldn't store a friends $30,000 bike. If you ride something that pricey, you can afford a legit storage facility.

A $2500 scratched up klr with a milk crate on the back? You want it out of your wood-shop so it doesn't take up useful space? Have at it.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
I should have added, this would be a very selective service, not for random strangers.
And my ********* detector would be set to full power. But, well aware, it just takes one to ruin everything. No good deed goes unpunished.... Lol
 
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