They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but here at Twisted Road, we say a picture is worth cold, hard cash.

When looking for a motorcycle to rent on Twisted Road, from a Harley-Davidson Street Glide to a BMW R 1250 GS, the first thing renters notice are the photos of your bike.

You can leave a potential renter saying, "What an incredible piece of machinery!" or " Why would they take a photo in their dark and messy garage?" (No judgments; my garage is an obstacle course). We want you to get the most out of your motorcycle rental experience, including gaining more rentals (and more money in your pocket). We've created a list of tips for taking epic photos to make riders click the "RENT IT" button. 

Between Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, (and others I am sure my teens could educate me on), there is no question that we live in an image-centric world. The good news is that you don't need a degree, a fancy studio, or high-end camera equipment to be good at motorcycle photography—and capture the perfect pic of your sweet ride.  

1. Radiate light

Consistent, diffused lighting is key to ensuring we can see your motorcycle in all its glory. Dark shadows mixed with harsh sunlight will cause some parts of your motorcycle to be overexposed while others appear too dark. Look for a spot that is outdoors in full shade, dusk or dawn, or a well-lit indoor space. These are all sweet spots for showcasing your motorcycle.

2. Look at the big picture

We want to see your entire motorcycle. Don't cut off the handlebars, wheels, or either end. Back up and ensure your space is uncluttered (see tip #3). We all have different size monitors, so with some room to work with, you can make sure everyone can see your bike.

3. Clean up your act…or at least your garage

Clear the area in which you are capturing your motorcycle and ensure there aren't distractions. Clear out the obvious, like toys, tools, etc., as well as cars and even other motorcycles. Keep potential renters from playing a game of hide-and-seek with your bike with better motorcycle photography. Turn viewers' attention to their excitement over renting your ride. 

4. Hit the road Jack

The best way to show riders not only how great your bike is but what they can see and experience while riding around your hometown is to actually go out on a ride and take some shots "in the wild." Visit your favorite local hangout, a scenic view, or an epic twistie. Make pit stops along the way to showcase your bike and your city. You don't have to live in the mountains or along the ocean to find a cool spot to take a great photo. 

5. Focus on the details

Custom motorcycle lighting? Unique paint job? Updated exhaust? Yes, we want to see the entire motorcycle. But nothing stops you from posting additional photos that show off the features of your moto. Once you've captured your basic beautiful images, zoom is your friend for the details. 

6. No photobombs

Don't leave renters wondering which bike they're checking out or if they can rent the one in the back. Many Twisted Road members have multiple motorcycles listed on Twisted Road (insert huge thank you here), but each listing should let the specific motorcycle being showcased take the stage. 

7. Do you see what I see? 

Check out other motorcycles listed for rent. You can see what your potential renters see when on the site. This should give you an idea of what types of motorcycle photography to focus on for your bike. Think about lighting, horizontal vs. vertical, and placement. 

Creating a positive and lucrative experience for all our owners and renters is key to keeping this incredible community going. If you have any questions about your listing, email us at [email protected].

Check out these picture-perfect motorcycles for rent on Twisted Road: 

Additional Tips for Creating a Killer Listing and Standing Out as an Exceptional Owner

1. Get your bike to pass our 20-point Inspection
2. Write a stand-out description of your motorcycle. Provide as much useful information as possible about the bike, surrounding area, extras you provide (helmets, gloves, jackets, etc.), mileage limitations (if any), and any other details you would find useful yourself as a rider coming from out of town.
3. Keep your schedule up to date! You can block out dates when you need the bike and set your available pick-up and drop-off hours within each listing.
4. Set the right price. The daily rental fee is your decision. Look around at similar bikes in your area and remain competitive!
5. Set multi-day discounts. This is attractive to longer-term renters and can be adjusted if you desire.
6. Ask us to turn on "Book Instantly" for your bike. If your schedule is up-to-date and your hours are set, we can have our system approve all rentals on your behalf.
7. Approve or Decline requests quickly! This helps the community operate more efficiently and gives renters more confidence when booking.
8. Respond to all inbound messages in a timely manner. Renters are interested! Help them make a decision quicker by responding to all messages as soon as you can.
9. And last but, definitely not least, make sure your bike is up to date on service. The last thing anyone wants is to deal with a breakdown in the middle of a trip!

Twisted Road is here to support you in the process. If you need help with updating your listing, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our growing community!