For many, motorcycle ownership just isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
From a purely monetary standpoint, things like high entry prices, frequent maintenance, and depreciation can keep any motorcycle enthusiast from diving into ownership or expanding their garage.
That’s where motorcycle rentals come into play. Twisted Road’s top-rated service benefits owners and riders alike.
As a host, you’ll recoup a significant portion of ownership costs. And on the flip side, renters don’t have to deal with expensive ownership fees, period.
Simple enough, right?
If you’re looking to purchase a motorcycle with plans of hosting, which bikes are best suited for Twisted Road?
After all, hosts don't need to spend a fortune out of the gates or constantly perform maintenance to keep up with other riders’ mileage, and renters won’t like jumping onto a slouchy, unreliable, or challenging bike.
We dug into our data and found our platform's most popular rental motorcycles.
Read on for our top 15 motorcycles for owners and renters, from raw Harleys and Indians to refined BMWs. I’ve personally ridden and tested every motorcycle here, and I agree 100% with this list!
1. Harley Street Glide/Street Glide Special
Comfort, power, style, touring ability, and reliability—need we say more?
The Harley Street Glide and Street Glide Special are staples in the bagger community, offering smooth torque delivery from Milwaukee-Eight V-twin powertrains.
They provide entertainment via premium infotainment systems, though drowning out the V-twin growl is optional.
Harley’s Street Glide lineup has a long track record of reliability, especially post-2020 model years, which have addressed the 2017-2019 Milwaukee-Eight engine’s sporadic oiling and motor-mount issues.
The bike’s upright seating position is more than comfortable for long rides, and its dual side bags offer plenty of space for wallets, purses, or even a change of clothes to get out of your riding gear.
Though possessing a higher initial cost than other options, hosts can expect to recoup funds via multi-day rentals, as with any tourer.
2. BMW R 1250 GS/R 1250 GS Adventure
We’ll always recommend adventure tourers for renters – they’re easy to ride, highly versatile, and far more nimble than baggers.
The BMW R 1250 GS is renowned in the class with its ADV design, comfortable ride, and smooth power delivery from the venerable 1250cc boxer engine.
The tourer offers two configurations: the R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure. While the standard GS includes plenty of amenities and comfort for shorter, spirited sessions, the GS Adventure’s massive 7.9-gallon fuel tank, taller windscreen, and luggage rack make it the ideal long-distance tourer.
Think about how many people around the globe own GS models. The platform simply works and is the ideal companion for stateside roads, whether gravel or asphalt.
Though BMW motos tend to carry higher-than-average maintenance costs, the company’s boxer engines have proven reliable, ideal for a host’s long-term ownership. I’ve ridden alongside GS models with north of 300,000 miles. Should we say more?
3. Harley Ultra Limited
Harley’s Ultra Limited is an elite touring bike, ideal for long-distance rides in comfort and style.
With an included touring package, mass amounts of storage, a sizable windscreen, and a taller ride height than Harley’s other Grand American Tourers, this bike longs for renting and cruising on the open road.
Though comfortable, don’t let the Ultra Limited’s cozy appearance fool you. This bike packs the same punchy Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin as the Street Glide Special, delivering plenty of torque for spirited riding, especially when paired with the bike’s confidence-inspiring suspension.
For long-distance rides, it’s tough to beat the Harley Ultra Limited from a renter’s perspective. Hosts won’t mind the bike’s reliable powertrain, either!
4. Harley Road Glide/Road Glide Special
We gravitate to the Harley Road Glide and Road Glide Special for the same reasons as the Street Glide—aggressive bagger styling, on-road comfort, and plenty of power for fun.
Aside from the Road Glide’s shark nose-style frame-mounted fairing (versus the Street Glide’s batwing-style fork-mounted fairing), the Road Glide and Street Glide are relatively similar bikes.
Realistically, both are excellent options for renters and hosts, though we’d recommend the Road Glide for longer rides due to its more lax seating position and overall roomier feel.
5. Indian Scout Bobber
Though the previous motorcycles on this list are mid to high-priced tourers, not every host feels comfortable renting out a bike that costs as much as their car!
For budget-minded hosts, we’d consider less-expensive options geared toward short-distance, single-day rentals, like the Indian Scout Bobber.
The Scout Bobber offers loads of features for a bike starting around $11,500, including classic bobber styling, a 100-horsepower V-twin engine, and a compact design. While we wouldn’t recommend the Scout Bobber’s hunched-over seating position for lengthy touring sessions, it’s the ideal bike to spend a day riding in the city and make a lasting impression.
6. Kawasaki Ninja 400
As a leader in the sport and hyper-bike classes, any bike sporting the Kawasaki Ninja moniker carries some bragging rights to own, although most won’t be renting their supercharged H2s here—although we do hope to see them!
The Kawasaki Ninja 400 pairs exceptional handling characteristics with modest power levels, ideal for novice and veteran riders alike.
The bike’s lightweight design and 399cc twin-cylinder powerplant provide plenty of excitement, though not enough to get into serious trouble. The Ninja 400’s handling characteristics inspire confidence at all speeds, while the bike’s seating position isn’t overly aggressive or uncomfortable.
Did we mention the price? A brand-new Ninja 400 starts at just $5,299, making it far more stomachable to rent to a stranger.
Plus, it’s a Kawasaki. Like any of the big four Japanese brands (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki), maintenance costs are low while reliability is high!
7. Harley Sportster Iron 883
Though not a brand-new bike, Harley Sportster Iron 883s were manufactured as recently as 2022, just before the model’s discontinuation after its thirteen-year run. The Sportster Iron 883 is a quintessential sport bike with a well-known name to match.
This bike is ideal for urban hosts, featuring a slight profile for exceptional maneuverability through cramped streets and crowded areas.
Though the Sportster isn’t as powerful as a big twin, its air-cooled 883-cc power plant makes plenty of power for cruising around town.
Regarding prices, last-model-year (2022) Sportsters can be had second-hand for anywhere between $6,000–$8,000, making it one of the more affordable options on the list!
8. Yamaha MT-07/MT-09
It's tough to beat the Yamaha MT-07 and MT-09 bikes for hosting and renting, whether zipping around town or trekking on an all-day outing.
The MT-series, short for ‘Master of Torque,’ includes two sporty, naked motos offering similar styling and riding experiences; however, the MT-09 receives the edge with its 890-cc three-cylinder engine over the MT-07’s 689-cc twin-cylinder.
Still, both Yamahas are ideal platforms for hosting or renting. Compact, naked styling makes navigating urban areas a breeze, while both bikes’ upright seating position makes it more tolerable on longer rides.
As a host, both the MT-07 and MT-09 are relatively affordable, starting at $8,199 and $10,599, respectively. Like the Ninja 400, the Yamaha bikes are known for their robust durability and affordable maintenance costs – another plus for hosts!
9. BMW F 800 GS
BMW’s second appearance on this list comes in the form of the F 800 GS: a dual-purpose, adventure tourer sporting BMW’s smaller-displacement, 895-cc twin-parallel engine. With cheaper initial ownership costs, the F 800 GS is a tempting choice for hosts, especially in areas where adventure touring is popular.
This bike is extremely well-balanced, although I’d personally argue not as much as its previously-referenced big brother, the R 1250 GS. I rode these models back-to-back during events like the Touratech Rally and BMW U.S. Rider Academy, and though it appears much larger, the 1200/1250 can outhandle the smaller 800/850s any day.
New and veteran riders alike will enjoy the moto’s lighter weight and enhanced maneuverability, though don’t equate lightweight with discomfort!
The F 800 GS’s ergonomic seating position and Dynamic ESA (Electronic Suspension Adjustment) make for a controlled and comfortable ride in any terrain.
10. Harley Electra Glide Ultra Classic
Up next is yet another Harley Big Twin—the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. Although replaced in 2019 by Harley’s new Ultra Limited tourer, the Electra Glide Ultra Classic remains a top touring motorcycle in the second-hand market.
This bike is essentially a stripped-down tourer, featuring a tour pack, various amenities, and the smallest of Harley’s Milwaukee-eight engines – the 107.
While the Electra Glide Ultra Classic doesn’t deliver mind-boggling torque or all the amenities of its new replacements, the bike is an exceptional entry-level tourer, ideal for touring rentals.
Last model year examples can be had for $15,000–$20,000, which, while pricier than other options on the list, is a far cry from a new Ultra Limited’s $32,499 base price!
11. BMW S 1000 XR
If you prefer a sporty riding experience over adventure touring or racking up miles on a bagger, the BMW S 1000 XR is just the sport-tourer to rent. This was BMW’s real answer to the Ducati Multistrada, and it hauls.
I was there for the launch in Canada in 2016, and the Bavarian missile continues to improve yearly.
This bike pairs touring-style comfortable ergonomics with sportbike-inspired looks and performance.
Aggressively designed plastics dress the tourer with sporty styling; think of it as a sheep in wolf's clothing. However, this sheep can run!
Cradled in the S 1000 XR’s frame is a 170-horsepower, 999-cc, inline four-cylinder engine, which makes all the right noises and has more than enough power for long-distance runs.
This bike isn’t only enjoyable to rent; ownership also comes with perks. In addition to BMW’s robust reliability (so long as you regularly perform maintenance), the BMW S 1000 XR is relatively affordable, with used ones as low as $10,000.
12. Yamaha YZF-R3
Like the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Yamaha YZF-R3 is a reliable, affordable, small-displacement sportbike ideal for hosting novice riders.
Though only packing a 321-cc inline two-cylinder between the framework, the YZF-R3 is plenty for around-town rides, especially considering the bike’s 375-pound wet weight!
Like most other entries on this list, these factors make the YZF-R3 enjoyable to zip across down, though not so powerful as to overwhelm inexperienced riders.
Pair this with the bike’s sport-tuned suspension, six-speed manual transmission, Yamaha reliability, and $5,499 base price, and you have the ultimate entry-level rental for sportbike enthusiasts!
13. BMW S 1000 RR
With a list filled with tourers and small-displacement sportbikes, we had to toss at least one superbike into the mix.
And what a bike—I first rode the BMW S 1000 RR during a launch at Circuit of the Americas, the F1/MotoGP circuit in Austin, Texas, and fell for it. I later toured one, which included a stop at a two-day California Superbike camp.
This is definitely one of the most comfortable sports bikes in existence. And the BMW S 1000 RR is a polished, performance-oriented track-scorcher, sporting some of BMW Motorrad’s most impressive hardware (and software) to date.
The S 1000 RR nestles BMW’s high-performance ShiftCam inline four-cylinder engine into the lightweight frame, pumping out an impressive 205 horsepower at 13,000 RPM. Weighing in at only 426.6 pounds, the S 1000 RR is built for performance.
Helping to control this hardware are various safety systems, including 6-stage DTC traction control, steering angle sensors, Brake Slide Assist, and Slide/Slip Control. In other words, this bike puts power to the road (or track) in a way that any rider can control.
Though we’d still recommend vetting riders before handing them the keys to a 1000-cc superbike, the S 1000 RR’s various safety systems help to instill confidence in any rider.
And just like the S 1000 XR, older S 1000 RRs can be found for $10,000. They also grab higher rental rates.
14. Yamaha FZ-07
Before 2017, Yamaha branded its US-market naked motos with the acronym ‘FZ’, denoting the bikes’ four-stroke engine.
Though identical to the MT line, sporting a similar chassis and the same 689-cc, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder, 2015–2017 FZ bikes are far more affordable second-hand. You can easily source an FZ-07 for between $4,000–$6,000 – essentially half the price of a new MT-07.
Like rental cars, rental bikes will undoubtedly pick up a few scratches, chips, and miles, so why not opt for an inexpensive used motorcycle as your first foray into hosting?
15. Yamaha YZF-R7
We’ve selected the Yamaha YZF-R7 to round out this list—essentially a streetbike-styled naked MT-07. I tested this bike during Yamaha’s stateside launch and understood why Yamaha created it. For a sportbike, it's super simple to ride, actually comfortable, and has some good looks.
The YZF-R7 packs the same 689-cc, liquid-cooled CP2 twin-cylinder as the MT-07 and a similar weight of 414 pounds wet versus the naked’s 408 pounds. Where these bikes significantly differ is their styling and riding position.
Whereas the MT-07 features naked styling and an ergonomic upright seating position, the YZF-R7 requires riders to hunker down and lean forward in true street bike fashion.
Though aggressive, especially when paired with the YZF-R7’s sporty plastics, the bike isn’t nearly as comfortable as its naked counterpart on long-distance rides.
However, for introductory track days and ripping through canyons, the YZF-R7 is tough to beat. From an owner’s perspective, the entry-level street bike features a modest $9,199 and packs Yamaha’s renowned reliability, making it a suitable choice for hosting.
Whether you're an entrepreneurial motorcycle owner looking to mitigate costs or a rider seeking the thrill without the financial burden, Twisted Road is your premier gateway to the best of both worlds.
Our platform ensures a seamless, satisfying experience with a meticulously curated selection of motorcycles that resonate with both owners and renters.
And some motorcycles resonate more than others, such as the top 15 rented out on our platform. The only question is: when will you rent one of these motorcycles to understand why?
