Since 1885, when the motorcycle was invented, people have enjoyed life on two wheels. Soon thereafter, a curious rider must have asked the question, “Where can I rent a motorcycle?”
There definitely wasn’t a motorcycle rental app available back then! The good news is that’s changed in the last few years; the motorcycle rental landscape has broadened, and variety and convenience have increased while rental prices have decreased.
This article will help answer the following questions about motorcycle rental:
- Why should I rent a motorcycle?
- How do I find a motorcycle for rent near me?
- How do I choose the right motorcycle to rent?
Why should I rent a motorcycle?
There are four reasons to rent a motorcycle:
- You don't own a motorcycle and would like to ride
- You want to ride a motorcycle when you travel
- You want to test ride a motorcycle before you buy
- You just want to try a new style of riding
Let's break them down.
1. You don't own a motorcycle and would like to ride
Millions of people know how to ride a motorcycle but don't own one. Many of these riders used to own a motorcycle but had to sell it. Perhaps they needed the money to start a family or pay for unexpected expenses. For people who no longer own a motorcycle and would like to ride, renting a motorcycle is a good option.
2. You want to ride a motorcycle when you travel
The most frustrating six words that all motorcyclists have said are "I wish I had my bike."
Traveling without a motorcycle is like a professional photographer traveling without a camera. Traveling just feels different on two wheels. It's liberating, exciting, and engulfing. For example, maybe you're traveling to Los Angeles and want to ride there. Or maybe you want to rent a motorcycle in Las Vegas. All of these options are available now when renting a motorcycle.
3. You want to test ride a motorcycle before you buy
We all know how difficult it is to test ride a motorcycle before purchasing (remember the 5 C's of a motorcycle test ride?)
Few dealers, and even fewer individuals, offer test rides, and when they do, they're insufficient to provide a true riding experience. We all know that test riding a motorcycle is more important than test driving a car, and yet we are willing to pay thousands of dollars on an expensive purchase without ever riding it. Renting a motorcycle is the perfect solution to this.
4. You just want to try a new style of riding
There are so many motorcycle styles, and we can't own them all...or can we? Maybe you've ridden Ducatis all your life but just want to try the new Triumph Truxton. Or perhaps you've ridden Harleys but never an Indian Chief.
All of these options are available without having to spend big bucks.
How to Rent a Motorcycle
Until recently, there were only two ways to rent a motorcycle. The first was through a motorcycle dealer, as some dealers have a small dedicated fleet of rentals. Often, these dealers have strict relationships with specific manufacturers, so the selection can be very limited.
For example, if you’re looking for a Harley-Davidson rental, you might be in luck; your local Harley dealer may have 20 of their bikes for rent. So, if you want to rent a Harley, you’ll be set, But if you’re interested in a BMW motorcycle rental, you’re out of luck.
The second way to rent was to find a local tour company. These businesses prepare guided motorcycle tours, including food, lodging, and an experienced tour operator. This is an excellent option for riders who only enjoy riding in a large group in a structured way. However, this option can be limited for those who enjoy a solo ride, like to modify their route along the way, or ride with an intimate group of friends.
In some cases, some riders have found the desire to experience a destination on a motorcycle to be so strong that they've found a motorcycle for sale at a good price and then sold it when at the end of their trip.
In the past four years, motorcycle renting options have expanded to offer more flexibility and selection than ever before. Peer-to-peer companies like Twisted Road offer all brands of motorcycles to rent all across the United States.
This model allows riders to rent from other riders, so there is more variety, better convenience, and lower prices than traditional rental options.
How do I find a motorcycle near me?
The easiest way to find these bikes is to go to visit our homepage and enter your destination in the search bar. Once you do this, the platform will show you all the bikes available within 25 miles of your chosen city.
It’s easy to filter these results by brand, price, or model year, and you can always increase your search to cover larger distances.
As humans, we are conditioned to find lodging and transportation close to our destination. Going to Orlando? Find a rental car in Orlando. Visiting Los Angeles? Fly to LAX, rent a car, and drive to the hotel. Easy, right?
As riders, we like to think a little bit differently. Traveling to Orlando? Fly to Atlanta, rent a motorcycle in Atlanta, and ride to Orlando. Need to be in Los Angeles? Fly into SFO, check out San Francisco motorcycle rentals, and ride the coast. So the answer to the question “where can I rent a motorcycle?” is easy: anywhere you want.
We believe that cars are an efficient way to get you from one place to another, but motorcycles are all about the journey. The getting there can be so much more fun.
There are so many bikes - how do I choose?
The selection of rental motorcycles can be overwhelming. So when choosing a motorcycle to rent, it’s important to consider your intended use. This is easy if you’re using the rental to test ride bikes before you buy. For all other purposes, clearly identify the purpose of your ride. Planning a motorcycle trip through the Colorado Rockies? Opt for a bike with storage and a comfy seat; perhaps a Triumph Tiger is a good choice.
Lane-splitting in LA? You want fast and small; try a Ducati Scrambler. If you have a passenger, ensure you have a bike for two-up riding. Just be thoughtful in your preparation.
We hope that this article was helpful as you plan your next ride. If you have more questions, we’ve got answers! You can find out more about renting through Twisted Road, or contact us anytime!
And as always, ride safe.
