Important Things to Consider Before Renting a Motorcycle on Holiday
If you are planning on going on vacation, why not rent a motorcycle? A motorcycle will give you a lot of freedom, and allow you to travel wherever you want. A lot of people make the mistake of renting cars on solo vacations, but cars are more expensive and don’t offer as much freedom.
People interested in renting motorcycles should conduct extensive online research prior to taking out a lease, however. There are some things they need to know first. This post will tell you what they are, so you can make the right decision.
License Requirements
The first step in renting a motorcycle is finding out what your chosen travel destination’s license requirements are. Get in touch with a company that specializes in Brisbane motorbike hire, and they should be able to bring you up to speed with Australia’s license requirements. Licenses from foreign countries are usually accepted.
If you are not travelling to Australia and you are instead going somewhere else, the agency you plan on hiring a bike from should be able to help you. They will be able to give you a rundown on the basics of obtaining a temporary license, or using your license from home to drive.
Find a Rental Agency
Finding a reliable rental agency is very important. The agency you work with will have a massive impact on your experience renting and riding a motorbike. A good way to ensure a rental agency is worth working with is to take a read through their reviews. An agency’s reviews will tell you everything you need to know about them.
As well as reviews, think about cost. How much can you afford to pay for a motorbike? If you do not have a sizable budget, find an agency with affordable rates and a large selection of bikes. The smaller your budget is, the less powerful a bike you will be able to rent.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage is something you definitely need to take into consideration. Under no circumstances should you ever rent and use a bike without insurance, even if the agency will let you. Driving without insurance can get you into a lot of trouble and even lead to fines and penalties being issued.
You can apply for insurance online. Usually, you can get it accepted right away. Some rental agencies sort insurance out for their clients. If you need help applying for insurance, don’t hesitate to tell the agency you plan on working with that you need their help. You will need your rental bike’s license plate number if you plan on insuring it, so it is usually better to let the agency deal with it, as they will have all of this information.
Local Traffic Laws
The next thing to consider is local traffic laws. If you plan on renting a car, you need to know what the local traffic laws are, so you don’t run afoul of them. Driving in a country in which you don’t know the traffic laws is a bad idea and increases your chances of not only getting involved in an accident but also of getting into trouble with the police or getting a fine.
To find out what the local traffic laws are, all you have to do is conduct a basic internet search or take a driving awareness course in the country you plan on travelling to. It is usually possible to take half-day driving awareness courses, so you don’t lose lots of vacation time to study.
Rental Agreements
Before you sign a motorbike rental agreement, you need to make sure that you read through it. Reading through the rental agreement will help you to get a good idea of what the agency you have chosen is like to work with, and what you will have to pay in the event the bike gets damaged.
Rental agencies include information about the excess fees they charge in rental agreements. Excess is money you have to pay to the rental agency to make repairs if you damage the vehicle. For a motorbike, the excess fee should not be too much.
Helmets and Safety Gear
Helmets and safety gear are very important. You should never ride a motorbike without putting on safety gear first, especially if you are new to riding motorbikes. Motorbikes can be very dangerous, even for experienced riders. Safety gear will prevent you from seriously injuring yourself if you fall off.
If you are on vacation, the chances are that you don’t have motorcycle safety gear with you. Fortunately, you don’t need to–the agency you rent your bike from will be able to give you a helmet and other safety gear for a small fee, or sometimes for free.
Short-Term Weather Forecast
Check out the short-term weather forecast before you rent a bike. Checking out the weather forecast will make it possible for you to get a good idea of what the weather is going to be like on the days you are travelling.
If you are renting a bike, the last thing you want is to rent it on a day when it is going to rain or snow. Short-term weather forecasts therefore have the power to not only keep you safe but also to prevent you from renting a bike and wasting your money on days you cannot ride.
GPS Navigation
How do you plan on getting around? Many people who’re going on vacation just ride until they find something interesting, but if you have a specific route you want to follow, you need to figure out how you are going to navigate it. One way is to fix a mount to your bike and attach your phone to it.
Another way is to set up a GPS app on your phone, put headphones in, and follow the directions read out loud to you. Whichever method of navigation you choose, make sure it is one you are comfortable with, and that you don’t put yourself in danger.
Renting a motorbike can be a great way to see a new country. If you plan on renting one, find a reliable agency, and think about the points made here. Thinking about them will help you to get more out of your trip and find the perfect bike.
