Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Bike Rental Europe Bike Rental Europe
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Bike Rental Europe
G'day All,

I was hoping someone might be able to point me in the right direction of a decent bike rental outfit in Europe. While there are plenty to choose from, I can't find a company that will allow me to pick-up in Italy and drop-off in London.

Doesn't even need to be Italy and London really, i just need a company who will let me tour europe and drop the bike off somewhere else other than where I picked it up.

Cheers in advance!

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Registered User
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 377
G'day Andy,

I think you're going to find it difficult, you can offer to transport the bike back to the point of hire through a reputable company, still very difficult not to mention expensive. The thing is the shop hiring you the bike cant check it once your done with it. Leaving you open to all manner of drama.

Depending on how long you are going for it might be cheaper if you just buy a bike. The other thing to consider is, if you intend to return and do it again (be warned its addictive) you have a bike there waiting for you, provided you can find somewhere to store it and an address to register and insure it.

I did exactly that back in 07 and it was cheaper to buy, admittedly I was fortunate to have found friends to help me out, now life long friends :-) I now keep 2 bikes in Europe, off road and on, the next and third will be in the USA. Its not as hard as you may think and with some tenacity and good fortune it will work and work well.

Heaps of threads on the subject throughout HU, plenty of people are willing to swap bikes too, if you have something to offer, good luck!

Cheers Dave
Last edited by Drwnite; 24 Feb 2013 at 12:39.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Feb 2013
rockwallaby's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 120
Hi Andy,
I agree with Drwnite, it might be a whole lot easier to buy a bike.
It is addictive, I can tell you, you will be wishing that you had a bike for the following year to see the things you didn't get a chance to see or to enjoy the roads again.

My bike is spending a 9 month break at the moment until I get back there to France in June. The excitement of another adventure is starting so I better get planning I guess.

If you know how long you are planning to be in Europe and roughly how many kilometres (or miles if that's your measure) then you might find buying could well be cheaper in the end, and you still have a bike you can fully mod the way you want and use how you want and then sell it if you wish.

Cheers,
Paul
__________________
I have learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Donmanolo's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mainly Slovenia
Posts: 371
Just a suggestion......

Motorcycling in Europe - ADVrider
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Munich
Posts: 77
Hi Andy,

You can try MotoXplorers in Lisbon Portugal, depending on your start and end dates, they may be able to provide you with a bike that you can pick up in Lisbon and leave in Munich, talk to Carlos or Ricardo.

PS. Depending also on your travel dates and if you've a dual sports bike to swap, you could use one of mine
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 Feb 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Giacomo View Post
Just a suggestion......

Motorcycling in Europe - ADVrider
Wheatwhacker is on the HUBB with the same offer; somewhere in here - probably best found by searching for him by his user name.

There is at least one dealer in the UK who has started to offer a buy-back scheme:-
Stafford Motorcycles Ltd Showroom | eBay Motors Pro
They don't say in their advertisement if they can handle a buyer from overseas, but such schemes used to be commonplace back in the good old days.
ps. This dealer is not related to me, but I just keep noticing on ebay that they have some interesting bikes in stock from time to time. Their asking prices tend to be at the top, but if their buy-back price is also good then "not so bad".

I agree with others; renters who are prepared to offer one way rental must be few and far between; maybe, a big, big organisation can provide such a service (the equivalent of, say, Hertz car rental) but most businesses just are not that big.
pps. I have a dim memory that BMW used to have some kind of "pick up here and drop off there scheme". As a manufacturer, they definitely use a network of "authorised test outlets" for test riding their bikes, across Europe - it might be worth searching for them.
__________________
Dave
Last edited by Walkabout; 24 Feb 2013 at 14:14. Reason: ps and pps added
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying and registering a motorcycle in Chile timyarb Trip Paperwork 16 2 Jan 2018 19:55
Air freighting to Argentina, the definitive guide srileo Trip Transport 2 20 Oct 2012 04:38
A Gringo in Colombia Ride4Adventure Ride Tales 13 20 Apr 2012 03:15
Canadian buying Uk (England) bike to ride in Europe - Insurance? Zarks Trip Paperwork 11 30 Mar 2012 13:05
Looking for some help in getting started TotalTomination South America 20 30 Oct 2009 18:02

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:37.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top