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-   -   Renting motorcycles in the USA (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/206066-renting-motorcycles-usa.html)

Hi guys, I tried looking for relevant posts, but couldn't find any.

I would like to know if anybody has rented motorcycles in the USA?

I checked with one rental company but they've asked for insurance plan to allow me to ride a motorcycle in the US.

Here's an excerpt from an email I had sent them.



Austin Rothbard (Twisted Road)
Jan 27, 11:23 -05

Right now, our system can only automatically verify driver's licenses in the United States. Currently, we can only accommodate international licenses for those travelers who have an insurance plan that allows them to ride a motorcycle in the US. If your current insurance plan allows this, we can approve your license; however, if it doesn't, we encourage you to seek a temporary insurance plan for US rentals.

In the coming months, we will be able to offer this through our site, but we don't anticipate it happening until early next year.

Thanks,

Austin
The Twisted Road Team


I haven't gotten an insurance plan in the past which allows me to ride a bike there.

I intend to rent an 800cc or above motor for a few days.

I had gotten my IDP (International Driving Permit) a long time ago when I was working in Germany. Will this alone be sufficient or should I get additional documents?

Has anybody gotten it done? If so, please share details.

Thanks,
Vishwas

From my experience in 2007 & 2013, it depends upon state to state; some states accept IDL, some states accept only state issued DL for renting a motorcycle (and a car as well). In MI, they accept IDL, but in NJ they were strict to accept only locally issued DL & to obtain a local one, SSN was mandatory.

Best way to get it cleared is to call up local DMV & they're the best when it comes to getting to know the law better

International Driver's License are not valid in US at least for car rental. You need a valid Driver's License from your country of origin for the class of vehicle you want to drive. License needs to be in English.

Renting cars is easy, Motorcycles will be tougher. Insurance will be mandatory for motorcycle rental.

I haven't tried to rent a motorcycle in the USA so I can't answer vishwasvr's question.

I have ridden motorcycles for over 55 years here in Arizona though.

In Arizona, a regular drivers license to allow driving an automobile or light truck is not enough to entitle a person to ride a motorcycle.
One must complete a motorcycle driver education program, take a written test and pass a riding test before the special Motorcycle License is granted.

The license granted is called a "Class M" for motorcycles only. The same rights can be added to a regular automotive license (Class D) with a Class M "endorsement" addition on the back.

When I was in Pismo Beach on vacation I wanted to rent a motorcycle locally but found that they wanted an arm and leg ransom in payments for just a couple of days of use.
I should have rented a trailer to carry my Royal Enfield over there. It would have been far less expensive and having the bike there would have changed a "so-so" vacation into a truly enjoyable stay for me.

Golden rule when travelling in the USA - or anywhere abroad - is to carry your Indian driving licence as well as International driving permit. The rules vary from state to state. But I have seen that even cops are sometimes confused. Hence, better to carry both. Zero effort + lots of time saved.

I may be wrong but the IDP is valid only for a year usually. Isn't that the case?

International driving permits have a validity period, and usually only a year. Please check yours.

For cars, depending on the rental company, foreign driving license in English are usually accepted. But insurance is mandatory for all. You can add it to your contract while renting.

Most, if not all Harley dealerships have a rental program. You could try one near you. Most other bike rental companies focus on touring bikes.

Don't bother trying to save on insurance cost, take it and ride peacefully.

Cheers

Ride Safe.

Yes the IDP is valid only for 6 months. Mine expired long ago.

There are a bunch of Harley dealerships but not too keen on one. I'm looking for a supersport.

Yup, planning to take insurance as usual.

Thank you.

Yes I agree. I never had any issues driving in Germany.

I was very close to renting a motorcycle from https://www.eaglerider.com/ in my last two visits. The only reason I backed out was when I looked at every motorcycle rider split lanes on freeways and other surface streets. I felt very vulnerable in a country that is really safe for all road users.

The sheer volume of cars dwarfs motorcyclists. I have often missed a biker who would cut across unless he had a blaring loud exhaust. Unless I can truck a bike until PCH1 or to a closed track or trail, I'd avoid riding in the US.

There's a reason why bikers are called organ donors.

Don't intend to discourage you but be careful when treading this path. I couldn't muster up the courage to do so. :)

Wrong info or probably I didn't get a chance to get it verified by cops; I was told in the state of MI by DMV dept in 2007/08 that the license from any country is accepted PROVIDED the license is in English. This means, even our Indian driving license was accepted. Despite that I had taken IDL for $25

In IL they straight away reject no matter what kind of license one has & they will only accept state issued license.

Haha, I know what you mean!

But after doing a solo ride on my ex-Kawasaki Z800 from Bangalore to Meghalaya in 2017 and plenty of other solo rides I think I have some courage to ride in the US :P

I did check eagleriders and a few other rental companies.

Well, if you're from IT background, will quote something...

Since I know C, I've courage programming with R

Please do not underestimate the above comment, it's absolutely true

Both are leagues apart, infact, I will encourage you to ride in US or any Western country for experiencing the true joy of motorcycling, while exercising caution, which I think what is moralfibre is stating as well.

But yes, go-ahead & make use of the most with motorcycling while you're in US to the maximum, after all ONE LIFE!! For whatever is destined, it will happen :thumbs up

Oh well, I'm not an IT guy! lol:

In my opinion, riding motorcycles is risky. Period. US or here.

I will try to document my journey to Meghalaya soon.

By and large, traffic discipline is much better abroad from my experience. This is surely a confidence booster for me.

That is what I am saying - International Driver's License is the 1 year permit RTO gives in India when you travel outside India. Regardless of whether you have this permit or not, you need a valid Driving License in English from your home country.

Read a bit more, only Georgia requires an IDP.

I have gone for my work regularly in last 4 years and have always rented car only with Indian driving license, no issues till date.

Many have shared their experience or opinion with you already but allow me to share a bit from my experience. I was in US (state MO) for a year as a student and wanted to rent bikes. But I couldn't due to multiple reasons. But renting cars was a no brainier and only my Indian DL was sufficient to rent a car. Coming to your situation:

1) Renting and driving/driving is a state specific matter in US and each state has a different set of rules as everyone has mentioned. Some are ok with only IDP, some with only your DL, some need both and some will ask for US DL. Carry both originals - IDP and India DL. India DL is recognized at many places for sure. We even went to a casino and they had a template copy of each Indian state's DL for age verification LOL

2) If you are there for work or long term stay (multiple months or a year) then just get a US DL for motorcycles. Will not take long except for the exam that you have to undertake. But it is worth it.

3) For short stay, take IDP and India DL originals everywhere, buy proper insurance (which you are already planning) and show an innocent face to the cop if he asks for US DL. Straight away say that you are not aware of such a need and he will in all possibility leave you.

At max, if they ask you for the right license and you don't have it, they will give you a challan and a date to see the judge in the court. That is it. You know what to do in such a case :) This happened to a friend of mine and hence I am able to share.

4) Motorcycle riders in US have a bad reputation. I mean a real bad one among the general populace and the cops specifically. So you will be, in all possibility, stopped at-least once in your ride there. You will be stopped even if you ride properly and with discipline :uncontrol

The roads there are fantastic for riding motorcycles, provided you are riding in the right season. So check the weather before riding/tenting. Try to focus more on the track experience there rather than the road one as you are planning to ride a supersport. This reduces your chances of accident, cop encounter or anything else. Moreover, road experience are great in only a few states in US and that too depends on the time of the year. For the rest, it gets boring after a while. Mostly plain roads with snake pattern and disciplined car drivers. It isn't as fun as Bangalore to Meghalaya. NE and South Eastern states (VA, NC, WV, TN) in autumn season, CA all year round but WA, OR in summer are suited for motorcycle rides but not otherwise.

Finally, contact TBhpian quickdraw for advice, he has ridden in US on rented bikes and also has a thread on his journey in SoCal I believe. Search for it here.

Hope this helps.