Best place to rent a bike in Europe

[greg the pole]

morning all,

My wife suggested that I start looking for a bike rental place in Europe.
We're looking for a 10 day trip, plus a few days on either end to get rid of jet lag/relax.

I know someone on the forum, want to say Checkwrecks suggested a place in southern France. Any recommendations for those who went, advice?
Been there a few times over the years, but on 4 wheels. First time on 2.

There's also these guys in Frankfurt: http://www.motorradvermietung.de/en/
and the guzzi guys in Mandello del Lario: http://www.agostinimandello.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=72&lang=en

there's this link on adv with a few rental places as well: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202800

 

[Dogdaze]

Hey Greg, this may or may not be of any help...

http://www.moto91.ch/de/vermietung-2015

 

[greg the pole]

my German is pretty much non existent ???

 

[Dogdaze]

my German is pretty much non existent ???

Ah huh! Good job they all speak English then ::025::

 

[AVGeek]

hey Greg, I moved this over to the UK/European section, should hopefully help with more replies!

 

[greg the pole]

Ah huh! Good job they all speak English then ::025::

dammit man! I looked for the translation flag, but nothing, but yes they do speak English once there

 

[greg the pole]

hey Greg, I moved this over to the UK/European section, should hopefully help with more replies!

No worries. Just wondering if any inmates on this side of the pond have experience renting in Europe

 

[Dogdaze]

No worries. Just wondering if any inmates on this side of the pond have experience renting in Europe

Where is your point of arrival and departure? May help to narrow it down a bit. The Euro is weak at the moment against the dollar (not weaker) and the CHF is a tad more.
Also try ADMO tours

http://www.admo-tours.com/

 

[greg the pole]

Where is your point of arrival and departure? May help to narrow it down a bit. The Euro is weak at the moment against the dollar (not weaker) and the CHF is a tad more.
Also try ADMO tours

http://www.admo-tours.com/

I'm leaning towards Frankfurt, as it's an easy point of access, and a decent deal/selection of bikes.
My wife is leaning towards southern France.

the Canadian dollar is in the dumps right now...so it really doesn't matter.
That said, it will either be early october, or early spring next year.

 

[Dogdaze]

If you plan on some of the Alpine Pass' then October may just be a safer bet, early spring will see a lot of them closed, not always, but I would not bet on it.

 

[RED CAT]

Hey Greg. You can't go wrong with Celtic Rider in Dublin. New BMWs with lots of selection. I used them in 2011. Awesome riding in Ireland too. They usually have a booth at the Calgary MC Show. Great people to deal with.

 

[greg the pole]

Hey Greg. You can't go wrong with Celtic Rider in Dublin. New BMWs with lots of selection. I used them in 2011. Awesome riding in Ireland too. They usually have a booth at the Calgary MC Show. Great people to deal with.

thanks RC, but Ireland is out. I'll be mainland Europe

 

[Checkswrecks]

To me the easiest and cheapest access combined with bike rentals are probably Frankfurt, Paris, and Rome, with FRA being #1. Amsterdam has plenty of cheap flights and easy rental but it is more likely going to be colder and wetter when you mention going. AMS and CDG also mean flatter roads.

For Frankfurt, paste this into a Google search and you will get a number of possibilities. It literally translates to motorcycle rental Frankfurt.
motorrad vermeitung Frankfurt
Big Blu is in Europe now with a group and suggested Stefan, who I believe was one of our fellow FJRForum members years ago: http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Welcome.html

Numerous other cities have rentals, but less flights or flights which are more expensive than those main hubs. For example, Toulouse and Munich.

 

[markjenn]

I haven't been recently, but a bunch of friends have and they've all converged on Frankfurt as the best spot for rentals for a variety of reasons: a lot of non-stop flights to/from NA and an easily-navigated airport with good mass transit, several good rental outfits that cater to foreigners with reasonable rates, and a central location to start a tour to several good areas of riding. I've got some email out to someone who went last fall who used a good rental outfit with a hotel within walking distance and will give specifics when they get back with me.

I started two different tours back in the early 2000's in Frankfurt and it was great. The key thing for me is non-stop flights back to the states as any stops generally add 6-8 hours to the total travel time and I hate flying.

- Mark

 

[Rasher]

Have an ask at www.alpineroads.com a fair few Americans have recently been coming across and hiring bikes, but I cannot remember where from, but someone on the forum will be able to give you some options.

I too would avoid spring, and possibly October as the snow would be coming back in again, and days will be getting shorter, plus it could be getting very cold especially at night. September would be far better with little traffic / tourists and most likely good riding weather.

 

[greg the pole]

To me the easiest and cheapest access combined with bike rentals are probably Frankfurt, Paris, and Rome, with FRA being #1. Amsterdam has plenty of cheap flights and easy rental but it is more likely going to be colder and wetter when you mention going. AMS and CDG also mean flatter roads.

For Frankfurt, paste this into a Google search and you will get a number of possibilities. It literally translates to motorcycle rental Frankfurt.
motorrad vermeitung Frankfurt
Big Blu is in Europe now with a group and suggested Stefan, who I believe was one of our fellow FJRForum members years ago: http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Welcome.html

Numerous other cities have rentals, but less flights or flights which are more expensive than those main hubs. For example, Toulouse and Munich.

yes, I do remember his website. Good option for sure. I am leaning towards Frankfurt as well

 

[markjenn]

Here's the FRA outfit my friends used last year and they were very happy.... rented F800GS's.

http://www.motorradzentrum-frankfurt.de/

And nearby hotel:

https://www.hotelbb.de/en/frankfurt-city-ost

- Mark

 

[greg the pole]

Here's the FRA outfit my friends used last year and they were very happy.... rented F800GS's.

http://www.motorradzentrum-frankfurt.de/

And nearby hotel:

https://www.hotelbb.de/en/frankfurt-city-ost

- Mark

thanks Mark, I found the same company on the net, with an excellent selection, and decent pricing.
Glad they were happy with them.