Renting a Motorcycle in San Francisco: What You Need To Know

California is one of the top motorcycle destinations in the country, and the Bay Area is a regional hotspot for riding. San Francisco’s perfect weather, gorgeous views, and winding, hilly terrain make it the ideal place for renting a motorcycle. However, if you are thinking of renting a motorcycle in San Francisco, it can be difficult to know where to start.

What Do I Need to Rent a Motorcycle in San Francisco?

In general, you need to be at least 21 years old to rent a motorcycle in California, but some rental companies might restrict rentals on some models to those over 25. There are two main requirements you need to meet if you want to ride a rented motorcycle in San Francisco:

1. You must have a valid California Class M1or M2 motorcycle driver’s license and
2. You must wear a DOT-approved helmet

When you rent a motorcycle, you will also have to provide a security deposit on the bike to cover any damage you cause. Deposits can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the rental agency and motorcycle model.

Where to Rent a Motorcycle in San Francisco

There are a number of popular motorcycle rental agencies in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, including:

• Eaglerider Rentals
• MotoJava
• MotoQuest

You can also find motorcycle rentals through online portals. These websites can connect you with agencies and individuals looking to rent their motorcycles in your area. 

What If I Get Into an Accident While Renting a Motorcycle?

What happens after you get into an accident while riding a rented motorcycle depends on whether you have insurance or not. Generally, when you rent a motorcycle, you pay an additional fee to cover insurance. This insurance works just like a personal motorcycle insurance policy would and will cover the other motorists’ injuries and property damage if you cause an accident. If the other motorist causes the accident, you would file an insurance claim through their motor vehicle liability policy.

California’s Motorcycle Laws

If you are going to rent a motorcycle, you’ll need to brush up on California’s motorcycle laws and regulations:

• Helmet laws. California has universal helmet laws requiring all riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet, regardless of age or experience level. Failing to wear a helmet is a violation that can carry fines and administrative penalties.
• Lane splitting. California is the only state in the US with laws that expli citly make lane splitting legal. Motorcycle riders in California can ride between slowed and stopped lanes of traffic without getting in legal trouble.
• Exhaust noise. Most motorcycles in California must have an exhaust noise of less than 80 decibels. These exhaust noise-level rules apply to motorcycles manufactured after 1985. 
• Equipment rules. All motorcycles must have at least one rear-view mirror, a headlight, a taillight, turn signals, and handlebars that are less than six inches above the rider’s shoulders.

Tips for Renting a Motorcycle

Renting a motorcycle might be intimidating if you have never done it before. With that in mind, here are some tips from our attorneys on how to rent the right motorcycle:

• Choose your rental based on your route. You don’t want a street bike if you plan to do a long, multi-day tour outside of the city.
• Research different rental options from different companies. You can compare and contrast offers to get the best deals.
• Double-check the rental agreement and be sure you understand all conditions.
• Inspect the motorcycle for any defects before you sign the rental agreement. Take photos of any imperfections for your records.