Scooter rental in Bali – the best way of exploring the island!

There is no better, more convenient and fun way to see Bali than cruising around the island on a scooter. Imagine yourself driving high up in the mountains, through endless emerald rice paddies, passing lakes, waterfalls and Hindu temples. Or, how about a trip around the whole island, driving right by the ocean with the wind in your hair and the sun shining down on your face. It sounds idyllic and it truly is!

The centers of Kuta, Seminyak and even Ubud can be quite hectic, so you will need to give yourself some time to adjust and see the order in the chaos, but one’s you got the hang of it, you will certainly love it! Outside of the busy centers, the roads are mostly quiet and the scenery breathtaking! There are a few safety rules you will need to follow to stay safe and sound on your travels and we are here to help! This guide is all about scooter Rental in Bali, read it carefully and off you go!

Before renting your Bali scooter 

Where to start? well, first you need to know where you can rent a scooter in Bali, what you need, what to be aware of and how much the rent should be. Let’s work it out step by step:

• Where to rent a scooter?

Motor rental shops are found at just about every corner of every street in the busy tourist centers of Bali such as Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, Ubud en Lovina. However, the safest bet would be to ask the staff at your villa where to go for a good motorbike rental place. The staff may even hire one for you and bring it to the villa to rent for a day, a week or a month, depending on your needs. Easy and convenient!

• How much is the rental fee?

For daily rental, expect to pay between Rp. 50.000 – Rp. 75.000. The week price should be around Rp. 300.000 – 400.00 and the monthly rental fee is Rp. 600.000 to Rp. 800.000. Don’t hesitate to bargain if they start at a higher price.

• Do you need a license?

You don’t need an international nor an Indonesian driver license to rent a scooter in Bali. A deposit and a copy of your passport should do. However, should the cops stop you on the road, you will get fined if you cannot show your international drivers license. So, if you have one, make sure to bring it with you or try to arrange one before flying over to Bali island.

• Check the bike!

Check the bike from top to toe and make sure the bike owner acknowledges damage should there be any. Also, make sure all the vital features are working of course! Test the brakes, the signals, the lights, the horns. They are not to be missed for safe trafficking on the winding roads of Bali.

• Do you need to wear a helmet?

Yes, Always wear a helmet! This is rule number one when driving a motorbike in Bali or anywhere else in the world! Don’t take unnecessary risks, even though it might ruin your out-of-bed hairdo. It is really essential for your safe keeping, plus, it will help to keep the police off your back. Make sure the helmet fits your head well (there are different sizes). It should be comfortable and definitely not too loose (you don’t want it to blow off your head on the highway!).

• Insurance

Insurance should come with the scooter rental but sadly this is not nearly always the case. Ask about it up front when renting your bike, make sure you know what is covered and what is not. Also, check your travel insurance!

• Common scams

On some roads, there can be police raids who are sometimes keen on stopping tourist to make that extra bit of money. Should this happen, get ready to bargain and remember to always stay friendly and keep smiling. Having an international driving license will avoid the hassle and fines!

While renting your Bali scooter

Seek out a quiet road to familiarize yourself with the scooter: your loyal vehicle that will take you around paradise island.
Position the mirrors in such as way that you can see what’s behind you and start the bike by pressing the start button while holding the brakes (so you don’t fly forward). When the engine is running, your right hand can get the bike to start riding by moving the handle forward. Do this slow and steady, building up speed gradually. Remember that you have to drive on the LEFT side of the road in Bali, which may the opposite of what you are used to at home.

Motorbikes are generally made to fit two people. You might see parents with 2 or even 3 kids riding one bike together, but this is a perfect ‘don’t try this at home’ example.  It might be wise to buy a mouth mask if you are driving around in the busy areas of the island. You don’t want to be inhaling all the dirt when you are stuck in a traffic jam.
Petrol stations are easy to be found. A full tank should cost around Rp. 20.000 and in the case of a flat tire, you can get it fixed at many workshops by the side of the road for around Rp. 15.000.

To avoid road accidents, be aware of potholes, never mix drinking and driving and wear a helmet! (can’t say it enough!)

If you tend to be a chaotic person like myself, who tends to lose things like motorbike keys easily (sigh!), make a copy of the key at one of the road stalls. They are not hard to find and it is cheap. (The word for key is ‘kunci’ in the Indonesian language). Better safe than sorry!

Always lock the wheel of your scooter and put your helmet inside the trunk or clip it to the side so that it doesn’t get stolen.

Returning the scooter

Your scooter rental adventure in Bali is over and now you will be saying goodbye to your loyal Bali friend. Make sure to get some good snapshots of you and your new friend before you say goodbye as he or she will be missed! If there are parts broken or if you made any scratches during your adventures, you can fix it at workshops before returning the scooter. Another option is to pay for the damage at your rental place. (might be a bit more expensive). One thing is for certain, you will go home or continue your travels with a great new experience in your pocket and lots of good memories!

Enjoy the ride and stay safe!

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