5 Best Beginner-Friendly Motorcycle Rentals - A Novice Rider's Guide

Have you passed your motorcycle license test recently? The first thing you need to begin your post-license riding practice is to find a beginner-friendly  motorcycle. While entry-level motorcycles can be purchased at cheap prices, most riders do not like being stuck with one after they have moved past basic riding skills. It is more gratifying to ride a fancy cruiser or  fully-dressed tourer rather than a beginner-friendly motorbike.

The best course of action is to rent an easy-to-handle, small displacement motorcycle. At this stage, you will not only hone your riding skills, but also develop a unique riding style.

In this article, you will learn how to continue practicing riding a motorcycle after earning your motorcycle license. Without a full motorcycle license or a valid endorsement on your driver’s license, you cannot qualify to rent a motorcycle. If you are still relatively inexperienced, then it is best you learn how to ride by first completing a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Course, pass a motorcycle license test, and rent a beginner-friendly motorcycle before moving on to bigger, more powerful two-wheelers.

With the wide selection of motorcycles available at rental services, it can be difficult to find the right beginner-friendly motorcycle best suited to help you improve your riding skills. Many experienced riders advise beginners to ride motorbikes they feel most comfortable with. This allows beginners to master slow speed maneuvers, quick braking, gear transitions, and learn how to operate the controls.

At motorcycle rentals, you should select from the most lightweight and agile motorcycles in their fleets. Make sure the motorcycle has a reliable engine with a small displacement no more than 500 cc. It is recommended you only rent or buy a 1100 cc or higher cruiser after you have learned intermediate riding skills.

Riding a heavyweight motorcycle with a large displacement can be extremely difficult for a beginner to handle due to the overwhelming amount of horsepower and torque. Here is a quick checklist of qualities to look for in your first entry-level motorcycle rental:

As a beginner, make sure to ride a well-tuned motorcycle rental. A motorcycle with a hard clutch, bad throttle response, and overly-responsive brakes will make traveling in the middle of a crowded road incredibly dangerous. If a motorcycle is faulty, it can cause novice riders to become stressed, panic, and increase the risk of getting into accidents.

Most renowned motorcycle rental services keep their fleets well-maintained, so you should have no problem finding a street-worthy two-wheeler. However, sometimes purchasing for a motorcycle rental can be expensive.

Take time to research a reliable and well-reputed motorcycle rental service. Check if there are any local motorcycle rental services close to place of residence. Once you find some good motorcycle rental services, check the costs of their rates and Just make sure you inspect the motorcycle rental well before reserving and taking it out on the road.

Once you have your motorcycle license, you can rent any type of motorcycle from any brand. From the most luxurious Harley Davidson motorcycle to stylish Honda motorcycles to powerful Yamaha motorcycles, you have no shortage of options. But the motorcycle brand does not matter so long as the motorcycle is reliable and easy to handle. If it is lightweight, underpowered, and has all the qualities mentioned above, then you should rent the motorcycle.

Here is a recommended list of entry-level motorcycles that you can rent to practice riding after you get your motorcycle license:

A stylish, sporty-looking standard motorcycle, the  Rebel 500 is a great beginner bike weighing only 421 lbs. It boasts a reasonably powerful engine that a beginner can handle. You will enjoy the extra power and speed that its 500 cc single cylinder motor can provide.

The Rebel 500 features a low-slung seat and a superb ergonomic configuration that suits shorter, average, and taller riders perfectly.

Its six-speed transmission system ensures smooth power delivery and an enjoyable riding experience. The braking system is adequate, but with the inclusion of an anti-lock braking system, the Rebel 500 is a top choice for novice riders.

A popular choice among novice riders, the  Honda Rebel 500 is available for rent at various locations. You can rent and book your ride at the nearest EagleRider, Riders Share, or Twisted Road.

Many American youth who are into motorcycle riding usually get their motorcycle licenses to live out their dreams of riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle. If you can relate, then consider renting Harley’s best modern cruiser, the Harley  Street 500.

Weighing only 500 lbs, the Harley Street 500 can easily pull off slow-speed maneuvers. Furthermore, this lightweight cruiser features a low-slung seat that inspires confidence in younger riders.

The Harley Street 500 is powered by a 494 cc V-twin liquid-cooled engine that provides smooth power delivery and adequate acceleration without sacrificing enjoyability and comfortability for novice riders.

Unfortunately, there are no listings for the Harley Street 500 at EagleRider - arguably the best place to find  Harley Davidson rentals in the United States. However, you can rent this beginner-friendly motorbike from the following peer-to-peer motorcycle sharing marketplaces.

The Suzuki GSX250 is the perfect motorcycle for riders who prefer sporty vehicles. Built with a riding style and aesthetic finish similar to that of a heavyweight sports motorcycle with a larger displacement, the Suzuki GSX250 is a 250 cc motorcycle ideal for beginners.

Its excellent dual caliper braking setup coupled with an ABS makes it one of the safest and most reliable motorcycles for novice riders. Plus, it is lightweight and maneuverable, allowing you to speed down the road while dodging obstacles effortlessly.

Find a Suzuki GW250 available for rent at the following platforms:

A lightweight nimble cruiser, the Yamaha’s V-Star 250 is the perfect motorcycle for beginners. Its agile frame and low-slung seat coupled with a small reliable 250 cc engine provides a sense of familiarity for riders who have recently completed a MSF course since newer riders train by riding 250 cc motorcycles.

The V-Syar 250 can achieve a top speed of 85 mph, allowing riders to enjoy the thrill of riding a two-wheeler at a manageable pace. Due to its impressive fuel economy of 78 mph, it is recommended you rent the V-Star 250 if you plan to go on a trip lasting a couple of days.

You can rent the V-Star 250 at Riders Share.

The Yamaha YZF R3 is built with aggressive styling cues, a sporty character, and a sleek chassis. The  Yamaha model offers an enjoyable riding experience and can produce considerable speed due to its twin-cylinder 321 cc engine. Although the engine has a small displacement, it can produce a high amount of torque due to each engine cylinder having four valves. The Yamaha YZF R3’s upright riding position, comfortable seat, adequate braking, and effortless handling make it a great beginner ride.

You can rent the Yamaha YZF R3 at the following rental services.

The requirements for motorcycle safety gear different between each U.S. state. Typically, each state requires you to wear a helmet approved by the Department of Transportation as part of your motorcycle safety gear.

To learn about motorcycle helmet laws in each state, click here.

As a beginner, it is recommended you rent safety gear along with your motorcycle. The minimum motorcycle safety gear should include the following:

It is mandatory to wear an approved motorcycle helmet if you are under a specific age limit depending on the state. Wearing a helmet will protect your head from being severely injured in case of a crash. Moreover, if the helmet has a visor, it will help keep debris from hitting your eyes.

Gloves protect your hands from getting burnt by the sun during hot weather and keep them warm in cold weather. Furthermore, they will protect your hands from getting bruised, scratched, and injuried during an accident.

When riding a motorcycle, your feet need to be comfortable and covered up to your ankles. Wearing thick boots will prevent sharp objects from hitting your uncovered feet or ankles.

A full riding suit includes a leather jacket and thick long pants. Having the right clothing will help protect you in unfavorable weather and road conditions.

Most rental services provide a DOT-certified helmet along with the motorcycle rental free of charge. Other rental services may charge up to $10 for a motorcycle helmet.

If you wish to rent other safety gear, confirm which ones are available with the rental agent. In case the rental services does not offer safety gear to rent, then you ,ay have to rent what you need from safety gear rental services like FeelLikeaPro or buy it from brands like AlphaTeamRacing. 

Used beginner-friendly motorcycles are a great option to start your motorcycle journey, but until you manage to find the best deal possible, you cannot buy your own vehicle to practice on. This is where motorcycle rental services come in.

With several options available at affordable rates, you can easily search and find a used motorcycle rental that you can use for your daily riding practice. You can experiment with different bikes, becoming familiar with them and learning which ones best suit you.

No matter where you live, finding a beginner-friendly motorcycle rental is possible. So begin your motorcycle journey!