Short answer: rent an automatic scooter if you're new to riding or mostly in town. Choose a maxi-scooter (NMAX, PCX, XMAX) for two people, hills and day trips. Only rent a geared motorcycle or trail bike if you're an experienced rider with a licence that covers it.
The four types compared
| Type | Best for | Engine | Shops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scooters | Town riding, short hops, first-time riders, parking in busy streets | 110-125cc automatic | 62 |
| Maxi-scooters | Two people, hills, longer day trips, more storage | 150-250cc automatic | 57 |
| Motorcycles | Experienced riders touring the island | 150cc to 650cc+, geared | 15 |
| Trail and dirt bikes | Experienced riders heading for rough back roads and tracks | around 150-250cc, geared | 14 |
Prices: the cheapest automatic scooter at each shop typically costs IDR 80K a day (42 shops), and the priciest automatic at scooter-only shops (usually a maxi-scooter) typically IDR 250K. Too few shops publish separate prices for motorcycles and dirt bikes to give a range; see each shop's listing, or the full price guide.
Automatic scooters (110-125cc)
The Honda Scoopy and Vario and the Yamaha Fazzio are the small automatics the shops in our directory list most often. No gears, light, easy to park and cheap to run. They are the right choice for getting around Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Sanur and town centres, and for anyone still getting used to Bali traffic. They feel strained with two adults on steep hills.
Maxi-scooters (150-250cc)
The Yamaha NMAX and XMAX, Honda PCX, ADV and Vario 160 are still automatic, but bigger, more stable and more powerful, with more storage under the seat. They are worth the extra cost if you are riding two-up, staying on the Bukit around Uluwatu, heading up to Kintamani from Ubud, or doing longer day trips.
Geared motorcycles
Road bikes such as the Yamaha MT-25 or Kawasaki Ninja 250, and bigger bikes like a Kawasaki Z650, suit experienced riders touring the island. They need clutch and gear control in stop-start traffic, and your licence must cover motorcycles of that size. Most shops in our directory that rent them also rent scooters.
Trail and dirt bikes
Street-legal dual-sport bikes such as the Yamaha WR155, Kawasaki KLX and Honda CRF have long-travel suspension for rough back roads, volcano tracks and beach trails, and can still be ridden in town. They're tall and geared, so they suit confident riders.
By area and road type
- Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Sanur: flat but busy, narrow streets and tight parking. A small automatic scooter is the easiest.
- Uluwatu and the Bukit: hilly, with long distances between beaches. A maxi-scooter, and a surf rack if you surf.
- Ubud and central Bali: narrow, hilly roads and day trips to the rice terraces and Kintamani. A 150-160cc maxi-scooter for two people or the mountains.
- Nusa Penida: steep, rough roads to the viewpoints. Only for confident riders, on a well-maintained bike; otherwise hire a driver.
- Amed and Lovina: far from the south, so rent locally. Coastal and mountain roads favour a bike with enough power for hills.
Where to rent each type
- Scooters: 62 shops, most based in Canggu (13), Kuta (9), Ubud (8).
- Maxi-scooters: 57 shops, most based in Canggu (12), Kuta (9), Ubud (8).
- Motorcycles: 15 shops, most based in Canggu (6), Uluwatu (2), Kuta (2).
- Trail and dirt bikes: 14 shops, most based in Canggu (6), Denpasar (3), Nusa Penida (2).
Licence
Indonesian law requires a valid licence to ride. For most visitors that means an International Driving Permit (IDP) that covers motorcycles, carried with your home licence; residents can hold an Indonesian motorcycle licence (SIM C, with higher classes for bikes above 250cc). For geared motorcycles make sure your home licence and IDP cover full-size motorcycles, not only small scooters. Rules can change, so check current requirements before you ride (our licence guide lists the sources). See our licence and IDP guide for the details and sources.