Riding a motorbike is a great way to get around the beautiful island of Bali in Indonesia. Not only will it save you the hassle of trying to flag down public transport, but it will also be a much faster way to weave in and out of the traffic compared to being stuck in a car.
What You Need To Know When Hiring a Motorbike in Bali
You may have hired motorcycles in various other destinations across the world, but if you haven’t hired one in Bali then there are a few things that you need to know. For starters, it is illegal in Bali to ride a motorbike without having a valid licence. You need an international driving license. Depending on the type of bike you are hiring a specific license might be required. Even if you are planning to hire a motorcycle without gears, you’ll still require the license so do make sure you have one. In case you don’t but you know how to ride a motorbike, you can get a temporary permit in Densapar.
It is also mandatory to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in Bali. The person who you’re hiring from will be able to help you out with the helmet as well. However, since it’s likely to have been used by hundreds of tourists before you it might be a good idea to bring your helmet along, especially if you’re hiring the motorbike for weeks rather than just a day or two.
Most tourists do not think it necessary to follow the rules when it comes to the driving permit or the helmet, as they believe that the police will not trouble foreigners, as is the case in several South East Asian destinations. But that’s definitely not the case in Bali. In fact, foreigners are routinely checked to see that they have the required licence and it can be quite a bother for you if you’re caught without them. This is why it is essential that you follow the rules when hiring a motorcycle.
You should have no difficulty finding a motorcycle for hire in Bali. You can enquire at your hotel reception or you can simply head out and you’re likely to find numerous tourist offices with motorbikes for hire. That being said, do make sure that the motorcycle you’re hiring is in a newish condition. You especially need to ensure that the horn is in working condition; or else you may end up having nightmares while trying to navigate the Bali traffic.
When it comes to how much you’ll have to shell out for the motorcycle, it depends on your location in Bali as well as your bargaining skills. Bigger towns and villages could command a higher per day rate for the bike hire, whereas you would accept to pay lesser in smaller areas. On an average, you can expect to pay anywhere between Rp 20,000 and Rp 50,000 for hiring a motorcycle for one day. That does seem like quite a difference in price range, but if you hire for a week or longer you can get better rates. Do make sure that you ask for insurance when you hire the bike so that you are protected in case of an accident.
