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How to Rent a Motorcycle in Germany: The Complete Guide for International Riders

Planning to ride Europe on two wheels but not sure where to start? Germany is one of the best bases you can choose for a motorcycle adventure. Great roads, a central location, top-notch rental bikes, and easy access to the Alps, Dolomites, Norway, the Balkans and more.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to rent a motorcycle in Germany – from licences and insurance to cross-border rules, best regions to ride, and whether you should go it alone or join a guided tour.



About the Author

I’m Oliver Schwabe, founder of MotoVibes Travel, a rider-run company based in Germany offering guided and self-guided motorcycle tours across Europe.

  • I work with a leading rental partner in Hamburg and Munich for premium BMW, KTM and Honda motorcycles, plus top-level riding gear.

  • I’ve spent years exploring Europe’s best motorcycle routes: Alpine passes, fjord roads in Norway, the Pyrenees, the Balkans, Portugal, Sardinia and more.

  • I also run a YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers focused on motorcycle travel, touring tips, packing, and road-tested advice for riding in Europe.

If you want the fun of an epic tour without the stress of planning and logistics, that’s exactly what I help riders with.

 


If you like a mix of great riding and authentic culture, Germany is a strong base for your European motorcycle trip.


Why Germany Is a Great Place to Rent a Motorcycle

Germany works incredibly well as a hub for European motorcycle tours:

  • Big, well-connected airports

    • Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin all have strong international connections.

    • This makes fly-in, ride-out trips easy to organise.

  • Strong rental infrastructure

    • Professional partners with modern BMW, KTM and Honda fleets.

    • Proper touring setups: panniers, top boxes, GPS mounts, and often optional riding gear and helmets.

  • Perfect central location

    From Germany it’s easy to reach:

    • The Alps (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy)

    • The Dolomites and northern Italy

    • France, including the Vosges, Jura, French Alps and Pyrenees

    • The Balkans via Austria/Slovenia/Croatia

    • Scandinavia and Norway via Denmark

  • Reliable services and clear rules

    Things generally work as you expect: fuel, accomodation, tolls, and roadside assistance.


In short: fly to Germany, pick up a well-prepped bike, and you’re a day’s ride from some of Europe’s best roads.



Can You Cross Borders with a Rental Motorcycle from Germany?

In most cases, yes – and that’s one of the big advantages of starting in Germany.

However, there are some important details:


What’s usually allowed

Most reputable rental and tour companies in Germany allow riding in:

  • EU countries: Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, etc.

  • Schengen countries: Switzerland, Norway and others.


On MotoVibes tours and self-guided packages, cross-border riding is normal – for example:


Possible restrictions

  • Some non-EU or non-Schengen countries may be excluded or require special insurance.

  • Eastern European or Balkan countries may have specific conditions in the rental contract.


Important: always inform the rental company

Always tell the rental partner exactly which countries you plan to ride in so:

  • The insurance is valid.

  • They can confirm any restrictions, surcharges or special rules.

On my own tours, these details are clearly explained in the tour info and pre-trip documents so there are no surprises at the border.



What Paperwork Do You Need to Rent a Motorcycle in Germany?

To rent and ride legally, you’ll typically need:


1. Valid motorcycle licence

  • EU riders: your national motorcycle licence with category A is usually enough.

  • Non-EU riders:

    • Your full motorcycle licence from home.

    • In many cases an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required or strongly recommended, especially if your licence is not in English or German.

Check with your rental or tour company in advance; we always clarify this in writing for MotoVibes guests.


2. Passport or ID

  • Passport for non-EU citizens.

  • National ID card may be enough for EU citizens.


3. Credit card for the deposit

  • Used for the damage/security deposit on the bike.

  • The amount depends on the motorcycle and insurance level (commonly €1,000–€3,000).


4. Rental contract

You’ll sign a contract that spells out:

  • Rental period and mileage rules

  • Included insurance and deductible

  • Cross-border permissions

  • What to do in case of breakdown or accident

From the rental company, you should receive:

  • Vehicle registration (or copy)

  • Insurance proof / green card (where needed)

  • Breakdown and emergency contact numbers



Motorcycle Insurance and Personal Travel Insurance

Motorcycle insurance


Most professional rental and tour companies in Germany include:

  • Third-party liability – mandatory and always there.

  • Partial or full comprehensive coverage with a specified deductible (excess).


Key points to check:

  • Deductible amount

    How much you pay if the bike is damaged (e.g. €1,000–€2,500).

  • Options to reduce the deductible

    Sometimes you can pay extra per day to lower your liability.

  • Countries covered

    Important if you plan to ride into non-EU or Eastern European countries.


On MotoVibes tours and packages, I always spell out:

  • What’s included

  • What the deductible is

  • Where the bike is insured and where it is not


Personal travel insurance

Do not rely on bike insurance alone. You still need personal travel insurance that covers:

  • Medical treatment and hospital stays

  • Medical evacuation and repatriation

  • Trip interruption/cancellation

  • Lost luggage and personal effects


Some policies also include:

  • Cover for trip interruption due to a motorcycle accident or breakdown

  • Search and rescue (useful in remote mountain regions)

I strongly recommend arranging a comprehensive travel insurance policy before leaving home.



How to Choose a Good Rental or Tour Company

Not all rental or tour providers are equal. Here’s what to look out for:

For rentals:

  • Bike condition and age

    • Modern models from reputable brands (BMW, KTM, Honda, etc.).

    • Clean, serviced bikes with good tyres and brakes.

  • Transparent terms and pricing

    • Clear information about:

      • Mileage (unlimited or daily limit)

      • Deposit and deductible

      • Border rules

      • Fuel policy

    • Avoid companies that are vague about these points.

  • Riding-focused support

    • Are they used to touring riders?

    • Do they offer:

      • Panniers/top boxes

      • GPS or GPS mounts

      • Suggestions for routes and overnight stops?

  • Reviews and reputation

    • Google Reviews, rider forums, or personal recommendations.

  • Communication

    • Quick, clear responses to emails or WhatsApp.

    • Willingness to answer small practical questions.

For guided tours:

  • Group size and pace

    • Smaller groups usually mean a better experience.

    • Make sure the advertised pace matches your comfort level.

  • Skill level

    • Are tours clearly rated from intermediate to advanced?

    • Check guides’ experience and background.

  • What’s included

    • Accommodation, breakfasts, ferries, GPX files, etc.

  • Language

    • For most MotoVibes tours I guide in English and German – confirm what you need.


You can see how I handle these points here:https://www.motovibes.de/about



Is It Better to Just Rent, or Join a Tour?

There’s no one right answer; it depends on your personality and time.


Renting only / fully independent

Best if you:

  • Love planning routes and hotels.

  • Are happy to deal with weather, detours, and language barriers.

  • Want complete flexibility day by day.

Pros:

  • Maximum freedom.

  • You can change your mind anytime.

Cons:

  • More planning time.

  • Easy to miss hidden gem roads.

  • More stressful if something goes wrong.



Guided tour

Best if you:

  • Want to focus on riding and scenery.

  • Enjoy meeting and riding with other people.

  • Prefer someone else to handle logistics.

Pros:

  • Pre-scouted routes and tried-and-tested hotels.

  • Help with:

    • ferries

    • passes

    • border crossings

    • bad-weather alternatives

  • Support and backup if problems arise.

Cons:

  • Fixed dates and itinerary.

  • Less freedom to improvise daily.



Self-guided tour package (the “middle ground”)

This is where MotoVibes self-guided tours sit:

  • You get:

    • Pre-planned GPX routes

    • Booked hotels

    • Detailed roadbook and tips

  • You ride solo or with your own group, on your own schedule each day.

Perfect if you want:

  • Freedom on the road,

  • But no stress about where to sleep or whether the road is worth the detour.



What Bikes Are Available in Germany – and What Do I Recommend?

Typically you’ll find:

Big adventure/touring bikes

  • BMW R 1300 GS / R 1250 GS

  • KTM 1290 Super Adventure S

  • BMW F 800 GS

  • Honda mid-size adventure/tourers

These are ideal for:

  • Long days

  • Pillion (two-up) riding

  • Luggage and touring comfort

Roadsters and sport-touring bikes

  • Various BMW F and R series

  • Other sport-touring models depending on the rental partner

My recommendations

  • For two-up touring with luggage:

    BMW R 1300 GS or KTM 1290 Super Adventure S.

  • For solo riders who want something lighter:

    BMW F 800 GS or a mid-size Honda (easier in hairpins and parking lots).

  • If you’re new to European mountain roads:

    Choose a bike you can easily handle at slow speeds.

    Confidence in tight hairpins > raw horsepower.


On MotoVibes tours and self-guided packages, I’m happy to help you choose the right bike for your height, experience and trip type.



What to Check When You Collect Your Rental Motorcycle

Spend 5–10 minutes going over the bike with the rental staff:

  • Tyres

    • Adequate tread.

    • No visible damage or big cuts.

  • Brakes

    • Firm feel on lever and pedal.

    • No grinding sounds.

  • Electronics & lights

    • Headlight (low/high), indicators, brake light.

    • ABS/traction control warning lights should go off after riding a few metres.

    • Check heated grips or electronic suspension if fitted.

  • Suspension & steering

    • No unusual noises when compressing the suspension.

    • Steering moves freely lock-to-lock.

  • Chain (if applicable)

    • Correct tension and good lubrication.

  • Luggage system

    • Panniers and top box close and lock properly.

    • Check that you have all the keys you need.

  • Existing damage

    • Walk around with the rental staff.

    • Note and photograph scratches, dents or scuffs.

    • Ensure everything is listed in the handover form.

A careful handover prevents disputes later and gives you peace of mind.



What Should You Bring With You?

Some riders travel light and rent gear; others bring everything. Here’s a sensible middle ground.


Riding gear (ideally your own)

  • Helmet (ECE or equivalent certified)

  • Textile jacket and trousers with armour

  • Waterproof or Gore-Tex boots

  • Gloves:

    • 1 x ventilated/summer pair

    • 1 x warmer/wet-weather pair

  • Neck tube / buff

  • Optional: back protector or electronic airbag vest

With MotoVibes you can also rent premium gear such as:

  • Klim Gore-Tex suits

  • Waterproof touring boots

  • High-quality helmets

  • Electronic airbag vests


Clothing & extras

  • Merino or technical base layers

  • Light fleece or down jacket

  • Comfortable shoes for evenings

  • Lightweight rain jacket if your gear isn’t fully waterproof

  • Earplugs, sunglasses, sunscreen

  • Power bank and charging cables


Documents

  • Passport / ID

  • Driving licence + IDP (if needed)

  • Travel insurance documents

  • Credit/debit cards and a bit of cash



Where to Rent: Best Parts of Germany and Airports to Fly Into

Two of my favourite starting points:

Munich

  • Perfect if your goal is:

    • Bavarian Alps

    • Austrian Alps, Dolomites, and northern Italy

    • Sardinia

    • Switzerland and parts of France

  • Big international airport with many direct connections.

  • From Munich, you can be on serious mountain roads in just a couple of hours.

Hamburg

  • Ideal for:

    • Trips towards Denmark and Norway

    • Exploring the North Sea and Baltic coasts

    • Longer “Across Europe” adventures

Both cities are covered by my main rental partner and are used as start/finish points for several MotoVibes tours.



Best Regions to Ride Starting from Germany

Hard to narrow down, but here are three top picks you can easily reach with a German rental:

1. The Alps (Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France)

  • Legendary passes, endless corners, and epic views.

  • Great food and culture both north and south of the main ridge.

  • Ideal for:

    • 7–10 day guided tours

    • Or self-guided trips with our GPX routes and hotel packages.

2. Norway (via Denmark)

  • Start in Germany, ride through Denmark, then ferry into Norway.

  • Highlights:

    • Fjords and coastal roads

    • Trollstigen, Geiranger, Atlantic Ocean Road (on the right routes)

  • Best for:

    • Summer trips (June–August)

    • Riders who enjoy remote scenery and changing weather

3. The Dolomites

  • Technically Italy, but easy to reach from southern Germany or Austria.

  • Very high density of incredible passes in a compact area.

  • Tight, technical hairpins with stunning rock formations.



When Is the Best Time of Year to Ride?

It depends where you’re heading:

  • Germany & lower mountains

    • Best: May to early October

    • Spring and autumn can be cooler but less busy.

  • High Alps & Dolomites

    • Main season: June to September

    • Some high passes open late or close early depending on snow.

  • Norway & far north

    • Best: mid-June to late August

    • Earlier or later can mean cold temperatures, snow on high roads, and a lot of rain.

When we plan MotoVibes tours, all of this is factored in, which is why most of our Alpine and Norway trips fall into these windows.

Top Tips for Renting and Riding in Germany

To wrap things up, here are some quick tips:

  • Be honest about your skill level

    Choose routes and groups that match your experience. It’s meant to be fun, not stressful.

  • Pick the right bike, not the biggest one

    A slightly smaller, lighter bike can be far more enjoyable in tight Alpine switchbacks.

  • Pack light

    You will ride more comfortably with lighter panniers. Laundry mid-tour is easier than wrestling overpacked luggage every morning.

  • Use GPX routes

    Good GPX tracks keep you on the interesting back roads and away from boring main highways.

  • Build in buffer days

    Weather, roadworks or ferries can change your plans. One or two “flex days” can save your entire trip.

  • Ask questions before you book

    A good rental or tour company will happily answer all your detailed questions about bikes, gear, insurance, and daily riding distances.


Ready to Plan Your Ride?

If you’re thinking about renting a motorcycle in Germany and want a stress-free way to ride Europe’s best roads, here are your next steps:

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