Motorcycle Rental in Los Angeles for Tourists - What to Know Before You Book

Apr 4, 2026

Motorcycle rental in Los Angeles for tourists starts as low as $20/day on Riders Share, with hundreds of bikes available from local owners across the city and pickup options near LAX, Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Downtown. You'll need a valid motorcycle license (your home state M1/M2 endorsement or a foreign license with a visible motorcycle class), you need to be at least 21, and lane splitting is fully legal here, which completely changes how riding in LA feels compared to almost anywhere else in the country.

Los Angeles Motorcycle Rental Guide

• Can Tourists Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles?
• Do I Need a California Motorcycle License to Rent in LA?
• Is Lane Splitting Legal in Los Angeles?
• How to Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles
• How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles?
• What Does Riders Share Insurance Cover?
• What’s the Best Motorcycle to Rent in Los Angeles?
• Getting Your Rental Motorcycle in Los Angeles
• Parking a Motorcycle in Los Angeles
• Where to Ride in Los Angeles
• Rent a Motorcycle in LA with Riders Share

Can Tourists Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles?

Tourists can absolutely rent a motorcycle in Los Angeles, and the process is more accessible than most visitors expect. On Riders Share, renters need to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid motorcycle license from any U.S. state or country, and have a credit or debit card on file for the rental and security deposit.

What About International Visitors?

International visitors can legally ride a motorcycle in California using their home country's license, as long as it includes a valid motorcycle endorsement. California law allows adult visitors (18+) to ride on a foreign license for the entire duration of their stay with no time cap, so a long weekend and a two-month road trip are treated the same way. On Riders Share, the process is simple: you select your home country during sign-up, upload your license with the motorcycle endorsement visible, and most verifications get confirmed instantly.

NOTE: You might see a 10-day rule referenced online, which limits how long someone can ride on a foreign license in California. That rule only applies to minors ages 16 and 17, and since Riders Share requires all renters to be 21 or older, it doesn't apply to any rental booked through the platform.

Do I Need a California Motorcycle License to Rent in LA?

This is one of the most common questions we get from visitors, and the short answer is no. California recognizes motorcycle endorsements from all 50 states, so if your home license carries an M1 (full motorcycle) or M2 (motorized bicycle/scooter) endorsement, you're already cleared to ride anywhere in the state.

View our guide to renting motorcycles in California that walks through the full process, from license and age requirements to insurance options and California-specific motorcycle laws like helmet rules and lane splitting.

What Do International Riders Need?

For visitors coming from outside the U.S., the same foreign license you used to sign up on Riders Share is what you'll show the bike owner at pickup, along with your passport for identity verification. An International Driving Permit (IDP) isn't legally required by California, but if your license isn't printed in English, having one makes the pickup process smoother and avoids confusion if you get pulled over.

• IDPs can only be obtained in your home country before you travel, so this is something to handle during trip planning rather than after you land
• At pickup, the owner checks your license and passport in person before handing over the keys, similar to a hotel check-in
• Riders under 25 need at least 3 years of riding experience to rent on Riders Share

Read More: Guide to International Motorcycle Riding & Rentals in the USA – Requirements, Costs & Tips.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Los Angeles?

Lane splitting has been legal throughout California since August 2016 under Assembly Bill 51, and California remains the only U.S. state where it's formally on the books. If you're coming from somewhere that doesn't allow filtering through traffic, this single rule changes the entire riding experience in LA. 

To put it in perspective, rush hour on the 405 or the 101 can mean 45 minutes of stop-and-go in a car, while a motorcycle can filter through that same stretch in about 15. That gap reshapes how you plan your day, how quickly you get to coastal routes and canyon trailheads, and how much riding you can fit into a trip.

CHP Lane Splitting Guidelines

The law itself doesn't set hard speed limits for splitting, but the California Highway Patrol published safety guidelines that officers and insurance adjusters reference after incidents:

• Avoid splitting when traffic is moving faster than 30 mph
• Keep your speed no more than 10 mph above surrounding vehicles
• Split in the leftmost lanes where drivers expect it most
• Stay out of on-ramp merge zones where drivers are focused on merging rather than checking mirrors

What If You've Never Lane Split Before?

If you're looking into lane splitting in Los Angeles on a motorcycle for the first time, the adjustment is more mental than physical. Drivers in LA have been sharing lane space with motorcycles for decades, which makes this one of the more comfortable cities to try it. Starting on slower surface streets like Santa Monica Boulevard or Wilshire lets you get used to the spacing and rhythm before jumping into freeway traffic during peak hours.

Take a look at our California motorcycle laws overview covering helmet requirements, registration rules, and other regulations that apply while you're here.

How to Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles

There's no motorcycle rental desk at LAX and no lot to pick up from. Most motorcycle rentals in Los Angeles are handled online, either through peer-to-peer platforms like Riders Share or through traditional rental companies with locations spread across the metro area. On Riders Share, you rent directly from local bike owners across the city, which gives you access to more bikes, more locations, and more price points than a single shop could offer.

The Booking Process

• Browse Los Angeles motorcycle rentals and filter by bike type, price, dates, and features like gear included or delivery
• Select a damage waiver tier and submit a booking request
• Wait for approval on rental request (The owner has 12 hours to approve)
• Once approved, you get their contact info and the pickup location

Pickup and Return Process

You and the owner meet at whatever spot you've agreed on, walk through the bike together, and document its condition with photos through the platform's check-in process. That protects both sides. When you bring the bike back, you go through the same process, and if everything checks out, your security deposit gets refunded within a few days.

What's Different About Renting from an Owner?

Since you're renting from an actual owner and not a rental company, the person handing you the keys is someone who rides that motorcycle regularly. They can tell you how the clutch engages, whether the bike runs hot in slow traffic, and which roads are best for the kind of riding you're planning. That's the kind of firsthand knowledge you don't get from a traditional rental counter.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Motorcycle in Los Angeles?

The cost of renting a motorcycle in LA depends on a few things: the type of bike, how long you're renting, and which coverage tier you go with. On Riders Share, most daily rates fall somewhere between $50 and $150/day before insurance and fees, though you can find smaller bikes starting as low as $20/day and high-end models going up to $400/day.

Daily Rates by Bike Type

• Cruiser: $27 to $160/day
• Touring: $34 to $200/day
• Adventure/Dual-Sport: $30 to $130/day
• Sport: $30 to $250/day
• Sport Touring: $34 to $76/day
• Standard: $25 to $150/day
• 3-Wheeler: $70 to $95/day
• Scooter: $20 to $55/day

What a Rental Actually Costs After Fees

A damage waiver ($40 to $90/day depending on coverage tier and bike value), a service fee (around 25% of total rental cost), a refundable security deposit ($500 to $2,000 hold on your card), and optional roadside assistance ($7/day) all get added to your daily rate at checkout. So, a bike listed at $100/day with standard protection comes out to roughly $175 to $190/day before taxes, though first-time Riders Share users get 20% off and multi-day rentals come with discounted daily rates*.

*Multi-day discounts are up to the owner. Most offer anywhere from 5%-40% off the daily rate, but the required number of rental days to get that discount varies from listing to listing.

NOTE: Some owners include helmets, jackets, and gloves in their listing at no extra charge, while others offer gear as a paid add-on. Filtering by gear availability before you book can save you from having to rent or buy gear separately once you land.

What Does Riders Share Insurance Cover?

Riders Share's coverage kicks in the moment your trip starts, and you choose your plan at checkout. Every rental includes third-party liability coverage that meets California's state minimum requirements, regardless of which damage waiver tier you select.

Damage Waiver Tiers

Riders Share offers three tiers with deductibles ranging from $100 to $4,000 and physical damage protection up to $30,000. Higher-tier plans mean lower deductibles but higher daily waiver fees. If you decline all waiver options, you carry full financial responsibility for any damage during your trip.

Does Your Personal Motorcycle Insurance Cover Rentals?

Something that catches a lot of first-time renters off guard: most personal motorcycle insurance policies don’t extend to rental bikes. Even with full coverage on your own bike back home, you're most likely not protected on someone else's. If there's any question, selecting a Riders Share damage waiver removes the guesswork.

What's Not Covered

• Personal injury. No waiver covers rider injuries. Travel insurance with medical coverage is a must for international visitors especially.
• Personal belongings left on the motorcycle
• Off-road damage unless the owner has opted in
• Prohibited activities like stunt riding, racing, or riding under the influence

Read More: Motorcycle Rental Insurance: How Does It Work?

What’s the Best Motorcycle to Rent in Los Angeles?

Riders Share has 200+* motorcycles listed in the LA area, and the best one for your trip comes down to whether you're riding PCH through Malibu, carving Mulholland, climbing Angeles Crest, or doing a combination of all three.

Popular Motorcycle Rentals Available in LA

• Harley-Davidson: Street Glide, Road King, Sportster, Iron 883. Starting at $45/day.
• BMW: R 1250 GS, F 900 XR, S 1000 RR. Starting at $30/day.
• Ducati: Monster, Scrambler, Panigale. Starting at $38/day.
• Indian: Chieftain, Scout, FTR. Starting at $60/day.
• Honda: Rebel 500, CB650R, Africa Twin, Gold Wing. Starting at $20/day.
• Yamaha: MT-07, MT-09, R7. Starting at $50 to $32/day.
• Triumph: Bonneville, Street Triple, Tiger. Starting at $36/day.
• Can-Am: Spyder and Ryker three-wheelers. Starting at $70/day. No motorcycle license required for Can-Am rentals in California.

Which Type of Bike for Which Ride?

• Coastal cruising (PCH, Santa Barbara run): Cruiser or touring bike
• Canyon roads (Mulholland, Topanga): Naked bike or sportbike
• Mixed routes (freeway + canyons + mountains): Adventure bike
• City exploring and shorter rides: Standard or smaller displacement bike

*Availability changes with seasonality and demand. Check current LA listings for the most up-to-date selection.

Getting Your Rental Motorcycle in Los Angeles

Where you pick up your bike depends on which owner you book with and where you're staying. Some renters grab their rental near the airport right after landing, others have it delivered to their hotel, and some wait until the next morning to pick up from an owner in their neighborhood.

Where Can I Pick Up a Motorcycle Rental Near LAX?

Owners are spread across the LA metro, so you're not limited to one pickup spot. Here are the most common options for tourists flying in:

• Hawthorne, Inglewood, El Segundo: Less than 10 minutes from LAX by rideshare
• Airport delivery: Some owners will bring the bike directly to LAX so it's there when you land
• Santa Monica: About 20 minutes from LAX and a natural starting point if PCH is your first ride
• Hollywood and Downtown LA: 30 to 45 minutes from LAX depending on traffic, but if you're staying in either area, picking up locally saves you from backtracking
• Hotel and Airbnb delivery: Around 40% of LA-area owners offer delivery to where you're staying

NOTE: The listings page shows approximate pickup locations before you book, so you can filter by what's closest to your hotel or Airbnb.

Timing Your Pickup

If you can, book a few days before your flight so you and the owner have time to work out the details. LA traffic gets heavy between about 3:00 and 7:00 PM on weekdays, so if you're landing in the afternoon, it's easier to plan your pickup on either side of that window.

Parking a Motorcycle in Los Angeles

Riding a motorcycle in LA comes with a parking advantage that most tourists don't realize until they get here. In most of the City of Los Angeles, motorcycles can park at metered spots for free as long as the bike is at a 90-degree angle to the curb and isn't blocking the sidewalk. When car parking around popular spots like Santa Monica Pier, Griffith Observatory, and Hollywood runs $20 to $30 per visit, that adds up fast over a multi-day trip.

NOTE: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and other smaller cities within the LA metro set their own rules, and some do charge for motorcycles at meters. Always check the signs before you walk away.

Most paid garages across LA also have designated motorcycle spots near the entrance at lower rates than cars, which is helpful in areas like Downtown where street parking fills up fast.

Street Cleaning and Towing

Sweeper schedules are posted on signs along every block, and the city is strict about it. A tow runs over $100 in fees before you even deal with getting the bike back, so checking those signs before you leave the bike parked overnight is one of those small steps that can save you a real headache.

Keeping the Bike Safe

LA ranks second in the country for motorcycle theft behind New York City according to NICB data. Theft on Riders Share rentals happens on fewer than 0.1% of trips, but you're financially responsible for the bike while it's in your hands, so getting into good habits from the start matters:

• Lock the steering column every time you park, even for a quick stop
• Use the disc lock or wheel lock if the owner provides one
• Avoid leaving the bike on the street overnight in Hollywood, Venice, or Downtown if you have other options

Where to Ride in Los Angeles

Once you've got the bike, the insurance, and the pickup locked in, the next question is the fun one: what routes can I ride from Los Angeles on a motorcycle? PCH through Malibu, Mulholland Drive into Topanga Canyon, and Angeles Crest Highway are the three that most visitors plan their trip around, and all three are within an hour of the airport.

Pacific Coast Highway Through Malibu

• Distance: 30 miles from Santa Monica to Neptune's Net (45 min to 1 hour)
• The ride: Hugs the coastline through Malibu, and once you pass Point Dume the road lifts above the water with wide-open views all the way to El Matador Beach
• Full-day option: Continue through Point Mugu into Ventura County, adds 30 to 40 miles each way
• Best bike: Cruiser or touring bike

Read More: Pacific Coast Highway Motorcycle Tour: Complete Mileage Breakdown & Costs.

Mulholland Drive and Topanga Canyon

• The road: Runs the ridgeline of the Santa Monica Mountains with tight corners, elevation changes, and views of the San Fernando Valley on one side and the LA skyline on the other
• The loop: Drop into Topanga Canyon, wind through shaded hills, and connect to PCH near the coast. About two to three hours total.
• Best bike: Naked bike or sportbike

Angeles Crest Highway

• Distance: 66 miles from La Canada Flintridge, climbs over 7,000 feet
• The ride: The landscape goes from dry scrub to pine forest as you climb, with long empty stretches and almost no traffic on weekdays
• Heads up: Fuel up before you go, check conditions (portions close seasonally), and expect spotty cell service
• Best bike: Adventure bike or sport tourer

For more riding south of LA, our blog on motorcycle routes near Irvine covers five rides along the southern California coast and through Orange County, all within a couple hours of the city.

Rent a Motorcycle in LA with Riders Share

LA is one of the best motorcycle cities in the country, and you can ride it year-round. Motorcycle rentals in Los Angeles on Riders Share start at $20/day, new users get 20% off their first booking, and every rental comes with liability coverage, damage waiver options, and optional roadside assistance built into checkout. Browse listings, read owner reviews, and book a bike that fits your trip.

Recap

A valid motorcycle license, a credit card, and being 21 or older gets you on a bike in LA. From there, it's picking the right motorcycle for your route, choosing a coverage tier that makes sense for your trip, and coordinating pickup with a local owner. Lane splitting keeps you moving through traffic, free meter parking keeps the costs down, and the roads here do the rest.