700+ California Motorcycle Rentals

Largest Selection of Motorcycle Rentals in California (700+)

California hosts 936,000 registered motorcycles, more than any other US state. Riders Share connects you with 700+ available for rent across Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and 50+ cities statewide. Rentals start at $15/day compared to traditional shops charging $150-250/day.

Available inventory by region:

• Los Angeles & Southern California: 300+ bikes
• San Francisco Bay Area: 200+ bikes
• San Diego & Coastal: 150+ bikes
• Sacramento & Central Valley: 50+ bikes
• Irvine, CA: 106+ bikes
• Berkeley, CA: 118+ bikes

Popular brands available:

Harley-Davidson • BMW • Ducati • Yamaha • Honda • Kawasaki • Triumph • Indian • Suzuki**

**Riders Share offers over 25 motorcycle brands statewide, and availability updates in real time based on your dates and location. Some bikes may be available for select days only.

California Motorcycle Rental Prices

California motorcycle rentals start at $15/day for standard cruisers and reach $288/day for premium touring bikes and three-wheelers. Most rentals fall in the $50-120/day range.Pricing by bike category:

• Standard cruisers: $15-70/day (Honda Rebels, Kawasaki Vulcans, Yamaha V-Stars)
• Sport bikes: $45-110/day (Yamaha R6, Kawasaki Ninja, Suzuki GSX-R)
• Adventure bikes: $65-140/day (BMW GS models, Honda Africa Twin, Triumph Tiger)
• Premium touring: $90-180/day (BMW K1600, Honda Gold Wing, Harley Ultra Limited)
• Three-wheelers: $120-288/day (Can-Am Spyder, Polaris Slingshot)

Riders Share rental discounts: 1st time renter (20%) • Multi-day rentals (10-20%) • Ride Pass members (25%)

Rent from Local Owners Who Know California's Best Rides

Traditional rental shops hand you keys and a map. Riders Share hosts hand you their personal bike plus insider knowledge. Malibu owners tell you which PCH sections have the best sunset pullouts, San Francisco hosts explain when fog clears on Skyline Boulevard, and San Diego riders share backroads that avoid I-5 traffic.

Peer-to-peer advantages:

• Flexible pickup times (8:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
• Direct owner contact for real-time route questions
• Bikes maintained for personal use, not overworked rental fleets
• 24/7 roadside assistance included with every rental
• Average 4.9-star ratings from verified renters

Cost comparison:

• Riders Share: $15-150/day depending on bike
• Traditional rental shop: average $150-250/day before insurance

Lane Splitting Legal Only in California Saves Time in Traffic

California is the only US state where lane splitting is fully legal. You can ride between lanes of stopped or moving traffic following CHP guidelines, saving 30-45 minutes during rush hour. Assembly Bill 51 legalized the practice in 2017 after decades of California Highway Patrol tolerance. UC Berkeley research shows 80% of California motorcyclists lane split on freeways.

Safe lane splitting guidelines:

• Stay within 10 mph of surrounding traffic speed
• Don't lane split when traffic exceeds 30 mph
• Use leftmost lanes (#1 and #2) for safest positioning
• Legal on all road types: freeways, highways, city streets, divided or undivided

California Helmet Law

California requires DOT-approved helmets for all riders and passengers regardless of age. Most owners provide helmets with rentals, or bring your own DOT-approved helmet. Filter Gear Available to find rentals with extra equipment. 

Convenient Pickup and Delivery Options Across California

California rentals offer flexible pickup across 50+ cities. Many owners deliver to airports, hotels, and specific neighborhoods for added convenience.

Los Angeles area pickup locations:

• LAX airport (40% of LA owners offer airport delivery)
• Downtown LA near Union Station
• Venice Beach and Santa Monica
• Hollywood and West Hollywood
• Anaheim near Disneyland (60+ bikes available)
• Long Beach and South Bay

San Francisco Bay Area pickup locations:

• SFO airport (delivery available from 35% of SF owners)
• Downtown San Francisco near Union Square
• Oakland and Berkeley
• San Jose and South Bay
• Marin County for immediate access to Highway 1 north

San Diego pickup locations:

• San Diego International Airport delivery available
• Downtown San Diego and Gaslamp Quarter
• La Jolla and coastal areas
• North County (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas)

Other major cities:

• Sacramento with Sierra foothills access
• Irvine (Orange County's largest inventory at 106+ bikes)
• Fresno for Central Valley and Yosemite access
• Santa Barbara for Central Coast riding

Delivery stats: Over 48% of California owners offer delivery service, with many providing free delivery for rentals of 3+ days. Delivery to major airports (LAX, SFO, SAN) typically takes 30-45 minutes after you land.

List Your California Motorcycle on Riders Share

Own a motorcycle in California? List it and earn from tourists and riders exploring the state's legendary roads. California sees year-round demand with peak seasons April-October. Add photos, set your pricing and availability, and start earning from verified renters.

Best Riding Seasons in California

• Southern California (LA, San Diego, Orange County): Year-round riding with 280+ days of sunshine annually. Winter stays 60-70°F, making December-February comfortable for coastal rides. Summer reaches 85-95°F inland, requiring early starts for desert areas. Best months: October-May.
• Northern California (San Francisco, Sacramento, Bay Area): Best riding April-October with 65-80°F temperatures and clear skies. Winter brings rain November-March (15-20 rain days monthly). Summer fog blankets coast but inland stays clear. Best months: May-October.

What Are the Best Motorcycle Routes in California?

1. Pacific Coast Highway

655 Miles From Dana Point to Leggett

Highway 1 runs California's entire coastline. Big Sur's 90-mile stretch features Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls. Malibu offers 21 miles through Santa Monica Mountains. Rent in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, or Irvine for different PCH access points.

2. Mulholland Drive

24 Miles of LA Canyon Riding

Ridgeline route from Hollywood to Pacific Coast. Features The Snake (technical curves) and Rock Store meetup spot. Best for sport bikes. Weekend crowds 10 AM to 4 PM.

3. Angeles Crest Highway

66 Miles Through San Gabriel Mountains

Route 2 climbs 6,000+ feet through Angeles National Forest. Winter closures November-May. Gas only at start and end points.

4. Skyline Boulevard

35 Miles of Bay Area Mountain Riding

Highway 35 along Santa Cruz Mountains from San Francisco to Saratoga. Alice's Restaurant at mile 17. Best April-October when fog clears.

California Motorcycle Rental FAQ

Do you need a motorcycle license to rent in California?

Yes. California requires a valid Class M1 or M2 motorcycle license. We accept US licenses with motorcycle endorsements and foreign motorcycle licenses. International visitors should carry an IDP for rentals over 10 days.

Can you rent motorcycles in Los Angeles?

Yes! We have 300+ motorcycle rentals available in Los Angeles starting at $15/day. 

Where can I rent a Harley in San Francisco?

On Riders Share, we offer 50+ Harley-Davidson rentals ($80-160/day) in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Street Glides, Road Kings, and Sportsters.

Is lane splitting legal in California?

Yes, California is the only US state where lane splitting is fully legal (AB 51, 2017).

What are the best motorcycle roads in California?

Pacific Coast Highway (655 miles with ocean views), Mulholland Drive (24 miles of LA canyons), Angeles Crest Highway (66 miles through San Gabriel Mountains), Skyline Boulevard (35 miles along Santa Cruz Mountains), and Palomar Mountain (55 miles of switchbacks near San Diego). Read more on the best rides in California below!