Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai rewards anyone willing to twist a throttle. Head out past Tha Phae Gate and within the hour you're climbing switchbacks toward Doi Suthep, the golden temple that watches over the city, or dropping into the mist at Mae Kampong Village for coffee beside a waterfall. Go further and the legendary road to Pai unspools ahead of you, curve after curve through green hills — the kind of ride people fly to northern Thailand specifically to do.

The old city itself is small enough to cross in minutes, but everything worth chasing in Chiang Mai sits well beyond it, up mountain roads that a songthaew or a rental car simply isn't built for. A scooter or motorbike lets you thread the light in-town traffic, then open up on the hill routes, stopping wherever a waterfall, a viewpoint or a roadside noodle stall catches your eye. That's why so many travellers choose to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai rather than rely on tours and taxis.

Top 10 things to see in Chiang Mai by motorbike

1. Doi Suthep (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep) — the mountain temple above the city, reached by a winding paved road with viewpoints over Chiang Mai.
2. Doi Inthanon National Park — Thailand's highest peak, cool cloud-forest air, waterfalls and twin royal pagodas on a full-day loop.
3. Mae Kampong Village — a misty hillside village with waterfalls and coffee shops, an easy half-day ride out.
4. Samoeng Loop — a curvy jungle-mountain loop through Mae Rim and Samoeng, loved for its corners.
5. Mae Sa Waterfall — a multi-tiered waterfall just off the Samoeng Loop, an easy stop with bike parking.
6. Tha Phae Gate and the Old City moat — the historic walls and gates most rides start from.
7. Mon Cham — a ridge-top viewpoint with flower terraces and mountain panoramas after a run of twisting hill roads.
8. Bua Tong Waterfall (the "Sticky Waterfall") — limestone rock you can climb barefoot, a fun offbeat stop north of the city.
9. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang — a beautifully preserved Lanna temple in nearby Lampang, worth a longer day trip.
10. Pai, via the Mae Hong Son Loop — the legendary curvy mountain road to Pai, the archetypal Chiang Mai motorcycle trip.

What do you need to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai?

You need a motorcycle-category licence — either a Thai licence, or your home licence plus an International Driving Permit with the motorcycle entitlement. Some shops rent without checking, but police checkpoints around Chiang Mai and Pai do check, and insurance is generally void without the right papers. Most rental shops set a minimum age around 18, and you should expect to leave a deposit; it's better to offer cash or a passport photocopy than hand over your actual passport.

How much does it cost to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai?

A semi-automatic 110–125cc scooter runs around 150–200 THB per day in low season, rising to 250–350 THB per day in high season. If you want something bigger for the Mae Hong Son Loop — a Honda CRF300L, a Kawasaki Versys or similar — expect 800–1500+ THB per day.

• November to February, the cool dry high season, is the priciest stretch to book.
• May to October, the rainy low season, brings the cheapest daily rates.

When to book a rental motorbike in Chiang Mai?

November through February is high season: cool, dry weather, the best riding conditions of the year, and the busiest — book ahead, especially around New Year. May to October is low season, with lower prices but a real chance of monsoon downpours, so pack accordingly if you ride then.

Local traffic rules in Chiang Mai

Thailand drives on the left, so overtake on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger and are enforced with on-the-spot fines. Speed limits sit around 60 km/h in town and up to 90 km/h on rural roads outside it. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, and checkpoints are common in tourist areas like Chiang Mai and Pai, so carry your licence, IDP and rental papers at all times.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!