Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Christchurch

Christchurch doesn't look like a motorcycle city at first glance — flat streets, wide avenues, an easy grid you could walk if you had to. But give it an hour and the picture changes completely. Head up into the Port Hills and the Summit Road unspools above the rooftops, or point yourself out along SH75 toward Akaroa and you're suddenly deep in Banks Peninsula's folded green hills, chasing a harbour that keeps disappearing and reappearing around every bend. This is a city built as a launchpad, and the best way to use it is on two wheels.

The flat, well-ordered centre makes Christchurch painless to navigate on arrival, but it's really a staging ground. Within an hour's ride you can be climbing switchbacks, tracing a harbour coastline, or crossing the Canterbury Plains toward the Southern Alps. Traffic is light, the seal on rural roads is generally excellent, and distances between very different landscapes are short enough to string several into one day. If you're going to rent a motorcycle in Christchurch, this is exactly the kind of geography that rewards it.

Top 10 things to see in Christchurch by motorcycle

1. Port Hills / Summit Road — a winding sealed ridge road above the city with sweeping views over Christchurch, the plains, and Lyttelton Harbour, and the classic local loop.
2. Akaroa (via SH75, Banks Peninsula) — a twisting harbour-and-hill road out to the French-settled village of Akaroa, generally considered the best day ride out of Christchurch.
3. Lyttelton — a historic port town just over the hills via tunnel or Sumner Road, with a short scenic climb and harbourside cafes at the bottom.
4. Sumner Beach — a lively seaside suburb southeast of the centre, and a good anchor point for a coastal loop.
5. New Brighton Pier — an easy, flat ride east to the beachfront pier, ideal if you only have an hour to spare.
6. Godley Head — a headland road past old WWII gun emplacements with dramatic Pacific views, reached from Sumner.
7. Arthur's Pass — the classic longer ride, crossing the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps on SH73, alpine scenery and switchbacks included.
8. Castle Hill — a striking field of limestone boulders beside SH73 on the way to Arthur's Pass, worth a stop and a photo.
9. Sign of the Takahe — a historic stone building at the foot of the Port Hills, a popular starting point for hill rides with city views.
10. Gebbies Pass — a scenic hill pass toward Banks Peninsula, often combined with the Summit Road loop for a longer day out.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Christchurch?

New Zealand requires a genuine motorcycle licence entitlement — a car licence on its own won't cover you, even for a small 50cc moped. Rental companies typically ask to see a full motorcycle licence or an International Driving Permit showing the equivalent class, and they'll usually set their own minimum age and experience requirements on top of the legal minimum. Expect to leave a credit-card deposit or security bond, plus an insurance excess, with the exact amounts depending on the operator and the machine you choose.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Christchurch?

Average rental prices run from roughly NZD 45–55 per day for a smaller or mid-displacement bike in the quiet winter months, up to NZD 90–140 per day for a mid-size motorcycle at the height of summer. If you want something bigger — a 650cc-plus adventure or touring bike — expect NZD 150–250 or more per day during peak season.

• Prices climb steadily from spring into summer as demand rises.
• December to February is the most expensive stretch, driven by both international visitors and Kiwi summer holidays.
• Winter brings the best value, with rates dropping well below the summer range.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Christchurch?

December to February is high season — summer in the southern hemisphere, and the busiest, priciest window, so book ahead if you're travelling then. June to August is low season, with cold, sometimes wet weather and the cheapest rates of the year, though some alpine routes get less appealing under snow. If you can choose your dates, February to April tends to offer the best mix of settled weather and thinning crowds, with a smaller second window in November and early December.

Local traffic rules in Christchurch

New Zealand drives on the left, so adjust your instincts before pulling out of the rental yard. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and pillion passenger, and headlights must stay on at all times while riding. Speed limits default to 100 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in town, though many rural stretches now carry lower posted limits — always follow the sign, not the road's feel. The blood alcohol limit for riders over 20 is 250 micrograms per litre of breath, with zero tolerance for anyone under 20 or on a learner or restricted licence. Watch too for single-lane bridges on the rural roads around Banks Peninsula, where the larger arrow on the approach sign tells you who has right of way.

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!