Motorcycle Rentals on Corsica island

Picture switching off the engine for a moment on the D81 above Porto, the sea folding blue-green around the volcanic cliffs of the Scandola reserve, before dropping the clutch again and chasing hairpins up toward Col de Bavella, where a wall of granite needles rises straight out of the pines. That is Corsica on two wheels: a single island where you can breakfast on a beach near Porto-Vecchio and be threading mountain switchbacks by lunchtime. Renting a motorcycle in Corsica turns a fragmented itinerary into one long, unhurried loop.

Corsica's interior is basically a knot of narrow, twisting roads — cols, hairpins, one-lane village lanes — built for something a lot smaller than a rental car. A motorcycle slips through where cars queue, and parking outside the citadel gates in Bonifacio or in the tight streets of Corte takes seconds, not circles round the block. The coast roads are short in distance but slow and curvy, so what would be a full day's car detour becomes a manageable loop by bike, with time left over for a swim.

Top 10 things to see in Corsica by motorcycle

1. Les Calanques de Piana — red granite cliffs above the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO-listed coastal road with pull-offs for photos and short hikes.
2. Col de Bavella — a dramatic pass beneath the jagged Aiguilles de Bavella needles, one of the island's best riding roads.
3. Bonifacio — a cliff-top citadel on the southern tip, with views across the strait to Sardinia.
4. Plage de Palombaggia — a postcard white-sand beach near Porto-Vecchio, just off the main coastal route.
5. Scandola Nature Reserve viewpoint (Punta Rossa, near Porto) — looks out over the volcanic reserve and gulf from the D81.
6. Col de Vergio — Corsica's highest paved pass, winding through pine forest between the west coast and the interior.
7. Corte and the Restonica Valley — the historic mountain capital, with a gorge road climbing into the valley above it.
8. Cap Corse loop (D80) — a full circuit of the northern peninsula with sea views on both sides, and far quieter than the south.
9. Saint-Florent and the Désert des Agriates — a coastal town backing onto wild scrubland, with scenic riding along the D81.
10. Filitosa prehistoric site — megalithic statue-menhirs in the Taravo valley, a good inland stop reached by backroads.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Corsica?

For anything up to 125cc you'll need an A1 motorcycle licence, or a category B car licence held for at least two years plus a short mandatory training course. Larger machines require category A2 (minimum age 18), reached progressively toward a full A licence. Rental companies here often set their own minimum age too, sometimes 21 or higher for bigger bikes. Bring an International Driving Permit alongside your licence if you're visiting from outside the EU, and expect a refundable deposit, usually taken by card pre-authorisation, with the amount depending on the machine and the operator.

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

Prices swing a lot with the season. In low season (November to March) a scooter or small motorcycle runs around 25-35 EUR a day. In high season (July-August) a standard motorcycle or scooter is closer to 45-70 EUR a day, and larger or premium touring bikes can reach 80-150+ EUR a day at the peak.

• Cheapest months: November through March.
• Priciest months: July and August, when demand across the island is highest.
• Shoulder months land comfortably in between, with better availability too.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Corsica?

July and August are Corsica's high season, when the island is busy with French holidaymakers and machines get booked up early — reserve well in advance if you're travelling then. Low season runs November to March, with lower prices but some outlets closing or cutting hours. For the best mix of open passes, warm weather and manageable prices, aim for May, June or September; Col de Vergio and other high routes should be checked for opening status if you're travelling outside summer.

Local traffic rules in Corsica

France drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers on any motorised two-wheeler, ECE-approved with four reflective stickers, and dipped headlights must stay on at all times. CE-approved gloves are legally required too — an easy detail to miss, but checked. Built-up areas are limited to 50 km/h, rural roads without a central barrier to 80 km/h (watch for signs raising this to 90 in some areas), and the blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to 0.2 g/l for riders still in their first three years of licence. Filtering between lanes isn't generally permitted on the island.

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!