Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Johannesburg

Johannesburg doesn't reveal itself from a car window. Swing a leg over a motorcycle instead, and the city opens up fast — the open highveld roads out to the Cradle of Humankind, the dam-front cafes of Hartbeespoort, the twisting passes of the Magaliesberg range. This is a place built for riders, not passengers.

Joburg sprawls, and its best moments sit well outside the CBD — thirty minutes to two hours out, on wide, well-surfaced roads that reward a bit of throttle. A motorcycle skips the traffic that clogs the city centre and turns those out-of-town runs into the actual highlight of the trip, not just a transfer. It also plugs you straight into the local weekend-ride culture: mountain-pass loops that most car-bound visitors never even hear about.

Top 10 things to see in Johannesburg by motorcycle

1. Cradle of Humankind & Maropeng Visitor Centre — a UNESCO World Heritage site roughly an hour's ride northwest, and one of the classic half-day loops out of the city.
2. Hartbeespoort Dam ("Harties") — the quintessential Joburg weekend run, out along the N14 and over the Hartbeespoort Pass to dam views and lakeside cafes.
3. Magaliesberg mountain range — tight, twisty pass roads around Magaliesburg town that local motorcycle clubs treat as home turf.
4. Soweto – Vilakazi Street — the only street on earth to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, and an essential stop on any Soweto ride.
5. Apartheid Museum — a landmark on the route between the city centre and Soweto, easy to fold into the same trip.
6. Constitution Hill — a former prison complex close to the CBD, a short in-town ride with strong photo stops.
7. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden — a relaxed ride from the northern suburbs to gardens overlooking a waterfall on the Witpoortjie cliffs.
8. Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve — grassland reserve south of the city, with quiet loop roads made for a longer day out.
9. Kyalami — home of the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, a natural pull for anyone who loves bikes or motorsport.
10. Pilanesberg National Park — roughly two hours from Joburg, pairing a great ride with genuine game viewing near Sun City.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Johannesburg?

South Africa requires a proper motorcycle licence — code A1 for smaller-capacity bikes, code A for unrestricted machines. A standard car licence (code B) will not let you ride, whatever the engine size. Bring an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence, as most operators ask for one. You'll generally need to be at least 21, and a deposit is held on a credit card in your name for the rental period.

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

Expect around 450–600 ZAR per day for a standard bike in low season, rising to roughly 700–1000 ZAR per day in high season. Larger adventure and touring bikes, BMW GS-class machines and similar, run from about 1500 ZAR upward.

• Prices climb from November through January, the Southern Hemisphere summer and peak holiday season.
• June to August is generally the cheapest window, even though Joburg's dry highveld winter still makes for good riding.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Johannesburg?

High season runs December to January, plus the Easter period, when domestic holidays push demand up along with prices. Low season falls from May to August. For the best riding conditions and value together, aim for March to May or September to November — mild weather, thinner crowds, and rates well off the summer peak. If you want to rent a motorcycle in Johannesburg for the December rush, book well ahead.

Local traffic rules in Johannesburg

South Africa drives on the left, so overtake on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger, no exceptions. Speed limits sit at 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads, and 120 km/h on freeways unless signs say otherwise. The blood alcohol limit is a strict 0.05 g/100 ml, and roadblocks are common, so treat it as effectively zero-tolerance on a rented bike.

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!