Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne rewards anyone willing to get off the bus and onto two wheels. Ride down to the Quayside, cross under the Tyne Bridge with the Gateshead Millennium Bridge arching beside you, and you already have the city's best photo before breakfast. Push north along the coast road and the ride opens up fast: Tynemouth Priory sits on its headland above Longsands Beach, and a few more miles up you reach Whitley Bay, with the Spanish City dome marking the seafront and St Mary's Lighthouse waiting on its tidal island as a natural turnaround point.

This is a city built at a scale a bike actually suits. The centre is compact enough that parking a car becomes more hassle than it's worth, while the coast, the castles and the wide-open Northumberland countryside sit just far enough out that a bus timetable would slow you down. A motorcycle or scooter closes that gap: quick hops around town, then a straight run out to the coast or inland whenever you feel like it, no waiting around required.

Top 10 things to see in Newcastle upon Tyne by motorcycle

1. Quayside and Millennium Bridge, Newcastle — the riverside heart of the city, with the Tyne Bridge overhead, and a natural point to start or finish any ride.
2. Angel of the North — Antony Gormley's giant steel figure just south of the city, an easy short detour and one of the region's most recognisable sights.
3. Tynemouth Priory and Castle — coastal ruins at the mouth of the Tyne, reached in minutes with sea views the whole way.
4. Tynemouth Longsands Beach — the sandy beach right below the priory, ideal for rounding off a short coastal loop.
5. Whitley Bay seafront — the next stretch of coast north, with the old Spanish City dome as your landmark.
6. St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay — a tidal-island lighthouse just past Whitley Bay, a scenic spot to pause before heading back.
7. Alnwick Castle — a major Northumberland castle further up the coast, easily paired with Bamburgh for a longer day out.
8. Bamburgh Castle — one of the most dramatic castles in the country, sitting above the beach at the end of the coastal run up the A1.
9. Hadrian's Wall (Housesteads Roman Fort) — head inland instead, along the Military Road (B6318), for one of the best-preserved forts on the wall.
10. Kielder Water and Forest Park — England's largest reservoir, set among twisting rural roads through the forest, well worth the longer ride west.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Newcastle upon Tyne?

For anything over 50cc you'll need a full motorcycle licence, with the exact category (A1, A2 or A) depending on the bike's power. A 50cc scooter can legally be ridden from 16 with a provisional licence and CBT, but most rental companies here set their own, stricter minimum age and licence-holding period, so it's worth checking before you book. An international driving permit isn't a legal requirement in the UK. Expect to leave a deposit, usually held on a credit card in your name, with the amount depending on the vehicle.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Newcastle upon Tyne?

A small-to-mid capacity motorcycle or scooter typically runs GBP 25-35 per day in low season, while a larger or premium touring motorcycle can go from GBP 70 upwards. Prices move with the seasons:

• Cheapest from November to February, when demand drops off.
• Priciest in July and August, at the height of summer.
• Book ahead for peak weeks, since the best bikes go first.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Newcastle upon Tyne?

High season runs June through September, with July and August the busiest and most expensive months. Low season stretches from November to February, when you'll find lower prices but shorter days and a real chance of cold, wet weather. May, June and September tend to offer the best balance: long daylight, milder conditions and lighter traffic than the summer peak.

Local traffic rules in Newcastle upon Tyne

The UK drives on the left, with roundabouts running clockwise and priority given to traffic from your right. Helmets are compulsory by law for riders and passengers on any motorcycle or scooter. Speed limits are posted in mph: 30 mph in built-up areas, 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on dual carriageways and motorways. The drink-drive limit in England is 0.08% blood alcohol, though the safest approach is simply not to drink before riding. Keep your headlight on at all times for visibility, especially out on the coast roads.

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!