Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Mountain View

Head south from Mountain View on a weekend morning and within twenty minutes the flat grid of Silicon Valley gives way to redwoods and hairpin turns. That's the real appeal of a motorcycle here: places like Alice's Restaurant at the Skyline junction and the ridge road along Skyline Boulevard turn into a single easy loop, something that would eat up a whole afternoon of stop-and-go driving in a car. Ride up Old La Honda, drop down Highway 84 toward the coast, and you're looking at the Pacific by lunchtime.

Mountain View sits right at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains, which is exactly why a bike makes more sense here than a car. Roads like Highway 9 and Highway 84 are made for two wheels — narrow, curvy, and genuinely tedious in a sedan stuck behind slower traffic. Add in Bay Area gridlock and the near impossibility of finding cheap parking around Stanford or downtown, and it's clear why so many locals and visitors alike choose to rent a motorcycle in Mountain View instead of renting a car.

Top 10 things to see in Mountain View by motorcycle

1. Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) — the classic Santa Cruz Mountains ridge road, all sweeping curves and redwood-shaded corners.
2. Alice's Restaurant — the traditional meeting point for weekend canyon runs, right at the Skyline and Highway 84/9 junction.
3. Old La Honda Road — a tight, technical climb through the redwoods up to Skyline.
4. Highway 84 to San Gregorio — forest switchbacks dropping from the ridge down to the coast.
5. Highway 9 to Saratoga Gap and Santa Cruz — one of the region's best-known motorcycle roads, crossing the mountains to the sea.
6. Highway 1 along Half Moon Bay — ocean-view coastal riding with pullouts over the cliffs, a short hop from town.
7. Stanford University and the Dish loop — an easy in-town ride past Hoover Tower up to the antenna-topped hills for bay views.
8. Shoreline Park — a flat lakeside loop right next to pickup, ideal for getting a feel for the bike first.
9. Mount Hamilton Road to Lick Observatory — a famously curvy climb east of San Jose ending at a historic mountaintop observatory.
10. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk — the natural reward at the end of a Highway 9/17 mountain crossing.

A quick note before you plan a canyon run: several of these roads, especially Old La Honda and Highway 84, are also popular with cyclists, so take the blind corners easy.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Mountain View?

You'll need a motorcycle endorsement (commonly called a Class M licence) added to your regular driving licence — every US state requires this, and rental operators will usually also want to see some documented riding experience. No International Driving Permit is legally required, though it's worth carrying if your home licence isn't in English. Most rental partners set their own minimum age, typically 21 and up, with 25+ often needed to avoid a young-rider surcharge. Expect to pay a deposit or have a hold placed on a credit card in your own name.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Mountain View?

Small-displacement bikes and scooters run from about 27 to 40 USD per day. Mid-size motorcycles, the sweet spot for exploring the mountain roads, land between 45 and 90 USD per day, and large-displacement or touring machines like a Harley-Davidson or BMW GS go for 100 to 220 USD per day.

• June through August is peak US summer travel season, so prices sit at their highest.
• December through February, during the Bay Area's rainy season, demand drops and so do rates.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Mountain View?

High season runs May through September, when the mountain roads are dry and busy with riders, so it pays to book a few weeks ahead. Low season stretches from November to March, when rain moves through and many operators quiet down — you'll find better rates but should check the forecast before committing to a canyon run. April to June and September to October tend to offer the best mix of good weather and lighter crowds.

Local traffic rules in Mountain View

Traffic drives on the right throughout the US. California requires a helmet for every motorcycle rider, no exceptions by age. Speed limits are generally 25-35 mph on city streets, 55-65 mph on rural two-lane roads like Highway 9, and up to 65-75 mph once you're on the interstate. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.08%, with zero tolerance under 21, so plan your canyon runs before, not after, lunch at Alice's Restaurant.

The number of rental partners we work with around the Bay Area keeps growing, so whenever you're ready to rent a motorcycle in Mountain View, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

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!