Not every rider who wants to explore the Pyrenees arrives with their own bike. Transporting a motorcycle across international borders adds cost, complexity, and paperwork — and sometimes it simply isn't practical. Motorcycle rental in the Pyrenees is the cleaner solution, and as part of our guided tour service, we arrange rental through trusted local partners so that the logistics are handled before you arrive.
This guide covers everything you need to know: which bikes are available and why each one suits the routes, what documents and licence requirements apply, how insurance works, what the rental process looks like when you book through us, and what riders who prefer to bring their own bike should prepare.
Why Rent Rather Than Ship Your Own Bike
Shipping a motorcycle to France and back adds a significant logistical layer to any tour. Crating, customs documentation, cross-border insurance endorsements, and the coordination of delivery windows can easily cost more than the rental itself — and introduce a potential delay into the start of your ride if something goes wrong in transit.
Renting locally means you arrive, collect the bike, and ride. It also means you are on a machine that has been serviced specifically for Pyrenees conditions — the cols, the temperatures, the gradients — and that comes with breakdown support in the region. That said, many experienced riders prefer the familiarity of their own machine, and we accommodate that entirely. The choice is yours.
"You focus on the riding. We handle the paperwork, the handover, and the logistics — so the first thing you do when you land is ride."
The Bikes — Seven Models, Every Riding Style
We work with vetted local rental partners to offer seven bikes matched to the demands of Pyrenees touring. Every model below has been selected for its suitability on mountain passes, sustained daily mileage, and the luggage capacity required for multi-day touring. All come with fully comprehensive insurance included in the rental rate.
The current generation flagship. 145 hp, 149 Nm of torque from the boxer twin, and a 21.5-litre tank that handles the gaps between mountain fuel stations with ease. The first choice for multi-day touring with luggage across both France and Spain.
The Adventure variant carries a 30-litre tank — the largest in the range — making it the natural choice for the Atlantic-to-Mediterranean crossing or extended Spanish side routes. Rallye suspension for rougher mountain surfaces.
The machine that defined a generation of adventure touring. Slightly lighter than its successors, with a character many experienced riders still prefer on mountain roads. An excellent choice for riders who know the GS platform well.
A genuine all-roads machine — comfortable on the smooth tarmac of the major cols and capable on the rougher passes of the Ariège and Spanish side. The parallel-twin engine delivers smooth power that suits both relaxed touring and more committed riding.
Lighter, lower, and more manageable than the larger adventure bikes — the Transalp is the right choice for riders returning to touring after a break, or for those who want a less demanding machine on the technical mountain descents. Full Pyrenees capability at a more accessible weight.
A sport-tourer with genuine touring credentials — comfortable over distance, engaging on the tighter cols, and available with A2 licence. The Tracer 7 suits riders who want to cover ground efficiently without sacrificing the pleasure of the mountain roads.
For riders who want to feel the road rather than manage it. The triple-cylinder engine and aggressive chassis make the MT-09 the most exciting bike in the fleet on mountain switchbacks. Best suited to experienced riders on a focused riding itinerary rather than multi-day luggage-laden touring.
Rental Rates — What to Expect
Rental pricing in the Pyrenees region follows a consistent market structure. The rates below reflect the current range across our partner network for fully comprehensive insurance-inclusive rentals. Exact pricing for your tour dates is confirmed at the booking stage.
| Model | Daily Rate | Weekend (2 days) | Weekly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW R 1300 GS / R 1250 GS Adventure | ~€150 | ~€350 | ~€1,100 |
| BMW R 1200 GS | ~€110 | ~€250 | ~€800 |
| Honda Africa Twin | ~€95–120 | ~€210–260 | ~€680–850 |
| Honda Transalp | ~€80–95 | ~€175–210 | ~€560–680 |
| Yamaha Tracer 7 / MT-09 | ~€85–110 | ~€185–240 | ~€595–770 |
All rates include fully comprehensive insurance. A mileage allowance of 300–700 km/day applies depending on the partner and model, with unlimited kilometre options available. An insurance excess deposit is held at collection — typically €500–1,500 depending on the bike and cover level. Exact rates confirmed on booking.
What Is Included in the Rental
- Fully comprehensive insurance covering collision, theft, and third party throughout France and Spain
- Zero-kilometre breakdown assistance and repatriation to the rental agency
- Helmet, gloves, and rain gear available on request at most partner locations
- Panniers or top case available on all touring models (GS range and Africa Twin)
- Roadside assistance — phone support throughout your rental period
- Secure parking at the rental agency during your pre- and post-tour nights
Documents and Licence Requirements
France requires a full motorcycle licence for all bikes above 125cc. The specific category depends on the bike you choose:
Licence Categories
- Permis A (full licence) Required for all BMW GS models, Honda Africa Twin, and Yamaha MT-09. No power restriction.
- Permis A2 Sufficient for the Yamaha Tracer 7 (restricted to 35kW). Riders holding A2 for at least 2 years may upgrade to full A without a further test in France.
- Minimum age 24 years for Permis A direct access; 20 years via A2 progression route.
- Non-EU licence holders An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required alongside your national licence for riders from outside the EU. Obtainable from your national motoring authority before departure.
- Minimum holding period Most rental partners require the licence to have been held for a minimum of 2 years.
Documents to Bring to Collection
When you collect the bike, you will need to present the following. We confirm the checklist with you in the booking confirmation email:
- Valid motorcycle licence (and IDP if applicable)
- Passport or national ID card
- Credit card in the rider's name for the insurance excess deposit
- Proof of address dated within 3 months (utility bill or bank statement)
- Booking confirmation from Moto Pyrenees — we handle the rental coordination paperwork in advance
Insurance — How It Works
All bikes in our partner fleet come with fully comprehensive insurance included in the daily rental rate. This is not an optional add-on — it is standard. The cover includes collision damage, theft, and third-party liability throughout France and Spain.
An insurance excess applies in the event of a claim — typically €500 with full cover, or €1,500 with third-party-only cover. This excess amount is pre-authorised on your credit card at collection and released at return, provided the bike comes back undamaged.
Riders who hold a personal motorcycle insurance policy that includes rental bikes (some premium travel insurance policies and standalone motorcycle insurance policies do) may be able to reduce or eliminate the excess. Check your policy before departure — we can advise on what documentation the rental partner will accept.
Coverage area: all rentals include cross-border coverage for Spain, making the N-260, the Ordesa canyon, and the Val d'Aran routes accessible without any additional paperwork.
How the Rental Process Works Through Us
We coordinate the rental as part of the tour booking. You do not deal with the rental partner directly until collection day — we handle the reservation, confirm availability of your chosen model, and provide the partner with your documentation in advance so the handover is straightforward.
Choose Your Bike at Booking
When you complete the enquiry form, indicate your preferred model and any specific requirements — luggage capacity, seat height, licence category. We confirm availability for your tour dates and include the rental cost in your tour quote.
We Make the Reservation
Once your deposit is received, we place the reservation with our trusted local partner and secure the specific bike. You receive written confirmation of the model, collection point, and time. We send the partner your documentation checklist so they have everything prepared.
Collection on Arrival Day
Collection is arranged for your arrival day — typically the afternoon before the first riding day. The partner conducts a brief handover, shows you the bike's features, and confirms the condition. You leave with a fully fuelled, fully insured machine ready for the morning.
Support Throughout the Tour
During the tour, any mechanical issue or incident is handled through our guide and the partner's assistance line. You have a single point of contact — us — rather than navigating a rental agency's customer service from a mountain road. We coordinate everything.
Return on the Final Day
Return is arranged for your last day, after the final morning ride. The partner conducts the return inspection, releases the deposit, and you are done. No chasing invoices, no paperwork surprises — we have already confirmed the process with the partner in advance.
Bringing Your Own Bike
Many riders on our tours arrive on their own machines, and we fully support that. If you are riding your own bike, here is what you need to have in order before crossing into France:
Your Own Bike — Pre-Departure Checklist
- V5C / registration document or equivalent — proof of ownership or authorisation to ride the vehicle
- Motor insurance certificate confirming cover for France and Spain — check your policy explicitly; not all UK and non-EU policies include Spanish coverage
- Green Card (international motor insurance certificate) — required for Spain and strongly recommended for France even post-Brexit
- GB / national identifier sticker on the bike if your number plate does not already include the country code
- High-visibility vest — required by French and Spanish law in the event of a roadside stop or breakdown
- Breathalyser kit — legally required to carry in France (single-use kit, available at petrol stations and supermarkets)
- Bike fully serviced before departure — tyres, brakes, chain, lights, and fluid levels checked
Riders on their own bikes join the group at the same start point and follow the same itinerary. The support vehicle carries tools and basic spares for common repairs — though we always recommend your own roadside assistance cover given the remote sections of the route.
"Whether you arrive on a rental or your own machine, the ride is identical. The Pyrenees don't care what's in the garage — they care who's in the saddle."
Which Tour to Book With a Rental
Rental is available for all three of our guided tour formats. The bike you choose should reflect the character of the route — we advise on this as part of the booking process, but the general recommendations are below.
Medieval Villages Ride
Outstanding backroads and valley roads through the Lot valley and Dordogne. The Transalp, Tracer 7, or R 1200 GS are ideal for this format.
View Tour → 5 Days · AdvancedHeart of the Pyrenees
The central cols — Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, Portet. Recommend the R 1300 GS, R 1250 GS Adventure, or Africa Twin for the luggage capacity and range.
View Tour → 5 Days · AdvancedThe Grand Tour
From Medieval Villages to the French Pyrenees. The R 1250 GS Adventure with its 30-litre tank and Vario luggage is the purpose-built choice for this crossing.
View Tour →Ready to arrange your rental?
Tell us your preferred bike, your tour dates, and your licence category. We handle the reservation and confirm availability — no direct dealing with the rental agency required on your side.
