Does anyone know if I can find a place to rent a motorcycle while in Kenya? Where ?
Wondering if I can do that without getting some kind of motorcycle liscense.....

If I were you, I wouldn't ride a motorcycle there. Some crazy drivers going around.

Green, when I was in Mombasa, I noticed most of the car rental places associated with the hotels had motorcycles to rent. They tended to be trail-bike style which is not surprising given the state of the roads. OK for zipping about Mombasa and the beaches but not for long distances. I was sorely tempted but I'm too small to ride those bikes unless I have a step-ladder.

Don't EVER ride without a helmet and proper shoes (I once treated a guy who motorcycled in thongs - the footwear type - and it wasn't a pleasant experience for either of us).

As for the road rules in Kenya, well, hmmm, ride at your own risk, as they say.

Observer's been all about Kenya on a motorbike I believe.

Green, you do know how to ride a motorbike don't you? Coz I don't think Kenya's the ideal place for a debutant.

Check with the yellowpageskenya.com for Budget car rentals...Im sure they will sort that out..!

green, you gotta be kidding me, in while you could have taken a whole tour with ME! ( offroad!!) Aaarch, you are too early going to Kenya, I am working very hard to get my company together, you asked for the fishing, but honestly, motors is priority number one!

If you rent, please be careful, always wear a helmet, and never drive without a license. You won't get the motor anyway without it. You won't be insured.

You have to be experienced, I think also.
It's just not so safe, and very different, U know what I mean.

Okay, okay. Sounds like the concensus is that I should not rent a bike. I will take that into consideration. Besides, I wouldn't have a liscnense there, but someone else might!

Sooz, I've been riding since I was 12. Now I'm........not telling. Let's just say it's been a long time. I wanted to take my lady on a bike ride since she's never been. As far as the appropriate gear to wear: I always wear boots, long pants, and long shirt. However, sometimes I do not wear a helmet. I know, I know, I should ALWAYS wear one, but don't. If it kills me, I'm okay with that. If I'm dead, I won't care. If I'm maimed, I might change my mind.

Bonga, if you mean off road on four wheels,... Woo Hoo! I love doing that. Have had three vehicles built for that purpose. A lot of custom work. I love it. If you mean on two wheels, it has been years since I've done that, but I'm game as long as there is no contest to see who can get the most air.

Tusker, I was told that about driving a car too! I'm gonna do it anyway, without a liscense. No kidding. Shifting with the wrong hand ought be a lot of fun!

Ruatek, Budget will love me.

Green, I didn't mean you shouldn't rent a bike! You sound like you know what you're doing. Just don't forget to take your defensive driving/riding skills with you and be super extra vigilant (especially since they drive on the "wrong" side of the road in Kenya - always a little tricky when turning at intersections until you get used to it)

Your lady will either love it or hate it!

green, read my post again, I am gonna organize things myself, so everyone should have a bike...(businesswise )

Bonga, I guess you are going to have to simplify it for me. I think I am missing something you are trying to say. You are saying you can/will/could arrange some kind of off-road thing for or on motorcycles ? If that is what you are saying, that sounds very good to me. And this is a service that is provided by a company you are starting or have started ? Tell me more.....

Hi Green

Motorcycle riding in Kenya is a whole new world of experience. It really depends on what you want to do exactly - whizz around Mombasa, or go on a major safari?
If you're going to use it for local transport, I would suggest that you do not for two reasons. Firstly, it is likely to be a very expensive way of doing it, it will be cheaper to get a taxi all the time. Secondly, you're very unlikely to survive more than a week. The main difficulty you'll face either way is actually getting hold of a decent bike to rent withouth buying one. If you're planning to do some major safaris by bike, there are a couple of very important factors to bear in mind. Firstly, no game reserve or national park allows motorcyclists. Secondly, you will need to have very good experience at off road riding, especially on sand, in mud, and on rocky cross country terrain. Without this experience you are very likely to kill yourself. Thirdly, you will need to know your way around a little - you're best off going with someone local. There are no sign posts anywhere in Kenya, few detailed maps, and as soon as you leave a major thoroughfare, you either need to speak the language, know your way around, or carry (and be very familiar with) a GPS.

You will also need to carry serious amounts of fuel, and more importantly, water. You will also need to carry at least 4 inner tubes, two tyres, an airpump, a puncture repair kit and be familiar with motorcycle maintenance. ie its a major mission. If you're serious about doing this, then there are two operators of motorbike safaris in Kenya - one is a French guy: http://www.motorbike-safari.com .

and the other is an American based in Arusha, Tanzania - he advertises online somewhere, I'll try track him down, his name is Buddy. Without wishing to knock them too much, only the American can really be classified as a true 'local' but frankly, he is not very experienced in the bush and has not been running his business for very long. There is one other guy in Arusha who does not offer commerical tours, but has serious contacts with most private ranchers in Kenya and Tanzania, and can get you access to some great game viewing and some spectacular motorcylcing routes - he has a lot of experience in this, but does it for fun, not for commericial gain.

If you are really serious, then send me a private message and we can see what can be organised. I might as well tell you straight that none of these options is likely to be shoestring cheap. One other thing you could look into is head to Nairobi and on Sundays, they have Motorcross racing, usually out in Karen. The Association of Kenya Motor Sports should be able to tell you where and when. Everyone who has anything to do with bush motorcycling goes to these events, its quite a tight knit community. You will almost certainly be able to hook up with some guys who do some motorcycling at weekends around the Rift Valley and other places like that.

Mr. O,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I believe at this point, it would be more stressful for me to arrange for that type of detailed excursion than I am willing to put myself through. I have reserved myself to spending large quantities of time with my new bride rather than leaving her at home or a hotel to go on such an adventure. She does not ride, so she would not be able to attend. It would serve me better on this trip (being newlyweds) to focus on 'us' instead of me going off alone. However, during future visits, I would love to partake in the fun and good times that I believe a two wheeled tour would offer.

Be well.