One of the easiest (And often cheapest) methods of transport in Bali is motorbike, perfect for exploring the island.

One of the easiest, and often cheapest, methods of transport in Bali is a motorbike. Most guest houses/hotels/villas have a favoured vendor that will accept cash and ask no questions. The charges can range from IDR 40k to IDR 100k depending on how hard you haggle and the model of bike you’re looking for. A word of warning with this method though is most travel insurance doesn’t cover motorbike accidents and if you do have an accident you have to pay for the bike/repairs yourself and this is where you can get stung.

For those that are thinking ‘yeah but I’m a safe and experienced rider’, well, that’s great… but there are people out there that aren’t and also during peak season a lot of people that choose to drink and ride.

I’ve seen more accidents in Bali than Vietnam or Thailand and it put me off getting a bike entirely. It was only recently, during Covid, that I felt comfortable enough to get out on the roads. If like me you prefer a little extra security, I highly recommend Bikeago. They have an entirely online booking system on which you can choose your bike, delivery date and time and any add ons. They will deliver the bike to your door and after a quick damage check and some instructions you’re good to go.  They provide various insurance options, and should anything happen you can call or whatsapp and they will take care of everything, even replacing the bike for you on the spot. It’s a little more expensive, averaging USD 150 for three weeks, but in my opinion definitely worth it. 

Whichever you choose, here are a few tips:

Always wear your helmet – I’ve seen the devastating consequences of accidents where the rider hasn’t worn a helmet and it’s just not worth it.

Wear proper shoes. Imagine falling and scraping your foot against red hot concrete at 30km an hour. It’s not just your flip flops that get ripped off.

Don’t drink and ride. Even if you think you’re super safe, again, I’ve seen the aftermath of people that drink and ride, usually the accident isn’t their fault. However, it doesn’t make it hurt any less OR the hospital bills any cheaper.

Keep your valuables in the seat. I’ve had my bag snatched once and multiple other attempts at people grabbing my bag. It’s easy to do.

Make sure you get the vehicle registration. If you are stopped by police you will need to show it.

Get a contact number from the person you are renting from, if anything happens you will need to contact them.

If you’re interested in touring or want some inspiration on places that are worth a drive, drop me a note and I will share some information.