Renting a Bike in Ireland

Q: My boyfriend and I would like to rent a motorbike to travel around Ireland. Could you advise us of any agencies that rent out bikes, how old one needs to be, how much we can expect to pay and whether we need an international driving license? - Samantha Rhodes

A: One of the top companies renting out bikes is Celtic Riders, which is based in Dublin (www.motorental.ie). They have a fleet of 24 BMW, Harley Davidson and Yamaha motorcycles. The minimum age to rent a bike is 23, but you need to be 25 years old to carry a passenger on the bike. The cost of a rental including comprehensive insurance and unlimited mileage starts at 115 Euros per day. A seven-day rental of a BMW bike in high season would set you back 910 Euros. However, you will be asked for a damage deposit of 1500 Euros. This will be refunded to you when you return the bike to the agency undamaged. You do not need an international drivers license to rent a bike. Your South African motorcycle driving license is needed, as well as a valid passport. If you want to hit the roads in style, the company also rents out riding gear. The daily cost for a helmet, jacket, trousers, boots and gloves will be 15-20 Euros per day. You can contact the company on the email: info@celticrider.com or by telephone on +353 (0)1 866 5777. Other companies that rent out motorbikes in Ireland include Irish Motorcycle Adventures (www.irishbike.com) and EagleRider (www.eaglerider.com). (5/2/12)