China and Tibet Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
China and Tibet offer extraordinary riding, from high Himalayan passes to remote desert and mountain regions, but independent travel isn’t possible without a compulsory guide. This page lists our trusted motorcycle tour company in China and Tibet to help you plan your trip.
Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies in China and Tibet
Independently researched by us – full‑time round‑the‑world motorcycle travellers since 2018. We don’t take commissions or bookings. We simply show riders the companies directly.
Ride China Motorcycle Tours
“Ride China has served over one thousand happy motorcyclists since 2012. Our incredible tours are unique, well paced, safe and affordable. We’re also a one-stop agent helping overlanders transit China as well as running tours for adventure travellers who want to cross China on their own motorcycles.”
Services:
- Motorcycle tours in China including Yunnan tours.
- Motorcycle tours in Tibet including Mount Everest Tour.
- Motorcycle tours crossing China including Mongolia to Thailand a huge range more.
- Transit through China for overlanders. For this service, Ride China provide all paperwork, customs broker services, guides and support for overlanders who want to ride or transit through China with their own motorcycles.
Rental and Tour bikes: Ride China use a selection of motorcycles for their tours including the KOVE 500X, KOVE 800X and Triumph Tigers.
Rental prices: Starts from 80USD per day with top and side boxes.
Tours prices: 200-300USD per day.
Insurance: Basic insurance is included.
Kit availability: Kit rental is not offered, but they do have used gear you can use for free.
Contact
China
Jah
+86 1318 7837 899
info@ridechina.com
Ride China is listed in the China Shipping Companies page
Check out Jah’s guide to Transiting China with a Motorcycle
Big Bike Tours
“Big Bike Tours offer the most exhilarating and authentic motorbike touring holidays and adventure motorcycle tours in Southeast Asia. For China and Tibet join our 20-day tour covering 5 exotic countries – starting in Thailand we ride to Burma, Laos, China, Tibet and end back in Thailand.”
Services: Fully inclusive guided motorcycle tours in Southeast Asia.
Tibet tour: You ride a 4,600 km, 20‑day expedition through Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, China and Tibet, taking in world‑class highlights like Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri‑La, Lijiang, Dali, Luang Prabang and the legendary White Temple. The route mixes high Himalayan passes, deep river gorges, tea‑horse caravan towns, Tibetan monasteries and some of the best mountain roads in Asia, including the top‑10‑rated R1148. It’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime ride that blends culture, altitude, scenery and serious adventure across five countries you could never access on your own.
For the full itinerary, details and all the info, check out the Tibet Tour info here.
Tour bikes: Honda NX400 SF, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Yamaha MT-09, Honda Transalp 750, Honda CBR600. Other models are available on request.
Tour prices: The 20-day all inclusive Shangri-La tour is around 7,900USD.
Insurance: Standard motorcycle damage insurance is included in the tour price and covers incidental damages. You can always opt for additional insurance.
Contact
Mr. Nirin Chaiyapan
(WhatsApp) +66 873 160 907
info@bigbiketours.com
Get Help Choosing a Motorcycle Rental and Tour Company in China and Tibet
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Quick Facts on China Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
Budget
Compulsory guide required. Check for current prices
Money: ATMs can be found throughout China.
Currency: Yen.
Food: £15 per day on average.
Accommodation: £20 per day on average.
When to go
The best time to ride a motorcycle in China.
The best time to join a motorcycle tour in China is in Autumn and Spring.
Paperwork
Visa, insurance and motorcycle licence
Visa: Visa requirements are dependent on your nationality. Please visit the country’s government website for visa information.
Driver’s licence: You need a valid motorcycle licence to legally rent a motorcycle or join a tour. If you risk riding without the correct licence, then not only will you be breaking the law, but your insurance will be invalid too.
International Driver’s Permit: An IDP is a requirement for many countries. The UK Gov website lists every country that requires one and which IDP is required.
Insurance: Motorcycle insurance needs to be checked with the rental or tour company. Ask what they offer, what’s included and what the legal requirements are.
You should purchase personal travel insurance separately from your home country before travelling.
Facts
Capital: Beijing
Country code: +86
Emergency: 119
Language: Mandarin
Time: GMT+9
Land Mass: 9.597 million km²
Don't miss
The best motorcycle riding routes and attractions
The Great Wall of China is a must.
Most motorcycle travellers visiting China will plan a route to Tibet to visit Mount Everest.
Flying in/out
The best airport to fly into and out of
Beijing or Lhasa airport.
FAQs on China Motorcycle Rentals and Tours
No, sorry. Mad or Nomad do not offer any rentals, tours or services. Please contact the companies listed on this page directly.
This page displays motorcycle rental and tour companies from around the world. We do a lot of research into these companies before adding them and speak to the managers and owners. Many of the companies we have also used in the past or have met the owners while travelling.
While we have collected them all together in one place for your ease, we take no responsibility in your business with them. We’re simply showcasing companies in one easy-to-use place and are not involved with your dealings with them. Any business you have with these companies is at your own risk. We will not be held liable or responsible in any way.
The best time to go on a motorcycle tour in China is Autumn and Spring.
As China is such a huge country and you have the option of also riding in Tibet, tour prices can vary dramatically – especially considering you need a guide to accompany you. Contact the companies listed on this page directly for more info.
Take a video on your phone of the entire bike, do a walk around and film the condition of the chain, fairings, tyres, any bumps, dents and scratches. By doing so, you can’t get caught out and blamed for something you didn’t do when you return it.
Check the wheel bearings, chain, oil, coolant, brakes, clutch and that the handlebars are straight. Tyres need a decent amount of tread and should be suitable for the terrain you’re riding in. Take it for a short test ride and don’t feel pressured or rushed. Go with your gut and if there’s anything that catches your eye, speak to the owners immediately.
This is down to personal preference, where you’re riding and what’s available. If you’re renting or joining a motorcycle tour in the States and you’re going to be primarily on road, then you may want to opt for a big touring bike. If you’re headed to rural or mountainous countries and are going off-road in Central Asia for example, then go for a mid-weight single-cylinder.
We usually find lighter and cheaper rental bikes are better because they’re less stress, you don’t have to worry about dropping them all the time, are easier to fix and more fun.
For more info on choosing the right motorcycle for your trip, have a look at the below guide and also check out the adventure bikes page too.
READ MORE:
We recommend lightweight and comfortable gear suitable for the climate you’re travelling in. If you’re heading to a particularly cold place, then go for Gore-Tex pro laminate.
But, the best all-round option is ventilated, light and comfy adventure bike gear. Take the thermal and waterproof liners out and leave them at home. Take a cheap pair of waterproof throwovers and a compressible down jacket that can be stuffed into a small bag. You can use both items as layering if it’s cold and rainy and they double up when off the bike and will reduce the amount of gear you have to take with you in your luggage.
It’s always better to take your own bike gear over renting or using kit from the rental company. You know your own stuff fits, works and is comfortable – especially your helmet. The last thing you want is to get a few days into your trip and get a headache from a tight lid.
Check out our riding gear article for more info on how to choose the right clothing and the guides section for our recommended kit.
READ MORE:
Contact the rental or tour company and ask what luggage the bike comes with. Your bike might come with soft bags, hard boxes, a top box or nothing at all.
You can often leave the gear you don’t want to take with you on the trip at the rental or tour company’s headquarters. So you can travel on a plane with a larger kit bag and just take the bag and gear you need on the bike.
The type of luggage you need depends on the type of trip you’re on, how much off-roading you’re doing and how long you’re going for.
A good option is to go for a waterproof duffle bag and a pair of Rok Straps as this type of luggage setup can be fastened to any bike’s pillion seat and you don’t need racks. And take an additional small and light rucksack for your important gear (camera, passport etc) so you don’t have to worry about it when off the bike.
For more info on choosing your motorcycle luggage, check out our guide page below.
READ MORE: Adventure Bike Luggage Guides
Companies may offer motorcycle insurance as an optional extra, include it in the price or not offer it at all. This again depends on the country you’re riding in.
It’s worth getting insurance if you can and ask what the excess is as you will usually be liable for damage to the bike.
Motorcycle insurance is separate from personal travel insurance. This is incredibly important and you need to be very careful when choosing your personal insurance policy because the fine print often won’t cover you for bikes over 125cc, renting, touring or using a bike as your main mode of transport.
Check out our Admin section as you’ll find detailed guides on personal insurance, paperwork and safety on the road.
READ MORE: Admin Guides
This directory is a free resource. Mad or Nomad is not involved in any bookings or arrangements, and all decisions and dealings are solely between you and the provider.
Read more on motorcycle travel in China and Tibet
Thanks for checking out our China and Tibet Motorcycle Rental and Tour Companies post. We hope you found what you were looking for. Here’s a few more articles on motorcycling in China and Asia that we recommend you read next.
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