Ride in Tours, a motorcycle rental and tour company in France, offers a unique sale and buyback system for international riders. The program makes long‑term motorcycle travel in Europe affordable and straightforward. In this guide, owner Rodolphe explains how it works, who it’s for, and why it’s one of the most practical ways to explore Europe on two wheels…
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The Easy Way to Ride Europe: How to Buy and Sell Back a Motorcycle with Ride in Tours
By Rodolphe Andre
Co-owner of Ride in Tours - a motorcycle rental and tour company based in France
Who are Ride in Tours and why do you offer this service?
Ride in Tours is a motorcycle rental and tour company based in France and run by Eric and myself (Rodolphe). We decided to branch out and create the motorcycle sale and buyback system after meeting many international riders who wanted to spend several months touring Europe but faced major obstacles: the high costs of long-term rentals, the expense of transporting their own motorcycles, or the difficulty — and often impossibility — of buying, registering, and insuring a bike locally as a non-resident.
This service is our answer: a practical way for travellers to enjoy extended motorcycle adventures in Europe without the usual financial and administrative barriers. We teamed up with Mad or Nomad to help explain what this service is and exactly how it works. If you’re an international rider who wants to tour Europe, this guide is for you…
How it Works
What is the motorcycle sale and buyback system?
The sale and buyback system is designed for international riders who want to explore Europe on two wheels without the high costs of shipping their own motorcycle or paying for long-term rentals.
Think of it as a long-term rental with a guaranteed buyback:
- You “buy” the motorcycle through Ride in Tours.
- You ride it for as long as you want — months or even years.
- When you’re finished, Ride in Tours buys it back from you.
This way, you enjoy the freedom of ownership without the hassle of selling, registering, or insuring a bike as a non-resident.
How does it differ from traditional rentals or long-term leases?
There are several important differences that make the sale and buyback system more practical for long-term travellers:
- No resale hassle: You don’t have to worry about selling it once you’re doing because we’ll buy it back.
- Long-term flexibility: You can keep your motorcycle for months or even years, it’s not just a fixed rental period.
- Lower costs: It’s much cheaper than renting, especially for an extended time.
- Easy storage: Want to ride for a bit, then leave it and come back later? No worries. We have a garage to store your bike here in France, or store wherever you prefer in Europe.
- Exclusive use: You’re the only one who will use your motorcycle. It’s yours. But if you want, you can share the bike and costs with a friend.
- Choice of customisation: You can choose whichever motorcycle you like and customise it however you like.
Who is this service for?
We set this system up for foreign and non-resident riders. We’re based in France, where you must be a resident to register and insure a vehicle. So this is a way around that barrier.
Really, for this to work for you financially, you’re going to want to keep the bike for at least three months. If you’re after a bike for a short-term trip, say a few weeks, you’d be better off renting.
Paperwork Requirements
How does the purchase work?
How it works is we buy the motorcycle and it remains the property of Ride in Tours – but it is reserved for your exclusive use. The reason we buy the bike in our name is because you are not able to buy and register a motorcycle in your name unless you French or a resident.
So we buy and register it and then you are free to ride the bike from France throughout Europe, store it where you like, leave the continent, return and carry on your travels when you like. And we buy it back when you’re finished.
There is no distinction between countries. Anyone with a motorcycle license can use this service.
What about motorcycle insurance?
We’re required to use our professional insurance: it is the only one that insures motorcycle rentals in France. It costs more than personal insurance, but it is the only solution. It offers three levels of coverage, and we advise customers on which one to choose.
What happens if the motorcycle is damaged or stolen?
The level of coverage then comes into play. If the motorcycle remains stolen and you have not taken out theft insurance, you lose the value of the motorcycle.
The rider must understand that they are responsible for their motorcycle and must meet the insurance company’s expectations and obligations, for example in the event of theft. We will explain all of this clearly before purchase.
Travel, Logistics and Borders
Can riders cross borders? (Schengen vs. non-Schengen)
Schengen yes, no problem. Outside Schengen yes, but with the original registration document and sometimes with our authorization, as we are the legal owners of the vehicle.
Please note that you will be prohibited from driving in some countries according to our insurance policy, but there are only a few (Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Iran).
Are there any legal restrictions when riding through Europe?
There are no restrictions as such, just things to remember.
- You need to remember certain items of equipment that are more or less required (gloves, fluorescent safety vests, warning triangle in case of breakdown, etc.).
- You must have the original motorcycle registration document when leaving Europe and sometimes authorization from the vehicle owner (us).
- Valid insurance is important. In Europe, you no longer need a paper insurance certificate, but it is required outside Europe (we always provide it to long-distance travellers leaving France).
- A valid passport and driver’s license is a must.
- Some countries have a vignette for using the highway: Switzerland for the whole year, Austria for a specific period, etc. We can advise on that.
Do you offer assistance or repatriation support?
It depends on the insurance chosen, roadside assistance can be arranged to take you to the nearest garage if you have selected it in your policy. Otherwise, no. But it’s not like you would be left stranded. We could arrange for the motorcycle to be repatriated, but it would be at your expense.
Costs and Savings
What are the typical costs involved?
Here’s the costs you can expect.
- Purchase of the motorcycle.
- Annual insurance (a pro rata calculation is made if the customer only keeps the motorcycle for 4 months, for example).
- Transport costs to collect the motorcycle.
- Registration document.
- Administrative costs (procedures and motorcycle searches).
- By choosing a motorcycle from our stock, the customer avoids registration and transportation costs, and we reduce administrative costs.
- The customer is responsible for all motorcycle maintenance costs (servicing, tyres, etc.).
How does the buyback percentage scale with mileage and duration?
For short-term purchases (less than one year), the scale is a basis on which we will base the repurchase of the motorcycle when the customer returns it. If the customer returns the motorcycle in the same condition, respecting the expected mileage, and the maintenance and tyres are okay, we apply the scale.
If any work is required to restore the motorcycle to its original condition, we deduct this from the buyback value. Of course, this is discussed with each of our customers.
For motorcycles that remain with us for several years, we make a buyback offer based on market prices and restoration costs.
Can you provide a real-world example comparing purchase vs rental?
Here’s an example of a purchase and resale made last year:
- A couple from Australia visiting Europe for three months
- Purchase of a 2009 BMW R1200GS with 79,000 km = €6,500
- Transport costs = €200
- Vehicle registration = €300 (half price when the motorcycle is over 10 years old)
- Insurance €1,000
- Total = €8,000
After 10,000 km and 3 months, we bought back the motorcycle for €3,500 (motorcycle value – maintenance costs + pro-rated insurance).
The customer paid €5,000 for these 3 months of rental, or €55 per day (insurance included). A long-term rental would have cost €130 per day.
Are there hidden or additional costs?
- The maintenance recommended by the manufacturer; we try to find only motorcycles that have just been serviced (or we negotiate a lower sale price).
- New tyres if needed and any repairs.
- Parking or speeding fines.
- Repatriation of the motorcycle if it breaks down or is damaged (except in the case of an accident involving another vehicle responsible for the accident).
Choosing a Motorcycle
Can customers choose any motorcycle?
Customers can choose any type of standard motorcycle they like. The only restriction is that we must be able to resell the motorcycle easily, so we avoid brands that are not well known in Europe and modified models.
Customers should bear in mind that the second-hand market in France is very developed and competitive, but we provide customers with excellent advice on purchasing a motorcycle.
You can buy slightly older (cheaper) models, which are ideal for short periods (like our Australian customer and the example above), or even recent or new motorcycles. We just bought a new Honda 500 CBX for an American rider who is coming to ride in Europe for two years.
The ease of reselling the motorcycle will determine the actual cost of purchase and resale for the customer: they must minimize the initial cost (a common motorcycle that is well-equipped and popular on the used market, with low mileage and located close to home) and maximize its resale value (good maintenance, excellent condition, low mileage).
The ideal scenario is to buy the motorcycle in winter (few sales = possible negotiation) and resell it before the start of the season = there will potentially be more buyers).
Is there an option to buy from your fleet instead of sourcing externally?
Yes, that’s one solution. This year we are going to replace several motorcycles and will have a choice: BMW 750GS, BMW R1200 and R1250 GS, Moto Guzzi V85TT and more. We list the bikes we have for sale on our website.
In this case, there are no registration fees because they are already in our name, no transport costs because they are already with us, and we offer a discount on administrative fees because we have less work to do.
What maintenance is required?
Periodic maintenance by the manufacturer according to the maintenance log is required. As well as routine maintenance of the motorcycle to keep it running smoothly; tyres, oil, etc.
Damage caused to the motorcycle (excluding accidents not caused by the rider) or its resale value will be reduced because we will have to repair it.
We can help you figure out what maintenance needs to be done. And can even have the motorcycle serviced while it is stored at our premises (upon return or before departure). You can also have parts or tyres delivered to our premises.
How to Buy the Motorcycle
What are the timings like?
If the customer can make a quick decision, it can take around two weeks. But on average, it takes between one and two months to find and prepare a motorcycle (the customer’s initial idea is not necessarily the most suitable in Europe).
As long as the motorcycle has not been reserved (payment by the customer), the sale can be cancelled at no cost. If payment has been made but the motorcycle has not been purchased, administrative fees are due, as well as any bank charges incurred in refunding the customer.
When the motorcycle is purchased, the customer will be liable for administrative fees, registration fees, any loss on resale (we purchase the motorcycle specifically for the customer, so we will have to sell it as quickly as possible and may have to lower its sale price), and a pro-rata share of the insurance until the motorcycle is sold.
If the motorcycle comes from our fleet, it is easier to stop.
If the rental is terminated early, we will determine the buyback value of the motorcycle with the customer when the motorcycle is returned.
As for timings, January/February is a good time for spring departures, and a little later for summer departures, but it’s totally up to you.
What additional services do you provide?
We offer a motorcycle storage service. It’s free before departure, customers can purchase their motorcycle in advance without incurring any additional costs; they have time to equip their motorcycle or take advantage of a purchase opportunity.
If purchasing a motorcycle from our fleet, then we also offer a 3-month warranty.
We can help organise and install accessories and parts and motorcycle maintenance can be arranged by a partner (our neighbour is a Harley customizer and motorcycle garage).
How to get in touch?
Feel free to get in touch with us at Ride in Tours anytime. We’d love to help you buy a motorcycle and have the best biking adventure in Europe.
- Web: ride-in-tours.com
- Phone: +33 (0) 6 07 67 90 19
- Email: contact@ride-in-tours.com
- Facebook: rideintours
- Insta: ride_in_tours
This guide was written by Rodolphe Andre, co-owner of Ride in Tours in France. He explains how his motorcycle sale and buyback system can help international travellers explore Europe affordably. If you’d like to learn more or purchase a bike with Ride in Tours, reach out to Rodolphe directly.
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Are you planning a motorcycle trip in Europe? Do you have any questions or tips? Let us know in the comments below.
Hello / Bonjour
I am looking at a 6 month tour of Europe and UK this fall / winter. I have a preference to own but I know that owning / registering / insuring a bike as a non-resident is tricky if not impossible. I currently own a 1999 Honda Shadow 1100 and a BMW 2014 R1200RT. I would be looking at 900 cc or bigger, shaft driver preferred. If I go with you, what is the process to retain ownership of the bike after a period of time – so that I would use your service for 6 months but then maybe take full ownership with registration at some time in the future. Is this a possibiity?
Hi Walter,
Finding a motorcycle for you and registering it is easy. In order for you to keep it—and since the motorcycle is registered in our name—we’ll need to “transfer” it to you (for free, since you’ll have already paid for it), but that involves two things:
– changing the ownership and re-registering the motorcycle = fees
– you’ll need an address to “receive” the motorcycle
– and if it leaves France, there will be a lot of administrative requirements in its new country of residence.
I think the best solution is to keep it in our system, even long-term. Our longest-standing customers have had their motorcycles for 10 years.
Feel free to contact us. See you soon,
Rodolphe – Ride in Tours
WhatsApp: +33-607-67-90-19
contact@ride-in-tours.com