How to Rent a Motorcycle in Mongolia (+Tips and Rental Companies)
Tips for renting, buying, or joining a motorcycle group tour in Mongolia.
Renting a motorcycle and riding your way across Mongolia is an adventure-lovers dream come true. The wide open spaces, the crisp wind in your face, and the sheer remoteness of the country’s landscape make it one of the best destinations in the world for traveling by motorcycle. Well, if you ask me, at least.
It’s been a few years now since I set off from Ulaanbaatar traveling through Central Mongolia by way of a 1989 Ural motorcycle named “Black Betty.” But, it was a riding trip I’ll never forget. There were plenty of highs and lows that made that trip one of my favorite things I’ve ever done here in Mongolia.
I’ll never forget the nomadic herder’s faces as I drove past them in the middle of the open steppe. That motorcycle in particular has a rich history here, which is why I chose it as my motorcycle of choice for that experience. While I’d opt for something much easier to manage if I were to redo that trip today, I still loved every second I spent on that bike.
Below I’ve put together some recommendations for companies to rent a motorcycle from in Ulaanbaatar as well as local companies offering group motorcycle tours. Plus, some extra tips and advice I mostly learned the hard way.
Safe travels and happy riding, everyone!
Table of Contents
What kind of motorcycle should I rent?
First things first, which type of motorcycle should you rent for your Mongolia riding adventure.
The simple answer is: rent the kind of bike you’re most comfortable riding. Mongolia is not the place to push your riding limits, the terrain will do that to you enough. Distances are far and help is even farther, be sure to rent a bike you’re comfortable handling – and picking up.
If you’re a beginner rider, don’t rent something too large and out of your comfort zone.
Personally, I would go with a small KTM enduro bike, like the 690. Since it’s dual sport it’s lightweight enough to maneuver and is a super versatile adventure meets enduro option. There’s more than enough power and it also has lean-sensitive ABS and traction control.
I enjoy riding enduro, so this is a great option in that case.
The One Motorcycle to NOT Rent in Mongolia
When choosing which type of motorcycle to rent in Mongolia, there is only one that I recommend steering clear of, as tempting as it will be to rent it anyways. I do not recommend renting or buying a Shineray Mustang or similar cheap Chinese motorbike. We call these “herder bikes.”
We call them this because these are the bikes you’ll see herders riding on, rounding up their animals across the steppe. They are cheap and everyone will know how to fix them. Which you’ll have to do if you rent one, often.
Trust me when I say now is not the time to choose the cheap route, because these bikes are easily the cheapest to rent or buy. But, they will also be the most hassle, most frustrating, most unreliable, and most uncomfortable on the road.
Where can I rent a motorcycle in Ulaanbaatar?
Since all international flights arrive into Ulaanbaatar, this is where you’ll want to start your adventure from. If you want to do a self-guided riding adventure at your own pace, contact any of these companies to rent a motorcycle for your trip.
Drive Mongolia (My Top Recommendation)
I like Drive Mongolia because they’ve been around for a long time, renting both cars and motorcycles. They have a great selection of bikes and they have English-speaking mechanics, should something go wrong on your self-driving adventure. If you have questions or need some recommendations, ask for Chinzo, the owner, when you contact them. He’s a straight-forward, super knowledgeable guy who can help make sure you get the best rental for your trip.
They even rent Ural motorcycles with sidecars. Take it from me, they are very fun, buy very difficult bikes to ride! Rent at your own risk.
Bikes for rent:
- BMW GS800
- SUZUKI DR650
- Honda Transalp
- Husqvarna
- Yamaha Tenere
- KTM 450 & 690
- Yamaha WR250 & WR450
- YAMAHA XT250
- HONDA CRF 250
- Ural (with Sidecar)
Royal Enfield Mongolia
Don’t let the Royal Enfield Mongolia website deter you from buying or renting from these guys. Despite a confusing and hard to use interface, these guys are actually easy to work with. You just need to go direct. You can also follow and message them on Instagram. If you’re already in Mongolia and you have a local number, you can contact the shop at +976 8007 6929.
Avis Mongolia
Avis Mongolia is one of the only international rental companies in Ulaanbaatar. They aren’t necessarily the cheapest option when it comes to renting, but they will be one of the most reliable. They are the official Beta importer, and their day rates range for $140 to $220/day and your mileage is limited to 150 kilometers a day.
- BETA 390cc 4T
- BETA ALP
- BETA Xtrainer 300cc 2T
Motorbike Mongolia
For more than 16 years Motorbike Mongolia has been renting motorcycles to travelers visiting Mongolia. They offer self-guided adventures, as well as guided tours, with the advantage of offering bikes with pillion seats.
Personally, I like their approach because they are a one-stop shop for a bike rental, equipment and gear, and they even have detailed routes planned out that you can simply show up and follow. Sleeping bags, tents, tank bags, panniers, gas stoves and cooking sets, they’ll get you on the road in no time.
Bikes for rent:
- Shineray 200 cc (I don’t recommend)
- Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
Riderly
Last, but not least, Riderly offers a few additional rental options in Ulaanbaatar. It’s unclear who each of these bikes are coming from, but the Riderly website offers free drop-off and pick-up, breakdown assistance, and add-ons like accident insurance and the option to return the bike with an empty tank.
Bikes to rent:
- KTM 450
- KTM Enduro 690
- BMW F800GS
- Royal Enfield Himalayan
- Honda CRF250F
Where can I purchase a motorcycle in Ulaanbaatar?
If you’d rather purchase a bike when you arrive in Ulaanbaatar for a longer trip, these are your options.
I recommend hiring a translator to help you purchase and do all the paperwork for your bike, chances are they aren’t going to speak great English.
Reach out to us if you’d like to hire a translator to help you in this process. I recommend hiring them for a minimum of two days.
Blue Wolf Motors
This company is great because they have a huge selection of bikes and scooters. All of the bikes they sell are used, which helps keep the price low. Reach out to them on Facebook to see what bikes they have in stock and pick it up when you land in Ulaanbaatar.
Local Bike Shops Near Narantuul Black Market
There is a bike market and plenty of bike shops selling Chinese bikes near Narantuul Black Market.
As I said before, these are the bikes the Mongolian nomadic herders ride, so they will be the easiest for you to fix and find spare parts for while on the road, but will also cause you the most issues. Depending on the type of motorbike you’d like to buy, the cheapest bike currently is around $1,000 USD.
Instead, visit this automotive/motorcycle market for spare parts and cheap tools.
Best Guided Motorcycle Tours in Mongolia
Self-guided adventures aren’t for everyone. If you’d rather join a group motorcycle tour, here are the local companies I recommend.
They’ll provide everything you need while you’re on the road, including a private chef!
Nomadic Off-Road (Local Company!)
These guys are the best in town when it comes to enduro tours of Mongolia. Every season they refresh their fleet of Husqvarna FE450s, 701 Enduro, and Norden 901 bikes. Their tours are thoughtfully curated, taking you through some of the most beautiful, and hard to reach, corners of the country. You should have comfortable off-road riding skills to join this adventure. Tour the Gobi Desert, ride across the country to meet our famous Eagle Hunters, or adventure through the most beautiful and lush landscapes of the Orkhon Valley.
GASGAS Off-Road (Local Company!)
With a fleet of EC 450F enduro bikes, GASGAS Off-Road offers two different off-road itineraries. The first is through the Gobi Desert, where you’ll have the chance to ride through the area’s famous dunes. The second is through Central Mongolia, and the green, sprawling landscape that part of the country is known for. These tours are 90% off-road, and if a non-riding partner would like to join the adventure, there’s an opportunity to rent a side-by-side vehicle, as well.
Motorcycle Mongolia (Local Company!)
If KTM is your bike brand of choice, Motorcycle Mongolia is the local company you’ll want to book your motorcycle tour with. Atop your KTM 450 EXC Six Days motorcycle, one of the most iconic off-road bikes and best motorcycles for traveling through Mongolia on, their tours are well-planned and well-executed. Their tours aren’t for beginner riders, especially if you don’t have any off-road experience, since Mongolia’s terrain and weather can be unforgiving.
Ride Mongolia (Local Company!)
Ride Mongolia is another local company taking people out on off-road adventure tours. They use SHERCO SEF 300, 450, and 500 motorbikes and their Weekend Tour is great for anyone not completely comfortable riding off-road… yet.
Vintage Rides
A French company, Vintage Rides offers two different itineraries for exploring Mongolia. If you’re more of an “on-road rider,” their tours are geared for you. Royal Enfield motorcycles are provided to each rider and the routes are a mix of on and gentle off-road riding.
Ride Expeditions
Running weekly tours in June, July, and August, Ride Expeditions offers dirt bike adventure tours around the world. Their Mongolia tour is called The Warrior’s Trail and is a 9-day adventure through the best of Central Mongolia. This 1,750 kilometer ride is led by a local guide and team, and includes 6-7 hours of daily riding.
Do I need an international motorcycle license?
The short answer is no. However, having an international motorcycle license will save you a lot of trouble in Mongolia. Rental and tour companies will most likely require you to show proof of one. Ask your rental or tour company before booking, if you have any questions about this.
And, if you have an accident, you’ll need to show one then, as well. In Mongolia, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Motorcycle and Medical Insurance
When you rent a motorcycle in Mongolia, be sure to add the accident insurance option. It’s not a matter of if you will drop the bike, it’s only a matter of when.
No matter what you’re doing in Mongolia, I always recommend having international travel and health insurance. When I wrecked my motorcycle in 2019 and had to have collarbone surgery in Ulaanbaatar, having a World Nomad’s travel insurance policy saved me $3,000 usd.
These are the companies I recommend.
6 Essential Motorcycle Riding Tips
- Leave Ulaanbaatar as early as possible to avoid the horrendous traffic. That means no later than 7:00 am on weekdays.
- Be careful on Mongolia’s roads, especially outside of bigger towns. Potholes will sneak up on you. Drivers can also be very aggressive. Don’t try to outrace or outride them.
- This usually goes without saying to motorcycle riders, but don’t ride at night. Animals, poor road conditions, and reckless drivers make it very dangerous.
- A good rule of thumb in Mongolia is to expect tough, challenging road conditions. However long you think it’s going to take you to ride somewhere, double that time estimate.
- Pack your good rain gear. I can 100% guarantee it will rain on you if you’re riding in summer.
- Bring a Garmin or other satelite GPS SOS-enabled device in case of emergency.
Motorcycle Trip Route Planning: Good Paved Roads
Paved road conditions are improving across Mongolia every year. Here are some routes that have great paved roads for long-distance, on-road riding.
Read here for the best time to visit Mongolia →
Ulaanbaatar to Darkhan
This new paved road is a great and easy ride. Continue on from Darkhan to Javkhlant and stay at Yeruu Lodge. Keep in mind the track to Yeruu Lodge from Javkhlant will be completely off-road and includes an aggressive downhill section just before arriving. Continue back down to Darkhan and onto Murun and up to Lake Khuvsgul for a longer adventure.
Ulgii to Khovd to Bayankhongor, Western Mongolia
The new road from Ulgii to Khovd is a stunning ride. From Khovd, getting to Bayankhongor is also enjoyable. However, after that, road conditions start to deteriorate. The last time I drove between Bayankhongor and Kharkhorin (April 2023), I remember cursing at the road the entire way.
Off-road Route Idea: Kharkhorin through the Orkhon Valley to the Orkhon Waterfall
This is one of the most popular routes with enduro riders for good reason. Getting there from Ulaanbaatar is a day’s ride and the Orkhon Valley is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Mongolia. That means it’s easy to find ger camps, restaurants, and fuel along the way. You will need fuel bladders or a support car after turning off the road at Khujirt to reach the waterfall and get back.
Author: Breanna Wilson
Hi! Sain uu! I’m Breanna, an American travel writer and adventurer living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia for more than 5 years. I’ve written for and been featured in Condé Nast Traveler, CNN, Forbes, and the New York Times, among others. Read more of my Mongolia travel articles here.
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