Bike Rental in Italy -- Rent to Women?

[snafubear]

I'm trying to plan a trip to Italy next year and wanted to know if anyone has had personal experience renting a motorcycle in Italy. I will likely be staying in the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany region. I searched through some threads, where many links of rental places were provided, but no one seemed to have ever tried them.

I've had issues in the past when trying to rent a scooter and a motorcycle in Italy. The first time, I was told that 50 CC was too much power for me. The second time, I went with a valid motorcycle license and International Drivers License (which includes full translation of my US license), yet the guy refused to let me rent a motorcycle and wouldn't give an explanation. I speak Italian & have driven extensively in Italy (so I know the rules and roads), which I told him, but he still refused. The only thing I can think of is that as a 5'2 female, I don't exactly inspire confidence in a bike rental place.

I'm looking to see if anyone knows of a reputable place which I can make a reservation and if you've seen women renting there or are a woman who has rented there.

Thanks.

[pheonix]

Your experience is disappointing to hear, especially considering Italy is full of men and women riding scooters and bikes.
Depends what type of bike you were requesting to hire - perhaps they felt it was too risky if you couldn't touch the floor too well. I'm 5' 2" and know how difficult can be to find a good bike - am finding it hard to find a hire bike in NZ that isn't a Harley or a huge GS!
Perhaps it would be wise to contact a rental office prior to your arrival or, if possible, take an Italian friend with you and give the impression he/she is going with you...?

[tommysmithfromleeds]

Originally Posted by snafubear

The first time, I was told that 50 CC was too much power for me.

Wow, you don't get any less powerful then that so don't know what the rental company was on about! I remember googling a site that rented Vespas but can't remeber the name.

I know most rental agencies have problems with age; 23 is the minimum.

Perhaps it would be wise to contact a rental office prior to your arrival or, if possible, take an Italian friend with you and give the impression he/she is going with you...?

Deffo good advice here, Im sure you'l find somewhere.

[AT.it]

To be honest I never rented a bike in Italy....as I am Italian
Sorry about that, I guess you just meet the wrong peoples.
I do not understand the logic behind bike rental in europe being the prices very high everywhere, and i guess this is the reason you don't find people with this experience!!? How long do you need it for ?
Are you aware you can buy a bike from the 90' for less than 1k euro over here ?
I can give an address in Milan if you like but I have no news for central Italy

[Donmanolo]

I'm pretty much writing with nothing to say, since I also have my own bike in Italy and never needed to rent, but I just wanted to second the previous poster in his comment; I'm also sure you came across some real dummies when you were here, and I'm very sorry about this. What they told you was complete rubbish, and they have absolutely no reason to refuse to rent a motorbike to anyone who holds the relevant licence.

Having said that, the only motorbike rental place I can think of in Emilia Romagna (I used to live there), is right in front of the main railway station in bologna. An internet search brings up plenty more, and I can recommend my local BMW dealer in Trieste, however I realise that this isn't the point of your post.

Here's an Italian web page for lady bikers: Motocicliste I'm sure they'll be happy to give you advice there, just PM me if I can be of any help, (phone calls for example)

Hope it all works out.

Ciao!

[Indoors]

Originally Posted by pheonix

Your experience is disappointing to hear, especially considering Italy is full of men and women riding scooters and bikes.
Depends what type of bike you were requesting to hire - perhaps they felt it was too risky if you couldn't touch the floor too well. I'm 5' 2" and know how difficult can be to find a good bike - am finding it hard to find a hire bike in NZ that isn't a Harley or a huge GS!
Perhaps it would be wise to contact a rental office prior to your arrival or, if possible, take an Italian friend with you and give the impression he/she is going with you...?

Sorry to hijack the thread but...

pheonix,

I was surprised by you saying that you could only find Harleys and Beemers to rent in NZ as I'm sure there used to be a company who advertised in the back of Bike mag hiring out Triumphs. So I just did a quick Yahoo search for "new zealand motorcycle hire triumph" and this mob popped out on top:

| Triumph Motorcycle Rental Christchurch | Motorcycle Rental Christchurch | Motorbike Hire Christchurch | Christchurch Motorcycle Rentals| TOMCC | RAT

Never been to NZ, don't know anything about them, but they have Speedmasters (but they might have forward controls?)

Indoors. (online on a Sunday morning with nothing better to do).

This company have Bonnevilles: Motorcycle Tours Rentals Motorbike Hire New Zealand Australia KeaRider

And Scramblers: City Motorcycle Rentals in New Zealand