Ireland motorcycle rental - IOM TT 2023
 

My wife and I plan to attend the Isle of Man TT, and would like to rent a motorcycle from May 30 to June 13, 2023.

We had arranged to go in 2020. We had flights, lodging, and ferry reservations from Belfast. I also had reserved a motorcycle from McCallen. Of course, the race was cancelled until 2022, and we are again ready to go now that the travel restrictions have been lifted.

I contacted McCallen to reserve another motorcycle rental, but they are no longer in the business. Apparently, they will not be renting motorcycles again in the foreseeable future. It's a shame. They had a good reputation, and I was looking forward to renting a Suzuki Versys 650 from them. It was also conveniently located near Belfast. Atlantic is no longer renting either. I am not sure why.

Apparently, Retroventures is still renting Royal Enfields. I am waiting for a response from FlyRideIreland, and Celtic. Although Celtic appears to charge significantly more money to rent their bikes.

Are there any other motorcycle rentals that we should consider?

Does anyone have experience with these particular companies, or other tips?



Thanks,

Walt

Might be easier to look at renting one on the Island itself, there are a few places that do it. Renters in IE might not like their bikes being taken across the water. Or consider renting a small car. The roads are too crowded at TT time to make any sort of biking enjoyable anyway.

https://www.google.com/search?q=moto...re+isle+of+man

Thanks, I'm looking into that now.

There doesn't seem to be any restriction on taking a bike to the IOM.

I don't really need a bike, or car for that matter, on any of the trip. I just figured that it would be nice to be able to ride the course a time or two, and be convenient the rest of the time.

It's definitely worth having some sort of transport. Considering it's such a small island there is a lot to see and do, plus if you're watching the racing it gives you much more flexibility on spectating spots.

Riding/driving the course is nice, as it gives you some idea of what the racers have to navigate. Though from personal experience (I used to race in the MGP) it is nothing like how it looks at full speed. The problem you'll have on open roads is traffic. The locals drive everywhere at 40 mph and have no road sense whatsoever. The come-overs on bikes go flat out everywhere and are a bloody menace. The mountain road is closed at least 3 times a day to scrape up the aftermath of somebody who thought he was John McGuinness. It all adds up to a lovely road but permanent frustration because you're stuck behind a slow Manxman while loons on unsilenced sportsbikes howl past on the wrong side of the road, and the police wait with speed traps in every speed limited area. Handy hint, if you do want to do a lap relatively unhindered dawn is the best time to do it.

Dawn Patrol is what I was thinking!

Just heard back from FlyRideIreland. They have a Honda NC750X available for the TT. I've been wanting to test ride an NC750X, and have considered buying one. They might be the convenient choice, since we are flying into Dublin and staying in Belfast before getting on the ferry.

BTW, our accommodations are at a homestay in Union Mills directly on the course.

Still no word from the others.

Union Mills is an OK place to watch and the Railway is a decent hostelry ;) But you'll want to watch from other places too. Hence, definitely have transport! I can recommend Creg ny Baa, Hillberry, Signpost, Quarterbridge, Braddan and Parliament Square Ramsey, all of which are accessible with roads closed. As for the rest of the course, the world is your lobster but bear in mind some places you will be stuck while roads are closed, so plan first.

I highly recommend Celtic rider for rentals and Paul and his family are top people to work with. Highly professional and dedicated.

https://www.motorental.ie/motorcycle-rental-ireland/

BR
Dooby