The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue [2023]© Jonathan Irish - Niue Tourism
The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue [2023]

Motorcycle Hire in Niue: Where to Rent, Cost & More

© Jonathan Irish – Niue Tourism

The Complete Guide to Renting a Motorcycle in Niue

Niue has around 123 km (76 mi) of paved roads on a relatively flat island, making a motorbike road trip a fun way to explore. If you can get past the fact that you will have to take it easy on Niue’s roads, knowing that the roads have lots of potholes and the speed limits are low (basically, this is no place to race around), then you’ll have a blast checking out the highlights around the island by motorbike. We go through how you can make a Niue motorcycle trip happen with this guide to renting a motorcycle in Niue.

5 Quick Tips for Hiring a Motorbike in Niue

Before we dive into the details, here are just a few things you need to know about hiring a motorbike in Niue:

  1. Motorbikes can only be rented from Niue Rentals
  2. It is mandatory in Niue to wear a helmet when riding a motorbike
  3. A Niue Driver’s License is needed to legally drive a motor vehicle on Niue’s roads
  4. Niue’s roads have many potholes, so motorcyclists need to ride with extra care
  5. Be aware of Niue’s road rules as listed here.

For more tips and elaboration on the tips above, see the 10 Tips for Hiring a Motorcycle in Niue.

Motorcycle Hire in Niue: Where to Rent, Cost & More [2023]© NiuePocketGuide.com

What You Need to Hire a Motorcycle in Niue

Not just anyone can hire a motorcycle in Niue. There are requirements you must meet, which include the following:

A Motorcycle License

Your overseas driving license must include your license to ride a motorcycle. If this is not presented on pick-up of the vehicle, then you will be refused the rental.

A Niue Driver’s License

To legally drive or ride a motor vehicle on Niue’s roads, you need to have a Niue Driver’s License. A visitor’s driving license can be purchased from the Niue Police Station for around NZ$22.50. You don’t need to have a Niue Driver’s License to pick up a motorcycle rental but you do need to obtain one as soon as you can when you arrive in Niue. See How to Get a Niue Driver’s License for more information.

To Be at Least 21 Years Old

To hire any vehicle in Niue, you need to be 21 years old at the least.

A Credit Card or Rental Bond

Credit card details are usually required as security for the rental company. However, some rental companies in Niue accept a rental bond which will be returned to you upon the return of the rental vehicle with no damage or fines.

Day Rate

You will need to pay the daily rate for the vehicle. Motorcycle hire is typically NZ$45-$55 per day.

To Return the Vehicle with a Full Tank of Petrol

All rental vehicles in Niue must be returned with a full tank of fuel or else you will face fees. There is one gas station in Niue, Central Services, located in Alofi South.

The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue(c) niuepocketguide.com

Where to Rent a Motorbike in Niue

Despite there being a few motorcycle hire companies in the past, currently, there is only one place you can hire a motorbike in Niue. Niue Rentals hires out Suzuki GN125s (125 cc) and Honda Shadows (150 cc). They offer free pick-up/drop-off anywhere on the island.

Niue Rentals is based in Alofi North and offers one of the widest range of vehicles on the island. Motorbike rentals include helmets, which are compulsory to wear on Niue’s roads.

When it comes to scooter rental in Niue, sadly there is no scooter hiring option at this stage in the tiny island nation. This article will be updated as new companies start hiring more motorbikes and scooters in Niue.

Find out more about Niue Rentals and other rental vehicle companies in The 7 Best Car Rentals in Niue.

The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue(c) niuepocketguide.com

What’s Included in Motorbike Rentals?

With motorcycle rentals in Niue, there are a few typical inclusions:

  • A full tank of fuel
  • Unlimited kilometres
  • A helmet
  • Standard insurance
  • Roadside assistance.

Insurance

Standard insurance is included in the daily rate of the vehicle. However, there is the option to upgrade your insurance to have less excess, reducing from an excess of around NZ$2,500 down to NZ$0 for around NZ$25 per day.

Motorcycle Hire in Niue: Where to Rent, Cost & More [2023]© Jonathan Irish - Niue Tourism

The Cost of Renting a Motorcycle in Niue

How much does a motorcycle hire cost in Niue? Below, we’ve listed the average prices for all of the expenses involved in hiring a motorcycle. Note that prices are approximate and are subject to change (especially fuel)!

  • Motorcycle/day – NZ$45-$50
  • Helmet/day – FREE
  • Petrol/litre – NZ$3.50+
  • Niue Driver’s License – NZ$22.50
  • Airport delivery – FREE
  • Accommodation delivery – FREE
  • Additional driver/day – NZ$0-$10
  • Insurance/day – NZ$0-$25
  • Unlimited kilometres – FREE
  • Roadside assistance – FREE
  • Bond (refundable) – NZ$300-$500
  • Credit card fee – 3-5% of the payment total.

How Much is it to Hire a Motorcycle for a Day in Niue?

Motorcycle rental for just one day in Niue is approximately NZ$50 per day.

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

  • Purchasing the Niue Driver’s License – $22.50
  • Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to NZ$12 if travelling approximately 64 km (40 mi), such as a loop around the island.

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay NZ$85 for your transportation in Niue for one day on a motorcycle. This does not include any additional services like insurance excess reduction, etc.

How Much is it to Hire a Motorcycle for Five Days in Niue?

Motorcycle rental in Niue is approximately NZ$250 for five days (that’s NZ$50 per day)

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

  • Purchasing the Niue Driver’s License – $22.50
  • Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to NZ$18 if travelling approximately 100 km (60 mi).

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay NZ$290 for your transportation in Niue for 5 days on a motorcycle. This does not include any additional services like insurance excess reduction, etc.

How Much is it to Hire a Motorcycle for a Week in Niue?

Motorcycle rental in Niue is approximately NZ$350 for seven days (that’s NZ$50 per day not including the discount some rental companies apply to seven-day rentals).

Additional mandatory costs to take into consideration:

  • Purchasing the Niue Driver’s License – $22.50
  • Fuel tank top-up at the end of your trip – Our experience shows that this roughly comes to NZ$24 if travelling approximately 128 km (80 mi), which is the equivalent of driving around the island twice.

Total: Combining all the costs above, you can expect to pay NZ$397 for your transportation in Niue for seven days on a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Hire in Niue: Where to Rent, Cost & More© NiuePocketGuide.com

What is it Like to Ride a Motorcycle in Niue?

Niue has 123 km (76 mi) of paved roads. Except for in most villages, these roads have many potholes. The road on the east coast of the island has more potholes than on the west coast, but both roads still need to be driven with care. Potholes are more difficult to spot during the bright morning and afternoon sun, so take extra care during those times and make sure to drive with sunglasses. When driving after heavy rain, the depth of potholes is difficult to judge, so take care when driving in or after the rain.

Some of Niue’s inland bush roads and some minor roads leading to the coast are gravel or dirt roads. These tend to be single-file roads so care needs to be taken in case there is approaching traffic.

A limited number of roads in Niue are not suitable for rental vehicles, including motorcycles. These roads are clearly marked on the Niue visitor map available at the Visitor Information Centre in Alofi.

The Road Rules of Niue

You will need to know the basic road rules of Niue in order to keep yourself and others safe. The main rules you need to know are:

  • Drive on the left side of the road
  • The speed limit in villages and Alofi is 40 kph
  • The open road speed limit is 60 kph
  • Slow down for cyclists as you approach and give plenty of room when it is safe to overtake
  • Motorcycle helmets are compulsory
  • Stop at stop signs
  • Don’t park on the yellow lines or Parliament Building in Alofi
  • Do not do U-turns at any intersections or at the Parliament Buildings
  • Respect the “No Parking” signs.

And for more rules and advice concerning road safety, see the 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Niue.

Motorcycles in Niue and Dogs

It’s also worth mentioning that although dogs have owners, dogs are left to roam free in Niue. While most dogs are relaxed and as cute as ever, there are the occasional guard dogs that will have a whale of a time chasing you down the road; which is understandably much scarier on a motorcycle than it is in an enclosed vehicle. If you seize up at even the thought of this happening to you and you think it will impair your ability to ride a motorcycle, then perhaps rent a car instead.

You can learn more about the state of the roads in Niue in How to Drive in Niue + 10 Road Rules You Need to Know, plus more tips for motorcycle riding in the 10 Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in Niue.

The Guide to Renting a Motorbike in Niue(c) niuepocketguide.com

Alternatives to Hiring a Motorbike in Niue

Due to the limited choice of motorbike hires in Niue, you might want to consider other vehicle options. Here are some other ways to explore Niue independently…

Car Rental

There is a wide range of car rentals available, from compact budget cars to family 4WDs. There are a handful of vehicle rental companies in Niue. Some of Niue’s accommodations also rent out their own vehicles. Find out more about your car rental options in The 7 Best Car Rentals in Niue.

E-Bike Hire

For short journeys around the island or making the most of the bush trails that you can’t take rental cars or motorbikes down, bicycle hire in Niue is a good option. Rental companies like Freedom Bikes or Niue Blue offer e-bike hire, while the Visitor Information Centre and many accommodations across Niue either have bicycles available to hire. Find out more about hiring bicycles in Where to Rent Bikes in Niue.

More About Renting a Motorcycle in Niue

That’s it for our guide to renting a motorcycle in Niue but it’s by no means the end of our Niue travel tips! Check out the following guides to help you out with more travel planning:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in Niue Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Niue.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Niue Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. He is also consulting regularly with Niue Tourism to ensure content accuracy. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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