Rent a motorcycle: 5 factors you need to consider

Wish to rent a bike for your tour? This is for you!

When you book a motorcycle tour with us you can choose between coming to Tuscany with your own bike (option that many europeans prefer) or rent a bike in Florence through us. We have almost all the models of BMW, Ducati and some Moto Guzzis. In case you decide to fly to Florence and then rent a bike, here are 5 factors your might consider on your choice:

 

  • Your height: It is very important to make sure the bike is not too big and not too small for you. If the bike is too small, you will not feel comfortable and may have physical issues. If the bike is too big you might have problems at low speeds or during the parking / starting procedure. On our rentals page (https://tuscanymotorcycletours.com/rental-service/) you can see the detail of the seat height for each model (on “additional information” tab). This useful page can also help you on your decision: http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

  • Your riding experience: Obviously this is a very important factor. If you do not have much experience, it is important to rent an “easy” bike: light, simple and not too powerful. If you are starting as a rider it is easier to ride a Ducati Scrambler than a Ducati Multistrada 1260!

 

Tips for your rental motorcycle in Tuscany Ducati and BMW

 

  • Your “motorcycle history”: Do you own a naked bike? A Harley-Davidson? A BMW? Consider the roads we are going to ride have many curves and it is important that you feel safe and with confidence with your rental bike. Tell us what bike do you own and we will let you know which one, in our opinion, fits better.

 

  • The tour duration: Are you interested in booking a one day tour? Two days? Our one full week tour? That definitely makes a difference. For a day tour a naked bike might be a great option for the Tuscan roads. But if you book the week tour (4 to 5 riding hours per day, 1.200 km on one week), in that case we will recommend something more comfortable for you and your pillion (Ducati Multistrada 1260/950, BMW R1200/800GS, BMW R1200RT…).

 

  • Your own preferences! Let’s be honest: a bike choice has a big emotional factor. Did you always wanted to ride a Diavel? Do you dream of making a thousand of italian curves on a red Ducati? Do you wish to try the last BMW model with the finest electronic in the world? Just do it! This is made to enjoy and have fun!

 

Tips for your rental motorcycle in Tuscany – Riding Downhill

Italian Tolls and Gas Stations: all you need to know

Toll and gas station tips, important to know!

Let’s start with a premise: in Italy everything is complicated and different but, once you know how it works, it is easy. So we will give you information and tips to make your motorcycle adventure in Italy easier and simpler.

Tolls in Italy

In Italy the main highways have tolls (AUTOSTRADA). There are some minor free-highways where payment is not required. In the map below you can see the toll-highways (in green) and the free-highways (in blue).

Highway network in Italy

How to recognize if you are in a toll road (autostrada)? Green Color

If you’re on a road indicated with green signs, you’re on an autostrada. If you’re not on an autostrada but are following green signs, they will lead you to the autostrada. If you’re on a road that looks pretty significant but the signs are blue, it’s not an autostrada, and it’s also not a toll road.

How Tolls Work?

When you access to the highway you need to stop and take your entrance ticket. Keep this ticket for all the journey and don’t lose it! In case of lost ticket you will be charged the cost of the highest distance from your exit point (often more than 60 euros). When you leave the highway, stop at the lane for cash or credit card payment (CARTE), insert your entrance ticket, then you will see in the display the amount to pay and then pay with cash or credit card. Either in the entrance or the exit to the highway don’t use the TELEPASS lane, that is only for vehicles that have the TELEPASS contract and machine.

When using a highway in Italy in motorcycle we recommend to have your wallet with you in a closed pocket.

Gas stations in Italy

The gas stations on the autostrada are more expensive.

Since some years in almost all the gas stations you have 2 prices for each fuel type:

  • SERVITO: which means “served”, in this case, the staff will put the fuel on your vehicle and the price is higher (around 0,20 € more per liter)
  • SELF-SERVICE (or fai da te): as the name says you do it on your own. In this case the price is cheaper (today around 1,60 € per liter)
Servito and self service gas station

Fuel types:

On the gas station you will multiple fuel types:

  • Super / Senza Piombo / 95 / 98 / Benzina: All these means the same: PETROL
  • Diesel / Blue Diesel + / Diesel Tech
  • GPL (Liquid Gas)

Make sure you only use the first type for your motorcycle, Petrol!

Payment in the gas stations

Many places will not accept credit cards and some will not even accept debit cards (even if usually they should work). So we recommend to have always with you euros in cash to avoid payment issues.

We hope this information will make your motorcycle holiday in Italy easier!

If during your tour with us you have problems or doubts, our guide will be glad to help you and resolve any problem.

10 Reasons to Attend a MotoGP Race

MotoGP Experience motorcycle tour - misano5

MotoGP: the Best Show in the World!

MotoGP is the most important motorcycle racing championship in the world. This 2018 there will be 19 races all over the world and 2 of them will take place in Italy! On June 3rd in the Mugello Circuit near Florence and on September 9th in the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in the Adriatic coast. For the race in September we have a motorcycle tour that starts in Florence and will make you discover this great event in the best way: riding a motorcycle in the best roads of central Italy.

So, why attending this amazing show with us?

1 Stress-free:

We take care of everything: rental of motorcycle, tickets in stands with good view over the circuit, nice hotels, English speaking guide… You just need to be on Florence the departure date ready to enjoy a great experience!

2 Great roads and no risk to get lost:

The group will be led by an specialist who will make sure you don’t lose the funniest roads to reach the MotoGP circuit and that nobody in the group gets lost. We depart together and arrive together to our destination!

3 New friends:

In the tour you will meet people from all over the world. We will ride together, eat together, have fun together and live an unforgettable experience.

4 Italian passion:

Motorcycle races have a lot of tradition in Italy. Many teams and riders are Italian or are based in Italy. The people live it in a very passionate way, you will be amazed by the ambiance you will see in the track!

5 Valentino Rossi “Il Dottore” at home:

The legend Valentino Rossi is ending his MotoGP career (last year will be 2020) so, if you still haven’t seeing him live, this is one of the last opportunities! Also, the circuit of Misano Adriatico is just a few miles from Valentino’s home, Tavullia, so this is the most important race of the year for him and his fans.

6 Tavullia:

Obviously one of the must of this tour is the visit to Tavullia, the town where Valentino Rossi grew-up and where he has his famous Ranch, the Fan Club and Official Store.

7 San Marino:

We will also visit the Republic of San Marino, a fantastic medieval city in the top of a hill with a breathtaking view over the Adriatic Riviera and the countryside.

8 Arrival and departure in Florence:

The tour starts and finishes in Florence so you will have time to see this world famous Renaissance city which is one of the most spectacular destinations of Europe!

9 Come with your bike or rent one from us:

You can chose if you prefer to reach Florence with your own bike and make the tour with it. Otherwise, come by plane and here you will find a new model of motorcycle waiting for you. For this tour you can chose between a BMW R 1200 GS, BMW F 800 GS or a Ducati Multistrada 1200 (depending of availability).

10 Beach and swimming-pool:

This MotoGP race takes place at the beginning of September so the weather will still be hot. No worries, our hotel in Rimini has a swimming-pool and the Adriatic sea is just 500 meters away, so bring your swimsuit!

5 Reasons why you should visit Tuscany riding a Motorcycle

tuscany countryside road

Riding a motorcycle in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most famous regions in Europe and probably in the World. In 23,000 sq km (8,900 square miles) you will find many famous and interesting places to see. Cities like: Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano… Areas like: Chianti, Maremma, Val d’Orcia, Mugello… Islands like: Elba, Giglio… Culture legacy from: etruscans, romans, renaissance…

But what does of Tuscany a special place you should explore while you ride a Motorcycle?

1 Roads:

Tuscany has a huge net of countryside roads linking hundreds of little and pretty towns. As hills make up nearly two-thirds (66.5%) of the region’s total area, these roads are full of curves which makes the ride much funnier and enjoyable.

2 Landscapes:

Let’s be honest: the sights in Tuscany are truly special. The countryside, the villas and farmhouses, the sky… They all create a special atmosphere that is unique! On a motorcycle trip in Tuscany you will feel the need to stop each 10 minutes to make a photo!

3 Nature:

Tuscany has a nature diversity known all over the world: the Chianti with its forest and vineyards, the “Crete Senesi” mounts and their grey coloration that gives them an appearance often described as lunar, the Val d’Orcia and the sweet hills with their cypresses, the Maremma and a fantastic sea… And anybody who has ever traveled in a motorcycle knows that the link between the rider and the nature around him is very particular.

4 Land of riders:

Italy and Tuscany are a place where traditionally motorcycles, scooters, riders and champions have a lot of tradition. Many of the Italian champions like Rossi or Dovizioso grew-up riding on the Apennines hills between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Vespa was born in Tuscany (and still have its headquarter). Some of the most famous Italian passes are in Tuscany: Passo della Futa, Raticosa, Giogo, Muraglione, Porrettana, Consuma, Chiantigiana, Massetana… In many of these roads take place every year some exciting road races!

5 Distances:

Tuscany is not too big and not too small. I would say perfect for visiting during a week. That’s time enough to go around all the region without having to make 2 times the same road and seeing every day new and interesting places. A must region to visit if you like nature, beauty, culture, history, gastronomy, wine and first of all… motorcycles!!

Riding a motorcycle in Italy

Riding a motorcycle in Italy - recommendations

If riding a motorcycle is not easy and you need some skills, riding a motorcycle in Italy is much more complex. You need to pay extra attention to everything that surrounds you:

  1. Cars: people drive aggressively, so it is important to anticipate their moves and double check before making your moves. You need to be some kind of “mind reader” of the drivers as they will often not indicate lanes changes, turns, etc. Keep your distance with cars! In these last years the use of cellphones during the drive has become a serious problem in all the world and Italy is not an exception, so this is another reason to pay double attention.
  2. Pedestrians: some times pedestrians will act like the city belongs to them and so you can find them walking in the middle of the street or, after dropping from the bus, they will cross the street in front of the bus (pay attention when you overtake a bus which is stopped dropping passengers!).
  3. Bicycles: another “player” in this jungle. In the cities you can find bicycles on the wrong way, coming from every corner while texting on their phones and passing red lights, so if you see a cyclist on your way keep an eye on him! In the country roads you will find many professional or amateur groups of cyclists, they usually are on their right and go fast but it is always a good advice to keep you eyes open.
  4. Radars: there are MANY radars in Italy and sometimes they’re hidden quite well and they’re positioned in strategic places where you could go too fast (E.g. a road downhill). You will recognize them because normally they are on a grey or orange box on the right of the road. Sometimes, the radar on the opposite lane might work also for your lane.
  5. Roundabouts: here the rule is, the priority is to the one who gets in faster… So pay attention: check, double check, triple check and then get in. Pay attention also to the exit!
  6. Crosswalk: usually Italian drivers very rarely will stop if a pedestrian is in front of the crosswalk. If you are riding a motorcycle, are approaching to a crosswalk and have a car on your back, be careful! The car may think you will not stop, so, if you stop, the car could hit you in the back!
  7. Directions and signs: let’s be clear: signs in Italy sometimes are a shame. In some crosses or roundabouts there are too many, too small and too hidden. It is so easy to get the wrong road and to get lost. This is particularly sad when instead of riding a nice and exciting road you find yourself on an ugly road with traffic jam
  8. Scooter: I will make a post dedicated to scooters another day haha!

So, how a guided tour can make things easier?

With a guided tour many of these problems will disappear and the danger will be much lower. Riding a motorcycle in Italy freely and with no stress following an expert will give you a higher security level. Your interaction with cars will be lower, riding in group will make you more visible, an expert in the area knows almost all the radars positions (saving you potentially a lot of money in fines) so, in two words: just enjoy.

January 1st in Tuscany: Montesenario Benediction

tuscany-motorcycle-tours-montesenario-benediction

Montesenario benediction

Montesenario benediction is one of the most loved traditions in Italy and italians are also very superstitious. If an Italian rider sees a black cat crossing the street, he will probably stop as soon as possible and wait for a car to pass before himself. This way, the bad luck (that can produce an accident!) that the cat brings to the first one to cross “it’s line” goes to the car and not to the rider.

Following these popular beliefs, it is a tradition for Tuscan riders to get on their motorcycle on January 1st, facing the cold, the snow, the wind and the rain (in an heroic and very dangerous ride), to reach the Montesenario Convent in a mount near Pratolino (around 15 km from Florence). In this yearly event, the Monk of the Convent will pass in front of all the motorcycles throwing holy water to them: this way the motorcycle will be “safe and lucky” for all the year.

On this event we can find all kind of riders and bikes. From elderly men with old classic motorcycles to young fellows with their brand new Japanese bikes full of electronic. The Monk, the destiny, and the road make no differences, we all need to be blessed…