Motorcycle hire shop with a small fleet

Visiting riders and tourists, local riders whose bike is off the road, people trying a bike before buying, and groups planning a weekend trip.

Hire fees per day, weekend or week, with extra income from kit hire, extra mileage, delivery and optional damage waivers.

• Good knowledge of motorcycles and basic maintenance
• Clear customer service and paperwork
• Organising bookings and fleet servicing

• Insurance that specifically covers motorcycles being hired out, as standard policies often do not
• Bikes bought on finance may not be allowed to be hired out, so check the agreement
• Checking each customer's licence category and entitlement before handover, for example through the DVLA check system
• Planning permission or change of use for the premises, check with your council
• Accident and damage costs, plus seasonal demand and bike depreciation

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £15,000 to £50,000, depending on the size of your fleet, the premises and the helmets, gloves and luggage you offer. Bike purchase or finance terms will have a big effect on where you land.

Check insurance that specifically covers motorcycles being hired out, as standard policies often do not. Also check whether finance agreements allow hire, how you verify each customer's licence category (for example through the DVLA check system), and planning permission or change of use for your premises.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on fleet size, location and season. That is revenue, not profit, and accident and damage costs, seasonal demand and bike depreciation all need allowing for.