At one point in their life, every motorcycle lover has toyed with the idea of launching a business devoted to these wonderful machines. Starting a motorcycle rental business is among the most popular ventures. But is this business viable and is it even worth trying? No guarantees can ever be given when it comes to starting a business from scratch. Yet, we believe that with a clear strategy and a solid business plan, starting a rental business could be quite a successful undertaking.

In this article, we will provide a brief overview of how to start a motorcycle rental business in the UAE, what to consider and what to expect when entering the rental market. Our focus will mainly be on enduro bike rentals, although rental options are diverse and may include renting out your private motorbike. 

Step 1: Planning your motorcycle rental venture

Research the motorcycle rental market

Tap the waters before you dive. Have a look around at the local market in your target city. If we are talking about Dubai, the competition is extremely high there, which can be a drawback on one hand. Hundreds of renting services are already operating in the area, and companies like Enduro Bike Adventure and DuneBikeDubai have established a strong presence in the market. Yet, a metropolis with a non-stop tourist flow (in 2023 alone, the city welcomed a record 17.15 million international visitors) means everyone will get their bite, and your target audience will find you sooner or later.  

Speaking of terrain, the UAE feels like it was made specifically for enduro and off-road adventures. With its endless dunes, it appears to be a dream playground for riders, which makes it incredibly welcoming for motorbike rental businesses. Active recreation is a big part of the local lifestyle, so tapping into that demand can really give your rental service a solid edge.

Define your motorbike rental business model

There are various motorcycle rental business ideas with proven success. To have a clear strategy, you need to decide on who your target audience will be and what renting format you will be offering. Are you going for short-term rentals aimed at tourists? Long-term rentals for expats or locals? Or maybe you want to offer guided enduro tours through the desert? Each model has its pros and cons.

• Pure rental (DIY adventure) is when you rent out enduro bikes, and the customer handles the rest: routes, gear, permits. This format is great for experienced riders but at the same time, is limited to just them and doesn’t offer much for beginners or casual tourists.
• Tourist-focused short-term rentals work best in high-traffic areas like Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Customers come to a dedicated riding area or trails —a specific location where all the riding takes place on prepared terrain designed for off-road experiences.
• In guided tours, you offer enduro rentals with a guide and take customers on curated routes through dunes, mountains, or wadis. These can be half-day, full-day, or multi-day trips. Such a format adds value and safety for less experienced riders and promises higher margins. Yet, it requires trained guides and more operational work, more involvement. 
• You may also like the idea of an all-inclusive adventure package: the bike, the gear, the guide, the route, meals, support vehicle—everything. Perfect for travelers or groups who want the thrill without the hassle. However, this is the most demanding model; it’s very logistics-heavy and needs a higher upfront investment.

You can stick to one model or mix and match, depending on the demand in your area. Just keep flexibility in mind.

Step 2: Building motorcycle rental setup

Choose and purchase your motorcycle fleet

Apparently, you will need a fleet of so-called dirtbikes or motocross bikes, and enduro bikes to rent them out. We advise on purchasing new motorcycles rather than pre-owned ones, as they tend to last longer and come with lower maintenance costs in the long run.

When starting up a motorcycle rental business, think of your customers first. Who will they be? Most likely, you will deal with tourists and non-professional riders rather than seasoned endurists. That said, your bike fleet should meet the needs of these people first. Therefore, your primary focus should be on entry-level pitbikes and mid-range enduro bikes. For the start, you may get two high-performance bikes for those who feel confident, and later you may expand the fleet.  

We suggest you initially build a fleet of around 10 vehicles, with a mixture of mid-range enduro bikes and pitbikes for motocross. The startup investment in this case will be the following: 

Pitbikes (4 units) — Entry-level bikes like Sharmax Power Max 145/190

Cost per unit: around $1,500 

Total for 4 units: around $6,000 

Mid-range Enduro bikes (6 units) like Sharmax Power Max 250/280/320 or Sport 250

Cost per unit: $2,500 - $3,000

Total for 6 units: $15,000 - $18,000

High-performance enduro bikes (2 units): To add some more options for experienced riders, consider buying two more powerful bikes like Sharmax Expert Pro 320 and 450.

Cost per unit: around $4,000

Total for 2 units: $8,000

This brings us to a total fleet cost of approximately $32,000. 

But the investment doesn’t stop at the bikes themselves. You should also factor in:

• Initial setup costs for protective gear: Helmets, gloves, boots, chest protectors, goggles, etc. Expect to spend an additional $300–$500 per rider kit, which for 10 sets equals $3,000–$5,000.  
• Maintenance and spare parts: Tires, chains, brake pads, oil, and other consumables. It’s wise to set aside at least 10–15% of your fleet value annually for regular maintenance—around $2,000–$4,000 per year for a fleet of this size.  
• Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for your fleet, liability coverage for riders, and property insurance for your premises. Rates vary, but plan for at least $2,000–$3,000 annually.  
• Staff costs (optional): If you’re hiring mechanics or guides, include their wages in your planning. A basic part-time mechanic’s salary could start at $1,000/month.

So, your full startup investment when accounting for gear, transport, insurance, and operating buffer might land closer to $50,000 or more. If this upfront cost feels steep, consider exploring the various financing programs available to businesses in the UAE.

Set competitive pricing and check your profit potential

The sweetest part of it all is, of course, the reward that you get from running the business of your dreams. After taking care of all the costs and gathering the courage to start, let’s calculate what profit you can potentially gain.  

When setting prices for your motorcycle rental, first study what your competitors offer. This will help you come up with appealing deals for new customers, especially at the initial stages of your business development. 

Set the price of a riding session at a minimum of $120 per hour. Based on this, your pricing will go as follows: 

With an average of 200 customers per month booking a 1-hour session, your estimated monthly revenue would range between $24,400 and $40,800, depending on the pricing tier.

Over the course of a year, this could reach approximately $292,800 to $489,600 in total revenue. Such estimates seem highly realistic for the UAE, where customer demand tends to be steady and riding is possible year-round. So, is motorcycle rental a good business? In a setting like the UAE, the answer is a confident yes.

And what about net profit? It depends on many factors that we cannot cover in full detail here, but very roughly, with initial investments of around $50,000, all operating costs, and a yearly revenue of around $360,000, your potential net profit could range from 30% to 50%. This means you could realistically expect to bring in $180,000 to $200,000 per year after covering expenses, if managed effectively and with consistent demand.

Step 3: Promoting motorcycle rental business

Develop an online booking system

In a tourist hotspot like the UAE, it makes sense to think of a proper online booking system. Tourists often plan their holidays well in advance. Giving them the ability to reserve their ride online, from the comfort of their home, adds a layer of convenience and confidence. They’ll know the exact model they’ve booked and can look forward to their adventure without any last-minute hassle.

Make sure the system you choose:

• Supports mobile booking (a huge number of tourists will be browsing from their phones)
• Displays your fleet with clear photos, specifications, and pricing
• Shows real-time availability and allows for instant confirmation
• Integrates with platforms like Google Business, TripAdvisor, and WhatsApp for quick access and inquiries

Implementing an online booking system is definitely a big win for your rental business as it helps you forecast demand and manage your customer flow. Plus, online visibility increases your chances of being discovered by travelers looking for unique experiences.

Launch marketing campaigns for motorcycle rental business

It’s hard to overestimate the importance of being seen when opening a motorcycle rental business in the UAE, a highly competitive business environment. The first year will be the toughest one: buying motorcycles, finding a suitable location, and attracting customers will all require significant investment without a guarantee of quick returns. However, with a smart marketing approach, the success might come sooner than you think.

Your marketing approach should reflect your target audience—tourists, expats, thrill-seekers, etc.—and the unique experiences you offer. Here’s where to start:

• Social Media Advertising: Use Instagram and Facebook to showcase scenic rides, customer testimonials, and special deals.
• Google Ads & SEO: Target keywords like “enduro bike rental Dubai” or “off-road adventure UAE.”
• Travel & Tourism Platforms: List your business on sites like Viator, GetYourGuide, and Airbnb Experiences.
• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with hotels, desert safari companies, and tourism offices to drive referrals.
• Influencer Collaborations: Invite travel bloggers or local influencers to try your service and post about it.

In Dubai, a newly launched enduro rental business should expect to spend approximately $9,000 to $18,000 on marketing during the first six months. This would cover digital advertising, influencer collaborations, content creation, SEO, and listings on travel platforms—key elements to building visibility and attracting bookings early on. ​

Bottom Line

We hope this article was useful and helped you gain an understanding of what to expect from opening a motorcycle rental business. As you can see, it is a challenging yet achievable task. Your key ingredient is the right location and a detailed financial plan.

Good luck on your journey!