Motorbike rental in Kyrgyzstan: our recommendations in Bishkek and Osh

Kyrgyzstan is home to thousands of trails for exploration. From sandy desert tracks to mountain passes at 3,000m, the wild beauty of this small country will amaze you. In our book EXPLORE KYRGYZSTAN you will find a selection of 24 off-road routes throughout the country. The motorbike will give you a unique feeling of freedom and will attract the curiosity of the locals.

Note that Kyrgyz people do not use motorbikes to get around. The few motorbikes you will come across are mainly driven by tourists. Some rental companies are specialised in renting trail-type motorbikes with all the right equipment to travel independently.

The roads connecting the main cities of Kyrgyzstan are paved. You will not need a trail-type motorbike to get to Lake Issyk Kul and the main towns (Karakol, Kochkor, Naryn, Osh, etc). Although a lot of work has been carried out in recent years to improve the state of the road network, you should still travel carefully. The roads can be deteriorated by potholes, bumps and debris. Even on sections where the roads have just been finished, we do not recommend that you drive too fast.

When you leave the main roads, you will be on tracks where the conditions are very variable. To help you, we have classified the routes of the book EXPLORE KYRGYZSTAN by difficulty levels, from 1 to 5. As some routes are poorly maintained, their degree of difficulty may vary according to the weather and recent flooding or landslides. If in doubt about an itinerary, do not hesitate to ask the local people or the tourist offices.

Please note that some border areas require a permit. Order your permit online here. For more information on restricted areas, see the map here.

There are very few motorbikes in Kyrgyzstan. The majority are driven by tourists. Unlike in Southeast Asia, it is not common to ride a motorbike or a scooter.

You will be able to ride on the main, paved roads with any type of motorbike, but as we have said, beware of potholes, bumps and other defects that the road may have. In general, ride slowly because danger can spring from anywhere, especially the large amount of animals that roam freely in Kyrgyzstan. You are vulnerable on a motorbike, and medical emergency services are very limited, so it’s better to prevent it.

For riding on Kyrgyz tracks, we strongly recommend a light and powerful trail-type motorbike and off-road tyres.

The biggest difficulties are fords. It is sometimes impossible to cross them on a motorbike. If the water level is above your knee and there is a current, we advise you not to take any risks: turn back or wait until the next morning (rivers are lower at the beginning of the day).

Don’t forget that in addition to your own weight, you also have to add the weight of your equipment and any fuel reserves, which can quickly make the bike heavier and slower. Also note that conditions can become extreme with snow and slippery roads, especially when riding over mountain passes.

The majority of rental agencies are located in Bishkek. There are not many rental companies, but the market is growing. We advise you to book in advance. Here is a selection of serious and professional rental companies in Bishkek.

If you want to visit Tajikistan, it will be easier to rent a motorcycle in Kyrgyzstan in Osh. Osh is also an ideal starting point to visit the beautiful Alay Valley, a mythical region home to the Lenin Peak (7134m). Here is a selection of serious and professional rental companies in Osh.