Salt Lake City, the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Utah, is one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the entire United States. Founded in 1847 by a group of Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, that were fleeing persecution. Once they established themselves in this area, the pioneers nearly all died from an outbreak of measles until they were saved by the Shoshone native people, who taught them to eat the bulbs of lilies to survive. After that, the Mormons attempted to establish the State of Deseret, a state run by the religious leaders of the Mormon church. The United States Congress reacted by sending the U.S. Army to Utah and then establishing the Utah Territory.
As you can see, the history of Salt Lake City is strange, absolutely fascinating, and a ton of fun to learn about. However, that’s far from the only thing that Salt Lake City has to offer. This metropolis is also surrounded by some of the most naturally beautiful areas in all of the United States. There’s also a sprawling nightlife scene, plenty of amazing restaurants, some great modern museums and government buildings, and so much more. So, if you’re visiting Salt Lake City and you really want to see all this incredible place has to offer, rent a motorcycle and cruise around the city at your leisure.
Here is everything you need to know about motorcycle hire in Salt Lake City. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter as well. This guide includes:
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorcycle in the United States
- Whether it’s safe to rent a motorcycle in Salt Lake City
- The best places to find motorcycle rental in Salt Lake City
- The normal cost of motorcycle rental in Salt Lake City
- The best things to do in Salt Lake City by motorbike
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Rent a Motorcycle in the United States?
If you’re planning on visiting the United States from a foreign country and you want to rent a motorcycle, you should know that each state has its own laws about accepting foreign licenses. Luckily, Utah allows foreign drivers to drive with their foreign licenses for up to six months. All you need is a valid copy of your license from your home country and your passport and you’re good to go.
If you plan on traveling between states, though, you should definitely get an international driving permit because many of the states do require them. You should be able to fill out the application entirely online; however, the website depends on which country you’re from.
Is Renting a Motorcycle in Salt Lake City Dangerous?
In general, the road conditions in the United States are very good, the police are very good at enforcing traffic laws, and there is ample signage all throughout the country. However, that doesn’t mean that driving in the United States is always completely safe. In fact, Salt Lake City drivers have one of the worst track records in the entire country. This city is ranked among the worst in motor accidents, DUIs, and speeding tickets.
On top of that, speed limits around Salt Lake City are especially high for the United States. So, if you plan on driving a motorcycle in Salt Lake City, you should be cautious and drive defensively. If you do this, you should be just fine, but it’s always better to practice caution.
Where Are the Best Places to Find Motorcycle Rental in Salt Lake City?
If you plan on flying into Salt Lake City International Airport, which is located 4 miles west of Downtown Salt Lake City, there are no motorcycle rental services directly at the airport. However, you should have no trouble finding motorcycle hire only a few miles away from the airport in the center of the city.
One of the best places to start your search for a rental motorcycle is on Route 89, also known as State Street, which cuts right through the center of Salt Lake City. You can also find quite a few motorcycle rental companies in the northern portion of the city near the neighborhood of Woods Cross.
What Is the Normal Price of a Motorbike Hire in Salt Lake City?
The United States is known for a lot of things, but being cheap is not one of them. Thus, you can expect to pay a pretty penny if you want to hire a motorcycle during your stay in Salt Lake City. If you want to hire a more basic motorbike, such as a KTM 450 SX-F, you can expect to pay around €200 per day. However, if you want to upgrade to something more powerful, such as a KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, you’ll probably pay around €225 per day.
Regardless of what kind of vehicle you choose to rent, you should make sure that helmet rental and insurance are included in the rental agreement. It’s illegal to drive a motorbike in the United States without a helmet or without an insurance policy. You should also inquire with your rental company as to whether they offer reduced rates for weekly or monthly rentals if you plan on staying in Salt Lake City for a while.
What Are the Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City by Motorcycle?
Now that you have all the necessary information for renting a motorbike in Salt Lake City, here are some of the best things to do with your rented wheels:
Antelope Island
If you’re a fan of nature, then you absolutely have to take a day trip to Antelope Island, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. You can see stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, which is completely different from any other lake on Earth.
The main draw to Antelope Island, though, is the animals. While you’re driving around, you might just see a herd of hundreds of free-roaming bison. Sometimes you can actually feel the ground rumble as they run by. Antelope Island is also home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and many types of birds.
Bonneville Salt Flats
If you’re a fan of driving, then you need to make the 90-minute drive west of Salt Lake City to Bonneville Salt Flats. This is one of the best driving locations in the world where numerous land-speed records were set between 1935 and 1970. The hard sand makes for the perfect conditions for hitting top speed.
On top of being a great place for maxing out your motorcycle’s speed, Bonneville Salt Flats also offers great views of Bonneville Lake, which is a scenic location with clear waters and impressive mountain peaks.
Temple Square
If you want to get to know about the history of the Mormon Church, the best place in Salt Lake City to visit is Temple Square. This area encompasses several city blocks and is the most important place in the world for followers of the Mormon religion.
Within Temple Square, you can see the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, and Seagull Monument. The entire area is still owned by the Mormon Church and you can easily find a nice Mormon person in the area to give you a full tour of the square.
Explore Salt Lake City on a Rental Motorcycle
Due to its Mormon character and outstanding natural beauty, Salt Lake City is unlike any other place in the world. So, if you really want to get to know this amazing city, hire a motorbike and do as much exploring as you can.
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