Negombo: Motorcycle & Scooter Rental with Full Insurance

Summary

Negombo bike rental for backpackers seeking freedom to explore Sri Lanka’s coast, fields, and mountain roads

You’ll pick up your motorbike or scooter right in Negombo with everything sorted — insurance, helmets, even roadside help if you need it. Ride solo or with a friend across Sri Lanka’s coast or hills at your own pace. It’s simple freedom: local tips from friendly staff, no set route, just open roads and whatever moments come along.

What’s the experience like?

We showed up in Negombo still shaking off the flight, and there was this row of bikes out front — all lined up, tanks full and ready. The guy running things (I think his name was Dilan?) handed me a helmet and grinned when I fumbled with the strap. “Don’t worry,” he said, “you’ll get used to it.” The air smelled like petrol and sea salt — not unpleasant, just sharp enough to wake you up. There’s something about picking your own motorbike that feels oddly personal, like choosing a travel companion you haven’t met yet.

I’d never ridden a scooter outside my own city before, but Dilan ran through everything slowly — brakes here, horn there (you’ll use it a lot), how to stash your bag under the seat. He even helped sort my license paperwork for Sri Lanka; honestly didn’t expect that part to be so easy. The whole thing took maybe 20 minutes? And then suddenly we were weaving past tuk-tuks and fruit stalls, the breeze tugging at my sleeves. I kept thinking about how cheap it was — eight bucks a day for the scooter, including insurance and two helmets. You don’t really get deals like that back home.

Somewhere outside Negombo we stopped for tea at a shack by the road. A couple of locals nodded at our battered map and pointed toward Kandy (“long ride but good road today,” one said). I tried to ask for directions in Sinhala — Li laughed at my accent but they appreciated the effort. The road felt smooth under the tires; every now and then you’d catch whiffs of wet earth or see flashes of green paddy fields between trucks. There’s this weird sense of freedom when you realize you can just keep going — no timetables or group tours dragging you along.

The best bit? If anything went wrong (nothing did), they had roadside help anywhere on the island. That gave me peace of mind I didn’t know I needed until I was halfway up some winding hill in drizzle. Maybe that’s why I still think about those afternoons: just us, the open road, and all these tiny moments stitched together by engine noise and laughter trailing behind us.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rent and prepare motorcycle in Negombo

• Arrive at motorcycle rental in Negombo
• Choose motorbike or scooter
• Get full insurance and helmets
• Convert driver's license to temporary Sri Lanka license
• Load luggage on motorcycle
• Start self-ride tour around Sri Lanka

Top questions

How much does motorcycle rental in Negombo cost?

A scooter costs around $8 per day including full insurance and two helmets.

Is insurance included with the bike rental?

Yes, full insurance is included with every rental at no extra charge.

Can I rent a motorcycle if I only have a foreign driver’s license?

You can convert your valid license into a temporary Sri Lankan license for about $20.

What if my bike breaks down during my trip?

The company provides island-wide roadside assistance for emergencies or breakdowns.

How much luggage can I carry on the motorcycle?

The motorcycles can easily carry up to 40 kilograms of luggage.

Are helmets provided with every rental?

Yes, two helmets are included with each motorbike or scooter rental.

Is there any mileage limit on the rental bikes?

No, mileage is unlimited so you can travel as far as you want within Sri Lanka.

Can someone teach me how to ride if I'm not experienced?

Yes, staff are happy to show beginners how to handle scooters or bikes safely.

What’s included

Your booking includes two helmets for safety, a first-aid kit tucked under your seat just in case, unlimited mileage so you can roam wherever curiosity takes you, plus full tank petrol at pickup and comprehensive insurance covering accidental damage—roadside assistance is always available if something goes sideways out there.