Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands

Croatia is made for two wheels. This private motorcycle rental gives you the freedom to choose your own route from Split, with capable bikes such as the BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada. I like the chance to ride Hvar’s back roads and the helpful route advice from staff members including Nikola and Duje. The main catch is that the advertised price of $260.88 is per group, so you should confirm exactly which motorcycle, rental period, and equipment are covered before booking.

I also like the simple setup: collect the bike and helmet at 9:00 a.m., ride independently, then return to the same meeting point. You can aim for Krka National Park, the Pelješac wine country, Dubrovnik, or an island reached by ferry. The drawback is distance. Dubrovnik and Pelješac make for long days from Split, and the rental does not include food, drinks, or hotel pickup.

Key points at a glance

• BMW and Ducati options: Choose from serious touring motorcycles, including the BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada.
• Hvar by ferry and motorcycle: Reach the island by a short ferry ride, then follow its scenic roads at your own pace.
• Pelješac for wine and coastal bends: Combine a twisty ride with local food and wine in one of Croatia’s best-known wine areas.
• Krka National Park stop: Walk among the park’s natural sights and swim beneath waterfalls.
• Practical private format: Your group rides independently, with a helmet, bottled water, and beverages included.
• Strong personal service: Nikola, Duje, and other staff members are praised for route tips, equipment help, flexible communication, and easy check-in and return.

A motorcycle rental, not a fixed sightseeing tour

The biggest strength here is control. You are not following a guide in a line of motorcycles or stopping at places chosen for a large bus group. You pick the direction, set the pace, and decide how much time to give a village, viewpoint, meal, or swim.

The experience is described as a private activity for your group, with a maximum group size of 15. That does not mean you receive a guided motorcycle tour. It means your booking is private, while the actual day is built around independent riding.

That difference matters. If you want a guide narrating every stop, this is not the right format. If you already ride and prefer a local office to provide the motorcycle, helmet, and useful route suggestions, the arrangement makes much more sense.

The rental begins at Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure at Vukovarska ul. 99 in Split. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the bike returns to the same place at the end of the day. Pickup is offered as a feature, but hotel pickup is specifically listed as not included, so confirm what pickup means for your booking.

Choosing between the BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada

The two headline motorcycles suit riders who want power, comfort, and enough range for a full day on Croatian roads. The BMW R1250 GS is a well-known touring choice, while the Ducati Multistrada has a sportier character. The supplied details do not specify the exact model year, mileage, luggage, insurance terms, or deposit, so ask about those points before paying.

The BMW received especially warm praise for its condition and performance. One rider chose a brand-new BMW 1250 GS for a first experience with a large motorcycle and found the bike impressive. Another rented a BMW R1250 GS for five days and received route, restaurant, and road advice from Duje throughout the trip.

The Ducati Multistrada also earned strong marks. A Multistrada 950 was described as being in top condition, and another rider found the rental procedure quick and simple. A Ducati Multistrada collected at the airport had already covered more than 30,000 kilometers, but the available account still described the experience positively. That is a useful reminder to ask about the specific bike assigned to you rather than assuming every motorcycle is new.

Equipment can vary. A helmet is included, and some rentals included a top box and safety gear. One comment suggested the company could use more helmets, jackets, and related equipment for customers who need them. If you are not bringing riding gear, ask in advance about jacket, gloves, trousers, luggage, and helmet sizes. Do not assume that every item is included just because another rental received it.

You must be at least 21 years old. Most people who can participate in a motorcycle rental should be able to take part, but you will need the appropriate motorcycle license. The supplied information does not spell out license, insurance, or security-deposit rules, so those are essential questions for the rental office.

Hvar: the easiest island choice for a riding day

Hvar is a natural target for this rental. A short ferry ride takes you from the mainland to the island, and once there you can ride its roads rather than spending the day packed into a vehicle.

The appeal is simple: the ferry adds a small travel adventure, while the motorcycle gives you flexibility once you arrive. You can stop when a road catches your eye, pause for a view, or adjust the route around your available time.

Hvar works best if you leave Split with a clear plan. Ferry timing can shape the entire day, and a one-day rental leaves less room for missed departures or long unscheduled stops. The description does not provide ferry schedules or fares, so check those separately and allow enough time for the return crossing and motorcycle drop-off.

The island is a better choice for riders who want a focused day rather than a huge mileage total. You get the pleasure of riding on Hvar without trying to combine it with Dubrovnik or Krka on the same day.

Pelješac: coastal bends, food, and Croatian wine

The ride to the Pelješac Peninsula offers a different kind of day. Instead of an island crossing, you follow the coast toward one of Croatia’s best-known wine areas, with twisty roads along the way.

Pelješac is valuable because the ride and the destination work together. You are not simply using the motorcycle to reach a standard attraction. The road provides the fun, then the peninsula gives you a reason to stop for authentic food and local wine.

This route suits you if you like a day with a clear regional flavor. It also rewards a slower pace. The peninsula is not just a turnaround point for a quick photograph, and a tasting or meal can take more time than expected.

The tradeoff is mileage. From Split, the ride can become a long day, especially if you want time for food, wine, and scenic stops. Since the rental lasts about one day and returns to Split, plan conservatively. If you want to taste wine, remember that the rider must remain within safe and legal limits. The rental includes beverages, but food and drinks are also listed as not included, so budget separately for meals and tastings.

Dubrovnik: possible in a day, but not a casual outing

The route from Split to Dubrovnik is described as taking about three hours by motorcycle. That makes Dubrovnik possible as a full-day outing, but it is not a relaxed hop down the coast.

The reward is a road trip with Dubrovnik as the focal point. You can explore the city and the surrounding area, then enjoy the ride back through coastal scenery. The motorcycle can make the journey feel like part of the day rather than a transfer between two cities.

The drawback is obvious: six hours of driving can consume most of a one-day rental, before you add time in Dubrovnik. Traffic, stops, meals, ferry crossings, or border-related delays could reduce your time at the destination. The supplied information calls it a great way to spend a day in nature, but it does not provide a detailed Dubrovnik route or parking advice.

I would choose Dubrovnik only if the city is a priority and you are comfortable with a full riding day. If your main goal is relaxed island roads, Hvar is likely a better match. If you want waterfalls and walking, Krka gives you a shorter, more focused nature outing.

Krka National Park and a swim beneath the waterfalls

Krka National Park is the clearest nature-focused option. The suggested visit includes walking through the park and swimming beneath waterfalls, with about three hours allocated to the stop.

That three-hour figure helps you plan. Krka can serve as the main destination for the day, with the motorcycle ride providing the approach and return. You get a change from coastal roads, plus time on foot and in the water.

Admission is listed as free within the experience details, but you should still confirm current park conditions and any local rules before departure. The description specifically includes swimming beneath waterfalls, so bring suitable swimwear and a way to carry it, though the rental’s included luggage is not specified.

Krka is a sensible choice if you want less pressure than the Dubrovnik run. The walk and swim create a natural break from riding, and the stop has a clear time frame. Still, three hours is only an approximate visit length. You should not assume it covers every trail or area of the park.

What the staff adds to an independent day

This rental is more useful when the office acts as a local sounding board. Nikola is repeatedly praised for explaining routes, suggesting scenic spots, and helping riders choose a motorcycle that fits their plans. Duje is also singled out for route tips, restaurant suggestions, road advice, and staying in touch during a longer rental.

That personal help may be the difference between a merely functional rental and a rewarding riding day. You can arrive with a broad idea, then ask which direction best fits the weather, your skill level, and the time available.

Communication appears to be easy, including contact through WhatsApp. Several rentals were described as uncomplicated from the first messages through pickup and return. One rider also received help after a motorcycle was damaged during transport, and the Split and Dubrovnik staff adjusted to the changed situation.

Do keep the praise in proportion. Helpful route advice does not replace your own responsibility for navigation, road conditions, ferry times, and riding within your ability. The format gives you freedom, not a local guide beside you.

Price, inclusions, and the value question

The listed price is $260.88 per group of up to 15 people. That figure needs careful checking because motorcycle rentals are normally shaped by the number of bikes, the chosen model, and the rental duration. The supplied price may not tell you the final cost for one BMW or Ducati, especially if additional equipment or services are involved.

The value is strongest when you use the bike for a full day and choose a route that would be awkward by ordinary transport. Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, and Krka each offer a different reason to ride, and the private format means you do not pay for a fixed group program you may not want.

Included items are:

• Private activity for your group
• Use of a motorcycle, described in the supplied details as use of bicycle
• Helmet
• Bottled water
• Beverages

Food and drinks are not included, despite beverages being listed among the inclusions, so clarify what type and quantity of beverages are provided. Hotel drop-off and hotel pickup are not included. Pickup is offered as a feature, but the meeting point remains the rental office in Split, so confirm any transport arrangement in writing.

The strong points are the motorcycle selection, local route advice, and simple return process. The weak point is uncertainty around the exact price and equipment package. Ask for a written breakdown before you commit.

Timing, riding distance, and a realistic plan

The rental starts at 9:00 a.m. and lasts approximately one day. That sounds generous, but Croatia’s coast can tempt you into adding one more viewpoint, village, ferry, or lunch stop. The best day is not necessarily the one with the highest number of kilometers.

For Hvar, check the ferry first and build the ride around the crossing. For Pelješac, leave enough time for a meal or wine stop without turning the return into a race. For Dubrovnik, treat the three-hour drive each way as the core of the day. For Krka, keep the park visit near three hours and allow time for the road in both directions.

A private group of up to 15 can also be flexible in a way a large organized tour cannot. You can decide to turn back, change the order of stops, or stay longer at a place that suits your group. That freedom is the main product here.

Who should book this motorcycle experience?

I would recommend it to an experienced rider who wants to see Croatia independently and enjoys the road as much as the destination. It is especially well suited to couples or friends who want a motorcycle day, already know the kind of riding they enjoy, and are happy to manage their own route.

It can also work for someone renting a large motorcycle for the first time, but only if that person is confident and properly licensed. The BMW 1250 GS received praise from a first-time large-bike renter, yet a powerful touring motorcycle still deserves respect.

I would not choose this if you want a fully guided sightseeing tour, guaranteed riding gear beyond the helmet, or a slow day with minimal driving. I would also avoid planning too many major destinations in one day. Croatia rewards patience, and a rushed motorcycle day can turn beautiful roads into a timetable problem.

The company has a perfect five-star rating from 24 listed reviews and a 100 percent recommendation figure. That is a strong record, especially for service, bike condition, communication, and route help, though it does not remove the need to confirm current rental terms.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

My verdict: book it for freedom, not a packaged tour

I would book this rental if I wanted one strong motorcycle day based in Split and was willing to plan the route carefully. Hvar is the best fit for island riding, Pelješac for food and wine, Krka for walking and waterfalls, and Dubrovnik for a demanding but memorable coastal run.

Before booking, ask four practical questions: Which exact motorcycle is available? What does the $260.88 group price cover? Which protective gear and luggage are included? What pickup, license, insurance, and deposit rules apply?

If the answers fit your budget and riding experience, this is a fine way to make Croatia’s coast your own. The best part is not simply having a BMW or Ducati. It is having the freedom to follow local advice, change your mind, and let the road shape the day.

FAQ

Where does the motorcycle rental start?

The meeting point is Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure, Vukovarska ul. 99, 21000 Split, Croatia.

What time does the experience begin?

The listed start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where do I return the motorcycle?

You return the motorcycle to the same meeting point in Split. The activity ends there.

Which motorcycles can I rent?

The experience is promoted with BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada motorcycles. Other motorcycles may also be available, but the supplied details do not provide a complete fleet list.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. Helmet use is included.

Is this a guided motorcycle tour?

No specific guide riding with you is included. This is a private rental that lets you choose your own route, with route suggestions available from the rental staff.

Can I ride to Hvar Island?

Yes. The suggested plan is to take a short ferry ride to Hvar and explore the island’s roads by motorcycle.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are listed as not included. Bottled water and beverages are listed among the inclusions, so confirm what beverages are provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.