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

Croatia’s coast makes far more sense from a motorcycle seat than through a bus window. With a BMW R1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada, you can swap a fixed sightseeing plan for twisty coastal roads, ferry crossings, island villages, and a lunch stop wherever the road looks promising. I especially like the freedom to choose Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, or Krka National Park instead of being tied to one route.

Two things make this rental useful: personal route advice from staff such as Nikola and Duje, and a straightforward pickup and return at the Split office. You should also know the advertised price is for a group of up to 15, while the rental itself is a motorcycle experience, so confirm exactly what bike, insurance, deposit, luggage, and equipment are included before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your own Croatian route: Ride Hvar Island, the Pelješac Peninsula, Dubrovnik, Krka National Park, or another destination that fits your day.
• BMW and Ducati options: The BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada suit riders who want power, comfort, and a motorcycle built for longer road days.
• Helpful local planning: Nikola, Duje, and Zana are associated with route ideas, equipment help, and practical communication.
• A helmet is included: Bottled water and beverages are also listed, while food and drinks are not included.
• A full day needs discipline: Start at 9:00 a.m. and return to the Split meeting point, so distant destinations require careful timing.
• Best for licensed riders aged 21 and over: This is an independent rental, not a guided convoy or escorted tour.

Why Croatia works so well on two wheels

The coast around Split gives you several very different riding days. You can point south toward Dubrovnik, cut inland toward Krka National Park, or take a ferry to an island and spend the day on smaller roads. That choice is the main attraction.

A car can reach the same places, but a motorcycle makes the journey part of the day. You feel the change from busy roads to open coastal stretches, and you can stop more easily at viewpoints or small places along the way. The tradeoff is simple: you must manage the route, traffic, fuel, ferry timing, parking, and weather yourself.

This rental is private, meaning only your own group participates. That gives you room to ride at your own pace rather than matching a tour leader or a large group. It also means you do not receive the built-in structure of a guided motorcycle trip. I would treat the route advice from the office as valuable planning help, but not as a substitute for checking your own timing.

Picking between the BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada

The BMW R1250 GS is the natural choice for a rider who wants a large, upright touring motorcycle with a reputation for long-distance comfort. The Ducati Multistrada offers a sportier feel and is also suited to covering serious distances. The supplied information does not specify the exact model year, luggage setup, insurance terms, or available sizes, so ask before arrival.

The motorcycles have been described as being in good condition, and some rentals have included newer BMW models. One rider used a BMW GS1250 for five days and received advice on roads, restaurants, and places to visit throughout the trip. Another rented a Multistrada 950 around Split and received a suggestion to visit the Skywalk near Makarska.

If this is your first large motorcycle rental, be honest about your experience. One booking involved a first-time rider on a big motorcycle who chose a BMW 1250 GS. That can be a fine choice for a confident motorcyclist, but the bike is tall, heavy, and powerful. Ask the staff to help you adjust the controls and explain the motorcycle before you leave.

Helmets are included. Safety gear, jackets, and top boxes have also been provided on some rentals, but the details can vary. One person specifically wished there had been more helmets, jackets, and other equipment available, so confirm your size and equipment needs early.

Leaving Split at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure at Vukovarska ul. 99 in Split. The listed start time is 9:00 a.m., and the motorcycle returns to the same place at the end of the day.

The handover sounds deliberately simple. You should expect to collect the motorcycle and helmet, review the controls, and receive route suggestions. Communication by WhatsApp has been useful for some bookings, and the staff have been described as flexible about arrangements. Still, inspect the motorcycle carefully, photograph existing damage, and confirm the return time and fuel expectations before leaving.

The office is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included. Some people have received transportation help in special situations, yet you should not plan on that unless it is arranged in advance.

A single day can cover a lot of Croatian coast, but it cannot cover everything comfortably. You might reach Dubrovnik, Pelješac, or Krka, but trying to combine several of them with an island ferry would turn your day into a race. I would choose one main target and allow time for stops.

Hvar Island: the best match for an island riding day

Hvar is one of the clearest choices for this experience. A short ferry ride takes you to the island, where you can ride the roads between the coastal towns and inland areas. The appeal is not just reaching Hvar Town. It is the change of pace once you leave the ferry and begin exploring the island by motorcycle.

The motorcycle is useful here because an island day is built around movement. You can stop at scenic points, visit more than one area, and avoid depending entirely on local transport. The roads give you a chance to enjoy the machine instead of treating it as simple transportation.

The drawback is timing. Ferry schedules control the start and end of your riding day, and the ferry crossing adds a fixed element to an otherwise flexible rental. Check the crossing before departure and avoid planning a distant return to Split at the last possible moment.

A second practical point: the listing calls this a short ferry ride, but it does not provide a schedule or ticket information. Ferry costs are not listed among the inclusions, so ask what you need to arrange yourself.

Pelješac Peninsula: wine, food, and winding roads

Pelješac is a strong pick if you want your motorcycle day to include food and wine as well as scenery. The route from Split takes you along coastal roads toward Croatia’s wine country, with bends and changing views along the way.

The peninsula is known here for authentic food and local wine, which gives the ride a clear purpose beyond collecting photographs. You can make this a slower day, stopping for a meal and tasting local produce rather than pushing toward the next major sight.

There is one obvious caution. If you plan to taste wine, keep the riding to a minimum afterward. The rental gives you freedom, but that freedom comes with responsibility. A designated non-drinking rider is the sensible choice for any group.

Pelješac also requires more route planning than a short ride near Split. The description does not give a precise distance or return time, so ask Nikola, Duje, or the office team for a route that fits the one-day window. Their practical suggestions are one of the better reasons to rent locally instead of arranging a motorcycle with no local contact.

Dubrovnik: rewarding, but ambitious in one day

The ride from Split to Dubrovnik is described as taking about three hours. That makes Dubrovnik possible as a day trip, but the round trip already uses a large part of your rental day before you add stops, traffic, border-free coastal roads, meals, or time in the city.

The payoff is a major coastal destination with plenty to see in and around Dubrovnik. The motorcycle can also help you reach surrounding natural areas rather than spending the entire day inside the old city.

I would not combine Dubrovnik with Hvar or Krka on the same day. Choose Dubrovnik if the city and southern coast are your priority. Leave early, keep your sightseeing plan focused, and remember that you must return the motorcycle to Split.

The company has a Dubrovnik branch, and several rentals described in the booking information began there. That matters because Dubrovnik pickup may make more sense for a longer southern itinerary. The experience described here starts and ends in Split, so confirm the branch and return terms before assuming you can collect in one city and return in another.

Krka National Park: the easiest nature-focused choice

Krka National Park is presented as a roughly three-hour stop, with time to walk through the park and swim under waterfalls. It is the most straightforward choice if you want nature rather than a long-distance coastal run.

The motorcycle makes the approach enjoyable, while the park provides a break from riding. This balance works well for a one-day plan: ride to Krka, walk, swim, and return without spending the entire day in the saddle.

Admission is listed as free for this experience, but the supplied information does not explain whether that means entry to the park or only the activity listing’s ticket line. Confirm current admission conditions before setting your budget. Food and drinks are not included, though bottled water and beverages are listed.

Swimming also calls for practical planning. Bring what you need for changing and drying off, and make sure anything you carry is protected on the motorcycle. The rental information does not promise waterproof luggage, so ask about a top box or other storage.

What the price really means

The advertised price is $260.88 per group of up to 15. That wording deserves attention. A BMW R1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada is normally used by one rider, so confirm whether the price is a starting rate, a per-bike price, or a group booking amount subject to the selected motorcycle and date.

The value is strongest if you want a full day of independent riding and local route help. You are paying for access to a capable motorcycle, a helmet, the freedom to set the route, and a direct local contact. That can compare well with joining a structured excursion, especially if you already know how to ride and want to visit places a standard day tour might skip.

The price does not include food and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded. The supplied information does not state fuel, ferry tickets, park charges, insurance excess, deposit, additional rider fees, or luggage charges, so ask about each one.

For a pair traveling together, one motorcycle with a passenger may be an option, but the provided details do not confirm passenger rules or seating arrangements. Do not assume the price covers two motorcycles or two helmets unless the booking office confirms it.

How the service seems to work in practice

The strongest part of the service is the human help around the motorcycle. Nikola has been credited with explaining routes and suggesting places to enjoy Croatia. Duje has helped riders with roads, restaurants, and daily planning, while Zana has handled unusual requests and rental arrangements.

The communication style appears informal and practical. WhatsApp has been used to make arrangements, and some people received help after changes to their original plans. One rider whose own motorcycle was damaged in transit said the Split and Dubrovnik teams helped sort out the problem and adapt to new circumstances.

You should still treat the booking as a rental, not a fully supported tour. Staff can suggest a route, but you remain responsible for navigation, safe riding, weather decisions, ferry timing, and returning the motorcycle on time.

The check-in and check-out process has been described as fast and fair. That is useful when you have a flight or hotel schedule, but do not rush the inspection. Take your time with the controls, paperwork, luggage, and damage record.

Who should book this motorcycle rental?

I would recommend it to an experienced rider who wants a flexible day on the Croatian coast and is comfortable making decisions on the road. It suits someone who values a good motorcycle and local route suggestions more than a narrated sightseeing program.

It is also a good fit for a couple or small private group with a clear goal, such as Hvar, Krka, or Pelješac. The private format lets you stop when you want and change the day as conditions change.

I would be more cautious if you have little experience with large motorcycles, dislike ferry planning, or want every ticket and meal arranged in advance. The 21-year minimum age is clear, but the provided information does not state the exact license, deposit, insurance, or riding-country requirements. Confirm those before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if your idea of a Croatian day is a motorcycle, a coastal road, and the freedom to choose your own stop. Hvar is the best island option, Krka is the most manageable nature day, Pelješac suits food and wine, and Dubrovnik works for riders willing to spend much of the day on the road.

Before you commit, ask the office to confirm the exact bike, equipment, price basis, insurance, deposit, luggage, ferry costs, and return terms. If those details line up with your plans, this is a practical way to turn Croatia’s roads into the main event.

FAQ

Where does the motorcycle rental start?

It starts at Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure, Vukovarska ul. 99, 21000 Split, Croatia.

What time does the experience start?

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

Where do I return the motorcycle?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Split.

Which motorcycles can I rent?

The experience is described around the BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada. Other motorcycles may also be available, but the exact selection should be confirmed at booking.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. Use of a helmet is included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although bottled water and beverages are listed among the included items.

Can I ride to Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, or Krka National Park?

Yes. These destinations are presented as route options, with Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, and Krka National Park specifically described.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.