Collecting a rental motorcycle is the moment when you can avoid most of the disagreements at return. Five minutes of careful checking with the staff member, with photos and questions, is enough to know the condition in which you are taking the vehicle and what your obligations are. The checklist below suits any store in Thessaloniki.
Read the contract before you sign
Look at the dates and the return time, the deposit, the included kilometres, the fuel policy and who is named as a driver. Check whether there are restrictions, such as areas that are not allowed, off-road riding or carrying a passenger.
Ask for an explanation of whatever you do not understand. If something agreed verbally is not written down, ask for it to be added. Keep a copy of the contract or photograph it.
Walk around the motorcycle
Examine the whole motorcycle with the staff member: tank, fairings and plastics, mirrors, levers, handlebars, exhaust, wheel rims and wheels. Note every scratch, dent or old fall mark, even small ones, and ask for them to be recorded on the pick-up form.
Take photos or a video of every side, of the dashboard showing the mileage, and of the key and the lock. That gives you evidence at return, and the store has the same picture as you.
Functional check
Squeeze the brakes, front and rear, and make sure the levers do not feel spongy. Check the tyres for wear and pressure, the chain for tension and lubrication, and that there are no oil leaks. The throttle should return smoothly and the handlebars turn freely to both sides.
Check the lights, indicators, horn and dashboard. Start the engine and listen for strange noises. Do a short test in the car park or on a quiet road before you head into traffic.
Equipment and documents
Try the helmet and make sure it fastens properly. Ask for the anti-theft lock, the top case or panniers if they are included, and test that they lock. Check that there is a spare key and who pays if it is lost.
Ask for the vehicle documents and the insurance details, and note the number for roadside assistance and for emergencies. If you bring your own phone holder for navigation, fix it firmly in place before you set off.
Fuel and kilometres
Ask which fuel the motorcycle takes and how full it must be when you return it. Note the level at pick-up and photograph the gauge. If there is a kilometre limit, keep it in mind when you plan your rides.
On longer routes allow for the fact that distances between petrol stations can be long. Refuel before leaving the city and keep the receipts if the store asks for them.
Deposit, insurance and responsibilities
Ask how much the deposit is, how it is collected and when it is released. See what the insurance covers and what your excess is on damage. On motorcycles, damage from a fall, theft when the motorcycle was not locked, or damage to tyres and wheel rims is often excluded or carries a higher excess.
Ask what applies in a breakdown or accident, who covers roadside assistance and what you must do first. After a breakdown or accident, tell the store and do not pay for a repair without agreeing it with them first.
Return: the same as the pick-up
Return the motorcycle at the time and place you agreed. Refuel if the terms say so, remove your belongings and photograph every side and the dashboard again.
Ask for the inspection to take place in your presence and for confirmation that nothing is outstanding. Ask when the deposit is released and keep the documents and photos for a few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I find damage that is not recorded?
Show it to the staff member before you leave and ask for it to be written on the form. Photograph it so there is evidence.
Do I have to refuel before returning?
It depends on the store's fuel policy. Ask at pick-up how full the tank must be on return.
What happens if I fall off the motorcycle?
Look after your safety first and call emergency services if needed, then tell the store. Damage from a fall often carries an excess or is excluded, so read the terms.
Who pays if the motorcycle is stolen?
It depends on the terms and the insurance. Often you must have locked it and returned the keys, and there is an excess. Ask before you sign.
How long should I allow for the pick-up?
Allow five to ten minutes for the checks and photos, and do not let yourself be rushed out of the door.
Useful destination resources
These routes are editorial suggestions. Check access, conditions and current opening hours before you travel.