Eaglerider
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EagleRider Vancouver8910 Shaughnessy St., V6P 3Y5 VancouverView map
Vancouver is squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains, which gives the region spectacular roads as soon as you leave the city. A fjord to ride along, passes to cross, a semi-arid desert to traverse: British Columbia offers motorcyclists very varied landscapes on good roads. EagleRider, our partner on site, rents touring bikes and adventure bikes there; the models offered vary by branch and dates.
The depot is at 8910 Shaughnessy St, on the south side: downtown is less than 10 km away, and the international airport about 4 km, as the crow flies. You pick up the motorcycle before heading toward Squamish and Whistler, or toward the ferries.
Our partners
Where to pick up your vehicle in Vancouver?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Vancouver
1 Sea-to-Sky, Whistler and Duffey Lake Road
- Vancouver
- Squamish
- Whistler
- Pemberton
- Duffey Lake
- Lillooet
- Lytton
- Hope
- Vancouver
Follow the Howe Sound fjord on Route 99 to Squamish, then Shannon Falls and Garibaldi Lake before reaching Whistler. Beyond Pemberton, the road twists in hairpins above Duffey Lake, between glaciers and dense forest all the way to Lillooet.
Continue to Lytton and ride down the Fraser Canyon on Route 1 to Hope, before returning to Vancouver through the Fraser Valley. The Duffey Lake Road is a mountain road: frost can set in early and late in the year.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Stable touring bike or road-oriented adventure bike, for the tight bends and the changes in elevation
2 The Okanagan, between lakes and vineyards
- Vancouver
- Hope
- Manning Park
- Osoyoos
- Penticton
- Kelowna
- Coquihalla
- Hope
- Vancouver
Head to Hope and then Route 3, which crosses Manning Park before descending to Osoyoos, on the edge of one of Canada's few deserts. Then ride up the Okanagan Valley via Penticton and Kelowna, where vineyards and orchards overlook the lakes.
The return is by the Coquihalla Highway, fast and through the mountains, or through the Fraser Valley to extend the pleasure. The climate is clearly drier and hotter than in Vancouver: bring water in summer.
- Distance
- about 950 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Comfortable touring bike with saddlebags, for the long stages
3 Vancouver Island, from Victoria to Tofino
- Vancouver
- Tsawwassen
- Victoria
- Nanaimo
- Cathedral Grove
- Port Alberni
- Tofino
- Nanaimo
- Vancouver
Take the ferry from Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay and reach the island, larger than many European regions. Victoria, its harbour promenade and its gardens open the journey south, before the road heads up the coast via Nanaimo.
Cathedral Grove, with its giant Douglas firs, heralds the pass to Port Alberni and the west coast. Tofino and Ucluelet are backed by Pacific Ocean beaches, with an impressive swell. Book the crossings in advance in summer.
- Distance
- about 550 km excluding crossings
- Recommended vehicle
- Touring bike with good wind protection, for the coastal roads
Weather and seasons
When to go in Vancouver?
Best time
June to August
June to August
highs 18.9 to 22.5 °C, lows 12.1 to 15.3 °C
The ideal period: a high of 22.3 °C in July and 22.5 °C in August, with 31 mm of rain in July and 43 mm in August. The sun shines more than 13 hours a day in July. June is cooler, 18.9 °C, and wetter, 69 mm. In summer, the sea temperature reaches almost 19 °C. The mountain roads are then clear, and the ferries and hotels are busy.
April, May, September and October
April to May, September to October
highs 12.1 to 18.5 °C, lows 5.4 to 12.6 °C
May reaches 16.2 °C with 75 mm of rain, a possible compromise. September holds 18.5 °C but 120 mm of rain; October does not exceed 12.9 °C and receives 227 mm over 16 days. High passes can be cold or snowy at the start and end of this period: check the road conditions.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 5.7 to 9 °C, lows 0.7 to 4.3 °C
Rain is almost daily: 306 mm in November, 268 mm in December with 20 rainy days, and barely 3.2 hours of sunshine. Highs stay between 6 and 9 °C. The mountain roads see frost and snow; the motorcycle is best kept for short outings in town.
Climate in Vancouver, month by month
Most pleasant months: June to August.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6 °C | 2 °C | 247 mm | 4 h/day | 7 °C |
| Feb | 6 °C | 1 °C | 142 mm | 5 h/day | 7 °C |
| Mar | 9 °C | 3 °C | 177 mm | 7 h/day | 8 °C |
| Apr | 12 °C | 5 °C | 123 mm | 9 h/day | 10 °C |
| May | 16 °C | 9 °C | 75 mm | 11 h/day | 14 °C |
| Jun | 19 °C | 12 °C | 69 mm | 12 h/day | 16 °C |
| Jul | 22 °C | 15 °C | 31 mm | 13 h/day | 19 °C |
| Aug | 23 °C | 15 °C | 43 mm | 12 h/day | 19 °C |
| Sep | 19 °C | 13 °C | 120 mm | 9 h/day | 17 °C |
| Oct | 13 °C | 8 °C | 227 mm | 6 h/day | 13 °C |
| Nov | 9 °C | 4 °C | 306 mm | 4 h/day | 10 °C |
| Dec | 6 °C | 2 °C | 268 mm | 3 h/day | 8 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Canadian rules, to be checked
In Canada, you drive on the right and speeds are shown in kilometres per hour. An approved helmet is required in British Columbia, but the exact riding rules, notably on filtering between lanes, should be checked with the rental company. Find out before you leave.
Crossing the US border
If you plan to go to Seattle or Washington State, ask the rental company whether the motorcycle may cross the border. The contract must allow it, and you will need your passport. The wait at border crossings can be long in summer.
Frequent rain on the coast
The west coast of Canada is one of the wettest regions in North America. Even in June or September, persistent rain can set in. Bring a rain suit and spare gloves, and avoid painted road markings, which are very slippery.
Bears and deer at the roadside
On Route 99 and in the interior mountains, black bears, deer and elk appear mostly at dawn and dusk. Slow down in blind bends and do not ride at night outside built-up areas.
Ferries and reservations
BC Ferries vessels take motorcycles, but crossings to Vancouver Island are very busy in summer and at weekends. Book the crossing and arrive well before departure. Timetables and fares can be checked with the company.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Vancouver
Where do I pick up my motorcycle in Vancouver?
At EagleRider, 8910 Shaughnessy St, on the south side of Vancouver. Downtown is very close, but your booking confirmation gives the key handover conditions.
Which type of motorcycle should I choose in British Columbia?
A touring bike with saddlebags suits long two-up stages, notably on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. A versatile adventure bike gives ease on mountain roads and small access tracks. The available models appear in the search, depending on your dates.
How many days for the Sea-to-Sky and the Okanagan?
Two days are enough for Whistler and the Duffey Lake Road. Allow four to five days for the Okanagan, and three or four for Vancouver Island, ferries included.
Can I drop the motorcycle off in Seattle?
This is possible in some cases: EagleRider also has a branch in Seattle, about 195 km away as the crow flies. The offer depends on the rental company, the dates and the border: the search shows the available options.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Motorcycle rental in Vancouver
Which licence do I need to rent a motorcycle in Vancouver?
Bring your motorcycle licence and your passport. An international permit may be requested depending on the country that issued yours. The minimum age and the length of time you have held your licence are set by the rental company; find out before booking.
Can I ride two-up?
Yes, a touring bike generally offers a proper passenger seat. Your travelling companion must wear an approved helmet in British Columbia, like the rider.
How do I carry my luggage?
On a touring bike, the side cases and the top case are enough for two. On a sportier motorcycle, take a waterproof saddle bag, because rain is frequent in the region.
Do I have to pay to enter the parks?
Canadian national parks, such as Yoho or Pacific Rim, charge an entry fee, and most provincial parks have their own rates. Check the conditions before you leave.
When should I book my motorcycle in Vancouver?
As the good season is short, get ahead for July and August, well before summer. A search with your dates shows what is still available.
About us
Why set off from Vancouver by motorcycle
Vancouver brings together what you look for on a motorcycle: a fjord road like the Sea-to-Sky, high mountain passes, dry wine-growing valleys, then islands reached by ferry. In two hours, you go from a waterfront to a rainforest, then to a landscape of glaciers.
With a branch in the south of the city, close to the airport, you leave the urban area without crossing downtown. June to August remain the safest months, but the short season is worth planning in advance.