You earn 70 percent of the rental price for every day your motorcycle is rented on Twisted Road. A bike listed at $100 a day pays you $70 per rented day, so eight rented days in a month comes to $560. One California owner reports making nearly $6,000 in a year on a Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. Your total depends on three things you control, which are your daily rate, how many days your calendar is open, and how fast you answer requests.
The numbers below come from Twisted Road's owner documentation and from live listings pulled in November 2026. Use them to estimate what your own bike could bring in before you list it.
How the 70 Percent Payout Works
You receive 70 percent of the daily rental price for each day of a completed trip, and Twisted Road keeps 30 percent. A three-day rental at $100 a day totals $300, and $210 of that goes to you. Payment is sent about two business days after the bike is returned and the trip is closed, and it takes four to five business days to reach your bank. You need bank details and a W-9 on file first, which is the IRS form that records your taxpayer information. The full process is in the payment of earnings article.
Monthly Earnings by Daily Rate and Rented Days
A bike rented four days a month at $100 earns you $280, and the same bike rented 12 days earns $840. The table shows your 70 percent share at five common price points. Four rented days is about one weekend trip plus a single day, and 12 is a bike that goes out most weekends and some weekdays.
| Daily rate | Your share per day | 4 rented days | 8 rented days | 12 rented days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $65 | $45.50 | $182 | $364 | $546 |
| $80 | $56.00 | $224 | $448 | $672 |
| $100 | $70.00 | $280 | $560 | $840 |
| $125 | $87.50 | $350 | $700 | $1,050 |
| $150 | $105.00 | $420 | $840 | $1,260 |
For a quick estimate on your own bike, enter its year, make, model, market, and style in the Twisted Road earnings calculator. The same page reports more than 30,000 completed rentals and more than $4.5 million paid to owners.
What Owners Charge Right Now
Most motorcycles on Twisted Road list between $65 and $150 a day. Across the first 10 listings shown in each of seven cities, 70 bikes in all, the median list price was $117.50. Twenty-nine were priced at $100 or less, 34 fell between $101 and $150, and seven were above $150. The lowest was $65 and the highest was $275 for a 2022 BMW S 1000 RR.
Twisted Road's own pricing guidance suggests setting your rate about 20 percent below what a traditional rental shop charges for a similar bike, and it calls anything under $100 the sweet spot for bookings. A lower price that fills your calendar can beat a higher price that sits. At $65 and 12 rented days you earn $546, which is more than a $150 bike earns in five rented days.
What High-Trip Listings Have Earned
The busiest listing found in this sample is a 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 S in Long Beach, California, with 174 completed trips at $65 a day. The table estimates a floor for each owner by assuming every trip lasted one day at the current list price. Many trips run two days or more, so real totals are likely higher, though promotional pricing can lower an individual payout.
| Motorcycle | Location | List price | Completed trips | Your share per day | Floor estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260 S | Long Beach, CA | $65 | 174 | $45.50 | $7,917 |
| 2018 Ducati 959 Panigale | Los Angeles, CA | $65 | 145 | $45.50 | $6,598 |
| 2020 H-D Softail Low Rider S | Los Angeles, CA | $120 | 80 | $84.00 | $6,720 |
| 2019 Indian Chieftain Limited | Las Vegas, NV | $125 | 64 | $87.50 | $5,600 |
| 2020 Kawasaki Versys 650 | Los Angeles, CA | $75 | 55 | $52.50 | $2,888 |
| 2020 Triumph Speed Twin | Corte Madera, CA | $100 | 49 | $70.00 | $3,430 |
| 2020 Indian Scout Sixty ABS | Mesa, AZ | $99 | 46 | $69.30 | $3,188 |
| 2017 Indian Scout Sixty | Tampa, FL | $98 | 38 | $68.60 | $2,607 |
Two of the three busiest bikes are priced at $65, the lowest rate in the sample. That fits the pricing guidance above. For context on the $6,000 figure, an owner charging $75 a day keeps $52.50, so $6,000 takes about 114 rented days, or a little more than two days a week across a year.
How Crowded Is Your Market?
Los Angeles has the most listings at 123, and Sacramento has eight. A large market means more riders searching and more bikes to compete with, so price and photos matter more. A small market means fewer searches, though a rider who lands there has few choices and your bike is one of them.
| Market | Bikes listed |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 123 |
| Phoenix | 61 |
| Miami | 61 |
| Las Vegas | 53 |
| San Francisco | 52 |
| Orlando | 46 |
| Austin | 37 |
| San Diego | 35 |
| San Jose | 28 |
| Tampa | 27 |
| Sacramento | 8 |
Season matters as much as city. Phoenix, Las Vegas, and the Florida markets draw visiting riders from November through April, when much of the country has parked its bikes. If you live in a warm market, keep your calendar open in winter.
What It Costs You to Rent Out a Motorcycle
Your main costs are time, wear, and taxes. Ari Henning, who rented out his Versys 650 LT for about three years, wrote in RevZilla's Common Tread that each rental takes 15 to 30 minutes of prep and 15 to 60 minutes for the handoff. He also reports that his bike was dropped several times and crashed twice, and that the claims were paid fairly.
Rental miles wear tires, chains, brake pads, and oil faster, and added mileage lowers resale value. Check your bike's current value with Kelley Blue Book motorcycle values before you set a price. Rental income is generally taxable, and the IRS Gig Economy Tax Center explains how to report it and which expenses may be deductible. A tax professional can confirm how the rules apply to you.
You also keep your own policy on the bike. Twisted Road's coverage applies during a rental, and your personal policy applies the rest of the time. Foremost Insurance does not restrict you from listing and may offer Twisted Road members a 5 percent discount, depending on your state.
Which Motorcycles Qualify
Your motorcycle qualifies if it is street legal, registered and insured in the United States, has a clean title, and is worth $40,000 or less. The full list is in the motorcycles accepted article.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Any U.S. state except New York |
| Registration and insurance | Registered in the U.S. and insured by you |
| Street legal | License plate, mirrors, and turn signals |
| Title | Clean title |
| Market value | $40,000 or less |
| Recommended age and miles | Model year 2000 or newer and under 50,000 miles, with exceptions |
| Not accepted | Scooters, dirt bikes, e-scooters, Slingshots, and Can-Ams |
| Accepted | Motorcycles with sidecars |
How Your Motorcycle Is Protected
Every rental includes up to $1 million in liability insurance and up to $40,000 in damage protection for your motorcycle. Riders are verified before they can book, and the review covers driving and riding history, credit score, and criminal background. You approve or decline every request. Coverage terms are on the insurance page.
Your part is documentation. Meet the rider, check the license, and take photos before and after the trip, since missing photos can void a claim. Report any damage within 24 hours of the return. The 20-point inspection checklist gives you a routine to follow before each handoff.
How to Earn More From Your Listing
Owners who answer fast, price under the market, and keep the calendar open get more trips. Respond to every request within 24 hours. Avoid canceling on short notice, which carries a fine. Listing takes about five minutes, and the complete guide for owners covers each step.
For a working example, read this interview with Ari Henning on becoming a Superhost. A listing can also help when it is time to sell, as this owner found when Twisted Road helped him sell his motorcycle.
FAQs
How much does Twisted Road take from owners?
Twisted Road keeps 30 percent of the rental price, and you keep 70 percent. On a $100 daily rate, you receive $70 for each rented day.
How much can you make renting out your motorcycle per month?
At a $100 daily rate you earn $280 for four rented days, $560 for eight, and $840 for 12. At $65 a day the same calendar pays $182, $364, and $546. Your result depends on your market, your price, and how many days you make the bike available.
When do motorcycle owners get paid?
Payment is sent about two business days after the motorcycle is returned and the trip is closed. It then takes four to five business days to reach your bank account. You need bank information and a W-9 on file before the first payout.
Is your motorcycle insured while it is rented?
Yes. Each Twisted Road rental includes up to $1 million in liability insurance and up to $40,000 in damage protection. Take photos before and after every trip and report damage within 24 hours to keep a claim valid.
Do you need your own insurance to list a motorcycle?
Yes. Your motorcycle must be insured by you to be listed. Twisted Road's coverage applies during the rental period, and your personal policy covers the bike the rest of the time.
Do you pay taxes on motorcycle rental income?
Rental income is generally taxable in the United States, and Twisted Road collects a W-9 from owners. Keep records of your earnings and expenses, and ask a tax professional how the rules apply to your situation.
Can you rent out a motorcycle in New York?
No. Twisted Road accepts motorcycles located in any U.S. state except New York.
