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

REVIEW · SPLIT

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

  • 5.023 reviews
  • From $260.88
Book on Viator →

Operated by Dome Adventure d.o.o. · Bookable on Viator

Dalmatian roads on a big bike feel different. This private Split rental puts you on a BMW R1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada, with a helmet, and then lets you shape the route yourself. I love the quality of the bikes and the way the team (Nikola and Duje are names I kept hearing) gives practical road-and-stop ideas right from the start. One possible drawback: because it’s self-guided and the day includes several major regions, you’ll need to choose what pace you want, and not everything may fit if you hate saying no to detours.

What makes it fun is that it’s not just Sit and look sightseeing. You can do the short ferry jump to Hvar, loop the twisty coastal roads toward Pelješac, and still plan a big day out to Dubrovnik and Krka. I especially like that Krka includes time for walking and even swimming under waterfalls, not just a quick photo stop.

A final note: this is designed for riding, not for a lazy, long lunch day. You return the bike to the same place after your day, and meals aren’t included, so you’ll want to plan food breaks around your stops.

Key things I’d bet on before you book

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Key things I’d bet on before you book

  • Big-bike choice, handled with care: BMW R1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada in top condition is a big part of the appeal.
  • Route help you can actually use: Nikola and Duje-style road tips help you avoid riding blind.
  • Ferry-to-island day logic: Hvar works well because it’s a short ferry hop and then you’re on two-wheeled freedom.
  • Krka is built in: walk the park time and plan a swim under the waterfalls.
  • Your itinerary stays yours: you change the day based on your interests instead of following a strict script.

Split + a big motorcycle: why this combo works

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Split + a big motorcycle: why this combo works
Split is a great launch point because the coast and islands are close enough to feel like a day-trip series, not a once-in-a-lifetime “one stop only” plan. With this rental, you’re not trapped inside a group schedule. If you want more island time, you can lean that way. If you want more road and less ferry, you can do the opposite.

The best part is the bike match. The BMW R1250 GS and Ducati Multistrada are both “serious” motorcycles, the kind that feel stable on faster stretches and planted on changing road surfaces. I like that you’re not settling for a tiny scooter just to say you rode in Croatia.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Split.

Price and value: what $260.88 per group really means

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Price and value: what $260.88 per group really means
At $260.88 per group (up to 15), the value comes from what’s included and how you use it. You’re not paying just for a machine sitting in a stall. You’re paying for a private day where you can cover big regions like Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, and Krka at your own pace.

Here’s what you get that matters day-to-day:

  • Helmet included (important for safety and peace of mind)
  • Bottled water and beverages
  • Private rental setup with pickup offered
  • Krka admission listed as free for the park time

What’s not included is also part of the value math: food, drinks outside what’s provided, and hotel pickup/drop-off. So you’ll want to budget for meals yourself and plan your own rest stops.

The “value” sweet spot is simple: if you’ll actually ride and you won’t spend the whole day waiting around, this pricing format makes sense. If you only want one short ride and a long lounge, you might feel like you’re paying for movement you’re not using.

Your day route: Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, Krka (and the trade-offs)

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Your day route: Hvar, Pelješac, Dubrovnik, Krka (and the trade-offs)
The itinerary is set up like an all-day route menu. You’re given strong candidates for a one-day ride out of Split, and then you decide how to blend them.

Hvar first: island riding with minimal friction

Hvar is a smart start because it’s reachable by a short ferry ride. Once you’re on the island, you can ride the island’s roads instead of doing another long mainland push. For motorcyclists, that’s the key: riding time stays high.

The main trade-off is timing. Ferry schedules and your own pace will shape when you arrive and how much island riding you squeeze in. If you’re the type who wants long scenic slow rides, plan to stay flexible.

Pelješac: coastal twists plus wine-and-food breaks

Pelješac adds a different vibe: twisty coastal roads that you can connect directly from the Split side, then a more relaxed stop for tasting local food and wine. This part of the plan is excellent if you like the “ride, pause, eat, ride again” rhythm.

The catch is fuel and pacing. If you push too hard on the twisty sections, you might arrive hungry, tired, and rushed for tasting. I’d rather arrive with energy and take the time to enjoy Pelješac properly.

Dubrovnik: a long ride to a big destination

From Split, Dubrovnik is listed as about a 3-hour drive. That’s a serious chunk of the day, but it’s also one of the best uses of a motorcycle rental: you can reach a major place without dealing with bus schedules.

The trade-off is obvious: the more time you spend in the Dubrovnik area, the less time you have left for Krka or extra riding. If you want nature time after Dubrovnik, you’ll likely need to keep the city exploration tighter.

Krka National Park: walking plus a swim under waterfalls

Krka is the “reset button” stop. The plan calls for walking in the park and swimming under waterfalls, and the admission ticket is listed as free for your park time. This is a rare bonus compared to typical self-guided days where you just look and move on.

The only practical consideration: the swim part means you should think about your clothing and towel situation. If you show up in gear that’s not comfortable to get wet, you’ll either skip the swim or spend the rest of the day worrying about drying.

Hvar by ferry: how to make that short crossing feel worth it

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Hvar by ferry: how to make that short crossing feel worth it
The Hvar portion is built around one idea: take the short ferry ride, then ride island roads. In practice, that means you can treat the ferry as a connector, not a destination.

Here’s how I’d plan mentally:

  • You’re on a big-bike rental day, so keep your ferry time calm and efficient.
  • Once you’re off the ferry, ride in a way that matches island roads, not highway speed habits.

Also, Hvar works especially well if you like the feeling of being separated from traffic patterns. A bike day on an island has a different flow. You’ll likely feel it as soon as you’re turning corners and watching the coast change from the same road you just crossed on the mainland.

Pelješac’s twisty coast: timing your wine and food stops

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Pelješac’s twisty coast: timing your wine and food stops
Pelješac is famous in Croatia for wine country, and this plan leans into that. The description calls it vine country with twisting coastal roads leading you there, plus time to taste authentic foods and wine.

What you should watch:

  • Twistier roads can make the miles disappear. If you’re planning a tasting stop at a specific time, keep a buffer.
  • Wine tasting plus riding means you’ll want to stay responsible. You can still taste, but don’t let the day drift into a pace where you feel rushed before heading back.

This stop is ideal if you want the motorcycle day to feel like an experience, not just commuting between photo points. The win is the mix: you ride the coast, then you shift gears into food-and-wine time.

The Dubrovnik stretch: when 3 hours is a good idea

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - The Dubrovnik stretch: when 3 hours is a good idea
A 3-hour drive from Split to Dubrovnik is long enough that you should treat it like an event, not a casual hop. The benefit of riding there is total control over your departure time and your return timing.

Since the plan says you explore Dubrovnik and the surrounding area, I’d treat this as a “big destination” block. That means:

  • If you want more nature time after, don’t let city time expand too much.
  • Keep your expectations realistic: one day won’t let you see everything, so pick what you care about most.

This is also where having a staff that gives routes helps. Nikola’s kind of routing advice shows up in reviews as a theme, and it makes sense: when you’re committing to a long ride, good route choices matter.

Krka National Park: planning for the walk and the swim

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Krka National Park: planning for the walk and the swim
Krka is the one stop in the plan that feels like a full-body break. The timing is about 3 hours, with admission listed as free. You walk the park and swim under waterfalls.

What you should consider before you go:

  • If you’re riding earlier that day, you’ll likely want a swim that doesn’t turn into a comfort problem. Bring what you can manage.
  • After swimming, plan for a change in comfort level. You’ll be riding again, so you’ll want to feel stable, not chilled or distracted.

Krka is a high-value stop because it adds water time and movement under waterfalls. It’s not only viewpoint time, so you get a different kind of memory from a motorcycle day.

Bike choice: BMW R1250 GS vs Ducati Multistrada (how to decide)

Rent a BMW r1250 GS or Ducati Multistrada and explore Croatian coast and islands - Bike choice: BMW R1250 GS vs Ducati Multistrada (how to decide)
Both options are powerful, capable “big” motorcycles. The practical decision is less about specs and more about your riding habits.

If you like:

  • Long, confident highway-style cruising: BMW GS is a natural fit in most cases.
  • Sportier feel and spirited cornering: Ducati Multistrada tends to appeal to riders who like to move.

What I like here is that the rental team’s job is to match bike to your plan. Reviews repeatedly mention attentive, professional guidance, and names like Nikola, Duje, and Zana come up for helpful advice and route suggestions. That’s the real advantage of picking a place that takes this seriously, not just handing you keys.

Helmet, water, and real help from the office

Safety basics are covered: helmet included. That’s not glamorous, but it matters.

Then there’s the human part. One thing that pops across feedback is how easy communication is and how much route help you get. I’ve seen stories of people getting suggestions for routes that they wouldn’t have discovered on their own, plus quick help when plans shift.

A fun detail from the riding notes: one rider specifically pointed out a skywalk near Makarska as a tip, and mentioned avoiding cattle all-present on some roads. That’s exactly the kind of advice that helps you ride smarter. It’s not about famous landmarks only. It’s about what you’ll actually encounter on the road.

Also, bottled water and beverages are included, which is a small detail that becomes a big one once you’re riding all day.

Logistics that affect your comfort (and your sanity)

This is a private day, with only your group participating. It starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point, Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure, Vukovarska ul. 99, 21000, Split, Croatia.

What that means for you:

  • Start early, because the day has multiple regions baked in.
  • Build buffer time for ferries, food stops, and the simple fact that roads take longer when you’re riding for fun.

Pickup is offered, but hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included. So plan on getting yourself to the meeting point area unless you arrange pickup that’s specifically offered to you at booking.

One more practical note: the listing includes use of a bicycle, which is unusual for a motorcycle rental day. It might be an add-on for downtime, but you should confirm what you’ll actually get when you book.

Who this motorcycle day is best for

This ride fits you best if:

  • You’re comfortable riding a big motorcycle and you want a day focused on roads, not tour buses.
  • You like choosing your own pace and adapting the day based on how you feel.
  • You want a mix of island riding, coastal roads, and a nature stop with real water time.

It’s also a great pick if you hate rigid itineraries. This plan is structured enough to give you strong options, but flexible enough to make it your day.

Should you book this BMW GS or Multistrada day in Split?

Book it if you want maximum riding time out of Split and you care about having a bike that feels like a proper tool for coastal touring. The big reasons are helmet included, real route help from the team, and stops that aren’t just “drive by and go.”

Don’t book it if you want a low-effort day with minimal driving. The itinerary options include a long 3-hour drive to Dubrovnik and a full Krka park block, so you’ll spend a lot of the day on the road or planning around it. Also, since meals aren’t included, you’ll want to be okay with planning your own food.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to get out early, ride hard, and then cool off under waterfalls, this is the kind of day you’ll remember.

FAQ

What motorcycle models can I rent?

You can rent a BMW R1250 GS or a Ducati Multistrada for the day.

How long is the experience?

It’s listed as about 1 day.

What time does the rental day start?

Start time is 9:00 am.

Where do I meet and where do I return the bike?

You meet at Motorcycle and Scooter Rental Desmo Adventure, Vukovarska ul. 99, Split, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included, though pickup is offered.

Is a helmet included?

Yes, helmet use is included.

Is Krka National Park admission included?

The admission ticket is listed as free for the Krka National Park stop.

What is the minimum age to participate?

The minimum age is 21 years.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. It’s private, so only your group participates.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in Split we have reviewed