The Best Motorcycle Routes in Bali: Volcanoes, Coast Roads & Rice Terraces

Bali is one of the best islands in the world to explore by motorcycle — compact enough to cross in a day, diverse enough to keep you discovering for months. But most "Bali riding" guides are written for scooter tourists. If you're on a real motorcycle — a trail bike, a naked twin or a big bike — you want routes that match the machine. Here are the best rides in Bali, from volcano climbs to coast-road sweepers.

1. Ubud to Kintamani (Batur Volcano) — The Classic Climb

The road from Ubud to Kintamani climbs from rice-terrace elevation (~200m) to the Batur volcano caldera (~1,400m) in about 40 km. The lower section winds through Tegallalang's famous rice terraces; the upper section opens into long sweepers with views of Lake Batur and Mount Abang. The road surface is mostly good tarmac with occasional gravel patches near the top.

• ·Best bike: Yamaha WR155 (trail) or MT-25 (naked).
• ·Distance: ~80 km round trip from Ubud centre.
• ·Road: Mostly good tarmac, some gravel at the caldera rim.
• ·Stop at: Kintamani coffee plantations for a break with a view of the volcano.
• ·Tip: Leave early (before 8am) to beat the tourist buses. The air is cooler and the light is better for photos.

2. Bukit Peninsula Loop — Cliffs, Surf & Sunset

The Bukit Peninsula south of the airport is a limestone plateau with cliff-top roads and ocean views on three sides. Start from Jimbaran, head south to Uluwatu Temple, then loop west through Bingin, Padang Padang and Balangan. The roads are a mix of smooth highway and narrow cliffside lanes. Traffic is lighter than Canggu-Seminyak, and the ocean views are relentless.

• ·Best bike: MT-25 (naked) for the tarmac sweepers, or WR155 if you want to explore dirt tracks down to hidden beaches.
• ·Distance: ~50 km loop from Jimbaran back to Jimbaran.
• ·Road: Smooth main roads, narrow and bumpy on the cliff lanes.
• ·Stop at: Uluwatu Temple at sunset, Balangan Beach for a swim.
• ·Tip: The Bukit is hot and exposed — bring water and sunscreen. The afternoon sea breeze makes a huge difference.

3. Canggu to Jatiluwih — Rice Terraces Without the Crowds

Everyone goes to Tegallalang. Jatiluwih is the UNESCO-listed rice terrace system that most tourists never reach — bigger, greener, and almost empty. The ride from Canggu takes you through Tabanan regency on winding country roads that climb gradually through coconut groves into the highland rice fields. The last 10 km are the best: narrow tarmac through terraces with Mount Batukaru in the distance.

• ·Best bike: WR155 (trail) — you'll appreciate the suspension on the country roads.
• ·Distance: ~100 km round trip from Canggu.
• ·Road: Country roads, some rough patches, last section is narrow but well-paved.
• ·Stop at: The Jatiluwih viewpoint restaurant for lunch overlooking the terraces.
• ·Tip: There's a small entry fee for the Jatiluwih area (part of the UNESCO site maintenance). Bring cash.

4. East Coast — Candidasa to Amed

East Bali is the island's most underrated riding. From Sanur, take the new toll bridge to the east coast, then follow the coastal road north through Candidasa to Amed. This is a full-day ride: black-sand beaches, Mount Agung looming on your left, and long, empty stretches of coastal highway. Amed itself is a string of fishing villages with a volcanic-sand beach and Mount Agung as the backdrop.

• ·Best bike: Z650 (big bike) for the open coastal stretches, or MT-25 for a lighter ride.
• ·Distance: ~200 km round trip from Sanur/Denpasar.
• ·Road: Mostly good coastal highway, some winding mountain sections.
• ·Stop at: Virgin Beach (white sand anomaly on the east coast), Amed for lunch and a swim.
• ·Tip: This is an all-day ride — start early and bring a proper jacket. The east coast is quieter but the sun is just as strong.

5. Bedugul Highlands — Lakes, Temples & Cool Air

The road from the south up to Bedugul climbs to 1,200m and the temperature drops 10°C by the time you reach Lake Beratan. This is Bali's highland escape: the Ulun Danu Beratan temple floating on the lake, strawberry farms, botanical gardens, and winding highland roads that feel like a different country. The descent back through Pupuan offers some of the best corner sequences on the island.

• ·Best bike: Any — all three models will love the highland roads.
• ·Distance: ~120 km round trip from Canggu.
• ·Road: Good tarmac, winding, steeper gradients on the descent.
• ·Stop at: Ulun Danu Beratan temple, a strawberry farm for fresh juice.
• ·Tip: Bring a layer — it's genuinely cool at 1,200m. The lake temple is busiest 10am-2pm, so go early or late.

What to bring on any Bali ride

• ·Your IDP and home licence — police checks are common on popular routes.
• ·A full-face helmet (we provide one with every rental).
• ·Phone mount — we include one, and Google Maps works well for Bali navigation.
• ·Cash for petrol and warung stops — many places outside tourist zones don't take cards.
• ·Travel insurance that covers motorcycle riding.
• ·Rain jacket during rainy season (November–March) — afternoon showers are common.