EagleRider

EagleRider is an American motorcycle rental and touring company headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The business combines motorcycle hire, guided and self-guided touring, and related rider services, with a fleet that has included Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, and other motorcycle brands. Its operating model is designed for travelers who want to ride established routes without transporting or purchasing their own motorcycle, as well as for local riders seeking short-term access to a particular model. The company was founded in 1992 by motorcycle enthusiasts Chris McIntyre, Jeffrey Brown, Peter Wurmer, and Robert Pitts. It began on a small scale with four Harley-Davidson motorcycles purchased by the founders and stored at Wurmer's garage in San Pedro, California. The first recorded rental took place in 1994, when four riders from Austria hired the motorcycles. From that initial local operation, EagleRider developed into a multi-location rental and tour network serving customers in more than 30 countries. A significant part of EagleRider's identity has been its association with long-distance American motorcycle travel. The company developed a particularly popular Route 66 tour in the early 2000s and subsequently expanded its itinerary portfolio to destinations and routes in the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe. Its tours include both guided trips, in which riders travel with organized support, and self-drive journeys that provide route planning and logistical assistance while leaving riders more independent. EagleRider began franchising in 1997 and opened its first international franchise in 2001. The franchise model helped it extend beyond company-operated locations and contributed to a network described as exceeding 200 locations worldwide. In December 2013, the company opened its first Australian master franchise with FineDays Pty Ltd and operators Will and Santina Keith. The Australian operation began in Sydney with 12 Harley-Davidson motorcycles and later expanded to locations including Brisbane, Melbourne, Noosa, Launceston, and Adelaide. The business broadened beyond basic daily rentals during the 2010s. In 2012, it started selling used motorcycles from its fleet and offering motorcycle parts and accessories. Its customer services have also included one-way rentals, allowing a motorcycle to be collected at one location and returned at another; luggage storage; free parking at certain locations; and membership-related benefits. These services support both touring customers and riders who use EagleRider as a travel logistics provider. In 2017, EagleRider and Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced an exclusive alliance. Among the stated benefits was an expanded network of participating EagleRider locations, intended to make it easier for renters to pick up a motorcycle in one place and return it in another. The relationship reinforced EagleRider's longstanding connection with Harley-Davidson while the company's broader fleet continued to include motorcycles from several manufacturers. The company operates in a market that includes conventional motorcycle-rental firms and newer peer-to-peer platforms. In the United States, Twisted Road and Riders Share began offering national peer-to-peer motorcycle rentals in 2018. In Europe, rental comparison and booking alternatives have included Hertz motorcycle rental and BikesBooking. EagleRider's differentiation rests on its combination of a recognizable motorcycle-tourism brand, a broad destination network, organized itineraries, multi-brand fleet access, and services intended for riders traveling away from home.

EagleRider was established in 1992 by Chris McIntyre, Jeffrey Brown, Peter Wurmer, and Robert Pitts, four motorcycle enthusiasts who sought to make motorcycle travel more accessible to visitors and riders without their own touring bikes. The founders initially purchased four Harley-Davidson motorcycles and operated from Wurmer's garage in San Pedro, California. The first rental occurred in 1994, when four Austrian travelers hired the motorcycles. This early transaction established the company's focus on serving destination riders as well as local customers. The company expanded through franchising beginning in 1997. Its first international franchise opened in 2001, providing a mechanism for the brand to establish rental and touring operations beyond its original California base. EagleRider subsequently developed a network described as comprising more than 200 locations worldwide and serving customers in over 30 countries. The expansion combined franchise locations with a recognizable touring proposition centered on American motorcycle culture and long-distance road travel. During the early 2000s, EagleRider developed its prominent Route 66 motorcycle tour. The route became one of the company's best-known offerings and helped define its positioning around iconic road journeys. By 2013, the company had added tours in Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. Its portfolio included guided tours with organized support and self-drive tours for customers who wanted a planned itinerary with greater independence. EagleRider broadened its commercial activities in 2012 by beginning to sell used motorcycles from its fleet, together with motorcycle parts and accessories. This created a resale channel connected to the rental business and allowed customers to purchase motorcycles they had encountered through the brand. Rental-related services also expanded to include one-way rentals, luggage storage, free parking at certain locations, and membership benefits. On December 1, 2013, EagleRider opened its first Australian master franchise in partnership with FineDays Pty Ltd and Will and Santina Keith. The operation began in Sydney with 12 Harley-Davidson motorcycles and later extended to Brisbane, Melbourne, Noosa, Launceston, and Adelaide. Australia became an example of the company's use of local operating partners to build an international network. The brand received recognition in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 rankings in 2010, 2011, and 2013, ranking 309th, 202nd, and 446th respectively in those editions. These rankings reflected the company's franchise presence during a period of international network development, although they do not by themselves establish financial performance. In 2017, EagleRider and Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced an exclusive alliance. A stated benefit was an expanded network of participating EagleRider sites, which could make it possible for customers to collect motorcycles at one location and return them at another. The alliance reinforced EagleRider's long-running association with Harley-Davidson while the company continued to carry motorcycles from other manufacturers, including Indian, BMW, Honda, and Yamaha. The competitive environment changed in 2018 when Chicago-based Twisted Road and Los Angeles-based Riders Share began offering peer-to-peer motorcycle rentals nationally in the United States. In Europe, alternatives included Hertz motorcycle rental and BikesBooking. EagleRider's response is not documented in the supplied reference material, but its established tour infrastructure, international locations, broad fleet, and travel-oriented services remained central to its market proposition.

• 2017

  Exclusive alliance with Harley-Davidson is announced

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  EagleRider and Harley-Davidson announce an alliance involving a broader participating rental-location network.

• 2013

  Australian master franchise opens

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  FineDays Pty Ltd and Will and Santina Keith launch the first Australian master franchise in Sydney.

• 2012

  Fleet resale and accessories are added

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  EagleRider begins selling used fleet motorcycles as well as motorcycle parts and accessories.

• 2001

  First international franchise opens

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  The company opens its first franchise outside the United States.

• 1997

  Franchising begins

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  EagleRider begins using franchising to expand its motorcycle-rental network.

• 1994

  First recorded rental

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  Four riders from Austria become EagleRider's first rental customers.

• 1992

  EagleRider is founded

  [1]EagleRideren.wikipedia.org

  Chris McIntyre, Jeffrey Brown, Peter Wurmer, and Robert Pitts establish the company with four Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

A full-service motorcycle travel platform positioned around access to recognizable motorcycle models, iconic riding routes, organized touring, and convenient rental logistics for domestic and international riders.

• Rental service · 1994

  Motorcycle rentals

  EagleRider rents motorcycles for short-term travel, leisure riding, and touring. Its fleet has included Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW, Honda, Yamaha, and other makes, giving customers access to multiple motorcycle styles rather than limiting them to one manufacturer. The service is available through a distributed network of locations and is designed for both riders traveling to a destination and customers seeking temporary access to a motorcycle.

• Touring service

  Guided motorcycle tours

  Guided tours combine motorcycle rental with an organized itinerary and group travel. EagleRider has offered more than 100 guided and self-drive tour programs across major riding destinations. Guided programs are intended for customers who want route planning, logistical coordination, and the support structure of traveling with an organized motorcycle tour.

• Touring service

  Self-drive motorcycle tours

  Self-drive tours provide planned routes and destination programs while allowing riders to travel independently rather than as part of a fully guided group. The offering supports iconic road journeys such as Route 66 and international itineraries in North America, Oceania, and Europe.

• Touring service

  Route 66 tours

  The Route 66 program became one of EagleRider's best-known motorcycle-tour offerings. It is built around the historic U.S. Route 66 corridor and reflects the company's broader positioning around American road culture, long-distance riding, and destination-based motorcycle travel.

• Vehicle sales · 2012

  Used motorcycles

  Beginning in 2012, EagleRider expanded into the sale of used motorcycles from its rental fleet. This gives customers an opportunity to buy motorcycles that have been used in the company's rental operation and creates a resale channel connected to fleet renewal.

• Motorcycle equipment · 2012

  Motorcycle parts and accessories

  EagleRider also offers motorcycle parts and accessories alongside its rental and resale activities. These products extend the brand beyond travel services and support riders who need equipment or motorcycle-related goods for ownership and touring.

• Rental logistics

  One-way rental service

  One-way rentals allow a customer to collect a motorcycle at one participating location and return it at another. This service is particularly relevant to multi-day touring and destination travel because it can eliminate the need to retrace the original route.

• Route 66 motorcycle tour

  United States · International customers

  EagleRider developed a prominent motorcycle-tour program around U.S. Route 66, using the historic road as a signature destination for riders seeking an American road-trip experience.

  Outcome. The Route 66 itinerary became one of the company's most popular motorcycle tours and helped establish its road-travel identity.

  Source
• International motorcycle-tour expansion

  Mexico · New Zealand · Australia · United Kingdom · Europe

  EagleRider expanded its tour portfolio from American routes into international destinations, including Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe.

  Outcome. The expansion supported the company's development into an international motorcycle-tour operator serving customers in more than 30 countries.

  Source

• 2017

  Enter an exclusive alliance with Harley-DavidsonM&A

  Background

  EagleRider had long used Harley-Davidson motorcycles and sought to strengthen its rental network and brand relationship.

  Action taken

  EagleRider and Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced an exclusive alliance involving participating EagleRider locations and expanded one-way rental possibilities.

  Aftermath

  The alliance reinforced EagleRider's association with Harley-Davidson while EagleRider continued to carry motorcycles from multiple manufacturers.

  Source

• 2013

  Establish the Australian master franchiseStrategy

  Background

  EagleRider pursued international expansion through local master-franchise partners.

  Action taken

  FineDays Pty Ltd and Will and Santina Keith opened the first Australian master franchise in Sydney on December 1, 2013.

  Aftermath

  The Australian operation later expanded to Brisbane, Melbourne, Noosa, Launceston, and Adelaide.

  Source

• 2012

  Expand into fleet resale and accessoriesStrategy

  Background

  The rental business generated used motorcycles and created opportunities to serve customers beyond the rental transaction.

  Action taken

  EagleRider began selling used motorcycles from its fleet and offering motorcycle parts and accessories.

  Aftermath

  The company added vehicle sales and motorcycle-related merchandise to its rental and touring activities.

  Source

• 1997

  Adopt a franchise expansion modelStrategy

  Background

  EagleRider sought to expand beyond its original California operation and use local operators to build a wider rental and touring network.

  Action taken

  The company began franchising and later opened its first international franchise in 2001.

  Aftermath

  Franchising became an important mechanism in the development of a network described as exceeding 200 worldwide locations.

  Source

• 2019.10.08

  Reported2019.10.08

  EagleRider and Total Control partner on motorcycle riding and training[3]EagleRider 与 Total Control 合作推广摩托车骑行与培训prnewswire.com

  EagleRider and Total Control Training announced a partnership to promote riding opportunities and training. The arrangement includes access for Total Control graduates to Club EagleRider and educational materials at EagleRider locations, as well as ongoing training for EagleRider tour guides.

Read more

1. 1EagleRideren.wikipedia.org
2. 2EagleRider official websiteeaglerider.com
3. 3EagleRider 与 Total Control 合作推广摩托车骑行与培训prnewswire.com