Lombok by motorbike: routes from Kuta Lombok (Mandalika)

Kuta Lombok as a base

Kuta Lombok sits on the south coast inside the Mandalika area, about 30 minutes from Lombok International Airport. It is a good starting point because the most-visited beaches of the island are spread east and west of it along a single coast road, while the rest of Lombok — Mataram, Senggigi, the Gili harbour and Rinjani — is reached through the island's centre via Praya.

As a rule of thumb: short beach rides can be done in the afternoon, but the west coast and anything in the north are full days. Start early, aim to be back before dark, and keep a reserve in the tank.

A realistic week from Kuta might look like this: two or three easy days on the beaches east and west of town, one day to Sade, Ende and Tetebatu, one long day to Senggigi and the Malimbu viewpoints, and one or two days with an overnight stop for Senaru or Sembalun. Leave a spare day for rain or simply a slower pace — Lombok rewards riders who do not rush.

South coast west: Mawun, Selong Belanak, Mawi

The road west of Kuta climbs over headlands and drops into bays, with several steep sections and tight bends.

• Mawun — about 15–20 minutes. A sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay, good for swimming in calm conditions.
• Selong Belanak — about 30–40 minutes. A long, gentle sandy beach with surf schools and cafés; one of the easiest beaches to reach on a scooter.
• Mawi — about 35–50 minutes. A surf beach at the end of a narrow access road that has been rough and partly unpaved; the last stretch is slow, and in wet weather it can be slippery.

Parking at most of these beaches is informal and usually paid to a local attendant. Leave the bike on firm ground at the top — do not ride down onto the sand.

South coast east: Tanjung Aan, Bukit Merese, Gerupuk, Ekas

East of Kuta the distances are short at first and then grow quickly.

• Tanjung Aan and Bukit Merese — about 10–15 minutes. Two bays side by side, with Bukit Merese hill between them, popular at sunset. The hill is reached on foot from the parking area.
• Gerupuk — about 15–25 minutes. A fishing village on a large bay; surfers take boats from here to the breaks.
• Ekas — about 1–1.5 hours, roughly 45–50 km. Usually reached inland via Praya and Keruak, then south through Jerowaru. Roads get narrower and quieter, and petrol stations are few, so fill up before you turn off the main road.

Sade, Ende and the Mandalika circuit

The Sasak villages of Sade and Ende are on the main road between Kuta and the airport, about 10–20 minutes from Kuta and a few minutes from each other. Both receive visitors; a short guided walk is the usual format, and a donation or a purchase at the weaving stalls is expected.

The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit is right next to Kuta, and our Lombok office is beside it. On race weekends roads around the circuit are closed or diverted and traffic is heavy, so plan longer rides around those dates. Iron Rent also runs track days at Mandalika — ask on WhatsApp about dates and conditions.

West coast: Senggigi, Malimbu and Bangsal for the Gilis

Senggigi is about 1.5–2 hours from Kuta (roughly 70–90 km, through Praya and Mataram). The city section through Mataram is the busiest part of the trip. North of Senggigi the coast road winds along cliffs to the Malimbu viewpoints, with views across to the three Gili islands and, on a clear day, Mount Agung on Bali. Take the pull-outs, not the bends, to stop for photos.

Bangsal, the harbour for public boats to the Gilis, is about 2–2.5 hours from Kuta. Motorbikes are not allowed on Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Gili Air, so the bike stays on Lombok. There are parking areas around the harbour, but we have not verified a guarded one; agree on parking before you leave the bike, take the key, lock the steering and do not leave helmets or bags on it. Many riders prefer to leave the bike at their accommodation and take a car to the harbour — ask us on WhatsApp what works best for your dates.

The north and Rinjani: Senaru, Sembalun, Tetebatu

Senaru, on the northern slope of Rinjani, is about 3–4 hours from Kuta. From here a walk of about 20 minutes leads to Sendang Gile waterfall and roughly 40–60 more minutes, with a river crossing, to Tiu Kelep. In heavy rain the path to Tiu Kelep may be closed. Riding there and back from Kuta in one day is possible but long; an overnight in Senaru is more relaxed.

Sembalun is a high valley on the eastern side of Rinjani, about 3–4 hours from Kuta. The climbs are long and steep with hairpins, mornings and evenings are cold, and fog and cloud often sit on the passes from midday. Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket, and do not start the descent in fog after dark.

Tetebatu, a village of rice terraces and forest walks on the southern foothills, is about 1.5–2.5 hours away and a calmer first trip inland. A loop Tetebatu – Sembalun – Senaru – coast road is a good two- or three-day ride rather than a single day.

Road realities on Lombok

• Sand and steep access roads. Many beach roads end in steep, sandy or gravel tracks. A steep, sandy access road is fine on one of our enduro bikes (KLX 230, CRF150L), the only bikes our contract allows off tarmac; on a scooter or a sport bike it is not — park on firm ground at the top and walk down.
• Animals. Cows, goats and dogs stand on or cross the road, often around bends and in villages. Dogs sometimes chase bikes; keep a steady speed and do not kick out.
• Fuel. Petrol stations are spread out, especially in the south-east and on the Ekas side. Fill up in Kuta or Praya and use the fuel grade we give you at handover; Pertalite is not allowed in our bikes.
• Rain season. Roughly November to March, afternoon storms leave mud and gravel on the road, especially on hills and village roads.
• Night. Outside towns there is almost no street lighting, and you will meet bikes and carts with no lights at all. Plan to be back before dark.

Which bike and how to rent in Kuta Lombok

For beach runs around Kuta a scooter is enough. For Senggigi, the north and especially the climbs to Sembalun, a larger scooter or a motorcycle with more power and better brakes is more comfortable, particularly with a passenger. The Lombok office has its own fleet of scooters and bigger motorcycles; ask on WhatsApp what is free on your dates.

To rent you only need a passport. To ride legally in Indonesia you need your national licence with the motorcycle category plus an International Driving Permit; we can help arrange an IDP through our partner International Drivers Association. Every rental includes two helmets and a phone holder, and the deposit is refundable in the currency you paid it in. Delivery on Lombok and its terms are confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay.

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