In brief. If you’re looking for motorcycle rental in Catania to explore Sicily off the asphalt, Marret Motorent is the place to go: adventure and rally bikes (KOVE 450 Rally, KOVE 800 X, CFMOTO 450MT, CFMOTO 800MT-X) rented as part of guided off-road tours departing from Catania, as well as trips to Tunisia and Morocco. The operating base is at Via Aldebaran 9 in Catania; for availability and bookings, call 379 345 8414, also available on WhatsApp; email info@marret.it, website marret.it.
- Two-day tour in Sicily: €500 with your own bike, €900 with a rental bike; guide, specified meals, and one night at a farmhouse included.
- You need an A (A3) license, must be of legal age, and wear off-road protective gear.
- The rental includes third-party liability insurance for the rider and bike; comprehensive insurance is not included and can be purchased separately.
- Renters must take part in the full event: single-day rentals are not available for tours.
- Intermediate level: off-road experience is required; this is not a race.
In Catania, you can rent an adventure bike for dirt roads, not just a scooter
Search for “motorcycle rental Catania” and you’ll mostly find comparison sites, 125cc scooters, and road-oriented crossover bikes available for airport pickup. They’re perfect for the coast. For Sicily’s dirt roads, you need something else.
What Marret Motorent offers
Marret Motorent was founded around a clear idea: use motorcycles to explore the parts of Sicily you can’t see from the main road - ravines, seasonal rivers, ridgelines, and unpaved roads inland. The services listed in the website terms are three: motorcycle and equipment rental, guided motorcycle tours, including Fly & Ride packages, and off-road events that you can join with your own bike or one from the fleet.
For those arriving by plane, the format is what matters: on each tour page, choose “own bike” or the model you want to rent. The bike, an experienced off-road guide, routes, meals, and overnight stay are already arranged. All you have to do is ride.
Four bikes, two philosophies: lightweight 450s or touring-ready 800s
The bikes offered for rent in the tour listings are two 450s and two 800s. The difference isn't in horsepower, but in how forgiving they are when the terrain gets rough.
| Model | Engine | Claimed power | Key figure | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOVE 450 Rally | Liquid-cooled 449 cc single-cylinder | 31 kW (42 hp), road-legal version | 90/90-21 and 140/80-18 tires, switchable ABS | Technical dirt roads and sand, for experienced riders |
| CFMOTO 450MT | Parallel-twin 449 cc, 270° firing order | 31 kW (42.2 hp) | KYB suspension, 17.5 L tank | First steps in off-road riding, mixed routes |
| KOVE 800 X | Parallel-twin 799 cc, 270° firing order | About 94-95 hp depending on trim | Among the lightest 800 twins (190 kg fully fueled in the Pro trim) | Mixed paved and dirt-road trips on a lightweight twin |
| CFMOTO 800MT-X | Parallel-twin 799 cc, derived from the KTM LC8c | 91-95 hp depending on the homologation source | 22 L tank, 218 kg in running order | Long distances and multi-day tours |
How to read the table. These are figures declared by the manufacturers and reported by official dealers and industry price lists. Marret doesn't specify which trim of the KOVE 800 X is offered (GT or Pro), so we show a range. Tires and accessories on rental bikes may differ from the standard equipment: ask for confirmation when booking.
450 or 800: what really changes off-road
On Sicilian dirt roads, weight matters more than horsepower. You can pick up a 450 after a stationary fall without help, maneuver in tight spaces, and recover from mistakes on the loose rocks of dry riverbeds. An 800 has more power and is more comfortable on paved transfers, but demands skill when the terrain gets sandy or steep. If you only ride off-road a few times a year, a 450 is the safer choice.
We took a closer look at the differences between versions of the Chinese twin in Kove 800X: GT, Pro and Rally compared and at the small adventure bike segment in A2 adventure bikes: CFMOTO 450MT and rivals.
Rentals are booked through the tour, and the price includes almost everything
Marret doesn't sell the bike “by the day” on its website: you rent one by choosing an event. Here are the prices published as of the date this article was updated.
| Option | Duration | Your own bike | Rental bike | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-road tour in Sicily, departing from Catania | 2 days | 500 € | 900 € | Off-road guide, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 night at a farmhouse on the slopes of Mount Etna, breakfast, basic technical assistance, selected GPS tracks |
| Tunisia, on-road or off-road | 8 days, 7 nights, around 2,000 km | €1,490 (€2,490 for two) | 2.390 € | Guide, support vehicle for luggage and assistance, 7 nights in hotels, 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners |
| Morocco "Dune Fury", Fly & Ride | 5 days, 3 riding | — | €1,500 with KTM 450/500 | Motorbike, 2 guides, hotel, all meals, transfer from Errachidia Airport |
What's not included. Fuel, ferries or flights, alcoholic drinks, and anything not listed in the tour details. The Tunisia tour runs with at least 8 participants. Prices may change: the Marret Tours & Events page has the latest information.
When you do the math, the difference between using your own bike and renting one for the Sicilian tour is €400 for two days. For those arriving by plane, that's almost always less than it would cost to bring their own bike to Sicily, including the ferry, transport, and extra days off work.
From Catania to the Nebrodi on day one, among riverbeds and the Peloritani on day two
Catania is a strategic base for off-road riding: the two-day loop covers three different landscapes without ever repeating a route.
- Calanchi del Cannizzola. Leave Catania for the interior and head straight into the badlands, your first taste of real off-road riding.
- Centuripe. One of the widest viewpoints in eastern Sicily, with Mount Etna in front of you.
- Cesarò and the Nebrodi ridge. Forests, gravel roads, and more flowing sections along part of the ridge.
- A night on the slopes of Mount Etna. Dinner and overnight stay at a farmhouse with a pool.
- Fiumara di Francavilla di Sicilia. The second day changes everything: rocks, water, and wide riverbeds between rock walls.
- Fondachelli-Fantina and the Peloritani Mountains. One of the island's most hidden corners, followed by ridge-top dirt tracks and the ride back to Catania.
Advice from someone who knows this terrain
Riverbeds are the sections that give riders used to tarmac the most trouble: round stones shifting under the front wheel, shallow crossings, and sand in sedimentary areas. Look well ahead, keep your weight on the foot pegs, use the clutch, and never brake sharply with the front brake. After rain, conditions in the Nebrodi and Peloritani can change within hours: good-condition knobby or semi-knobby tires are just as important as experience.
Class A license, protective gear on, and no Kasko coverage included: the rules before you ride
These are the conditions published by Marret in its FAQs and terms of service. Read them before booking, not when you pick up the motorcycle.
- At least 18 years old and a valid A (A3) license.
- ID and driver’s license at pickup, along with signing the rental agreement.
- Helmet, gloves, boots, and off-road protective gear: without the minimum equipment, you can’t ride, and there’s no refund.
- For travel abroad: a valid passport and, if bringing your own motorcycle, registration and insurance valid in the destination country.
- Motorcycle comprehensive insurance: available as an add-on.
- A security deposit isn’t always required: when one is needed, it’s stated on the tour page.
- A one-day rental on two-day tours.
- Personal travel insurance, which Marret recommends for tours abroad.
Cancellations: read the terms. If the event is canceled by the organizers or due to force majeure, you’ll receive a full refund. The information about customer cancellations in the FAQs and on the website’s terms page doesn’t fully match: before paying, ask for the conditions to be confirmed in writing, or consult Marret’s terms and conditions.
A word about the skill level. Marret rates its Sicilian tours as intermediate: it’s not a race, but you need off-road experience to avoid slowing down the group. If you’re unsure, be honest with yourself and ask first: the best ride is one where you have room to spare. For everything you need to know about protective gear to wear and fit, see our off-road motorcycle protection guide.
The right motorcycle depends on how much off-road riding you’ve done, not on horsepower
Three honest questions are enough to make sure you choose the right motorcycle and tour.
How much off-road riding have you really done?
If your answer is “a few unpaved roads,” choose a 450 and a tour rated intermediate. If you’ve already ridden a maxi enduro on sand and rocks, an 800 is a sensible choice and more comfortable for the transfers.
How far will you ride each day?
For the two days in Sicily, maneuverability matters most. On a trip of around 2,000 km, such as Tunisia, comfort, wind protection, and range matter more - that’s where 800cc twin-cylinder bikes with 19-22-liter tanks come into their own.
How will you get to Catania?
If you’re flying, renting a motorcycle saves you the hassle of transport and luggage logistics. If you’re from Sicily or arrive with your own motorcycle, you can take part on your own bike, provided it’s recently serviced and has tires suited to the route.
If you’re bringing your own motorcycle, prepare it as you would for a real trip
Every Marret tour offers a “bring your own motorcycle” option. The requirement is a motorcycle in perfect working order, recently serviced, and fitted with suitable tires.
- Service, chain, brake pads, and tires checked before departure: off-road riding wears them out faster.
- Compact luggage secured low: on rough roads, a high, wobbly load is noticeable at every bump.
- Essential tool kit and 12V compressor for adjusting tire pressure between pavement and dirt.
- Hand guards and a skid plate cost less than replacing a lever or engine cover on a trip.
The full list is in our guide on how to prepare your motorcycle for a long trip, with more details on what to pack in your tool kit and the 12V portable compressor.
Tunisia and Morocco trips share the same idea of travel
Trips beyond the Mediterranean also depart from the Catania base, on your own motorcycle or a rental.
Tunisia: around 2,000 km, two options
The route runs from the north of the country to the edge of the Sahara and is available in a fully paved version, also suitable for road and touring motorcycles, or an off-road version with trails, sand, and desert landscapes, for adventure and maxi-enduro bikes with knobby tires. A support vehicle carries luggage and provides assistance. If you’re going on your own motorcycle, read our Ténéré 700 setup for Tunisia: the same principles apply to any adventure bike.
Morocco “Dune Fury”: Fly & Ride on the dunes
Fly to Errachidia, with transfers included, and ride KTM 450 and 500 bikes provided by the organizers, with two guides, including Marret himself. Five days, three on the bike. It’s the simplest option for anyone who wants real sand without shipping their own motorcycle.
Behind the rental service is a motorcycle traveler who rode all the way to Mongolia
The experience of the person who plans the routes is the most concrete guarantee of a guided tour.
Federico Marretta, “Marret”
A former professional athlete, he has been sharing his travels, adventures, and motorcycle tests on YouTube and Instagram for years. His best-known project is a solo journey from Italy to Mongolia, which became a documentary distributed on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. That led to Marret Rent & Tour: routes personally tested and small groups. His story is on the Who Is Marret page.
Marret Motorent contact details
Operating base: Via Aldebaran 9, 95127 Catania (CT)
Phone: +39 379 345 8414
WhatsApp: +39 379 345 8414
Email: info@marret.it
Website: marret.it, with a contact form and tour calendar
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle rental in Catania and Sicily
Where can I rent an adventure motorcycle in Catania for off-road riding?
What is Marret Motorent's phone and WhatsApp number?
How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle for an off-road tour in Sicily?
What license do I need to rent a motorcycle from Marret?
Is insurance included in the motorcycle rental?
Do I need to pay a deposit to rent a motorcycle?
Can I rent a motorcycle for just one day of the tour?
Do I need off-road experience for tours in Sicily?
Is it better to rent a 450 or an 800 for Sicily’s dirt roads?
Do I need to bring my own riding gear?
Can I join the tours on my own motorcycle?
Which parts of Sicily does the route cover from Catania?
Does Marret organize motorcycle trips outside Sicily too?
Keep reading
Off-road Sicily is waiting for you
Want to ride across the gullies, Nebrodi and Peloritani on a rental adventure bike? Call Marret Motorent at 379 345 8414, message them on WhatsApp or email info@marret.it, or visit marret.it: they’ll help you choose a bike and tour to suit your experience.
See upcoming toursSources. Marret Motorent: official website, tour listings, terms and conditions and contact information (accessed October 16, 2026). Technical data: listings from official KOVE and CFMOTO dealers published on Moto.it, price lists from InMoto and Dueruote, and Insella’s review of the CFMOTO 800MT-X. Photos: Marret Motorent.
