How To Travel - Motorcycle Tour Operators
To go alone or not? A big question for most new to touring. The decision to go with motorcycle tour operators is an important one, but because I believe that either way you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable time, the even bigger question is how to choose the right tour operator, who knows what they are doing because riding and touring is a real passion and who will not rip you off and leave you high and dry.
How you are going to travel is an important consideration with two major questions you need to answer before you can go any further:
- Are you going to go alone or with motorcycle tour operators?
To guide you along I have done a section on The Inns and Outs of Motorcycle Tour Operators - Which tour operator are you going to go with?
You can Search for Motorcycle Tour Operators by region in my touring directory - What type of bike are you going to tour on?
There is also a basic guide on the types of things to consider when choosing a bike for touring
The Inns and Outs of Motorcycle Tour Operators
If you are planning on going touring in new territory and it's the first time you are doing a bike trip it would be very wise to go with somebody that knows the ropes! If you're going abroad, then that poses a whole new set of considerations and choosing to go with motorcycle tour operators is probably the most well ridden route - for good reason!
In either case going with motorcycle tour operators has its highs and lows. On the one hand you don't have to worry about your mate pulling out at the last minute and someone else is there to take care of the finer details. Opting to go with motorcycle tour operators also means hooking up with like minded people and can be a great social event with the opportunity to make new mates to ride with. On the other hand, you are not completely free to do your own thing and you have to rely on the planning of a stranger to make or break your trip.
Never just go ahead and book with motorcycle tour operators - make sure that your chosen operator has a good track record. If you can go by the word of other trusted bikers who've been on a trip with the same motorcycle tour operators and got the t-shirt, then even better! Otherwise, never be afraid to ask for references - the proof is always in the pudding! I would also recommend going with motorcycle tour operators that do this full time as you will probably have a much better experience from a dedicated rider who is passionate about what he/she does. Looking online is a also a good place to start as any reputable tour operator would have a website.
It is important to be very clear on the level of detail and support that the motorcycle tour operators will provide, as this will be crucial to planning well for your trip as well as for managing your expectations. The types of questions that you should ask your motorcycle tour operators are:
- Where does the tour start and finish? You don't want to find yourself stranded in the middle of a foreign country having to find your own way home.
- What is the daily mileage and type of riding? You need to ensure that what is being offered by the motorcycle tour operators of choice is at the right level for your skills otherwise it won't be much for you or the others on the tour
- Is the operator financially bonded so that your payments are safe? Will the money by held in a trust fund until you return from your trip? These are important questions as you need to ensure that if the operator goes bust, that the trip funds are available to you and not the the liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy.
- Under what conditions would the tour be cancelled?
- What level of support do the motorcycle tour operators offer in an emergency? For instance, are there any other arrangements in place for first aid and emergency repairs?
- Are you required to transport your own luggage?
Where to Find Motorcycle Tour Operators
I have a comprehensive touring directory and you can search motorcycle tour operators by the following regions:
What Type of Bike Should I Tour On?
As a general rule, any bike over is suitable for solo touring if you are not going to be carrying too much luggage. If you are going to be touring with a pillion however, you need a machine with at least 500cc
Although you can tour with any bike there are a few considerations that will make your ride more enjoyable and efficient. If you are going to be hiring a bike from the motorcycle tour operators talk these considerations through with them
- For starters, the condition of your bike is important. You should not be touring on an old bike that needs loads of maintenance. This is particularly important when going with motorcycle tour operators as the bikes will often have done a high mileage and so it is advisable to do a basic check especially with the tyres
- Comfort is essential, and unfortunately as this comes down to preference, riding experience with different bikes will really help you figure out what you like and what you don't. Regardless of this, the most important thing to consider is wind blast. If you bike does not have a windshield (most naked biked don't) you need to buy one that is a proper shape and size for your bike, and don't be fooled by the size of your windshield, as the small ones are fantastic! You can look over them and they protect you all the same. A small amount of forward lean can also can also help a lot with windblast, so see if you can adjust the handgrips a little when you tour. I am pretty confident that all motorcycle tour operators would have a fleet of bikes with sufficient windblast protection, but it does not hurt to check this out first
- Ride Quality is important. It is a good idea to make sure that your suspension harness is compliant (that it has proper sag and compression and rebound damping) on the front and rear. Engine vibration can also make a massive difference on long distance rides, but unfortunately there is no rule of thumb here - only you can decide how much, is too much!
- Carrying capacity will also make all the difference. You need to consider the weight and volume of your bike. Make sure that the maximum weight of your bike (this includes the oil, petrol and coolant) is consistent with what you want to carry.
- Lastly Range is crucial. The range of your bike is the tank size times the mileage. You need to check out the fuel capacity and mileage of your bike to ensure that the ratings meet your needs. I suspect that if you are hiring a bike from motorcycle tour operators then this should have already been taken into account
If you are completely new to all of this - go to my motorcycle buying guide, which explains the different types of bikes on the market in a little more detail.