See the World...Go on Tour

© Peter Daems

The long and winding road awaits!

The longer you ride, the more you cover the roads within reach of where you live, the more you are going to want to ride your motorcycle – or someone's bike – in new places. Motorcycle tours companies are more than happy to make that a reality for you – for a price.

Sure, you could fly somewhere and rent a bike and take off on your own. Some people do. What you get for the money you pay a tour company is a more carefree experience with accommodations arranged for you, a support crew to handle any problems, and knowledge about the roads, the region, and the highlights.

Europe, especially the area around Switzerland and the Alps, is a very popular destination for motorcycle tourers. Bikers love those high passes. New Zealand and Australia are also prime destinations, and both have the added advantage of having summer while the U.S. is having winter, making for an excellent opportunity to leave the snow behind for awhile. For the more adventurous, there are tours available in Vietnam, Iceland, China, and pretty much anywhere else you might want to go.

Tour companies come in all sizes, ranging from the big boys such as Edelweiss Bike Travel and Ayres Adventures, all the way down to Mom and Pop operations such as Ball of String Motorcycle Tour Co, a Colorado-based outfit that mostly designs custom tours in the U.S. and Italy. Pricing and tour packages are as varied as the companies. Some include bike rental as part of the package price while for others that's extra. Dinner and hotels are generally included in the package, although not always. You'll want to explore the options and be sure what each includes.

Tours are usually set up so that you can ride with a leader or go by yourself, choosing your own routes, stopping where you like, as long as you make it to the night's hotel. Your gear is usually carried for you each day in a truck or van so your bike is not burdened and you don't need to be as selective about what you bring with you. Food and accommodations are vetted and selected for quality and value.

Motorcycle tours are never cheap but if this is going to be a dream trip of your lifetime it doesn't make a lot of sense to scrimp. Some people prefer the freedom and flexibility of being completely on their own. For everyone else, it's worth the extra cash to have the details handled for you and to just get on the bike and enjoy the ride.