Anyone taken one?
Pros and cons?
Costs vs amenities?
Expectations vs disappointments?

 

Took one with the wife out of our local HD dealer. They've been doing guided tours for a long time, evidently have a pretty good Sturgis tour that has either been going for quite a few years, or the guy leading it has been doing lead for many many years. Having said that...
Lake Michigan Circle Tour - The inaugural ride!
4 days about 1k miles. (early start the first day, the last day was pretty much a 1/2 day)
They did a decent job of mapping it out. The hotels were very good, good, and just ok. Group breakfast the first morning, parking lot party (cold beer) each night arriving at hotel. They handled all hotel check ins and simply handed out keys. No check out, just leave. Dinner on them (including drinks) the last night, pretty nice dinner too.
All in all it was a fun experience. The weather sucked, far colder in Sep than we would have liked. 37 degrees on ride out one morning.

Could have done it ourselves for far cheaper. There was a support vehicle tho, and you're paying for some bit of peace of mind. The support driver was real nice about offering to carry jackets or gear if needed. The lunch stops were pretty botched every day. Bothered the wife more than me. There were something like 35 bikes? I forget. A few trikes and a few very novice riders. It became quickly obvious that staying clear of both was a best bet. The group got separated a few times but the "sweep" (last bike, assigned and "employed" by the tour) did a good job of making sure no one got left behind.
Got to see some pretty cool bikes and met some pretty cool people. A few that we still talk to occasionally.

In the end the people were the key. If you do something like this, the thing is you're surrounded by people that paid a nice chunk of change to ride with people. Which means they likely ENJOY riding with people, or at the very least WANTED to try it out. I sat at lunch and dinner with people that likely would have never come together if not for that ride. And they all got along wonderfully. "Dirty bikers" and "wallet bikers" all laughing and eating and drinking together. Not a single issue. And THAT PART was fun. Not sure I'd do it again, but I'm glad I did it once.

 

Yes, I took one. https://www.edelweissbike.com it was excellent, 100% professional, excellent accommodations, great group, superb group leader. I took a 3 day quick tour on BMW around Arizona, just to see if I would like it. I would absolutely go with them again.

 

Try Eagle Riders. A friend of mine with his dad, Uncle and Cousin had a great time riding the historic Route 66 for 2 weeks. They got several traveling arrangements for everybody.


Here's the link: http://www.eaglerider.com/?gclid=CMb...FYZbhgodFaoFuw


Thorey

 

I have a friend of mine who swears I should start my own business running bike tours. My personality is not condusive to interaction with large groups of people, especially not on road trips.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to take one with a well established company. An Alpine tour with Edelweiss or Beach's might be fun.

 

OK, you hurt my feelings! I understand staying clear of novice riders but why did you feel the need to stay away from the trikes?

 

Lol!! Not trikes in general, TRIKES ROCK! (I spent a lot of time talking with one guy and his wife about theirs) It's just the ones on this trip seemed to "lag a bit" and helped create greater group separation. 😜

Also, someone had done quite a few guided tours and mentioned that his experience with EagleRider was outstanding.

 

OK, I feel a bit better and yes, trikes do indeed rock!! Thanks, BTW nice write up of your experiences. Never done one myself and probably won't as I like to have a little more control of the days riding plans.

 

Any day rides out there?