Turkey Creek Motorcycle Tours

How to Choose a Motorcycle Tour

Motorcycle tour descriptions can be confusing and it can be hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison between different tour operator's offerings. Here are some key points to consider:

How long is the tour?
An eight-day motorcycle tour can mean 8 nights of lodging and only 4 0r 5 days of riding. Read the tour descriptions carefully or contact the operator to make sure you know how many days you'll be riding. At Turkey Creek, we clearly state the number of riding days. Along with lodging, breakfast and dinner during our tours, our price typically includes lodging the day you arrive and on the last day of the tour. See our tour descriptions for details.

What's included?

Meals
Some tours include meals and some don't. Most operators who provide meals usually include breakfast and dinner and leave lunch up to the individual. Alcoholic beverages are typically not included. The type of restaurants included in the tour can have an impact on both your enjoyment of the tour and the cost of the tour. Be sure to read the tour offering carefully and find out what level of meals and how many meals you are getting. TCT provides breakfast and dinner every day of the tour except of free days and includes a welcome dinner the night before the tour starts and a gourmet farewell dinner at the end of the tour. Our Mexico Tours include lunches. See individual tour descriptions for exclusions.

What about Rentals?
Some operators include rentals, some don't. Be sure to figure the costs when doing your comparisons. Rentals should run between $105 a day for a smaller sport touring bike to $125 for a mid-sized Harley on up to $165 or more per day for a full-dress touring bike. Weekly rates are often available. Basic insurance is usually included, added insurance and taxes are extra. While TCT does not include rentals at this time, we have agreements with several rental companies to get you a bike at a reasonable cost. We can also help you arrange shipping of your own bike.

Lodging
Lodging choices abound from primitive cabins to low-cost chain motels to high-end lodges and historic inns. The cost of lodging will often be the major cost factor in the overall price of the tour. Unless the tour operator highlights lodging as a feature of the tour, assume that the rooms will be average chain or local hotels and motels. As always, ask questions. Turkey Creek provides luxury motorcycle tours staying in fine establishments with luxury accommodations. We will always stay in the best lodgings available in a particular locale.

A word about pricing
Our prices use the travel industry standard method of stating prices as "per person, double occupancy." This spreads the cost of the hotel room between two people sharing a room. A single supplement is stated to show the increased cost incurred by one person paying a full room rate for the duration of the tour. Some tour operators state the cost for the rider and show a lower cost for the co-rider. More often than not, this loads the full cost of lodging on the rider price and makes it appear the co-rider is getting a discount. Either way, do the math to get a true price comparison.

What other things should I look for?

Does the operator know the area?
Have the guides spent the time getting to know the roads, the attractions and the weather. Do they know where the hotels and restaurants are, where repairs and parts can be obtained? TCT focuses on Colorado, Sonora Mexico, the Baja and the Southwest. We live here, we ride here. Our Mexico tours are based on strong personal connections with the people who live and work in the areas we visit.

Does the tour feature a support vehicle and trailer?
A support vehicle and trailer offers several benefits. Obviously, the ability to carry your motorcycle to a repair facility in case of a mechanical problem or shredded tire adds peace of mind and can prevent lost riding time. Other benefits include the convenience of being able to stow your luggage in the trailer instead of packing and unpacking the bike each night and having your luggage locked up at lunch stops and at attractions. If you or your passenger don't want to ride on a particular day, hitching a ride in the support vehicle is an option. If arranged in advance Turkey Creek Tours will allow a non-rider to take the entire trip in the support vehicle. In short, a support vehicle and trailer can provide convenience, safety, security and peace of mind. TCT runs all scheduled US tours with an 8-passenger Suburban and a fully enclosed and alarmed 2-place motorcycle trailer. (No trailer on Mexico tours.) We carry extra gas, a well-stocked toolbox and tire inflator. The tour leader is in radio contact with the support driver, who also has a CB radio, cell phone and, in the Baja a satellite phone.

Additional services
There are many small things that can help avoid hassles and add to the enjoyment of your motorcycle vacation. Airport pick-up and drop off, help with getting a bike shipped, agreeing to receive any gear you have shipped and helping ship those souvenirs home. Perhaps a Fly-Buy-Ride arrangement, where you will pre-arrange a new bike purchase is something you want to try. You fly in, ride the bike on the tour and either ride the bike home or have it shipped. A tour company that can help you make the arrangements is invaluable. TCT will go the extra mile for you. Airport pickup and drop off, shipping and rentals, we are there to make it go smoothly. We have the contacts and the know-how to make it all happen.

Trip insurance
Things can go wrong. You may become ill, you may need to leave mid-tour or other events may cause a change of plans. Trip insurance can cover some of the loss and soften the blow of a vacation disaster. Some tour operators offer trip insurance through their web sites, others do not. Whichever way you go, be sure the policy meets your requirements and always shop around for the best deal. If you are touring out of the country be sure you have medical evacuation coverage.

Is it a good fit?
Does the motorcycle tour meet your style of riding? Are you looking for an intimate group or is a large group your idea of fun. Are you an Iron Butt Rally/thousand mile per day rider or do you want to take it easy and see the sights? Do you care about staying in upscale lodging or is a sleeping bag in a rustic cabin your perfect choice. Does the tour meet your needs for locale, attractions and, extracurricular activities? Do the guides seem to be the kind of folks you want to spend a week or two with? Check the web site and read about the company, the guides and the owners. If you are unsure, send an email or pick up the phone and call.

TCT welcomes your calls and is happy to answer your questions. If we don't have the tour you are looking for, we will help you find one or design a custom tour for you. We want to make sure that your motorcycle vacation meets and exceeds your expectations. See our Tours Page for full tour descriptions