The guided tour
A guided tour is the full-on, noworries, bucket-list option. You’ll ride in a group of (usually) 10-15 bikes with between 10-20 riders and pillions, which means you have a ready-made bunch of mates to share it with. The qualified tour guide will have decades of local knowledge from riding the main streets and back roads. They’ll know the best twisties, the best lunch stops, the easiest fuel stations to get in and out of and where to eat and drink. Plus, they can deal with the local customs, traffic regulations and anything else likely to get in the way of a great time.
A great tour guide assesses the riding skills of the group and adjusts the pace accordingly. Bringing a group of unfamiliar riders across thousands of miles safely and have them all feel confident and enjoy it is tricky. Add in some jet lag, unfamiliar roads and traffic, the occasional hangover and a huge variety of riding experience and you can see why they take it so seriously.
There will also be a back-up van, driven by another experienced guide who knows the route. The van contains your luggage, plus spares, tools, first aid, a spare bike and stuff that you’ll hopefully never need, but will be very glad it’s there should something untoward happen.
If you’ve never ridden in the USA before, a guided tour is the easiest way to go. Your biggest responsibility is to be by your bike on time in the morning, sober and ready to ride. A good tour company includes the following on a guided tour:
Rental motorcycle; current year model, less than 20,000 miles. American licensed tour guide on motorcycle, and assistant in support vehicle. Standard motorcycle insurance cover including CDW and state minimum liability cover. Support/luggage vehicle with spare motorcycle, first aid kit, coolbox/ soft drinks. Tourbook including maps. Accommodation in three- or fourstar hotels. National Park, State Park and National Monument entrance fees. All fuel and oil used on the tour. Hotel parking fees. Hotel-to-dealership transfers. Unlimited mileage. All taxes and one-way fees. Guaranteed financial and legal protection, from Travel Trust Association membership and ATOL Bond.
How much does that all cost?
Two people on one motorcycle for a 10-day tour (eight days on the bike, plus one either side for travelling), sharing a room will typically cost around £2150 per person (prices come from Orange & Black – orangeand-black.co.uk – which runs excellent, professional tours to the highest standard – I know, I’ve spent my own money going on them).
Two people on two bikes sharing a room increases to around £3000 each, and if you want a room on your own you’ll be looking at closer to £3800. And don’t forget, on top of this you’ll need to add cost of flights, travel insurance, food and drink.
So for two people, sharing a room, but each riding their own bike you’re looking at £6000, plus at least £1000 for two return flights, £200 travel insurance and around £100 a day spending money. Total cost: £8000.
That’s a lot of money, a proper ‘bucket-list’ experience. Thing is… it’s worth it. And more besides. Seriously, if you can afford it, do it. It will not be a decision you regret.