In our previous articles, we have discussed how motorcycles can be much more than just a hobby. Those who can’t imagine their life without these powerful machines can easily turn their passion into a source of revenue. We have already discussed how to set up a motorcycle rental business and how to start a motorcycle business from scratch.
This time, we’re looking at another exciting business opportunity that also involves two-wheelers – motorcycle touring. In a nutshell, motorcycle tours are mostly long-distance rides organized as guided groups. Such a trip can last anywhere from one day to two weeks and cover diverse routes in the local area or another country. This market niche is still developing, and if your touring company takes it seriously, you can stand out with a truly unique offering.
Let’s take a closer look at this business idea, what the business plan may look like, and whether it has real profit potential.
Motorcycles in touring business: Who is it for and what to keep in mind?
Arranging motorcycle tours works best in regions with scenic routes and popular sightseeing spots. If your region isn’t a typical tourist hotspot, there are likely some hidden natural gems and remote places with breathtaking landscapes that can only be reached by motorcycle. In other words, motorcycle tours can be organized almost anywhere.
In terms of the target audience, motorcycle tours will most likely appeal to active riders of different age groups who already have some riding experience, although the latter isn’t necessary. As a unique option, you can offer a package for beginners that includes some basic training before the tour.
The main challenge for you as a tour organizer will be to maintain a fleet of motorbikes, plan unique routes, provide technical support, and ensure proper rest, food, and accommodation along the way.
To provide top-notch customer service, you need to take care of every single detail so that your customers have nothing to worry about throughout the trip. If a bike breaks down, a mechanic should be on hand. If medical help is needed, your guides must know how to respond. Any accommodation issues? The guides should take care of it.
If the route takes place in remote areas, you should provide camping gear and your staff should be familiar with camping essentials. You'll also need to cover plenty of miles yourself to plan and test the route before offering it to people and be ready for any potential challenges that may come along the way.
Ideally, you should have prior experience with long-distance tours, preferably in extreme conditions. A genuine passion for what you do, along with a love for working with people and the patience to meet their needs are key in this business.
Now let's talk about the packages and tour programs you may offer to your clients.
- Guided long-distance group tour – A long trip that can last up to two weeks and requires thorough preparation: itinerary planning, accommodation bookings, meal stops, and technical support; may include from 5 to 15 people.
- Weekend tour – A short trip for the weekend, usually covering nearby cities or countryside spots. These trips may include one overnight stay or be a single-day ride.
- Private tour – A fully customized tour with a luxury touch designed according to the client’s preferences. They often include high-end accommodation, special catering, desired spots to visit and may consist of just two riders.
- Event-based tour – This format is organized around major festivals, holidays, or motorcycle events, which can sometimes be hard to access without a good guide and proper arrangements.
We will start with the simplest and shortest of all the packages that you may want to try out first before arranging some really complex tours.
Weekend motorcycle tours (1-3 days)
The biggest advantage of this tour business option is that it is quite short and requires minimal gear and arrangements. In some cases, riders won’t even need any permits and licenses if we are talking about riding motocross or enduro bikes. The package is aimed at casual riders who are looking for a quick gateway without going too far away from home. Beginners and those who want to get acquainted with off-roading will also find this offer useful.
Such short 2-day programs will allow you as a tour operator to showcase your service and your team and to give your customers an understanding of what to expect on a full motorcycle tour in the future.
It’s a good idea to position this as a pre-tour training program or an intensive course designed to teach beginners the fundamentals of off-road motorcycle riding. Although basic riding skills are required, you can also encourage complete newbies to join and offer them a quick training session on a closed, prepared track before the ride. But this is only relevant in the case of enduro bikes and easy off-road routes. If the program involves riding on public roads, then this is a completely different story.
In this part of the article, we will discuss the program for a two-day tour on enduro bikes.
We suggest that you build this recreation concept around the radial one-day ride format which means that each day's route starts and ends at the same location. For this, you will need to organize a base camp with simple cabins or tents. This will be the starting point of the tour with secure parking and a space to rest.
Itinerary: Choose beginner-friendly tracks along some scenic routes somewhere in the wild: along the river, lake, or a coastal road if there is any in your region. These routes should be manageable but still offer a sense of adventure. However, mountainous or hilly areas can be a bit more challenging and may be better suited to seasoned riders. The distance should be around 100-150 km for a comfortable ride.
Accommodation: Set up a base camp if you're going for an authentic outdoor vibe. For more comfortable and luxury options, consider renting or building cozy cabins with private rooms, bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and a spacious terrace. Adding evening activities such as sauna and barbecue will make the customer experience even more enjoyable and create the atmosphere of a summer camp.
Equipment: Your group size may range from 3 to 15 people, depending on the demand and the season. So, you need to have at least 10 enduro bikes in the fleet. Also, consider allowing riders to join with their own bikes at a lower price – this will give you greater flexibility and attract more participants. Stock up with middle-range enduro motorcycles like the Sharmax Power Max 280 or the Sharmax Expert Pro 300. To cater to customers with different riding experiences, add a more comfortable option like the Sharmax Enduro Travel 250. Don’t forget that you will also need to provide all the essential riding gear for your guests.
Here is a brief overview of the tour program:
Day 1
- Arrival and check-in
- Safety briefing, receiving motorcycles and equipment, setting off on the route.
- Stops along the way for rest, photos, and lunch.
- Return to base camp by evening. Dinner, social activities, and sauna.
Day 2
- Breakfast, short briefing, departure for the route.
- Skill-building session on challenging sections of the route.
- Afternoon return to base camp.
- Handing in motorcycles and equipment, packing, and departure.
Profit potential
The concept of an all-inclusive tour implies that your customers are paying for a full package which includes motorcycle and riding gear rental, fuel, accommodation, meals, and guide services.
The final price will largely depend on your local market, the region, and seasonality. For example purposes, we suggest setting an average price at around $400 per person for a 2-day tour on a rented bike. For riders with their own vehicles, the price can be taken down to approximately $250 as they will only pay for accommodation, meals, and guide services.
With these approximate prices in mind, let’s look at the potential monthly and yearly revenue. With effective marketing and during peak season, you should be able to attract at least 5 participants every weekend, which is a rather realistic goal. With $400 per person, your total monthly income will be $8,000 and your yearly revenue will reach $96,000. This is just a very modest calculation of what you could earn from this type of motorcycle business.
If you know the area well, have off-road riding experience and enjoy teaching others, this business format could be a perfect fit for you. It doesn’t involve long-distance travel, keeps things cozy and relatively safe, and still brings in a good profit. Plus, you get to ride and connect with like-minded people, which is a great bonus. It also serves as free advertising, as word-of-mouth can help grow your business.
Long-distance motorcycle tours (1-2 weeks)
This tour format takes the motorcycle-based adventure to a whole new level for both tour guides and riders. The venture requires you to have strong organizational skills, well-structured routes, and the ability to take on a high level of responsibility.
Apart from providing proper touring motorcycles that are durable enough to withstand long and sometimes uneven roads, you will also need to partner with hotels and guesthouses along your travel itinerary, especially if the ride takes place in another country.
It’s also important to work with local guides who know the road conditions, peculiarities of the local terrain, weather patterns, and, of course, the local language. By doing so, you will significantly minimize the risks of cancellations and unexpected issues that may result in delays and ruined travel plans.
Keep in mind that your offer should be unique so that motorcycle travelers want to choose you for a long trip. If the tour is in a new country, people want to feel safe and avoid the hassle of planning. They don’t want to worry about where to stay, which routes are the safest, or what hidden gems off the beaten path are worth visiting. As the organizer, it’s your job to take care of all these details and ensure a smooth, stress-free experience. To ensure this, you may want to add a support vehicle for carrying luggage, spare parts, and emergency assistance (optional but highly recommended).
Who are your customers? Most likely, they will be a mix of experienced riders and adventurers who love to travel and are looking for something new. Some of them may be thinking about solo touring but want to try guided tours first. They have the financial means to afford a well-structured, fully organized tour where everything is taken care of.
Importantly, these tours are physically and mentally demanding, so riders should be comfortable spending long hours on the road. Off-road sections, unpredictable weather, and varied terrain can add to the challenge, making these tours best suited for those with at least some prior riding experience.
If you look at the motorcycle touring market, you'll see that these tours are organized all over the world: India, Pakistan, Nepal, North Africa, all European countries, South and North America. Depending on the location and the country, a tour can last anywhere from 15 to 20 days, with only your imagination and budget setting the limits. In our opinion, a 10-day tour is the ideal balance between adventure and comfort.
Let’s take a 10-day tour as an example.
If your guests are arriving from a different country or city, you should arrange a transfer to the starting point where your motorcycles are parked.
Itinerary: The entire route can range from 1000 km to 4000 km (in some very extreme cases where the trip lasts for 20 days). The daily riding distance should be around 200-400 km. However, this will depend on road conditions and terrain, difficulty level, and the riders’ readiness and experience. Make sure the route has a mix of paved roads, off-road sections, and scenic backroads, after all, this is what people are paying for.
Accommodation: Your rest stops should ideally be at some landmarks or local attractions. To create a completely immersive experience, you can arrange dinners with local hosts where guests can enjoy traditional cuisine and learn about the local culture firsthand.
If the route passes nearby civilization, 2-4 star hotels with breakfast will be a great accommodation choice. In more remote locations, guest cabins, small guesthouses, or tent camps set up by your guides will provide a more authentic feel.
Equipment: Your fleet should include at least 15 adventure or touring bikes suitable for long-distance travel. They should be new or nearly new as this is as this directly impacts your reputation, especially among experienced riders. Make sure the models you choose offer proper wind, dirt, and moisture protection as extended journeys can involve different weather conditions. Investing in high-quality, new bikes will enhance customer satisfaction and build trust in your tours. For example, the Sharmax GL 300 and GL 991 Ultra touring bikes come with a windshield and additional storage compartments. Opinions like the Sharmax Enduro Travel 300 and the Sharmax GL 400 Touring Bike are more lightweight and agile, ideal for the off-road section. The fuel tank capacity is another feature to pay attention to. It should be large enough to cover long distances without frequent refueling, especially in remote areas. The ideal fuel tank capacity for touring motorcycles should be at least 15-20 liters, providing a range of 300-400 km on a full tank. All Sharmax touring bikes lineup features fuel tanks starting at 15 liters, which makes them well-suited for long-distance travel.
Consider taking with you additional protective gear l(helmets, gloves, riding suits), navigation devices (GPS, maps, or a pre-loaded route app), and emergency communication tools, especially in remote areas.
Profit potential
A full-package, all-inclusive tour for 10 days for one person may start at $2,500 and go all the way up to $5,000, depending on the difficulty of the route and required arrangements. An own-vehicle package will be cheaper but still around $2,000 per rider.
Let’s say, you gather at least 5 participants per trip, and they are all renting your bikes. Let’s take an average pricing of $3,000 per person, which brings us to a revenue of $15,000 from one trip. If you are running tours in places with favorable weather conditions like Southeast Asia, parts of South America, or Southern Europe, you can easily plan 12 such trips per year. With strong marketing efforts, this is quite achievable. With consistent bookings, your total yearly revenue could reach $180,000.
However, bear in mind that your initial investments will also be high and it might take more than one year to reach the break-even point. For instance, you will need to buy at least 10 vehicles, each costing around $4,000, bringing the total to $40,000. On top of that, annual operational costs are estimated at $50,000, covering maintenance, staff, fuel, and logistics. A proper financial plan in this case will help you avoid losses and streamline the cash flow.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, running a motorcycle touring business is rather demanding – it requires significant investment, careful planning, and strong organizational skills. So, is it all worth it? It absolutely is, if you live for travel and motorcycles. Beyond money and business, it’s all about the joy of the open road, the unforgettable experiences, and the amazing people you meet along the way. If riding fuels your passion, then you'll never regret stepping into this business. Just be ready for the first few years, they might be challenging, but the rewards are well worth it.