help needed for a touring company

toad · Nov 21, 2016

Spoiler:
I am sort of plugging an idea of mine which I've already done a lot of work on and am looking for some feedback. If this is against forum rules please delete this thread and I'll never mention it again

Here goes:
Riding around the Alps a lot I notice very few Brits on bikes. So methinks that ought to change, perhaps I can even make it pay to some extent. I looked around at the competition (and there is plenty) and noticed a trend towards longer predefined tours and larger groups.

That got me thinking about USPs.

However, I am not exactly what you would call a businessman being a translator of literature and all. But what I really care about is riding along fantastic routes, enjoying the scenery, the nosh and a local brew or two in the evening. As such I have amassed a lot of experience guiding tours, even got mates to taking the test and getting them to start on the great adventure they call motorbike riding.

Anyway, as I am sort of internet and tech savvy I got a domain, designed a website and got the whole thing ready to roll for 2017.

What I'd really like from fellow bikers is some kind of feedback on the site, the idea, generally everything. Best tips are of course those providing constructive criticism...

And lest I forget - I need to get this site known to bikers without spending a fortune (which I haven't got) on advertising.

www.hi-motorbiketours.com

Again, if this shameless plugging is against forum rules DELETE now!

Many thanks in advance for your time and I'd love some feedback

Reggie · Nov 21, 2016

First toured abroad on the bike with a mate back in 2005, enjoyed it that much we thought we'd 'do it properly' the following year with a recognized tour company. We used 3 different companies four years running then we decided in 2010 we were capable of doing it on our own now. I certainly don't regret the money I spent with these people, the way we were looked after when we were unsure exactly what we were doing was very reassuring, gave us the confidence we now have to do anything we fancy.

Good luck with your new business toad...... I hope it's a success.

toad · Nov 22, 2016

Thanks for your encouraging replies!

@Bikerman
Yep, way to go. That is how I got into it. Few mates, one of whom knows just that little bit more about it all.

@Reggie
You would have been our perfect customer But seriously, you a few moons ago are exactly the kind of person I'd like to attract. Get them round hairpins, instill confidence and sooner or later they'll be able to set off on their own.

Perhaps that is something I haven't mentioned

curly · Nov 22, 2016

Good luck Toad, there will always be a market for this type of activity.
First timers have countless worries and concerns, get it right first time and word of mouth will do the rest.

Curly

Dougie D · Nov 22, 2016

That is always something I would have loved to have done, I would say go for it! Your web site does look very professional (although it might be worth getting as many photos taken of the routes as you can) and your prices seem to be competitive, I didn’t see any option for a self-guided tour where you organize all accommodation and routes for riders, I have noticed most companies do this,it might be something to look into for the future. The option of hiring a bike that already has panniers fitted might be a good idea especially if they are bringing a pillion, rather than bringing their own tank bag/panniers… if you had somewhere to store their cases until the tour ended….or even better have someone transport their luggage to the hotels every night like eagle rider do, although that would put the cost up a bit and it’s maybe only worth doing for large groups. You might have to edit the bit about the European health ins card what with Brexit? Sending out emails to motorbike clubs and informing various forums like this one is a good idea

All the best with the venture

toad · Nov 22, 2016

Wow, thanks for the time you've taken to check it all out!

Self guided tours - as you say, there are plenty enough out there and point for me is to get on the bike myself and get to know interesting and fun people - which is why I never really thought about it. Also, a predefined tour is not really what we are about. I've tried writing up a tour or two through the Alps but it is a hell of a lot of work. And if you then have a variety of options to accommodate the weather, riding conditions, ability of team members and what have you, I will invariably get my knickers in a twist

Paniers - we are in ongoing talks with a variety of bike rental companies and that is certainly one issue which will be sorted defo before April. But thanks for the reminder!

Cases - yep, we can store those! Why did I not mention it on the site?! Cheers, Dougie!

And of course you are right that a backup vehicle adds considerably to the cost of the whole venture. Perhaps later rather than sooner...

Anyway, many thanks again for your time and advice!