1. Why should I book an Ayres Adventure rather than a tour with another company?

Because of our style of operating. See: The Ayres Adventures Style.

2. How much riding experience must I have to participate in one of your trips?

You must have a valid motorcycle operator's license. You should also have experienced a trip of three or four day's duration - the approximate number of days between rest days. If you're comfortable averaging 200 miles per day, with an occasional longer day, you should do fine on trips that are specified as 100% pavement. For trips where non-paved roads are specified, you should have some off-road riding experience. For our Escape to Ushuaia Adventure, you should have some additional off-road riding experience, possibly including a training program in riding off-road.  If you have any doubt about whether your experience is adequate for the trip, please contact us.

3. How many miles will we ride per day?

It varies, depending on road conditions and the attractions along our route.  Many days include fewer than 200 miles of riding, and it's unusual for any day to exceed 300 miles. If so, be assured you'll be on good, high-speed roads. Our trips are designed to provide a good mix of sightseeing and riding. The schedule provides time for a nice breakfast, a leisurely lunch, some sightseeing and arrival at the hotel before dark. There will be time to clean-up and relax before dinner. Consult the Ayres Adventures tour descriptions for details about each trip. Also, don't hesitate to call or e-mail us if you have questions about the itineraries.

4. Must we ride every day?

No. We try to plan a rest day every three to four days. This is generally scheduled for cities or towns where there are special attractions for which you'll want to spend more than one night. It's up to you if you wish to ride on these free days.

5. Must I ride with one of your tour leaders?

You're always welcome to do so, but it isn't a requirement. You can select your own riding companions, or even ride alone, if that's more agreeable with your riding style. The maps and route materials we provide, including GPS waypoints, will enable you to find your way to the next destination.

For alternate routes in remote areas, we suggest you ride with a companion. Our tour leaders will advise you in these cases.

6. Can a non-riding guest join me on the trip?

Yes. Our support vehicles are sufficiently roomy and comfortable to provide an enjoyable ride for up to two non-riding companions. Guests who elect to pay the same rate as a rider will be guaranteed a reservation in the support vehicle. Guests who elect to pay the co-rider rate may ride in the support vehicle if space is available, without guarantee.

7. Is it necessary for me to have a GPS receiver?

It isn't necessary, but if you are accustomed to using one, bring it along.  You may enjoy visiting some of the many geocaches we’ve planted along our routes (for an explanation of the exciting new sport of geocaching, see www.geocaching.com).  We provide a RAM ball mount – you bring a power cord, cradle, and mounting arm for the ball mount.  If you’re using a Garmin GPS receiver we’ll provide GPS routes that can be uploaded to your receiver, along with GPS coordinates of hotels and other key attractions along the way.  We provide detailed, printed route instructions and maps, so if you don't have a GPS receiver, you'll still be well-equipped.

8. Are support vehicles used?

Yes. A late model, dual cab support vehicle and trailer accompany each trip. Each rider may place up to two medium-sized pieces of luggage in the support vehicle.

9. How many riders will be in the group?

Trips are limited to 10 motorcycles, plus the tour leaders.  We think customers will prefer the more custom, intimate nature of a trip with fewer motorcycles. 

10. What's included in the cost?

The tour price includes lodging based on double occupancy.  Riders wishing to reserve private accommodations may do so by adding a single room supplement to the cost of their trip. 

Our trips include all breakfasts and most dinners. In some cases (such as when we’re staying at a game lodge in Africa) lunches are included as well. (Alcoholic beverages are excluded.)

The trip price also includes airport transfers to and from the starting location of the trip (provided you arrive and depart within two days of the published arrival and departure dates), ferries, and special planned events, such as the helicopter tour of Rio de Janeiro, the boat trip at the Iguassu Falls, and the hot-air balloon flights on some Africa trips.

The base price includes the cost of the motorcycle - either a company-owned, late model motorcycle or a rental motorcycle with unlimited mileage.  A motorcycle larger than the base unit may be reserved at additional cost.  The motorcycles are equipped with panniers and a tank bag.  A top case is provided when there is a co-rider.  We deliver the motorcycle with a full tank of gas and ask that it be returned full.

The cost also includes The Plan Ahead, a customized booklet that includes route maps, directions, addresses and contact information for our hotels, emergency contact numbers, GPS coordinates and routes, and an overview of the activities and attractions for each day of the trip. The Plan Ahead is distributed approximately six to eight weeks before the start of the trip.

11. What's not included?

The fee does not include airfare or other transportation costs to the starting city of the trip, lunch, alcoholic beverages, or fuel costs for the motorcycle or the 4x4 used on the safari portion of African trips.   

While the tour price includes many planned premium activities such as boat, helicopter and hot-air balloon rides, game drives, park and entertainment admissions, it may not include an activity of specific interest to you.  The individual trip descriptions describe what is included with each tour.

The fee also does not include medical evacuation coverage.  The coverage, very modest in cost, is strongly recommended.  We'll suggest how to obtain it.  

Any items not mentioned as included are not included.

12. What type of accommodations do you provide?

Accommodation varies from comfortable, middle-class hotels and lodges to luxury hotels and game lodges, depending on the type of accommodations available along our route.  All accommodations will be clean, safe, and pleasant.  The basic tour price includes double occupancy, but you can reserve a private room if you want to pay a single room supplement.

13. What's for dinner?

In most cases, you'll order whatever you want from the restaurant menu.  You can count on restaurant selections to be first class.  Occasionally, dinners may be served buffet-style.  Alcoholic beverages are not included.

14. Can I use my own motorcycle, instead of yours?

We would consider it, depending on the specific circumstances, but we discourage it. Many of our South American trips begin in Brazil, and it’s virtually impossible to ship a motorcycle there (although it’s possible to ride it in from a neighboring country).  It’s possible to ship a motorcycle to Africa, but the shipping cost would almost certainly exceed any savings from the tour price.  If you wish to ship your own motorcycle, please contact us about details.

15. Can you commit that I will ride the model of motorcycle that I request?

We are usually able to confirm that you will ride the model of motorcycle requested on your registration form.  We will notify you immediately if all units of that model are already booked, and we will offer a different choice.

You won't be charged an upgrade fee if we must substitute a more expensive model for the model you requested.  However, if we commit to provide the “upgraded” model, and the model that you originally requested becomes available due to a cancellation, we will provide you with the model that you originally requested.  

16. I have a short inseam and require a lower motorcycle.   Can you provide one?

We can provide a lowered version of the BMW F650GS in all of our markets.  In addition, several low models of cruisers are available In New Zealand.  

17. Are your motorcycles insured for damage?

We provide damage liability insurance as required in each country.  We are self-insured for collision coverage and theft, but you are responsible for up to $1500 of motorcycle damage in Africa, Europe and New Zealand, and $2000 in South America. You will be asked in advance of the trip to authorize a charge to your credit card of either $1500 or $2000 in the event of damage to the motorcycle.  Amounts collected in excess of actual repair cost will be refunded to you.

18. What if the motorcycle breaks down?

We'll do our best to get it repaired quickly. In the meantime, if you're driving one of ours, you'll be provided a spare motorcycle.  We don't have an obligation to replace a motorcycle that has been rendered inoperable due to a traffic accident.

19. Do you have rules or regulations that we should be aware of?

We only ask that you follow the laws of the country we're riding in, that you don't conduct yourself in a manner that endangers other members of the group, and that you let us know if you plan to be late arriving at the next evening's stop.  We also insist that you not drink alcoholic beverages until after your motorcycle has been retired for the evening.  Riding privileges will be suspended for anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  If a rider operates the bike after drinking an alcoholic beverage or using a mind-altering drug, the damage waiver signed by the rider is considered null and void and the rider incurs unlimited liability for damage to the motorcycle.

20. What riding clothing should I bring?

We suggest that you bring the same riding gear that you would use during a long trip at home: helmet, boots, gloves, and riding suit. You should also pack a rain suit if your riding suit isn't waterproof.  For trips within Brazil, the temperatures will always be warm, so you can leave your electric clothing at home.  For trips to Tierra del Fuego, or the high Andes, be sure to bring along some cold weather clothing.  Depending on the area and the season, Southern Africa can occasionally be chilly, although electric clothing isn't generally used there.  During summer months, you'll encounter hot weather. The Plan Ahead for your specific trip will provide additional detail on clothing requirements.

21. How do I stay in touch with home in case of an emergency?

Our tour leaders are equipped with cellular phones and/or satellite phones and can accept calls in the support vehicle during the day, or in the hotels in the evening.  In The Plan Ahead, your customized trip itinerary booklet, we describe how you can subscribe to a telephone service that makes it possible for your family to call you from the U.S. or Canada very inexpensively.  You'll find that telephone and internet charges are relatively inexpensive in South America.

In Africa, we can assist you in obtaining your own cell phone for use during your stay.  The base rental for the phone is less than $1.00 per day.  Outgoing calls to North America are expensive, but calls from North America to the cell phone are very inexpensive if you subscribe to the telephone service we recommend before you leave home.  Then, friends and family members can contact you on your own cell phone when you aren’t riding. The procedure for arranging this is described in The Plan Ahead.

22. How do I compare the cost of your tours to those of another company?

It’s not accurate to divide the cost of the tour by the length of the tour as published in a catalog or on a web site.  Other tour operators often include travel days to and from the point of departure in the length of their tours even though these days (as many as three or four) are not actually part of the tour.

The best way to compare similar trips is to divide the tour price by the number of nights of lodging that are included.  Then, adjust for other included attractions.  Ayres Adventures includes planned activities, such as boat rides, helicopter rides, hot air balloon rides, admissions, game drives, entertainment, etc.  Most other companies do not.

You’ll also find that some companies charge nearly as much for a passenger as they do for a rider even though it isn’t necessary to provide the passenger with a motorcycle.  By comparison, Ayres Adventures charges a relatively modest fee for the passenger.

23. Are there incentives for taking two of your tours back-to-back?

Yes.  For back-to-back trips with a gap of ten or fewer days, we'll provide a motorcycle with unlimited mileage for up to five days without charge during the gap.  You'll be responsible for fuel costs and for your meals, lodging, and other expenses for the days between the tours, but the use of the bike is on us.  (Depending on the service requirements for the motorcycle, the vehicle may be "out-of-service" for one day between the tours.)

24. What if I cannot make the trip after having made a deposit?

We strongly recommend that you obtain trip cancellation/interruption insurance from an insurance company or opt for protection available from Ayres Adventures. This insurance provides for payment of a refund in the event you are prevented from taking or completing the trip because of a qualifying circumstance.  Additional information on this option is included on our web page:  Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance.

25. Do you handle airline reservations?

We have partnered with a travel corporation to assist our riders in booking the airline portion of their Ayres Adventure.  Use of their services is entirely optional, however there are many advantages, not the least of which is that we'll pick-up the fee for their services to our riders  Read more about this service here.

26. I have some questions that aren't answered on this list.  Where can I get additional information?

Send an email message to ron@ayresadventures.com.  You'll receive a prompt response. You may call toll free at 877-275-8238, locally at 972-635-5210, or write us at: