Need feedback on a motorcycle business idea

[still.southern]

I would also have 50cc scooters for short local hops.

Maybe some Jawa 350s for a "local" flair too!

MikeB. Thanks for the very helpful advice. I'll have to find out about scheduling an opportunity to talk to the economics officer soon, wasn't aware that that position existed. I'm leaning KLR, but the Enfields are just awesome looking bikes and I'm guilty of liking the style. The problem with road bikes is that your travel is limited to the city, the roads outside the city frequently change to gravel (think up to grapefruit size rocks) and then back to pavement. As for supply chain there is none...but I'm working on improving that now. As for the American riders not being the ideal segment, I'm well aware of the issues. Part of my goal with the business is to market both the adventure and the country, so I figure I want to hear some of the objections so I know what obstacles I'll need to overcome in the US, all the while probably getting my main customer base out of Europe. If we get up and running I'll let you know and make you an offer!

Thanks for the feedback guys, keep it coming!

[Zop_man]

I think i would go with 2 bikes, a quad, and a side by side. I can just see a group coming through and not everyone knowing how to ride.

[still.southern]

Originally Posted by Zop_man

I think i would go with 2 bikes, a quad, and a side by side. I can just see a group coming through and not everyone knowing how to ride.

Hmmm...I should probably clarify that I'm envisioning multi-day tours rather than day trips through one part of the mountians (as you would find in a place like Moab). That sort of rules out quads and side by sides since they aren't necessarily road legal and I don't care to challenge the very corrupt police here by riding some non-street legal vehicles down the road. Maybe I need to expand my vision a little and look into the possibility of day activities.

[tgelphman]

I like to think i travel more than the average person but don't think i'd rent a bike as part of the trip. One i'd be unsure of terrain and laws. I'd also be leery of putting myself at risk away from adequate medical. I've rented jeeps before though and loved the ability to explore. I felt more comfortable having four wheels under me so i could stop easily to take pictures, eat, etc. I'm guessing your target audience would definitely be more long-term hard core riders. Marketing to them would probably be on bike based websites such as this as well. Good luck and if it is truly something you feel you could make a go of than power too you. After all, i would never have thought the pet rock would make it either but one never knows.

[rb608]

Originally Posted by still.southern

So the first question just a general feedback request. What do you think? Is it a type of vacation you'd be interested in? etc.

$.02. Sounds fun, but the first thing that came to mind was liability. I don't know what the laws are there or what laws would apply; but if some tourist maims himself riding a bke he got from you; you're likely in serious trouble.

Secondly, I'd stick to modest size bikes and have some darned good way of ensuring competence on the part of the renter. You sound as though you're well-travelled, so you're probably better experienced to know what motorcycle operating requirements/permits are issued by other countries and whether or not they're worth the paper they're printed on; but that's something I'd think you want to be prepared for. In addition to the personal injury liability above, you don't want some newbie riding 25% of your assets off a mountain.

As for your "fleet size", I'd say have enough on hand to make sure you have enough operable bikes for any given client while figuring on a few in the shop. Also, I'd expect that a lot of clients would travel as a group such as a group from an MC or HOG chapter travelling together.

But yeah, sure, if I had the $$$ to go to Europe, I'd love to tour by bike. I'd suggest tying in with other attractions, & destinations to help provide a more complete experience and generate repeat business as word-of-mouth. Good luck, if you do it.

[MikeB]

.I should probably clarify that I'm envisioning multi-day tours rather than day trips through one part of the mountians (as you would find in a place like Moab).

In that case you really have to think of guided tours only. Setting off on unknown roads in an unknown country is something that only the most adventurous would try, even with maps, GPS and directions to B&B yurts along the route. Americans, especially, need a certain level of security in places where they don't speak the language or know the customs -- they've seen too many travel shows where the honored visitor is supposed to eat the goat's eyes at the village feast. Only the best for our foreign friends!

One of things you might do is talk to members of the local riding community to see if there are some riders who speak English and are reliable enough to guide a group. (Or, alternatively, find some energetic young hospitality grads from the local university and teach them to ride.) I say this because I'm guessing you don't speak Kyrgyz, Uzbek, or Turkish well enough just yet to talk your way out of trouble, whether mechanical, cultural or legal. And depending on how lengthy or demanding the tour will be, you may even have to think in terms of a chase vehicle in case of breakdowns. With you along as the organizer and a local rider as fixer/guide most potential Western clients would have some peace of mind.

[1234thunder]

I too run my own small business. My two cents....

First, can you do your own maintenance/repair work. Anytime you got renters you got damage. You must have the bike back running for the next renter.

You also have to have some way of assuring customers that their personal goods will be save and not stolen. I know when I travel, theft is a constant problem. In America I can interpret my surroundings. In a foreign country it is awfully hard to read the landscape.

Finally, I love your spirit. Why not go into a partnership with one of the jeep rental places. You can start with two bikes, keep the day job and see how it goes. By tagging onto their web site and business connections, you can see how your idea works out. Very little cost for a full fledged market study.

Good luck.

[woodboats]

My cousin and I have started riding tours in North Vietnam and North India. We use Honda 250’ for Vietnam and Royal Enfield 500’s for India.
One difference with what we do, compared to what you will undertake is we don’t own the bikes, they are rented from selected companies.

I will tell write a bit of info that works for us and may or may not be any use to you.

First, unless it is daily scooters I wouldn’t bother renting to solo riders. Stick to group rides.
Minimum of 4 max of 8 are our group sizes. We target “old buggers” like me for our rides, where you could target all age groups.

There will already be folks offering these type of tours in your area, probably outside companies, but they will be there. Your advantage is being an “in house “ company and you should make a point of that to your customers.

Try and have a few tours to offer. From 3 day to 2 weeks. Over 2 weeks is possible, but a lot of people just can’t get that time off work.
A support vehicle is a great way for your customers to have confidence with this sort of riding. Not only for carrying luggage, but also usually driven by a mechanic who is usually a local and can help with language problems, plus carry out repairs.

Accommodation can be the best available intermixed with the more cultural home stays/tents. We include all food, bikes, fuel, accommodation etc. Pretty well everything except personal spending and booze.

Meet and greet is very important for us. Arriving in a strange Asian/Indian city and having someone there to get you takes a big load off customers minds, many who possibly have never been to this type of country.

By offering a full, no secret stuff sort of package everyone knows where they stand and can budget accordingly. If Kyrgyzstan is like a lot of developing countries you will be lucky just to get 3rd Part Insurance.

I think you have a good idea. Might even bring a few over and join one of your rides. Of course it is very important to ride, stay and eat in all of the places that you offer tours. Keeping in mind that you will get discounts for your group rides, some of which you can pass on to your customers and some of which goes into your profit margin.

Bikes? Something affordable, easy to work on and parts aren’t going to cost you the earth to get.. I own 2 Enfields and just recently spent a month in the Himalayas on one, the only problem in that time was a broken speedo cable. But I am partial to Enfields, lol New Enfields have fuel injection and disk brakes. If there is a popular bike in your area (and mechanics that are used to working on them, then also consider these bikes)

Keep us informed of your progress.
Cheers

[hunnus2000]

Just a couple of points:

1) What is my motivation for spending that kind of money to go to some country I know nothing about? I have researched bike tours in Alaska and bike rentals in New Hampshire but then again, I know something about those areas.

2) I like the idea of adding scooters to your transportation idea. Might want to consider bicycles too.

3) I would only consider bikes that can be repaired easily and parts are readily available.

What about ATV tours?

[SirMoby]

Have you compared scooters to motorcycles?

125 to 250cc scooter can get 80-100 MPG. Upgrade the tank to 3 or 4 gallons and you have something that will go a long way through areas where gas stations might be hard to find.

Scooters are automatic so they'll be much easier for tourists to ride. I assume there's lots of hills and mountains on these trails and the clutch could be an issue for someone that hasn't ridden lately or much at all. Either way, it removes an objection when trying to convince customers. Could make it safer as well.

Sure, these things won't hit 90 MPH but your customers aren't hitting the Autobahn. They're going through back roads where few cars can go 55 safely. Even if they will be on the highway you don't want them hitting a pot hole while speeding at 80+.

Think about it.

As an experienced rider, if you could rent a 250cc scooter would you pass just because it's not a motorcycle or would you still do it?

If you were a less experienced rider or haven't ridden in years, would you be more likely to rent an automatic scooter then you would be to rent a motorcycle?

Don't just think about what YOU want to do. Think about what your CUSTOMERS want to do and are willing to pay.