Question: What if I have questions about one of your tour's that your web site does not cover?
Answer: Please call us, or email your question, we will try to answer as soon as possible. It is simply impossible to cover all items on a web site when world situations are changing so rapidly and new challenges are popping up more frequently than they did in the ‘good old days’.
Question: If I phone for a chat, am I going to get the 'old hard sell' as I am not sure if I have the riding experience for such a trip?
Answer: Of course we believe that riding in the European Alps, Greece USA and New Zealand will be one of the best fun riding adventures you will ever do! However, we only try to give the real information you require such as evaluating your skill level etc.
A trip such as this needs total commitment from the participants, and in no way do we try and convince someone that would not be comfortable to ride in such a challenging (but hugely rewarding) environment, these trips are for motorcyclists with experience and must be able to master the basic slow riding skills, such as hill stops, u-turns and hairpin/switchback turns.
In simple terms equating to snow skiing, Europe, Greece, some parts of New Zealand & the USA are not learning slopes, they are Intermediate to advanced skill requirement slopes 'so to speak' (with heaps of ‘expert only riding’ for those that love a challenge).
Question: How do I find the price and then book on one of your tours?
Answer: Our prices* are competitive and are priced below market rates for the overall length of stay, included free days, motorcycle usage, and extras that we provide on our tours. If you are interested on joining one of our tours get in touch with us.
At this stage of contact we give you the options and time frames for joining us on one of our Tours. We would also require at least a 10% deposit of the chosen tour's total price to confirm your place.
Question: What happens if I have to cancel after I have paid my deposit?
Answer: Right up until 3 months out from tour start date, you will get back all monies paid, less a cancellation/booking fee of $750.00NZD (This applies to a couple, or a single booking). From up until 2 months out from tour start date, there is a 50% cancellation fee, then from 6 weeks out from tour start date, 100% cancellation fee applies.
Question: So how can I protect myself from total loss of tour monies paid?
Answer: When Air tickets are purchased you MUST take out full travel insurance at the same time, they do cover for genuine unexpected tour cancellations. Generally speaking, all air travel should be purchased at least 3 month prior to the start of the tour.
Question: What Motorcycle riding experience is needed?
Answer: We feel you should have at least a full year or two of motorcycle riding (with full motorcycle licence) under your belt before going, but it varies per person.
We have been on tours with people who did not have that much experience, but they took it slow and reasonable and had a fabulous time. If you happen to go with a group, it is more important that you are willing to ride the same speed as the rest of that particular group.
Some people join us to ride motorcycles quickly on the excellent European Alpine roads and If there is a miss-match of riders in a small group and someone feels pushed past their comfort level, it can be very stressful and will take the fun out of the day’s adventures
Question: What is included on a Beker’s MCT Tour?
Answer: We include...
- Accommodation in 4 Star Hotels (French/Swiss Tour there are some 3 star).
- Pick-up/Drop off (Airport, Train station etc).
- New BMW Motorcycle (RT’s and GT’s are a little extra) on some tours Late model Harley-Davidson’s® are provided.
- All Breakfasts.
- Dinners (3 to 5 Course), except on Free Days.
- Back Up and Luggage Van.
- Guides - Fully Guided or self guided (Your choice).
- Comprehensive Tour Book.
- Maps.
- Tour Pack.
- Unlimited KM’s.
- All Tours are limited to Maximum 20 people.
Question: What is not included on a Beker’s MCT Tour?
Answer: We do Not include...
- Fuel for your motorcycle, autobahn/Tunnel/Ferry tolls, entrance to museums, sightseeing sites you choose to visit etc, gratuities and tips. Lunch’s and coffee stops.
- Room charges incurred by you on tour, this may include but is not limited to bar tabs, mini bar charges, lunches charged to you room etc.
- Travel insurance (This is a must and your policy should include all medical and also cover Motorcycle riding whilst in Europe and the USA please note: New Zealand does have automatic Government run accident insurance coverage as of this date November 2013). Your travel to and from your tour start and finish locations.
Question: What type of bike will I be riding?
Answer: For our European Alps tours we offer late model BMW's and 2014 on Harley-Davidson's®, we all ways try our best to match the bike to the rider which sometimes is on the day of pick-up. For our USA Sturgis and New Zealand tours we offer late model Harley-Davidson® Touring Bikes.
Question: Do you provide Route Maps with the Tour book?
Answer: Yes, we have our own very comprehensive tour book with many riding tips and suggestions as well as route maps for each days riding.
The route maps included in our tour book are only suggested routes and allow for tour members to explore the Alps based on their own interests. We try to get this book to all participants six weeks before the start date on any tourso that it can be studied carefully, ensuring a degree of familiarity before we leave our Hotel on our first day of riding.
Question: Do you have group meetings where we can ask questions from the day’s adventures and what to expect for the next day’s riding.
Answer: Yes! We try to meet every day, (or other day) to discuss the route ahead and debrief the days riding. These safety and heads-up meetings are an important part of the adventure as a lot of riders venture out by themselves and need to know as much current information as they can gleam.
Question: I normally ride with a G.P.S, should I bring my own G.P.S?
Answer: If you have a late model GPS with your desired countries mapping (or can get the maps required) definitely bring it along, some of our tour members that are well practiced in the art of GPS navigation, purchase new updated GPS's / maps from the country they are touring in.
Please Note: The start of any tour is not the most desirable time to try and learn the correct operation of an unfamiliar device; users should be well practiced and very familiar with GPS operation before heading out on unfamiliar highways on a motorcycle.
Question: How much Luggage should I bring?
Answer: All Airlines are restricting baggage limits now days, so of course most important is your riding gear, and light quick dry garments with a change of tidy dress for evening meals at the hotels (European hotels are quite formal in dress code for dinners).
Question: How do I get from the Airport/Train Station to the first hotel?
Answer: In Europe, New Zealand and USA we endeavour to try and personally meet/greet you on arrival, when this is not possible we will arrange pick-up or forward the details required for shuttles or Taxi to your Hotel.
Question: What are the Hotels/Accomodation like?
Answer: The hotels have been handpicked for their great location, proximity to amenities and all have fantastic service. In general they are top quality 4 star Hotels/Lodges and all get the thumbs-up from the Lady folk and gents alike.
Question: I don't speak German, or any foreign languages, will that be a problem?
Answer: No problem! Personally, I do not speak any language other than English, and a smattering of German but the hotels all understand that most of us only speak English, so breakfast, dinner, all interactions inside the hotel are very relaxed and in English.
While you are out "at large" in Europe, 99 percent of the Europeans you encounter will know EXACTLY what you are (a friendly English speaking motorcyclist) and with a smile and a little game of charades you can really go a long way. You have to understand why, the European Alps are small in over all area, and yet they speak so many languages; they do not have the same expectations as we have in English speaking countries, that a visitor speak their language. Sure, I still get a little embarrassed when I'm sitting in Slovenia, and I don't speak the local "Slovenian Dialect", but it really is not a big deal. The Europeans are used to it - very few German visitors speak Italian, and fewer southern Italians speak German, and the same for the French, etc. The fact is Europeans are just more relaxed about this than us English speakers.
Question: How many kilometres apart are the hotels - how far do I have to ride each day?
Answer: Most of the hotels are only about 2 to 3 hour’s drive apart on the major 4 and 6 lane highways. However, the little curvy mountain pass roads are MUCH longer at a much slower speed.
On a typical day you might drive the motorcycle 3 - 5 continuous hours, but then stop for lunch and site-seeing. Your day can stretch out into 6 or even 8 hours from hotel to hotel. Something interesting is that we have quite a few stays in the same hotels for two nights in a row to give you an optional break and to do some site-seeing if you like.
Question: What if I damage the motorcycle, how much am I liable for?
Answer: In Europe we use both BMW's & Harley-Davidsons® the following applies to both brands. This may include scratches to the saddlebags, paintwork etc, or if the bike is dropped in the car park due to unfamiliarity with the BMW's/Harley Davidson® kickstand or such like.
The cost of the damaged part is all that is charged to you, with up to a maximum of 2,000 Euros. BMCT’s bike supplier charges only what BMW or Harley Davidson® charges them, this is very fair. In USA there is a USD$2,000.00 deductable & in New Zealand NZD$3,000.00 in both these countries at present we only use Harley-Davidsons®
Question: Why should I tour with Beker’s MCT?
Answer: We have been travelling the world since our late teens on motorcycles and started Harley-Davidson® motorcycle touring in the USA and Europe from 1978. We want to pass on our passion of riding in the USA and Europe to as many riders as possible, plus provide you with the best service that we can offer, wonderful hotels, modern motorcycles and great riding companions, you get all of this for a very competitive rate.
