We understand that booking a motorcycle tour of this duration is a big commitment both financially and in terms of time and preparation. Here are some of the most common questions we are asked before riders make a booking. If you wish to meet with us prior to booking to ask more questions, do not hesitate to contact us and we can set up a one-to-one meeting. In addition, we hold a Pre-Tour Meeting for the group at our premises between 3 – 6 months prior to the start of the expedition.
What type of bike do I need?
Our expeditions are designed so that you can use your own motorcycle. We recommend that you use a dual purpose / adventure style bike. We support any make and model. Our Support Crew ride the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro or Triumph Tiger 1200 Rally Explorer. We also have extensive experience with the BMW GS motorcycle range, having ridden them for over 15 years. What is important is that you have a reliable and robust bike that you are comfortable riding and has been fully serviced prior to the start and has new tyres.
What riding experience do I need?
We generally recommend that you are an experienced motorcyclist, who has ridden overseas before and is used to touring. You will enjoy the experience more if your riding is of an advanced standard and by that we mean you have a good command of slow control (eg you don’t dangle your feet or paddle at slow speeds and can U-turn your bike), you are assertive on the road and have good forward planning and hazard perception, you are able to perform safe and precise overtakes and are able ride to the legal speed limits. You also need to have some experience of riding your motorcycle on unpaved surfaces such as gravel, and dirt as some of the route is on these types of roads. In addition, if there any roadworks on our route, normally diversions will be on temporary dirt roads.
Please note that our route covers around 10% of dirt and gravel roads (up to 800 miles), although as the infrastructure develops, this may reduce in future years.
It remains your responsibility to ensure your motorcycling skills are up to the requirements for this trip. If you need to improve your off road riding skills, attending a training school such as Adventure Bike Training www.adventurebiketraining.co.uk, Triumph Adventure Experience https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/adventure-experience or BMW Off Road Skills is highly recommended.
How does motorcycle freight work?
Included in your expedition price is freight to and from the UK, but no matter where you are based in the world, we can facilitate freight of your motorcycle. Freight outside of the UK may incur additional costs – please ask us for a quote, or you are at liberty to organise your own freight and we will provide you with a price that excludes any motorcycle freight costs.
You must take your motorcycle to the appointed freight depot on the given date. Our freight agent will pack your motorcycle and do all the necessary documents. Your motorcycle will be sea or air freighted (depending on numbers) to Vancouver. At the other end, the GlobeBusters Team facilitate the customs clearance of your motorcycle. You must be physically present for your motorcycle to be Customs cleared; we cannot do it on your behalf. When the trip finishes, you will need to ride your bike to our Montreal freight agent, who will sea freight your motorcycle back to the original leave point, unless you have made alternative arrangements with us. When your motorcycle arrives back to its original port, you will be notified to organise collection. Our freight agent can deliver you bike from their depot to your home or dealer, at an extra charge, directly payable by you to them.
What about servicing & tyres?
You must ensure that your motorcycle has had a full service prior to arriving and has new tyres. Tyre choice is your responsibility but we do discuss what some of the options available at our Pre-Expedition Meeting.
Our route is around 7,800 miles. Some bikes may need a service and others may not. Whilst it may not time exactly with your service interval, the best place for servicing en route is Montreal where we have a three night stay, and this is the half way point of the trip. You are responsible for taking your bike to the dealer and the paying for the costs of the service and new tyres directly with the dealer. We can assist you in making your service appointment, if required.
What about motorcycle insurance?
For non-USA/Canada riders, there are very limited options to get 3rd party insurance for a foreign registered motorcycle. Your domestic insurance provider will not cover Canada. There is a specialist provider based in the USA, with a maximum of 3rd party coverage available of US$300,000. We will provide all the details you need for applying for third party insurance at our pre-expedition meeting.
Is it difficult to get fuel?
We have never had any issue with finding fuel. In certain regions, once en route, we will warn you in advance of any possible fuel shortages or if there is a route with a key fuel stop, where everyone must fill up with fuel to get to the next destination. It is not necessary to fit any after-market large fuel tank or carry fuel bottles, although some riders chose to do so. Our support vehicle also carries spare fuel for emergencies.
What is the average group size?
Our motorcycle groups are normally between 10 – 16 riders (some with passengers). Our groups are often very international and whilst the majority of riders come from the UK, we also get riders from USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Germany and so on. Groups are predominantly solo male riders, but every expedition normally has between one to four couples travelling.
Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
We have had other riders successfully complete this ride with a pillion passenger. Your passenger needs to also be an experienced tourer, used to long distance riding and riding on unpaved roads. Your passenger must ride the motorcycle each touring day – there is no option to sit in the support vehicle as this is only for participants who are ill or injured, or unless the road conditions are too difficult for a rider and passenger to attempt two-up.
Is there a support vehicle?
All our motorcycle expeditions have a dedicated GlobeBusters Support Vehicle, driven by a GlobeBusters Support Driver. It is capable of carrying two motorcycles and two passengers. Our support vehicles carry a satellite phone, mobile phone, medical bag and spinal board, spare fuel, water, tools, some spare parts, some spare tyres. Our support vehicle provides temporary assistance to you if you have a mechanical problem or have had an accident and are injured or if you are ill.
This is not a luggage vehicle – you must carry your own luggage on your motorcycle. For more information, please see our Support Vehicle section.
What meals are included?
This tour operates primarily on a room only basis as there are many motels and hotels that do not offer breakfast on an inclusive basis and rely on third party restaurants. You will receive complimentary breakfasts at some locations. We do not include lunch to allow you the freedom to manage your own riding day, but we do give you suggestions for lunch options. There is one inclusive group dinner per week, which is a 3 course menu, but drinks are not included.
Do I have to ride in a group?
No! We do not make you ride in convoy. We offer you the freedom to decide how you would like to ride. We give you a road book, GPS co-ordinates and hotel information. You can use this to self-navigate. If you prefer to ride with one of the GlobeBusters Team, then you can do this.
What documents do I need?
You will need your original documents as follows: Passport (valid for more than 6 months after the end of your trip), Motorcycle Registration Document or Title, Driving Licence of your country of residence, International Driving Permit (1949), minimum 3rd Party Motorcycle Liability Insurance Certificate, Travel / Medical Insurance Certificate (see below).
You should note that we need to request copies of the above documentation, which we have to send to suppliers who are outside the UK/EU and who do not have the safeguards in place with regard to data protection as we have within the EU. These suppliers are for services such as motorcycle freight, hotels, customs clearance, ferry services. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Do I need visas for travel?
UK Citizens do not require a visitor visa in advance for travel to Canada. However, Canada does require you to complete an eTA prior to travel. This costs CAN$7. Please make sure you use the official Canada Government website to apply for the eTA, shown here:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
As visa requirements are dependent on your nationality and are complex with constantly changing requirements, we would direct you to our preferred visa agency for advice.
http://www.thevisamachine.com/
The above information is general information and provided in good faith. It is your responsibility to have the correct visas in place prior to travel. Other nationalities should check as to the visa requirements.
Is Canada safe?
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) monitors overseas destinations and provides destination travel advice for UK nationals. GlobeBusters monitors the advice from the FCDO and any decisions taken regarding a Tour’s safety and security will use the vast experience of the company’s 17 years of operating as well as the FCDO advice. In the interests of your safety and security, changes may be made to your Tour based on any FCDO warnings given.
We strongly recommend that you read the information about the country you are planning to visit to be fully informed – each country has a summary and general information as well as advice on safety & security, local laws & customs, entry requirements and health, and road conditions.
If you are not a UK national please make sure you have checked your own country’s travel advice for your destination/s: The US Department of State: http://travel.state.gov Canadian Foreign Affairs: www.voyage.gc.ca Australian Government Travel Advice: www.smartraveller.gov.au NZ Government Travel Advice: www.safetravel.govt.nz.
What will the weather be like?
This motorcycle expedition is run in June and July, mainly prior to peak season. On average daytime temperatures will range between 16C – 24C for most of the journey. However, in Labrador, we could still experience colder days, with rain and fog along the Trans Labrador in particular and if we are unlucky temperatures may only be around 10C – 12C.
What about my health when I am abroad?
You need to be physically fit and healthy and also take the necessary health precautions. It is essential for you to consult your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date medical travel information prior of travel, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition. For up-to-date medical advice you may wish to use the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad “MASTA” https://www.masta-travel-health.com/, the NHS website http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx or NaTHNaC https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/.
You will be obliged to disclose any medical condition or medication that you are taking to GlobeBusters in advance and to your Tour Manager at the start of your Tour, for health and safety purposes. We provide you with our Emergency Details Form for this purpose and to collect information about who to contact for you back home in the event of an emergency.
Please note that when we are remote on this route (for eg riding the Trans Labrador Highway), emergency services often may be a long distance away, with the associated long response times. Equally the medical facilities in remote settlements may not have the same level of medical infrastructure that you would find in a main town or city. Please do not book this trip if this unduly concerns you. We recommend that you take out Global Rescue Membership for field rescue in remote locations in case of any accident which causes serious injury, as this may result in a quicker transportation time to hospital.
First Aid Training
It is not a requirement to be first aid trained to participate in this expedition. However, we do strongly recommend that you consider doing a motorcycle first aid course. Some sections of this trip are remote and hundreds of miles away from medical treatment. If you, or a rider you are with, are involved in any accident, whilst not riding with or not close to the support team, having first aid skills may make a significant difference to an injured party.
Travel / Medical Insurance
It is a condition of you travelling with us that you are adequately insured. Your insurance policy must cover you for the costs of any medical expenses, medical treatment or repatriation needed, due to injury or illness on this trip, including those that occur whilst motorcycle touring, either as the rider or a passenger. It is important that your insurance company understands that the MAIN PURPOSE of your trip is motorcycle touring, using your own large capacity cc motorcycle or a rental motorcycle. Your insurance must cover you for the full duration of the trip and for all countries we travel through.
In addition, we strongly recommend that your insurance policy has cover for loss or damage to your personal belongings, delay at your outward or homeward point of departure, personal liability, overseas legal expenses and cancellation and curtailment.
We also strongly recommend that you take out your travel insurance at the time of paying your trip as cover will commence for pre-departure cancellation from the policy issue date. This will therefore provide cover should you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason such as illness or serious injury. We do not refund your deposit simply because you failed to take out insurance in sufficient time.
What about local currency?
The base currency for this trip is the Canadian Dollar. The websites below will give you the current rates of exchange.
http://www.oanda.com/
http://www.travelex.co.uk/
Minimum Numbers
We require a minimum number of 8 riders on this tour. If we do not have this number of bookings, then we reserve the right to cancel the tour.