Best of Adventure Touring Companies - Who's Worth The Ride

Framing The Debate:  Who to Choose - Who is Worth the Ride

You've done enough weekend rides.  You've punished every decent trail within four hours of home.  Now you're staring at a map of Utah, Colorado, Japan, the Alps, or wherever your dreams are pushing you, and thinking:  do I tackle this alone, do I travel with my regular group, or do I pay someone to make sure I don't end up stranded with a blown fork seal and no cell signal?

Welcome to the guided ADV tour debate.  It's one of the more spirited arguments in the moto community much like whether the "GS is overrated" and "tubeless on dirt:  yes or no."  Strong opinions and favorites, but who is right?  

Guided Vs. Solo:  The Setup

Going solo is everyone's dream until it isn't.  In certain corners of the world, it's also a great way to have a very bad time wondering if you'll laugh or cry.  Guided adventure isn't for people who can't figure it out for themselves; it is for people who want the authentic adventure "feel" while doing the math and realizing logistics, language, border crossings, mechanical support and route knowledge are a full-time job.  Do all five at once in a foreign country on a rented bike you've never ridden and see how fun it feels when the s*$% hits the fan.  

With that in perspective, here's what a "good" guided tour actually buys you:

• Route Knowledge:  Local guides know the good, the bad and the ugly
• A Support Vehicle:  When something goes sideways (which it usually does), you do not want to be calling for a tow in a sheep pasture or desert in the middle of nowhere
• Group Dynamics:  Laugh and enjoy the ride together; experience an adventure with people you might not otherwise meet
• Accommodation and Logistics:  Let someone else sort it out so you can focus on the ride
• Bikes Provided:  It's not feasible to transport your bike all over the world unless you are Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman with the Long Way crew

That said, the downside:  You're on someone else's schedule, riding someone else's pace.  If you need to rip 400 miles before noon, going solo might be your better option.  Thus, the cautionary note is "know thyself" in assessing any kind of experience whether guided or solo.

The Companies:  A No-Fluff Breakdown

Edelweiss Bike Travel - "The OG of Guided Moto Tours":

Based in Austria, Edelweiss is considered the OG of Guided Moto Tours for a reason.  If there was a grandfather of motorcycle touring, Edelweiss would be it.  Running tours since 1980 and operating in over 180 destinations worldwide, these guys basically invented the template for what a commercial moto tour looks like.  They've been doing this for longer than most of their competitors have been riding.

Edelweiss is Europe-first, but that's like saying the Alps are "just some hills".  Their catalog is enormous with classic road tours, adventure dirt focused tours, fun rides, training academies, and even scooter tours looking for a less than GS sized commitment.  They've expanded into China, Mongolia, Japan, Namibia and South America with an ever-increasing goal of world domination.  They offer bikes ranging from BMW, Ducati, KTM, Triumph, Harley, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Vespa and more.  Wherever you want to go and whatever you want to ride - they likely offer a matching combination.  

Mischief Take:  Edelweiss is the safe bet if you want a polished, well run, no surprises tour with excellent equipment and guides who know the road.  Arguably the most consistent experience on this list, their early bird discounts are worth watching for.

MotoQuest - "Global but Notable for Alaskan Expertise":

Based in Alaska, Oregon and California, MotoQuest built their name on Alaska; specifically, the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay which is epic for gravel, isolation and mosquitos.  They've since gone full global with tours across Asia, South America, Europe and Africa.  They also boast one of the most notable motorcycle rental fleets on the West Coast.

MotoQuest leans hard into the adventure side of ADV.  These aren't manicured road tours through vineyard country.   Their itineraries include places like Patagonia, Vietnam, Romania and South Africa.  Because of their Alaskan roots, everything they do features raw landscapes, genuine remoteness, and guides who actually ride rather than just navigate.  Their fleet is heavy on BMW GS but that seems appropriate for this kind of touring.

Mischief Take:  If your bucket list has "Dalton Highway" written on it then MotoQuest is your company.  For hardcore ADV riders who actually want adventure, this is one of the most authentic operations out there.  This is not a spa touring company, but the trip will be well worth it if you crave true adventure.  With 20+ years of expertise in Alaska, you will have unmatched expertise and be well guided for the landscape demands.

Compass Expeditions - "The Expedition Grade Operator":

If you're looking for expertise in the land down under, Compass Expeditions is the company for you!  Established in the mid 2000's, Compass Expeditions is the company that shows up on National Geographic's Top 50 Tours of a Lifetime list.  Based in Melbourne Australia, they've built a reputation for running some of the most ambitions expeditions including 80+ day crossings through Africa and South America that make most tours look like a Sunday ride.  

Compass specializes in true expedition style touring through trans-continental routes in Mongolia, Patagonia, Australia and Africa.  Their celebrity connections with Dakar legend Simon Pavey and Long Way crew member Charley Boorman bring legitimacy beyond marketing flash.  They offer a tiered riding grade system, and their small group format means guides can actually pay attention to riders individually.  Their unique 4WD tour arm also means non-riding partners can join the ride.

Mischief Take:  Compass is the operator for riders who've graduated from guided tour to guided expedition.  If you want the experience of riding the length of Africa, Compass is one of the few that can make it happen.  They are worth every dollar, but rider beware before you sign up for 80+ days in the saddle.

RIDE Adventures - "The Patagonia Specialists":

RIDE Adventures was born in Patagonia in 2010 and that origin tells you everything you need to know about their primary expertise.  Their goal was to get riders to South America on real bikes, riding real routes.  But don't be fooled, they now cover Asia, Africa, Europe and North of America and remain one of the more accessible options in terms of price without feeling like corners have been cut in doing so.

Their real differentiator is flexibility.  They run self-guided tours, truck-supported self-guided tours, guided group tours and private group tours so you can experience an adventure in a variety of ways.  Patagonia is their home turf and greatest strength.  They also run ADV training programs in the U.S. which is a solid option to sharpen your skills before committing to an international trip.  Bike selection includes Honda, CF Moto, BMW GS and Yamaha.

Mischief Take:  RIDE Adventures is the most honest value on the list.  If Patagonia is your goal, this is your operator.  The self-guided truck supported format is a great option that gives you freedom, backup and accessible pricing.  

GlobeRiders (Legacy) - "Retired but Worth Knowing About":

It would be a disservice not to bring in GlobeRiders.  Even though it is in limbo looking for a new owner to run it, it is a company worth keeping in mind if someone picks this company up and runs it with the same philosophy of shipping personal bikes to foreign destinations, teaching navigation and maintenance and routes that the travel industry has never heard of.  

Mischief Take:  This is a "keep on the radar" type of company for sure.

Ayres Adventures - "The Luxury Bracket"

Ayres Adventures is a premium brand rated as the top moto tour for luxury accommodations.  They're know primarily in North America as the Adventure Tour for Alaska and the Yukon with serious scenery without the tent.  BMW is their standard, but you are welcome to bring your own ride. 

Mischief Take:  Ayres is for the rider who wants the Dalton Highway done in style without the gas station burritos called "authentic".  If your budget is generous and you're a fan of the proverbial Hilton, then Ayres delivers.

Grit Moto Adventures - "Fastest Rising"

Grit Moto Adventures is one of the fastest rising names in the U.S. ADV scene.  They may not have the largest international catalogue, but they've built the best training first, terrain authentic model in one of the best ADV environments in North America (backcountry Utah).  What makes them special is their blend of professional ADV instruction, guided regional tours and Yamaha adventure bike rentals; making them a hybrid between a tour company and a rider-development hub.  They are based in an area that naturally prepares riders for BDRs, long-distance ADV travel, and international expeditions of all types.  

Grit Moto's core differentiator is skills progression + real terrain.  Their calendar includes ADV courses from top instructors plus guided tours through their core area in Utah, Idaho, Flaming Gorge, Moab, and Southern Baja.  Their flexibility in offering self-guided dirt tours, guided dirt tours, and rental bikes for out of state riders flying into Salt Lake City provides one of the most accessible ways to get high quality training and real-world riding in a single trip.  

Mischief Take:  Grit Moto is the operator for riders who want to level up.  If your goal is to sharpen your skills before Patagonia, Mongolia, or the Dalton.  If you want a high quality ADV experience without crossing the ocean, Grit Moto is one of the smartest investments you can make.  Their terrain and instructors are legit.  They are the ADV Academy Western U.S. tour hub.  

Side By Side Comparison (For Those Who Just Want the Data)

What to Actually Look for When Choosing a Tour Company

The truth; marketing is easy.  Every company can make promises.  What separates the good from the not so good will save you from a slick website with a broken support vehicle.  When considering a Tour Company, here are some pointers to consider:

• Guide Quality is the MOST important thing on the list
• Support Vehicle Capability
• Group Size
• Bike Options and Conditions
• Itinerary Flexibility and Philosophy
• What's Actually Included aka the Fine Print

Watch out for red flags like:

• No physical or verifiable business registration
• Guides listed by first name only with no bios or pictures
• Reviews that sound like they were written by the same person
• No mention of support vehicles
• A "what's included" section that is surprisingly short
• A "local guide" who might just be "too local"

Ultimately, it's up to you to trust your gut.  If the website raises questions, the trip will too.

The Mischief Verdict

From our point of view, the verdict broken down by rider type is:

• RIDE Adventures:  Best for Budget Riders
• Compass Expeditions:  Best for Bucket List Riders
• MotoQuest:  Best for Hardcore ADV Riders
• Edelweiss:  Best for First Timers
• Grit Moto Adventures: Best for Skill-Builders & U.S. Based Progression Riders