Moto Guzzi Experience 2023

[brother dave]

I think the trip sounds like you would be hard pressed to do the same on your own dime for (much) less.  My only difference would be riding a lot more miles on a 5 day trip. I am no Iron Butt, but 100-150mi/day seems like a lot more managed itinerary than I would be looking for. For the cost of food/lodging/bike rental or transport, doesnt seem easy to beat on a dollars and cents basis.

Also, any motorcycle trip into MT that doesnt take you to the Shonkin Sag and/or Flathead Valley is a non-starter for me  But of course I am biased having lived in Greenough and Helena

When I did the California trip in 2021 we did quite a bit more than the mileage listed in the advertisement.

[twowheeladdict]

When I did the California trip in 2021 we did quite a bit more than the mileage listed in the advertisement.

I'm wondering if they do an assessment of the riders in the group to determine the miles and the pace.  My wife organizes equestrian trips for her and her friends and then the outfitters learn that they are all experienced riders they up the experience to challenging. 

[brother dave]

I'm wondering if they do an assessment of the riders in the group to determine the miles and the pace.  My wife organizes equestrian trips for her and her friends and then the outfitters learn that they are all experienced riders they up the experience to challenging.

While they had the skeleton of the trip planned (to include stopping points with hotels each night) they did adjust the itinerary daily to get to the best roads between point A and point B.  As is usual in motorcycling, it was about the ride not the destination.  Probably experience levels of the guests were a factor.

[LowRyter]

Yeah.. Sounds good to me.

if a fellow had some time off, might be fun for tag along hobo tour <Guzzi content> 

[LowRyter]

I think the trip sounds like you would be hard pressed to do the same on your own dime for (much) less.  My only difference would be riding a lot more miles on a 5 day trip. I am no Iron Butt, but 100-150mi/day seems like a lot more managed itinerary than I would be looking for. For the cost of food/lodging/bike rental or transport, doesnt seem easy to beat on a dollars and cents basis.

Also, any motorcycle trip into MT that doesnt take you to the Shonkin Sag and/or Flathead Valley is a non-starter for me  But of course I am biased having lived in Greenough and Helena

I don't think there's any restrictions on where or how long you ride if you don't want to follow the group.

[egschade]

While they had the skeleton of the trip planned (to include stopping points with hotels each night) they did adjust the itinerary daily to get to the best roads between point A and point B.  As is usual in motorcycling, it was about the ride not the destination.  Probably experience levels of the guests were a factor.

Hopefully there will be at least two groups: Fast Folks who want to scrape pegs and Tourist Riders who want to enjoy the view. I'm definitely in the later group.

[egschade]

For those who have done guided trips like this, how much do you tip the guides? I've read everything from 'toss the guy a 50' to 10% of the event which would be $250. It's 4 days of riding BTW.

[brother dave]

For those who have done guided trips like this, how much do you tip the guides? I've read everything from 'toss the guy a 50' to 10% of the event which would be $250. It's 4 days of riding BTW.

I asked the guy in charge if tipping the tour leader was ok. He told me no tipping.  That’s was the MG Experience USA in 2021…

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I asked the guy in charge if tipping the tour leader was ok. He told me no tipping.  That’s was the MG Experience USA in 2021…

Gotta love the Europeans... If this was a US-based company trip, you'd be presented with an ipad prefilled to 15%-20%-25% tip options every time the guide flipped on their turn signal

[Tkelly]

If you like the service,slip the guide a 50 or 100, boss doesn’t need to know.

[LowRyter]

Gotta love the Europeans... If this was a US-based company trip, you'd be presented with an ipad prefilled to 15%-20%-25% tip options every time the guide flipped on their turn signal

I wish we'd just pay people a fair wage.  I don't get it when I pick-up take out and not getting "service".   I'm sure it's me, being the resident jackass here but I don't get the rules of the road.  I try to give 20% when I'm in a sit down place.  15% used to be the rule.

[Tusayan]

I asked the guy in charge if tipping the tour leader was ok. He told me no tipping.  That’s was the MG Experience USA in 2021…

That would be especially admirable if was an Italian home office employee, because in that case he was probably making Euro 1500 or 2000 a month take home.

[brother dave]

That would be especially admirable if was an Italian home office employee, because in that case he was probably making Euro 1500 or 2000 a month take home.

No, all Americans.  I think all Piaggio Americas marketing employees.

[twowheeladdict]

I wish we'd just pay people a fair wage.  I don't get it when I pick-up take out and not getting "service".   I'm sure it's me, being the resident jackass here but I don't get the rules of the road.  I try to give 20% when I'm in a sit down place.  15% used to be the rule.

So, you'd rather everything cost 20% more, but no tipping? 

Personally, in the service industry I would rather they "earn" their tip by providing a great customer experience.  That weeds out the slackers.

[egschade]

I'll bring a bunch of 10's, 20's and some 50's to dole out if someone goes above and beyond. Also like to leave something for housekeeping folks.