Tours run out of road: Guide shares concerns over ageing clientele and next-gen global adventurers

In the 13 years since he rode around the world, Rene Cormier has seen the pool of riders needed to keep his global motorcycle touring business viable get older and come under increasing pressure from other leisure sectors.

He spoke to MCN about his concerns for the motorcycle touring industry at the recent Devitt MCN London Motorcycle Show at London’s ExCeL – and it’s a worry echoed in other areas of biking, including the challenges of attracting new riders and junior technicians.

The Canadian said: “I finished the world tour when the Long Way Round was still hot, so I am quite grateful to those guys as I came back to some quite fertile soil, people who wanted this type of adventure.”

Cormier’s tours range from as close as the Scottish Highlands, to as far away as the likes of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.

His prices are premium, with costs rising to as much as £20,714 per person for 44 days/6700 miles across Africa – starting in Cape Town, and riding through game reserves, desert roads, and eventually reaching the stunning Victoria Falls of the Zambezi River.

“Our demographic is certainly greying; you can look at any show here, in Canada or the US and there are a lot of bald heads. We wonder where the next batch of riders is coming from. Our pool of riders is still solidly in their mid-50s to mid-70s.

“We have a Venn diagram with a circle of where you need some time, a circle where you need money to travel and a circle for health. Where those three meet, that is our group and that little bit in the middle is getting smaller and smaller each year.”

Away from worldwide expeditions, cheaper UK-based adventures are continuing to fill up fast ahead of this summer’s riding season.

MCN spoke to tour guide Nathan Millward, who runs shorter experiences on a series of manageable low-capacity machines through his company, Dorothy’s Speed Shop. 

“There’s probably a lot more people that just want to get out on two-wheels, not paying a fortune, and having a good time,” Millward said. “I would say there’s an appetite for touring, travelling and adventure, but it’s just that the market is changing.”

Nathan’s tours include rides on a fleet of Honda CT110 ‘Postie Bikes’ imported from Australia. He continued: “Business has been good. I thought it would be impacted more by the economy, but it shows there’s more appetite for affordable adventures.”