NorthStar Moto Tours welcomes all women riders, regardless of age, race, creed, sexual orientation, or motorcycle brand. If you're a woman who rides, you're in the right place!

Are men allowed on the tours?

At this time, we are focused on providing an environment where women can get together and enjoy the motorcycling experience with other like-minded women. We understand that some women may wish to share the experience with someone special of the male persuasion. But for 2009, we have designated our North Coast Tour as a "Couples" tour! So if you'd like to share the motorcycle touring experience with that special someone in your life, the North Coast Tour is for you!

What's included in my tour?

Included in your tour is everything you'll need to relax and have a great time: 3 nights hotel reservations, meals, itinerary with planned routes and a completely guided tour of some of the most spectacular motorcycling in the world! Also included in the tour price is a chase vehicle with trailer which can be used to haul any extra gear you may bring, as well as you and your motorcycle in case of a breakdown. (If a tour has less than 4 guests, we may not roll the chase vehicle. But it will be on-call the entire weekend in case it's needed.) A motorcycle is not included - you can use your own or rent one for the tour. (We recommend Dubbelju in San Francisco where NorthStar guests receive a 10% discount on their rentals, but we're happy to assist you with your arrangements in any case!) You'll have to pay for your own drinks, souvenirs and anything not listed in the details for each tour. Please contact us using the Contact link to the left with any questions prior to booking a tour to make sure all your questions are answered.

What kind of accommodations should I expect?

You can always expect a clean, comfortable hotel with all the amenities you'll need to enjoy your trip. Wherever possible, we'll use smaller, boutique places that enhance the experience - like a great bed and breakfast. For those comfortable with using a more objective rating, we'll use 3 star accommodations with a smattering of 4 star wherever possible, according to the following scale:

Three-star establishments place a greater emphasis on style, comfort, and personalized service. They generally feature on-site dining room service, a pool and/or fitness center, a gift shop, and may provide baggage assistance. Conference rooms for meetings and extended services for business travelers are usually offered. Guestrooms offer more extensive amenities and more careful attention to decor and comfort.

Four star establishments usually offer a fine-dining restaurant, lounge, and room service with extended hours. Service features usually include baggage assistance, concierge service, and valet parking. A conference center with up-to-date technology and full business services are usually offered. Public spaces and guestrooms are thoughtfully designed and constructed with high-quality materials. Guestrooms generally offer stylish furnishings, high-quality bedding and bath products, and a wide array of amenities.

Can I share a hotel room with someone else?

Of course. And sharing a room is a great way to save on the overall cost of the tour! All reservations are automatically booked at the private room rate. What happens next, depends on what you tell us about your room preference in the notes section at checkout:

1) If you'd like to share a room with a specific person, fill in the Comments section in the checkout page telling us you'd like to share a room with a specific person and be sure to include that person's name in the note. The person you're traveling with should do the same. When both orders have been received, we'll mail each of you a check for the difference in cost between a the Shared and the Private room.

2) If you'd like to have your own private room, simply book the tour and you're all set!

3) If you'd like to share a room with another tour guest at random, please put a note in the "Comments" box telling us that you'd like to be paired at random with someone. We'll pair you with the first available guest that also wishes to share a room at random. We'll mail you a check for the difference in cost if and when we're successful in pairing you.

What about meals?

In most cases, we've chosen hotels with nice continental breakfasts, so we'll use those with a few exceptions. Dinner will be held at a nice selection of restaurants that have been chosen for their great atmosphere and even better food. And we'll always have lunch in a super-scenic location.

If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

Do you have a chase vehicle?

Yes as well as a trailer to tow bikes and extra gear. It will be available on all of our tours to tote any gear/luggage for you, provide any mechanical assistance or tows, and offer any other help that may be needed. (If a tour has less than 4 guests, we may not roll the chase vehicle. But it will be on-call the entire weekend in case it's needed.)

Do you rent motorcycles?

YES! (Sort of) NorthStar customers enjoy a 10% discount at Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals in San Francisco! Dubbelju has offered a great selection of motorcycles to riders in San Francisco for 17 years and we are delighted to work with them to bring you the best touring experience possible.

We are very happy to help you with the arrangements and we offer complimentary pick up/drop off service so that your rental will be waiting for you the morning of departure and we'll gladly return it for you at the end of the ride. Please don't hesitate to contact us for further details.

What do I need to bring?

We've taken care of almost everything, but there are still some things you may want to bring, and here are some ideas. Of course, we welcome any questions you may have!

Gear: your riding gear is an integral part of your riding experience. So please give careful consideration to the gear that you bring with you. We have some suggestions in the section on riding gear farther down on this page, but of course questions are always welcome!

Clothing: You should probably bring some clothes other than your riding gear in case you want to get out, walk around and explore a bit.

Camera: While your tour guide will be snapping photos along the way (and you'll get a CD with the pictures at the end of the tour!), you'll want to be sure to bring your own to capture any personal memories to bring home.

Money: While hotels, meals, and some attractions are included in the cost of your tour (see tour description for details), any incidentals that you can't live without (i.e. alcoholic beverages, spa services, souvenirs, etc.) are not included so bring a little spending cash or credit card.

What kind of riding gear is required?

California has a helmet law so all riders must wear a helmet while riding. However at a minimum we recommend helmet, jacket, gloves, boots that cover the ankles and long pants.

Our tours can take you from the coast (which can be very cool) to the central valley (which can be very hot) or up into the Sierra Nevada mountains (which can be either hot or cool!). Some of the textile suits available today are ideal with zip-out linings and ventilation. They're ready for anything California has to offer. If you don't have one of those, that's perfectly fine - just prepare to dress in layers and you'll be comfortable under any circumstances. We're happy to make specific recommendations to fit your situation, so please contact us for more info!

Rain just usually isn't a problem out here in sunny California, but should inclement weather present itself on a ride, we have rain suits to fit over your leathers. If you have one that you prefer, please feel free to bring it.

Is a motorcycle license required?

Yes! A valid motorcycle license is required in the state of California.

Is previous riding experience required?

Yes. Although our tours are not technically difficult, you'll cover more than a hundred miles per day on roads that wind their way through mountains, redwood groves, along the coast or through the city streets of San Francisco. It's paradise for experienced riders, but it's no place for complete beginners. How do you know if you're an experienced rider? That's a question with a different answer for everyone. Of course, the decision is yours. But we recommend a minimum of 2 years or 10,000 miles of experience.

Can I use my own motorcycle?

Of course. However, you will be responsible for getting the motorcycle to the starting location on time, and you'll also be responsible for getting it back home.

Please keep in mind that we cannot be responsible for your bike if it breaks down. And although you'll still have full access to the chase vehicle, please understand that we won't hold up the tour to wait for the repair of your motorcycle. Please click here to send us an email for some suggestions on preparing your bike for the tour.

How many riders will be on a tour?

Our tours operate with two tour guides, one lead and one sweep. In addition to those two, we like to maintain a maximum of 8 riders. Under special circumstances we might make room for up to 10 riders.

I only see weekend tours. Do you also offer longer tours?

Currently we only have weekend tours available through our Tours page. We plan to expand and offer longer tours in the future, based on demand. But we're also happy to plan a longer tour to fit your schedule - please contact us for details!

Do you offer custom tours?

Yes! Drop us a line and we'll be happy to talk about putting together the perfect tour for you!

If your question wasn't answered here

Please drop us an email and ask! We want to make sure you have all the information you want, and we're more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Please click on the button below to send us an email!