Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose the Granada region of Andalucia as a Motorcycle Destination ?

Apart from the region having some of the best roads in Europe It's certainly easy to get to and from numerous european airports to either Malaga or Granada. Both airports are approximately an hour from our guesthouse in Velez de Benaudalla and transfers from both airports are included. Take a look at out guide to Andalucia.

What makes our Motorcycle Tours so special ?

We offer an "All Inclusive" motorcycle adventure with motorcycle hire, guided tour, motorcycle clothing, airport transfers and great accommodation in a beautiful moorish village called Velez de Benaudalla located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains with it's ample bars and restaurants and of course the famous tapas the region is famous for.

In fact all you have to do is book your flights and leave the rest to us. It couldn't be any easier.

All our itineraries are flexible to suit yourselves based on preferences and ability, with the option of combining our different types of tours and adding on extra days if required. We offer discounts for groups of two or more riders and all our tours can be arranged with or without accommodation. If you would like an exact price for your day tour, short break or touring holiday, please contact us with your requirements, or fill out our enquiry form.

Best time of year to go ?
Generally the summer season lasts from April to November. Regular temperatures above 20°C begin as early as April and then begin to drop below 20°C in November. Winters in Andalucia are very mild. December, January and February are the coldest months with average temperatures around 18°C during the day and 8°C at night. March is a transitional month and temperatures often exceeded 20°C, but with an average of 320 days of sunshine per year you can be sure of an all year round biker friendly climate.

What level of riding experience is necessary ?

Here at GS Motorcycle Tours we try and cater for all skill levels and can change our routes to cater to your skill level and ensure the most fun for all, but we have to remind everyone that we are not a training or learning school and expect everyone to have a certain level of riding ability.

Some of the routes we use can be quite technical with steep ascents and descents with many tight twists and bends and could be classified as requiring an intermediate or advanced skill level.

Also, it is quite common for other riders to be on the tour and as we have an obligation for everyone to enjoy the tour we therefore insist that everyone has the required experience below in order not to slow down the group.

Ride at the national speed limit, 90 km/h (60 mph) or as signed on open country roads, 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways.
Have recent riding experience
Comfortable with twisty bends, curves and leans
Steep ascents, descents and mountainous roads
Can ride for 3-4 hours
Comfortable riding in a group

So, therefore if you feel that you do not meet these requirements and would still like to participate in a tour please contact us for more information, or visit our Individual or Refresher Tours.

If we feel that your riding ability is not of the standard required listed above and have not informed us, and you are a hazard to yourself or other riders, or cause resentment by continually slowing down the group, then we reserve the right to cancel your tour with no refund or compensation, or provide a separate guide depending on availability at a cost to yourself, or endeavour to provide a solution for all parties.

Driving Licence, International Driving Permit (IDP) and Passport Requirements

All riders must be in possession of a valid (category A) motorcycle licence for at least two years and be over 25 years of age. You are also required to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you are resident outside of the European Union (EU) at https://internationaldrivingpermit.org, although you do not need an IDP to ride in Spain if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit. If you are still unsure of whether you require an International Driving Permit (IDP) you are advised to check with your local embassy or government website as we cannot be held responsible for legislation changes in driving licence requirements, in other words if you are unsure apply for an IDP

Please check your passport is valid for the duration of your holiday. GS Motorcycle Tours do not accept responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport requirements.

Do I have to pay a Deposit ?

All of our bikes are covered by Mandatory Civil Liability Insurance, Voluntary Civil Liability Insurance and Legal Defence and Damage Claims, which means if you have an accident and it is your fault, our insurance pays for the other person or property, but does not cover damage to our motorcycles.

Therefore on arrival at our Guesthouse you are required to pay an Accidental Damage Deposit of 500 € to cover damages to any of the motorcycles. This will be returned in full at the end of your tour, provided no damage has been caused.

Most of us have dropped our bikes at some stage of our riding career, and minor damage can sometimes be fixed easily in-house, but sometimes it cannot.

If any of the motorcycles are dropped or crashed causing damage which cannot be repaired in this manner, you are liable for the cost of the repair which will be deducted from your Accidental Damage Deposit. Thankfully this is a rarity.

Do I require Private Medical Insurance ?

All of our bikes are covered by third party liability insurance, which means if you have an accident and it is your fault, our insurance pays for the other person or property, but does not cover your personal injuries.

As motorcycle touring is considered an adventure sport each client is advised to purchase supplemental personal travel/medical and repatriation insurance before arrival in Spain, to arrange travel/personal accident insurance that covers adventure sports. This must include medical cover and repatriation in your home country and be sure that your insurance covers motorcycle touring holidays, as many insurance policies exclude such activities that they consider too dangerous or risky. Consult your local insurance agency before you come to Spain, most agencies offer one week insurance packages for a minimal cost.

The following link is an example of travel/personal accident insurance available in the UK. Travellers from other countries should enquire locally to find out what is necessary to participate in an adventure sport in Spain and if required, Morocco.

How long and what sort of distances will be covered in one day ?

A typical tour would be about 7 to 8 hours duration and approximately 200 to 300 km, with lots of stops for photos, coffee, drinks and lunch and you can expect to see stunning scenery such as lakes, mountains, castles and the sea, as well as fantastic roads and best of all very little traffic.

How many riders are there per tour ?

We’ve had the best experiences with smaller groups of 2-6 riders, this ensures the best personal care.

What is Included in a Guided Tour ?

BMW GS Motorcycle rental, comprehensive insurance, services of an experienced English/Spanish-speaking guide/mechanic throughout the trip, accommodation in our self catering guesthouse with breakfast, or equivalent hotel, and airport transfers from Malaga or Granada airports.

What is NOT Included in a Tour ?

Flights, travel/personal accident insurance, drinks and refreshments, lunches and evening meals, fuel, motoring or traffic fines i.e. speeding, parking etc. Other leisure activities.

What should I pack ?
We can provide assorted motorcycle clothing including helmets, jackets and gloves for a fee of 10 euros per person, but it is our experience that riders prefer their own helmets which can be carried as hand luggage and motorcycle boots.

What are the roads like ?
The quality of Spanish roads is amongst the best in Europe. Spain's elevation is 650m above sea level which is second only to Switzerland, in Europe. Andalucia and the surrounding areas is a relatively untapped and undiscovered area as far as motorcycling goes. That said, Spain has the largest number of motorcycles in Europe. This has helped make the roads extremely motorcycle friendly, with generally well designed curves and asphalt that typically is maintained in excellent condition so none of the potholes we are so used to in the UK.

How's the food ?
Food in Spain in packed with flavour and character. From tasty tapas to superb seafood. Spanish food is all about making the most of the best local produce. There's gazpacho, patatas bravas, tortilla, gambas al ajillo, paella, and, of course, jugs of sangria.

Things to see and do on a rest day
Off the bikes there is plenty to see and do. Nearby is the seaside town of Motril where you can enjoy the sunny beaches, exquisite tropical produce and the cultural heritage of the region. Motril is also a main shopping destination on the Costa Tropical and has excellent amenities including a hypermarket, shops, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and a pretty marina where you will find water sport facilities and boat excursions; you can even take a day trip to Morocco.
We can arrange trips to the historic city of Granada and visits to the Alhambra and Generalife gardens, one of Spain’s most-visited monuments, this UNESCO-recognised wonderous complex of exquisite palaces, patios and fortresses dating back to Moorish times. Unmissable.

Also we can arrange ticket and visits to the amazing Caminito del Rey which is a walkway, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in the province of Málaga
If you fancy a game of golf there is the Los Moriscos Golf Club which is about 10 minutes drive and is found on the Costa Granada and clubs can be hired from the clubhouse.
Alternatively, if you just want to relax by the beach there are many beaches scattered along the Costa Tropical from just 10 minutes drive away, or you can visit the beautiful town of Nerja with its 16 beaches which is just 25 minutes away and of course The Nerja Caves - Las Cuevas de Nerja one of the most popular attractions in Andalucia.