FAQ – Self Guided Motorcycle Tours

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Self-guided Motorcycle Tours – Your Journey, Our Guidance

A deposit of 25% of the full tour amount is due upon receipt in order to secure and reserve your motorcycle and accommodation on the tour. The remaining balance is payable 60 days before the first tour date to confirm and finalise your booking.

Yes! Our tours include a model guarantee, so if you book a specific motorcycle, you will receive that model.
On very rare occasions — for example, if the motorcycle requires manufacturer support or has been involved in an accident — we will make every effort to provide you with the same model or a closely comparable alternative, ensuring your riding experience remains exceptional.

Once your tour invoice has been issued, a 25% deposit of the total amount is due upon receipt to secure and reserve your booking. The remaining balance is payable 60 days before the tour start date to confirm and finalize your reservation.

The daily rental fee includes standard comprehensive insurance cover for the motorcycle, with an insurance excess deposit payable for each model. Luggage, GPS units, and any other hired accessories are included in the deposit amount. Insurance deposit values will be shown on your invoice and our price list.
Explanation of our Insurance deposit:
1) If the motorcycle is lost, stolen, or written off, the insurance excess deposit will cover replacement.
2) If damage occurs due to an accident and the repair cost exceeds the insurance excess deposit, the deposit represents the maximum amount the insurance company will claim from the rider.
3) Any repairs or damage costing less than the insurance excess deposit are the rider’s responsibility and must be paid directly by the rider.
4) Different motorcycle models carry different insurance deposit amounts. Damage above the deposit amount is covered by the insurer.

Weather conditions cannot be guaranteed, and GS Africa cannot be held responsible for any unpleasant or unsuitable weather. We do, however, understand that this can happen. Based on motorcycle availability, as well as accommodation and activity arrangements, we will always endeavour to amend your booking to another date where possible.

Once we have submitted your rental invoice, kindly acknowledge invoice with your signature and return to GS Africa as well as completed Terms of Business. A 33,3% deposit of the full rental amount is due and payable upon receipt in order to book and confirm the rental (penciling in your booking). 60 days prior to the first rental date the remaining balance is due in order to confirm and finalise the booking, turning pencil to ink.

In the unfortunate event that you need to cancel your motorcycle tour, the 25% deposit is nonrefundable, as this amount is paid directly to partner establishments. Where possible, we will gladly explore postponing your tour to another date, subject to both the establishments’ and GS Africa’s booking and cancellation policies.
Refunds are calculated on the total tour price:
60 days or more before departure: 75% refundable (25% nonrefundable).
Less than 60 days but more than 10 days before departure: 25% refundable.
10 days or less before departure: No refund.
We may deduct any proven, nonrecoverable thirdparty costs from refundable amounts. An itemized statement will be provided upon request.

In the unfortunate event that you lose your rental motorcycle key, we will arrange to transport the spare key to your location so you can continue with the tour.
Please note that a replacement cost will apply, and the exact amount varies depending on the motorcycle model.

Unfortunately, mechanical faults can occur — these are machines after all. First and foremost, ensure you are safely off the road surface, preferably under cover at a fuel station or homestead if possible. Please call GS Africa on +27 (0)65 860 2520 or +27 (0)71 515 3808, and we will immediately contact Roadside Assistance (available within South Africa only). In the event of us locating an alternative service provider (in close enough proximity), we will endeavour to assist as soon as humanly possible
Each rental includes a complimentary, easytouse puncture repair kit, with full instructions available via our mobile application download.

Unfortunately, this can happen – even BMW’s experience mechanical faults. First and foremost, ensure that you are safely off the road surface – preferably undercover, a fuel station/homestead if possible. Call GS Africa on +27 (0) 82 904 8228 or +27 (0) 71 515 3808 and we will immediately contact the BMW 24 hour On-Call Roadside Assistance service (available in South Africa only) – in the event of us locating an alternative service provider (in close enough proximity), we will endeavour to assist as soon as humanly possible. We provide a complementary easy-to-use Puncture Repair Kit with each rental, full instructions is available from our Mobile Application download.

We are happy for you to store your luggage in our office storage for round-trip tours. For one way tours, we can arrange for your luggage to be couriered to your return destination at an additional fee. Please enquire about this.

The main difference is the support structure. Self-Drive Guided Tours appeal more to smaller/individual groups, are more flexible in terms of route and times and generally give a greater sense of independence, freedom and overall achievement. Guided Motorcycle Tours on the other hand although more rigid are better structured and have larger ride groups (usually 10-15 motorcycles, 20-25 people) have set departure times, set along a route itinerary, is led by a Tour Guide and also travel with a support vehicle for safety and luggage.

Your motorcycle, hotels, routes, and activity bookings are all prearranged by GS Africa. You get a turnkey package with accommodation, suggested routes (often in GPX format), and recommendations on what to wear, where to go, and what to do. It’s designed to give you freedom on the road but with the comfort of everything organized in advance by GS Africa.
As the name suggests, with a BikeOnly Rental, S Africa provides only the motorcycle. You are responsible for arranging your own accommodation, routes, and activities. This option suits riders who prefer complete independence and want to plan every detail themselves.

To participate in our SelfGuided Tours, you must meet the following requirements:
Be 21 years of age or older
Hold a valid, unrestricted motorcycle license
Have a valid passport
Provide a valid credit card
Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Unfortunately, to ride on a Self Guided Tour you must have a valid and unrestricted motorcycle license.

We offer a wide range of accommodation — from authentic, characterfilled stays with plenty of soul, to 5star luxury establishments. Our tours typically feature trusted 4star properties we’ve personally tried and tested, but you’re welcome to request an upgrade to 5star throughout. Once your balance invoice has been paid, we’ll send you the full itinerary with all accommodation details included.

Absolutely! We’re here to make your trip as smooth and hasslefree as possible. If you’d like us to arrange pre or posttour accommodation, or extend your tour into a selfguided option, we’ll be happy to assist.
Please enquire with our tour division at tours@gsafrica.com.

Once your tour is booked, changes to hotels or the itinerary are subject to the cancellation policies of the establishments involved as well as GS Africa’s own policies. Please note:
Cancellations made more than 1 month before arrival incur a nonrefundable 80% fee on accommodation.
Cancellations within 14 days of arrival will be charged a nonrefundable cancellation fee.
GS Africa provides a booking and reservation service on your behalf at a 15% fee based on accommodation costs.
We will always do our best to assist with amendments, but flexibility depends on the policies of the establishments and availability at the time
Are there set departure dates for Self-Guided Tours?
Our SelfGuided Tours have no fixed departure dates — you’re free to start your journey any day of the week, at any time of the year. GS Africa’s locations remain open and ready to welcome you whenever you choose to ride.

Our Self Guided Tours do not have any set departure dates and you are welcome to start your tour any day of the week, our locations are open for business.

Our Self Guided Tours do not have any set departure dates and you are welcome to start your tour any day of the week, our locations are open for business.

Yes, one of the perks of a Self Guided Tours, is that you have the freedom to plan and map out a tour to suit your needs, time and budget.

Unfortunately, airfare is not included in our packages and will be for your own account.

Typically, breakfasts are included with our SelfDrive Guided Tours, with most hotels and accommodations providing this. On rare occasions where breakfast is not included, we’ll gladly suggest nearby options to ensure you start your day well.

Upon collecting your motorcycle from GS Africa, the Insurance Excess Deposit is placed on hold against a credit card to ensure sufficient funds are available. This authorisation acts as a security hold in case of damages and is released once the motorcycle is returned in the same condition as at collection.
The rider must present a credit card in his or her own name. Please notify your bank in advance that you will be travelling abroad to avoid any delays on the day of your rental. Remember to factor in the deposit hold to ensure sufficient funds remain available for the rest of your tour.
Once the motorcycle has been returned, the hold will be released or debited back in the same amount, unless additional charges apply (e.g., fuel, tyre replacement, or recovery costs not covered by the Warranty Plan in South Africa or neighbouring countries). The authorisation or sale amount will be released back to your card within 7–10 working days.

ABOUT US

GS Africa is a passionate family-run, turnkey motorcycle rental & tour agency based in Cape Town. We offer rentals of BMW, Harley-Davidson, Yamaha, Honda, KTM & Ducati motorcycles, along with bespoke tour itineraries.

For your convenience, we also have a presence in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Namibia, and the Garden Route. We are proudly affiliated with EagleRider as a trusted partner in Africa.

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Cape Town, 8001
E: rentals@gsafrica.com
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