How it all began:
the story of
Classic Bike Adventure
the story of
Classic Bike Adventure
RC Peter: Road Captain, photographer, bus driver, hardcore bon vivant, hospitality expert – and in a previous life, an education major – lived in Goa, in the small village of Assagao, since 1989. Peter Paulo dos Santos was the guiding hand behind how Classic Bike Adventure started. All of our past motorcycle tours, be they in India, Bhutan or Nepal, he had personally guided. How did it all begin? Back in the day, RC Peter was a tour manager and guide on Cyprus, and ran a guesthouse with an affiliated motorcycle rental service. But then his friend Klaus encouraged him to join him in Goa, where the combination of tropical beaches and classic motorcycles proved irresistible – it was time to dedicate his life to his true passion. The winters on Cyprus can leave a lot to be desired, so Peter flew to Goa to soak up the sun and – being a dyed-in-the-wool biker – to see India from the saddle of an Enfield Bullet. Off he went, on a three-week motorcycle tour, where unfortunately nothing worked out as planned. The tour mutated into a ride from one mechanic to the next, all without the aid of usable maps or travel guides. Yet Peter stuck with it!
Motorcycle tours in India: there had to be a better way!
On his very first motorcycle tour in India, Peter was joined by journalists from Germany’s leading motorcycle magazine, and people were soon calling for a readers’ tour. Bikes were bought – and guided motorcycle tours became a thing. The venture got off to a good start, because the vibe between Peter and the Indians – with their attitude that “impossible” is just a matter of negotiation and their talent for improvisation – was just right! In addition, Thomas Warneke, who had already seen all of India on his Bullet – and knew all the mountain towns in the South – joined the endeavor. Together they founded “Peter and Friends Classic Adventures Private Limited” for guided motorcycle tours, with a motorcycle service center, guest houses and a jungle lodge. Asked for the secret of his success abroad, Peter Paulo Dos Santos says: “You need to truly respect the locals!” That’s the key to the sunny side of life in India.
Today, more than 30 years later, Classic Bike Adventure organizes almost 100 tours every year – and not just in India. Other countries have been added, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, China, Tibet, and many more! And all with consistently high standards for service on the ground. A professional team leads the tours, with local road managers sharing the responsibility with motorcycle guides, who we call our Road Captains. And every tour is accompanied by an experienced mechanic and a support vehicle as a matter of course. That’s how 6,000+ riders got to know the magnificent continent of Asia on 700+ tours.
Guided motorcycle tours: what to expect
Joining a guided motorcycle tour with Classic Bike Adventure means focusing fully on the ride, the landscapes, and the experience. From the moment you arrive, our team is there to support you. This includes route planning, accommodation, permits where required, luggage transport, and technical assistance. Our tours are meticulously designed to balance exceptional riding roads, cultural immersion, and realistic daily distances, ensuring rewarding riding days without unnecessary pressure.
Our guided tours are about more than just riding. Expect meaningful cultural encounters, access to places difficult to reach independently, and the camaraderie that comes from sharing the road with like-minded riders. Whether you’re navigating high mountain passes, winding through remote villages, or enjoying a relaxed evening after a great riding day, every aspect is designed to create a seamless and memorable adventure.
In short: you ride, explore, and enjoy — we handle the rest.
The future of Classic Bike Adventure
Peter has since retired and handed the reigns over entirely to Hendrik Heyne, who founded Tibet Motorcycle Adventures in 2010 and became managing director of Classic Bike Adventure back in 2019.
Learn more about Classic Bike Adventure.
(Re)discover your Inner Biker
A diet of local specialties and local beer sounds good to you? Are you ready to trade 24/7 connectivity, stress and consumerism for adventures in the saddle and lazy days on the beaches of tropical Asia or panoramic views of the mountainous landscape of the Himalayas? Guided motorcycle tours with Classic Bike Adventure combine the thrill of riding in various off-the-beaten path destinations combined with local insight into the way of life and culture of the region while offering charming, hand-picked lodging and an adventure loving team here to bring out the best experiences from your tour with us that will last a lifetime. The rave reviews from previous participants inspire us to continuously optimize all of our tours and to show you fresh routes and destinations off the dull tourist track – in stress-free small groups of eight to twelve bikes. Or as a custom-tailored tour. Simply get in touch: At Classic Bike Adventure, we’re happy to share our experience and passion with you!
Here you can read some interviews with Founder and Ex Road Captain Peter!
Interview 1: In the beginning there was the Royal Enfield Bullet….
Interview 2: A love affair with the Land of the Thunder Dragon
