Our Guides Goals:
1) To give you photos and memories that will make your time with us a vacation to remember
and share with friends and family for years to come.
2) To share their knowledge of some of the most wonderful places to enjoy motorcycle riding in the world.
We will schedule a breathtaking route with twisting, scenic and winding roads, lodging at historic inns or B&B's, and dinner at 1st class restaurants to end every perfect day.
This will be all planned and prepared for you to make sure this is the most enjoyable experience of your life.
3) To have you return home safe and with a feeling of relaxed freedom that you have been searching for your entire life.
For information about our guides click on their photo, above.
Russ Beckenstein Owner/ Guide/Marketing/Mechanic/Oil Changer/Destroyer of Tires
Becky Beckenstein Co-Owner/VP of Reservations/Comptroller/Director of New Tire Allocation for Russ
Russ Beckenstein;
I worked in the Corporate Banking World for 14 years and after many years of the fast paced corporate life, I decided to follow my dreams and enjoy my passion.
My Motorcycle life started with me when I was 4 years old and my dad bought me a Kawasaki KX80! The rear fender lasted about 2 minutes before I flipped it and ripped it off. By the time I was 14 I was riding a Honda 550 Super Sport up and down the street we lived on.
Once I got my Motorcycle License it was full speed ahead. I have been a motorcycle road racer and competed at some of the worlds most famous tracks, such as, Daytona, Road Atlanta and Sebring. My wife and I have logged many thousands of miles on our bikes and just enjoy the freedom of the road that just can't be experienced any other way.
I have always had the motorcycle passion and for many years have taken friends and soon to be friends for group rides. They always have wanted to return for more adventures. I enjoy the Smokey Mountains so much that Becky & I bought a 2nd home there to further our riding passions, as well as distances. Now I want to share our enjoyment and what we have learned of the Smokey Mountains with you.
I ride a BMW K1200LT, KTM 990 Super Duke, Kawasaki ZX12R or whatever else I can get my hands on!
Becky Beckenstein;
I grew up loving the outdoors of Oklahoma., hunting, fishing, and playing softball, but there’s no better way to have the wind in your face than by riding a bike. Needless to say I started riding at a very young age. Now living in Florida, part time, the riding weather is great all year long, but the roads do not compare to the moonshine roads and switchbacks in the Smokey Mountains.
My husband, Russ, and I have traveled thousands of miles through North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, (mostly with me riding on the back, because I love to take photos), so as we designed “First Class Motorcycle Tours” we wanted to share a 1st Class encounter of quaint lodging, exquisite food, off the beaten path points of interest and breath taking views in a safe environment.
I know you will fall in love with the area as we did.
Women on Wheels member #17989
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Emerson Arnold
My name is Emerson Arnold, aka E, aka Nostopo. Got the Nostopo name from a trip we did many years ago from West Virginia to Milwaukee, WI. I’ve spent the past 30 years working as an owner-operator, transportation manager and holding various positions in the motorcycle industry. During the summer of 2009, I received my Tour Director Certification from the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco, CA. as the first step to making Tour Directing and Guiding my career. As my friends know, my preferred means of touring is on a motorcycle, there is no better way to see and enjoy the beauty of the countryside and to be a part of your surroundings than on 2 wheels or 3 if you prefer a trike
I’ve been riding since I was about 14. My first bike was a 1968 Honda 450 that I bought when I turned 16 and got my driver license. The Honda was sold my Senior year in High School and I bought a new 1972 Kawasaki H2750 and had a blast with it at Myrtle Beach Speedway after hours. In 1975 I traded the H2 in on my 1975 HD FXE which I still have and ride weekly.
My wife Theresa and I currently tour Texas, the West and Southwest on her Road King Classic and my Electra Glide Classic. I’ve been leading tours as a hobby for the past 11 years and now look forward to turning my hobby and passion into my career and help others to enjoy touring as we do.
To ride and tour in Texas, at times can be the same as visiting another country, the scenery, culture and people are second to none. All you need is your imagination, sense of adventure and just a “little bit of outlaw” in you and the trip that you will talk about for years is waiting. Welcome to TEXAS!!
You can send him an email:
emerson@firstclassmotorcycletours.com
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Bob Bonato on his Vincent
Bob was born and raised in Sturgis, SD, Bob is the son of Saddle maker and Grandson of two original cowboys. His passion however has always been with motorcycles and he now has over 40 years of experience riding, restoring and enjoying all kinds of bikes. He has lived in Montana for over 20 years and has been active in supporting the state's historic past and preserving the culture of one of the West's last frontiers. His primary reward for taking you on a tour is smiles received while visiting the Big Sky Country of the Northwestern united States. Bob is the rider of a Vincent and if you’re lucky he may let you take a SHORT spin on his daily rider...a 1949 Vincent B Rapide named Betty Jane"
You can send him an email: bob@firstclassmotorycletours.com
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Scott Jones
I have spent my life traveling. From Moving by car across the country at age 4, to moving back across the country in the back of a U-Haul truck, seeing the country backwards. As an adult, truck driving, to Sailing, to riding around the country, I have spent my life enjoying the experiences that each new place has to offer.
The first motorcycle I owned, I was 12 years old. That was the "thing" where I lived. All the other kids had expensive dirt bikes, and my parents told me I could have one if I bought it. So, I worked all summer, bought a broken down mini bike, and joined 4-H to learn how to fix it. From there, it was an old Honda Trail Bike, Suzuki's, Vespa's, BSA's, Nortons, and finally, Harleys.
Traveling around the country on a motorcycle has provided an appreciation of the outdoors, and the unique perspective that you can only get on a motorcycle.
For me, travel is an addiction. It is not the new place, but the people. As I have traveled around the country, I have enjoyed the opportunity to share local experiences with people in all walks of life.
I have had over 20 years of group riding experience, leading large and small groups of riders from all different skill levels, and sharing the experience I have gained from many years of riding.
A need to re-evaluate my professional goals, and two rides across the US this last year, inspired me to escape the corporate world, and find a way to make my passion, my career.
I have joined the "First Class Motorcycle Tours" Team to share that passion with other riders.
You can send Scott an E-mail at; scott@firstclassmotorcycletours.com
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We are Jim & Chris Uding. We live on the Big Island of Hawaii. We have 5 grand children here with 2 of our daughters and their families. Jim and Chris live in the town of Kealakekua and are active in outrigger paddling, water activities, and of course motorcycling. Jim has been riding off and on for 42 years starting with a 62 Honda 160 and now have a 98 Suzuki 1500 Intruder. Jim and Chris would like to make your trip with First Class Motorcycle Trip memorable and enjoyable and are more than willing to include unique items to your trip to make it the best.
You can send Jim an E-mail at; Jimu@firstclassmotorcycletours.com
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Emmanuel Fort, originally from Paris and Cannes (yes! Where the film festival is).
Studied three years in Temple, Philadelphia Emmanuel is Fluent in English, German, Spanish and French, He Currently lives in Berlin, Germany, with his wife Nora and their 8 yr. daughter Estrella. At the time this is being done they expecting a baby any day!! He is a Classical/Opera singer and therefore has travelled a lot in Europe (on bikes mostly).
His bikes for the last 25 years have been kmx 125, xt 500, k75s, k1100LT, K1200LT and now R100GS.
Emmanuel’s favorite rides here in Europe: The Southern Alps, the French-Swiss-German border, the French Mediterranean Riviera and of course the Normandy coast.
Europe is full of great places and rides that are sure to exceed any expectations!
You can send Emmanuel an E-mail at Efort@firstclassmotorcycletours.com
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Jim Dukes
Jim started riding street bikes when he was 18 on a Honda Rebel 250. His love of riding and the freedom of two wheels have been enjoyed on several makes and models since. "I am fortunate to share my life with a lady who enjoys the ride as much as I do, Lexie".
Having lived, and ridden, all over the lower 48 states, I can say with confidence that Alaska is unlike any other place. Alaska is a big state with a small town mentality, the people are friendly and the scenery is breathtaking.
We look forward to sharing our love of Alaska with you.
Jim Currently has in his garage a 2005 Harley Davidson and a 2000 Suzuki Boulevard
You can send Jim an E-mail at jim@firstclassmotorcycletours.com
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Scott Jones
