ZOLEO Improves Rider Safety on Remote Trails
Overview
Catering to off-road motorcycle riders who want a VIP guided travel experience, Moto Trails USA offers trips of varying difficulty across the United States and Bolivia. Known for their Continental Divide Tour, riders traverse 2,500 miles from Mexico to Canada riding through spectacular remote wilderness and mountain passes, much of which is outside cellular coverage.
ZOLEO gives everyone the freedom to ride at their own pace without unnecessary worry. The devices make it so easy to communicate logistics, meeting points and check in if a rider is delayed. And they can use the SOS button to get help in an emergency.
Olivier de Vaulx
Co-Founder and Principal Rider, Moto Trails USA
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Connect with an ExpertChallenge
Leading motorcycle tours through remote terrain demands reliable, simple communication for both safety and coordination. Moto Trails USA initially relied on cellular phones, two-way radios and SPOT satellite devices, but each came with serious limitations. Gaps in connectivity and delays created real safety concerns for riders and operational headaches for staff.
Key Challenges:
- Guides and guests lost cell phone coverage in remote areas, leaving them disconnected
- Two-way radios had limited range and failed once riders spread out
- SPOT devices experienced delays or failed message delivery, leading to frustration and safety risks
- Frequent battery replacements disrupted use and undermined rider confidence
- One serious delay left a rider’s family uncertain of their safety for days
Moto Trails USA needed a dependable, user-friendly solution to keep riders safe, staff connected and their families reassured — without the complexity and limitations of previous systems.
Solution
After careful research, Moto Trails USA chose ZOLEO for its affordability, global coverage on the reliable Iridium® satellite network and extended battery life. "Knowing ZOLEO operated on the Iridium network was a game-changer," says Olivier de Vaulx, Co-Founder and Principal Rider. "Every message went through on the very first trip, marking a huge improvement over our previous SPOT devices." The option to suspend service during the off-season also added valuable flexibility.
Key Benefits:
- Reliable satellite-based communication along remote routes
- Easy-to-use messaging app adopted quickly by guides and riders
- Customizable Location Share+ check-in intervals based on rider skill
- Peace of mind for guides, clients, and their families back home
Outcome
In addition to improved communication and safety for their guides, ZOLEO has enabled Moto Trails USA to enhance their guests’ experience. “Many clients aren’t accustomed to not having cellular connectivity. We now include ZOLEO among the gear in our rental bags. After learning what ZOLEO does, everyone takes one,” says Olivier. The familiar texting experience makes ZOLEO easy to use and riders enjoy added peace of mind knowing they can communicate if they get separated from the group.
As a safety protocol for riders, Moto Trails USA uses Location Share+ to simplify check-ins, automatically sharing the location of inexperienced riders every six minutes and every 30 minutes for those with experience. “The automated check-ins offered by ZOLEO provide an unparalleled sense of security,” explains Olivier. “It allows us to know everyone’s location without inconveniencing our clients.”
The automated check-ins offered by ZOLEO provide an unparalleled sense of security.
Oliver de Vaulx
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