Dreaming of a motorcycle trip to distant climes? This section will help you to plan your trip, whether it's to the next state, country or all the way around the world! Start here!
The Achievable Dream 5-part series - the definitive video guide for planning your motorcycle adventure. Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
You could just get on a plane with your credit card and passport and buy or rent everything you need when you get there. That includes the bike, riding gear, etc. etc.
Gear Up! is a 2-DVD set, 6 hours! Which bike is right for me? How do I prepare the bike? What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers! "will save you a fortune!"See the trailer here!
So you've done it - got inspired, planned your trip, packed your stuff and you're on the road! This section is about staying healthy, happy and secure on your motorcycle adventure. And crossing borders, war zones or oceans!
On the Road! is 5.5 hours of the tips and advice you need to cross borders, break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Tire Changing!Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
With an HU blog, you'll get a lot more readers than in some obscure corner of the web, it's all set to go, no setup required, and it's free! Start your Travel Story Blog right now!
800+ HU Communities in over 115 countries! People who want to meet travellers - yes that's YOU - and can provide local assistance, and may be your new best friends!
Make a DifferenceTips on fundraising or donating time and energy to a cause.
After the big trip - Was the trip the best - or worst - thing you ever did?
Resources and Links
Horizons Unlimited Presents!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
"It has me all fired up to go out on my own adventure!" See the trailer here!
Meet people who don't think you're crazy for wanting to ride your bike to South America or across Asia! They will encourage you, share their experiences and advice on how to do it!
We're not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown a hobby into a full time job and a labour of love.
When you decide to become a Member, it helps directly support the site. You get additional privileges on the HUBB, access to the Members Private Store, and more. Of course, you get our sincere thanks, good karma and knowing you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. :-)
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T-shirts, Calendars, Stickers
T-shirts Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Calendars Featuring the 13 winning photos from the Horizons Unlimited annual motorcycle travel photo contest!
World Map Sticker for PanniersShow your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Travel BooksMotorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
Videos - Watch and Learn!
Horizons Unlimited presents!
Achievable Dream The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
"The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
Advertisers- Horizons Unlimited is well-established as the first source of reliable, unbiased information on all aspects of adventure motorcycle travel.
We reach a dedicated, worldwide group of real travellers, and are the only website focusing exclusively on long distance motorcycle travellers.
If you sell motorcycles or motorcycle accessories, riding gear, camping equipment and clothing, transport motorcycles, organize motorcycle tours, or have motorcycles to rent, you should be advertising with us!
We've used a Dragonfly for about 9 years including two year-long trips. It has been durable and easy to service in the field when necessary using an MSR kit. It simmers well and boils water quickly. It takes a bit of fiddling to get started and is generally fussier than other stoves we've owned, all in all just what a BMW Airhead rider would own.
'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I have one of those Coleman exponets, worked great for about a year, then you had to just keep pumping all the time just to hold a flame, the seal had gone then the other 2 both went, but before that it did not like the bad fuel in Ethiopia I was waiting for my F650gs twin to give me grief but it turned out the bloody stove instead. I tried to get parts for it in Nairobi to no avail, so when I returned to Australia was told they don't make them anymore, so I would be a little cautious with them.
Theres no choice for me. It will always be a petrol stove. I've had my Optimus 8R since '92 and it has always worked. It's been dowsed in fuel and set alight bashed bruised and totally abused. Makes no difference t still works. Parts are still available ( think came into being in the 50's).
Unfortunately no longer made but you can still pick them up second hand and good cheep copies can be found. Fits in its on Big Mac container.
Optimus SVEA is still around and works same way (came out back in the ice age.).
Hiker is like the 8R but a little bigger but comes with a pressure pump. Better if you're cooking for more..
Downside.... It's an on off stove. Simmering can be achieved though if you suspend the pan above it. Its a simple solution to a common problem with most petrol stoves, though things like soaking rice before hand and swishing it around massively reduces the cook time also.
If I can I'll cook my evening meal on a 3 Stone fire so any simmering sauces aren't a problem. A stoves for boiling water, eggs and pancakes...
Mate, I have the Coleman multifuel stove! Unreal stove and comes setup for unleaded and other similar fuels, but also comes with adaptor for kero.
Just remember that if you intend to take it overseas, don´t use it before you do, or if you have, wash it out so it has no smell of fuel whatsoever, using either cooking oil or detergent or other. Otherwise you will need a dangerous goods certificate...quite a hastle unless you´re also shipping a bike.
have always used a meths stove cant fault them but last year in the uk, i did have a problem getting meths, so bought a coleman feather lite petrol stove it is a very good stove and i would recomend it.
have always used a meths stove cant fault them but last year in the uk, i did have a problem getting meths, so bought a coleman feather lite petrol stove it is a very good stove and i would recomend it.
denny.
I like a combination of stoves. A meths or alcohol stove for boiling water and the little MSR Pocket rocket for simmering stuff. Both stoves are super tiny and light, and take up hardly any space.
Sometimes you have to buy a gallon of methylated spirits and carrying that can be cumbersome.
It's often very handy to be able to have two stoves going at the same time.
As for multi fuel stoves I've found them quirky and difficult to use unless they have an exclusive diet of coleman fuel.
I bought a small gas stove in Nouakchott for €6 but it was stolen in Mali. Then now I found a very similar stove for €11 here in Dakhla and I can't fault it. Cartridges cost about 20 cents and last quite a while. I have seen gas bottles being sold all over the place here in North Africa.
... I have seen gas bottles being sold all over the place here in North Africa....
I've used these types of stove all over Europe and the Middle East, and they're great (light, fast, controllable, though wind-susceptible) provided you have a ready source of cartridges. Which type are common in N Africa? Camping Gaz or Coleman? If CG, which type? Pierced or resealable?
Probably only applicable for us guys who stay out in the cold, but gas cartridges start to fail in a typical European winter. Stick a full one up your jumper for half an hour and you'll mostly get it going, but they really aren't the sort of thing you want to sleep with night after night just so you can have a cuppa in the morning. 90% of riders will probably never notice or care, but something to think about if your trip will include cold places.
To repeat what's been posted on countless threads on here.. Unless you're riding up Everest, you really can't go wrong with the reliable, versatile and simple to use, Coleman Dual fuel stoves !!
Is there a better biking companion ????
Ditto Exactly what I have & you only ever run out of fuel if your petrol tank is empty, it donst take that much space as far as i can see
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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
Probably only applicable for us guys who stay out in the cold, but gas cartridges start to fail in a typical European winter. Stick a full one up your jumper for half an hour and you'll mostly get it going, but they really aren't the sort of thing you want to sleep with night after night just so you can have a cuppa in the morning. 90% of riders will probably never notice or care, but something to think about if your trip will include cold places.
Andy
The re sealable cv270 and cv470 type are a mix of propane and butane so will run well below freezing. not in -40 of course, but you are right, I don't often camp above the snowline.
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Virginia: April 24-27 Queensland is back! May 2-5 Ecuador June 13-15 Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 CanWest: July 10-13 Switzerland: Date TBC Ecuador: Date TBC Romania: Date TBC Austria: Sept. 11-14 California: September 18-21 France: September 19-21 Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.