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!
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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!
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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."
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perhaps a little backpackers tent, that you could tie to a tree or your bike? pretty tiny though. how about an inflatable dome tent? ive seen them about but they seem expensive and heavy and im not sure i would trust it. or look on the quechua website at their pop up tents, they do one now that folds down to 55cm diameter, but its not strictly poleless.
must it not have any poles at all? because you can make poles that break down to any length you need, you dont have to be stuck with what comes with the tent.
Another idea would be one of the smaller 2" tents - not what I'd take - but Stace is taking one with us to Russia - he's found a good way to put it on the bike. No poles - just 'pops' up.
For total cut down no pole solution I'd suggest a bivi bag combined with a basha would be adequate - simple and fast to put up each night too - and if you use the bike as one side of the shelter - perfect suitable.
I just put together a simple video on tents - but funnily enough didn't include any without poles!
If you're interested in the swag option this video is about the Coolabah - but probably not suitable for your needs
I have seen the Duo pitched between two road bikes with the entrance between the front wheels and a basha set up infront from the handlebars to the ground. It's what made me decide on my "little tent / basha combo". It was a bit of a squeeze for space for two but would be ideal for one man & gear.
I went for a tent that has poles though because I figured if I was working on my bike under a basha, I would want the tent to be free-standing.
I'll get some pickies next time I set up (no video though I'm afraid)
Bending and welding; making a luggage system for my Dr. Zed at the moment then I'll be off on some short trips to iron out issues.
Still got to learn to loose some stuff. I'm used to packing solo on a road bike so space and weight have never been an issue. I need to get away from the "everything including the kitchen sink" mentality.
We have two Hennessy Hammocks and they are great fun. I have heard stories of people using them as their main abode on a trip, but I presume you will need to be te right sort of person. We are in 4x4 and hence have a roof tent as our main bedroom.
Search the HUBB as there are at leasttwo other threads about them.
Those Kyam pocket tents look great and very affordable, I have been after something thats roomier than a bivvy but light for a while and these could be a good option.
has anyone got one or tried these tents ?
The only downside is the weight at 2.2kgs they are as heavy as some tents with poles and obviously much heavier than the ultra lightweight stuff.
I also think the camo option is worth the extra as I have often needed to blend in with my surroundings when rough camping especially here in the UK.
I think these style would sit perfectly out back of my hatchback using the car hatch as a covered cooking area/entrance.
While on the subject of lightwieght check out Winwood outdoor uk, they have some silly light weight stuff, well under 1kg. They also sell the spinikar sheet material so you could make whatever you wanted.
Also Go outdoors have a terra nova tent at under 1 kg for £120 its double skin and looks pretty good.
In my quest for lightweight I always end up looking at longevity over pure weight saving. I have started shaving of weight here and there but some of the ultra light stuff doesnt seem like its up to much.
ive seen a golite hex 3 which is a small wigwam type tent thing. 2-3 person, the base is optional, hook in round the perimeter if you dont just want to sit on a sleeping mat. a mossy net i believe is also an optional hook in type thing.
pole wise it only needs one, or tied up to a tree. obviously a stick would suffice, or an extension to a walking pole is available to cut down further on stuff carried.
as well as hennessy, clark hammocks look good too. i just ordered one! the entry hole for a hennessy looked a bit claustrophobic for me. i know certain variants of both have a suitable bottom layer to be used as a small tent with a pair of sticks/walking poles if u have no trees. not partner friendly tho!!!
all are light and quick to stow and erect, and durable?
There is a way to make any "old-fashioned" ridge tent like this:
into a pole-less tent. I was forced to come up with the idea when a pole got run over with mine, and all you need is a couple of bits of string. Here's how it works.
Take your string - nylon paracord is ideal, and firstly cut off two lengths about 6 inches long. The precise length will depend on the usual gap between inner tent and flysheet. You're going to make a loop of these with a nice big knot on the bottom so I'd suggest starting the first one long and working it out from there. ONce you've got two you're happy with crawl inside the inner and poke them up through the eyelets front and rear that the poles would normally go through.
Now take another long length of string, it'll need to be three or even four times the length of your tent. Again start extra long and cut down after. Starting outside the flysheet feed this string in through one of the pole eyelets, then through the loop you've just made for your inner tent. Continue the string along the inside of the fly's ridge, through the next loop of your inner and then out the other pole eyelet.
Now lay your tent out on the ground and peg it down round the outside of the groundsheet and flysheet as normal. Starting at the front lift the "ridge-string" up to the right height and tie it onto something convenient (handlebars, trees, wing mirror, riding buddy). Going to the rear of the tent pull the "ridge-string" taut at ground level and then move backwards away from the tent. As you do so you'll notice the tent lifts up. When it's reached the right height, simply make a loop in the string and peg this down. Of course if you can tie it to something else (see list above) you won't need to move so far away, but pegging down works very well even for the solo camper.
That's the absolute basic version which worked well for me for a few weeks, but there's plenty of ways to improve it for your specific tent with extra loops, toggles, etc. if you wish.
If anyone's feeling a bit confused I could get the tent out and do a picture guide as soon as it stops pouring with rain.
We have two Hennessy Hammocks and they are great fun.
I'd been thinking of going for one of those myself until I realized I'll be doing quite a bit of treeless-travelling around southern spain and north africa... so I'll probably go for the khyam mono or a swag (I'd go for an Oz Tent but I'd have to either ride side-saddle or break a few width restrictions for motorbikes).
Anyone know if the biker swag (from theaussieshop) is waterproof? It doesn't say so on the site (while it does for the other two), so I'm guessing it isn't... :confused1:
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...
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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.
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
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!
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!
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!
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.'
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.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
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.
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