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. :-)
All contributions are gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.
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!
Wore the same pair across Africa then across the Americas, and 8 years later they're still in one piece, if a little tattered and stained. Comfortable enough to wear when you're just popping out, strong enough to survive dozens of dirty spills, baggy enough to cover motocross boots, and useful - removable hip and knee armour, velcro anti-pick pockets, turn into shorts with the whizz of a zip, machine washable. Downsides? They're not waterproof, but they do dry quickly when the sun comes back out.
Thoroughly road tested and recommended.
Suerte, Dan
Must look into them, the idea of switching into shorts is really neat. :-)
I like the look of the Gialli Cargo Pants, anybody know how extensive the kevlar lining is?
The description on the website says there is a double lining in the rear of all their other pants but they make no claims for cargos and I don't want to assume.
Do they have stockists? I much prefer to try before I buy.
I've owned a pair of Hood Jeans - Boring blue style with Aramid lining.... - for quite a few years and love them...
I'm stuck though... Heading off for 7/8 weeks this summer I'm not sure what to wear... I only want 1 pair of biking trousers... so do I take them... at the moment I'm inclined to say YES...
Which leaves a question.... I need a pair of waterproof SMALL TO PACK trousers for the days when it is raining ALL day... any suggestions.... ????
I also have some HG trousers that I used to commute in... for about 4 years... still going strong and if I was still doing it i would still wear - I just think that with OR without the lining they are TOO heavy and TOO warm.... I couldn't get off and walk around places hapilly.. but I could in the Hood jeans....
Which leaves a question.... I need a pair of waterproof SMALL TO PACK trousers for the days when it is raining ALL day... any suggestions.... ????
I also have some HG trousers that I used to commute in... for about 4 years... still going strong and if I was still doing it i would still wear - I just think that with OR without the lining they are TOO heavy and TOO warm.... I couldn't get off and walk around places hapilly.. but I could in the Hood jeans....
So.. Suggestion on over trousers.....
Tony.
These are great, all my gear have full side zips and thus come on and off easy . You can get these for $60US on ebay. They weigh 12oz and they don't leak, they're Marmot's version of GoreTex. Get a larger size as they run small. PreCip Full Zip Pant Overview | marmot.com
I have a midweight pair of GoreTex outers with full side zips that I wear when on the road, they're not hot because I leave both zippers at the knee so I get lots of air. Underneath I wear some colorful yet distinguished boxers.
I tried to order from Giali. A fellow named Jock Jamieson answered my question re shipping to Germany. But after I placed the actual order, I never heard from them again, even after emailing them three more times. Sad.
So I ordered a pair of Draggin Cargos. Received them this morning. They fit well and feel really comfy. Will see how they are on the bike.
(Although I would have liked the Giali Pants better because of the armour. The Draggin Pants have no pockets for protectors. Maybe with a bit of sewing you could fit some between the fabric and the kevlar, but I know I'll never get around to that.)
Have neither Hood nor Draggin. Nor Giali. But have some zip-off Axo MX jeans and some zip-off cotton-poly walking trousers(!) And I'm completely sold on the zip-off at the knee thing. It would be even better if manufacturers put a side-zip that finished where the knee-zip finishes. This would make it extremely easy to get trousers on over boots. Without the trousers having to be so baggy as to risk twisting in an accident. Baggy twisting trousers mean armour in the wrong place. BTW, the knee zip should be above the knee not below. Otherwise you're still lugging your knee armour around when you're walking round Istanbul or wherever.
Hood, if you're listening, make some zip-offs!
And don't be too worried about horizontal seams across the leg of the jean. I for one am not desperate to look as if I am wearing fashion jeans.
Edit: Just noticed this on the Draggin website Coin pocket is cut larger so gloved hands can get coins and it is on the left hand side so you can keep the throttle open.
I like that. Someone is thinking about what motorcyclists need. Then again, when would I ever need to access the coin pocket with the throttle open?
Wore the same pair across Africa then across the Americas, and 8 years later they're still in one piece, if a little tattered and stained. Comfortable enough to wear when you're just popping out, strong enough to survive dozens of dirty spills, baggy enough to cover motocross boots, and useful - removable hip and knee armour, velcro anti-pick pockets, turn into shorts with the whizz of a zip, machine washable. Downsides? They're not waterproof, but they do dry quickly when the sun comes back out.
Thoroughly road tested and recommended.
Suerte, Dan
Bought some of these in 2008, and they were comfortable and fine in minor gravelly spills. All the good points Dan makes, basically. Wore them from Buenos Aires to TDF, and up as far as San Francisco (approx 23,000 miles, 18 months) and then they fell to pieces - the seam above one of the knee-zips split and I held it together with duct tape for a while; quite a bold fashion statement.
I'd buy them again, but I'm surprised Dan's lasted 8 years - maybe the quality's dropped since he bought his? I can't believe he washed his more often than I did (i.e. twice).
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.
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.