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.
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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."
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I've been lucky visiting many countries with motorcyle both on and off road and often the last trip is the best. But 1 week in Iceland was all I hoped for and more, and blue sky and no wind surely isn't something you can take for granted but that's what we got all week But most surprising was the diversity, was expecting just moon like lava landscape, which you also get, but it's so much more.
Bikes were sent with container from Norway which was easy and not that expensive. Arrived on a Friday afternoon, went to pick up the bikes and had a nice evening out including a visit at Chuck Norris bar
First day started with mostly tarmac but the roads are fun and scenery great so still enjoyable. Then it was more and more gravel and sand and we went as high as we could on the Hekla, Icelands most active vulcano. Pretty technichal but fun and cool continuing when those giant 4x4s give up! Then back down on some really ccol roads dwon to the Landmannalaugar area with hot springs. Pretty rough road there, which is good as there isn't that many "normal tourists" there, more back packers with tents types so looked more like a base camp rhan a tourist trap.
Day 2 was Hwy 26 through Higland to Myvatn. Mostly gravel, wide-ish road were cars can meet but still bumpy an rocky and a few river crossings so wouldn't try this on a road bike. Believe europes biggest desert so lots of stones and sand but cool and most of the time you can see one or more glaciers. And a few water falls at the end of the day.
Day 3 we took it easy, just drove around to all the attractions in the area. Myvatn is a fantastic area with vulcanos, hot springs and of course the lake itself (vatn=lake) but mor toursists than in Highland (were there is almost none).
Myvatn:
Nice swim in hot springs, Myvatn in the background:
Day 4 we went to Akureyri but did a big detour first going to Dettifoss, then North to the coast and followed the coast to Husavik were we had a Nice lunch before back on gravel.
Day 5 we went south and found one of the best roads ever ridden, crossing small river, twisty and fantastic scenery. The when finally was in Highland the road opened up and we all felt like Dakar racers (though, Coma wouldn't be to impressed I guess). Then we got to a small Natural hot spring where we took a bath, cooked some food before we all fell asleep ij the sun. Coul it be more perfect?
Bjt then we ran out of luck when got to a river much larger than those we had crossed before. Some wanted to turn around but then we would end up where we started the day so I took a chance and fortunately got across
Day 6 it was back into Highland and more river crossings. The very last one was wider and tougher than all the other ones and finally I ran out of look for real, hiy a stone or somthing, lost my Balance and didn't manage to save the bike. But drained the exhaust , removed the tank, airfilter and plugs, ran the start motor till no more water came out, reassembled and its started :-) Fortunetaly no water in the oil so could continue as planned
Day 7 and last day on bike. We just followed Hwy 35 from Higland which is surfaced when gettingdown from the Mountains and then shortest route back to Reykjavik. Which is not bad as the roads are nice and plenty to see. We passed Gullfoss, Geysir and Pingvellir but I didn't stop as I planned to og back there 2 days later as my wife arrived the same evening. These areas are VERY touristy but hard not to be facinated by those geysirs and Gullfoss is truly beautiful. So thes pics are taken 2 days later
But to me Iceland is the Highland with bad (=good!) roads far from civilisation and tourists. Big question is, will I og back? Lots of places haven't seen, like the entire eastern part. But afraid will be dissapointed if trying to repeat the success .
Anyway, highly recommend Iceland. Prices are similar to Norway which is not good news as Norway is very expensive, sorry But it's worth it!
We had 2 KTM 950SEs, 2 Yamaha 660s, one KTM690 and one CCM 450 which all worked very well. Some of the roads would be a challenge for me with a bigger bike like GS1200 and KTM 1190/1290 but more talented riders might manage. Gas is a challenge, me and the 690 had bigger tanks and about 500km tank range. the others had like 350km which was enough..but only just. The bikes manged the beating but the luggage struggled, racks broke and screws loosened and disappeared. I had Heidenau K60 Scout rear and Pirelli Scorpion Rally front which worked great.
Great series of photo's. Hoping to get to Iceland one day in the not to distant future.
Do go if you get the chance Strange mix between very exotic and very familiar (Most People there are after all decendats from Norwegians and Icelandic is how they spoke in Norway 1000 years ago (ish)).
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.