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10 May 2014
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 595
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The transport verses buy decision has many dimensions. I want to ride my bike, the one that fits me and that I have set up just so. Touring seat, tall after market wind screen, risers on handle bar, GPS installed, crash bars, bash plate, panniers, hand protectors...all the crap that is just right for this Goldie Locks. I take my time setting up the bike and we get along great. I know what to expect, no surprises or time getting the hang of new equipment. I dread shopping for big ticket items. Buying a motorcycle in a foreign country, with language issues, dealing with paperwork processing...not for me. Hats off to those do it successfully. Buying a foreign plated bike could be the trick, but it all depends on the timing of finding a seller when you are in the market. PS: would you sell the bike at the end of your trip? A friend of mine did it, but he was in no hurry and planned to ship his bike home when he got a good offer.
There are two shipping methods: air and sea. Before closing the book on shipping your bike, contact a shipping agent and get a quote. It might be more affordable than you expect.
Here are pictures of my route planning. Points of interest based on places I had read about on ride reports, then I connected dots as a rough plan. Having a rough plan let me calculate distances and approximate the number of travel days. I thought the trip would take 4 months before working out the route in some detail. Afterward it was obvious the trip would take more like 6 months, then I added a Caribbean leg for good measure and a side trip to Florida on the home stretch...9 months in total.
 ...and this is the actual route (yellow lines indicate boat or airplane.) I decided to skip the Amazon as the wet season was already started and at the time I didn't have the level of off road experience I felt I should have.
9 months traveling and I still missed big sections of the Amazon and central Argentina. Time flies when you are having fun. Now I have to go back.
__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.
Blogs: Peter's Ride
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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)

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Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
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
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
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.
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