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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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!
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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.
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From 1961 until the late 1980's I rode Triumphs. By this I mean bikes made in Meridan. I loved them. When I moved to France I bought myself a bmw (R80RT). Mostly reliable although for the first time in my motorcycling career I was stopped on the road with an electrical fault. The bike was basically reliable but I can't say I really enjoyed riding it. Eventually I sold it and bought an Enfield (500 cc AVL ) engine. Chosen carefully because it had the option of a RH gear change and electric start and my old knees aren't as good as they used to be. Loved that also not quite the same as my Meriden Triumphs but after the BMW it was a joy to ride. On a trip to Poland via Italy and Austria and back through Germany, Nederlands and Belgium The big end started to rattle. Rode it into a garage in Uk and after it was fixed rode it ever since. Interestingly I unexpectedly found I averaged significantly more miles per day on the Enfield than I did on the BMW. since the late 60's I had always wanted a Triumph three cylinder bike so bought myself a 900cc thunderbird. In 3 or 4 months all the love and affection I had for Triumph evaporated. I couldn't live with this so eventually rationalised it this way. To me Triumphs were bikes made in Meriden by engineers and motorcyclists. Hinkley machines are made by accountants. As their own manger said, "The new company has nothing whatsoever to do with the old company".
Here are the figures,
distance run on Hinkley 1200 miles
costs 2 x alternators at £850 each
1 x speedo at £800
1 x headlamp at £200
forgetting tyres, oil insurance etc. thats £2.25 per mile for repairs.
plus another £1000 when I sold it.
Distance run on Enfield 13000 miles
1 by new bigger big end and battery installed £600
2 x rear chains at £28 each £56
1 x clutch cable and mechanism £30
forgetting tyres, oil insurance and the fact it does twice the mpg = 5.27 pence per mile for repairs.
If I had needed a speedo, one for an Enfield is £35, but they seem more reliable than the Hinkley ones.
I had a 1995 Bullet 500 for about 4 years. It was actually not a bad bike if you knew its limitations upfront. Cruising speed was maybe 50-55 mph, so it was fine for quiet roads, though it would be near suicidal to take it onto a busy interstate/motorway. I did a few modest weekend trips on it and used it as a daily commuter in town.
It definitely required more fiddling and maintenance than a modern machine, but then again it was very simple and easy to work on. For example, although the valves needed to be checked frequently, you could easily do this in about 10 minutes sitting by the side of the bike with a wrench and a screwdriver.
I've heard the newer versions are more reliable; maybe I'll check one out someday.
I had a 1995 Bullet 500 for about 4 years. It was actually not a bad bike if you knew its limitations upfront. Cruising speed was maybe 50-55 mph, so it was fine for quiet roads, though it would be near suicidal to take it onto a busy interstate/motorway. I did a few modest weekend trips on it and used it as a daily commuter in town.
It definitely required more fiddling and maintenance than a modern machine, but then again it was very simple and easy to work on. For example, although the valves needed to be checked frequently, you could easily do this in about 10 minutes sitting by the side of the bike with a wrench and a screwdriver.
I've heard the newer versions are more reliable; maybe I'll check one out someday.
Yes they need small mechanical tasks fairly frequently. for me the bug bear on a long trip is shaving to oil the chain each day courtesy of them being oiltight without venting to the chain to comply with emissions. On the other hand with the bmw (and Hinkley) I had to stop twice a day to fiddle with it putting in fuel. only needed to do this once a day on the Enfield, so the extra five to ten minutes oiling the chain can be taken from the time to stop and refuel an extra time each day. Also somewhat cheaper The Avl engine will run for 3,750 miles (6000 KM) or so between any needs for servicing. these days that equates to about once a year for me.
my bike is happiest at about 50-60 mph which is great for French D roads, Also no problems crossing Germany a few times on the autobahn. Hairy early mornings around Antwerp, but that is because you can't see past lorries to know which of 18 lanes you need to be in same in the car.
A buddy in UK bought an Enfield, a more modern generation one. He bought new in around 2002? His has been pretty good but he's never taken it too far and it does require lots of fiddling.
He's very handy and keeps up with everything, so his is OK. I never rode it. For use on back roads or just putting round town, sounds OK.
My 60's era Meridan Triumph's left me stranded many times, both on the road and in the Desert
('65 TR-6 Desert Sled) All sorts of problems, some my fault but MOST not.
My last Meridan Triumph came 20 years after the ones in my youth. It was a
1979 Bonneville Special I bought used in 1985 with 1200 miles. This bike produced near the end of Meridan's production run. (I think the works closed in '82 or '83?)
The Special was a beauty, very reliable, disc brakes, MK111 carbs. Wish I had not sold it, but at the time had too many bikes and with an injury, could not work on all of them. So the Bonnie went.
Early Hinckley Triumph's had some serious problems. I owned a 1st generation 885cc 1995 Tiger. Biggest fault (IMO) was poor air filter design ... having to REMOVE Carbs to clean or change air filter. A disaster and major PITA to do.
Also, valves tightened up and beat into head within about 20,000 miles. Mine ran out of adjustment, sold it off very cheap. But always ran well! It was a delight to ride and tour on, loved it. Certainly not an off road bike but I did take mine on some dirt roads, fully loaded.
I bought two more Hinckley Tigers after that first '95. Next was 2nd generation
Hinckley Tiger, also 885cc in 2000. All new bike adding F.I. better suspension, all new frame, bodywork and electronics and speed triple motor. A fabulous bike, never left me stranded but only put 20K miles on it touring Europe. loved it, but heavy and top heavy.
Final Tiger was 3rd generation Tiger 1050 in 2007. Great bike, no problems at all. Just a bit too TALL and heavy for me. It did run a bit HOT but I think there was an air leak in the system so was letting air in to sealed system. Did 20K miles on it, sold for good price.
I've visited the Hinckley factory twice, 2001 and 2003. All engine parts are from A.R.T. of Japan. Japanese components throughout. By 2003 most all of Triumph's (save engines) were made in Thailand. Fabulous quality. I witnessed Beautiful Alu chassis', swing arms being unpacked and hung up on assembly trolly's.
In Hinckley techs measure and match and build engines from parts boxes labeled A.R.T. of Japan (I saw this in person) They fully document the build as they go. A very nice, organized arrangement, each Triumph is hand built like an F-1 Race car.
I have a similar history and also went from 20 years on a Meriden Triumph which I still have to a BMW R80GS which I think is one of the best alround bikes ever made and is still my everyday transport, I have yet to own an Enfield but an Indian friend is working on me on that one.
Since then, this operation has expanded beautifully...., upgraded the web site and continue creating side cars for Royal Enfield and other bikes.
An Idea for those who want to tour Argentina,
1. order/purchase a Royal Enfield from Royal Enfield Argentina with a buy back clause,
2. tour Argentina on your brand new Royal Enfield - under warrantee,
3. return /resell your Royal enfield to Royal Enfield Argentina,
4. or park your Royal Enfield in Argentina for as long as you wish for it will not be restricted by a TVIP (temporary vehicle import permit) since it will be registered in Argentina!
This might be a good plan for those who want a bike in Argentina for future visits. Or, for those who want to tour for months/ up to the time the warrantee is about to expire and wants to return home with the bulk - - say 75 - 80% of the purchase price after resell in pocket.
Or, work the same deal, for an XR 250 or NX 400 with an Argentine Honda agency.
Enfields available: Bullet Classic 500, Electra EFI 500, Electra Classic 500 and Side Cars
xfiltrate Eat, Drink and ride Argentina on a Royal Enfield
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.