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!
The HUBB PUBChat forum - no useful content required!
BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Search Forums ONLY searches the HUBB, and not well. Use Site Search to search everywhere.
Great minds think alike Ian. I've been mining my previous trips as well in recent years, with a project last year where two of us redid a trip we originally did back in 1970 - my first long distance motorcycle trip. Back then we rode from London down to Tangiers two up on a 250 Yamaha two stroke. Last year, after nearly 4 yrs of build up (Covid delays mainly) and 52 yrs later we rode two identical 250 Yamaha two strokes (one each this time) along the same route to the same destination. It was certainly interesting to compare / contrast etc and I always intended that a book would come out of it looking at the nature of travel. Writing it has been a slow process though.
Pictures below are a couple from 1970, a couple from 2022, the project title page for the You Tube videos (1 out of 3 up there at the moment under the VJMC banner) and on from a magazine article I had published earlier this month about the trip.
Great minds think alike Ian. I've been mining my previous trips as well in recent years, with a project last year where two of us redid a trip we originally did back in 1970 - my first long distance motorcycle trip. Back then we rode from London down to Tangiers two up on a 250 Yamaha two stroke. Last year, after nearly 4 yrs of build up (Covid delays mainly) and 52 yrs later we rode two identical 250 Yamaha two strokes (one each this time) along the same route to the same destination. It was certainly interesting to compare / contrast etc and I always intended that a book would come out of it looking at the nature of travel. Writing it has been a slow process though.
Hi Stuart
What an amazing story
That really is my kind of story,
I'm glad you did the 2022 trip on 2 bikes this time.
52 years after the original trip - amazing.
You didn't mention if the second tip was with the same friend,
I hope it was, it would have made the memories so much more special
I'll check out you "Take 2 Tours" Video
Best of luck Ian T-J
Yes it was with the same friend as 1970. We've known each other from school and did a lot of motorcycle travel together in that decade but he moved to the US in the 80's. When I mentioned I was thinking of buying a DS6 250 and revisiting the original 1970 trip he said he'd buy one as well, ship it over and we'd go on one each. The trip was originally scheduled for 2020 - the 50th 'anniversary' - but Covid meant a two year delay.
When it came to the book of the trip, I've written four travel books before but this one has proved to be a bit more tricky to get right. So to try and get it right I've ended up taking on an MA in the subject. Strange how these things work out. Picture below is my working title -
Yes it was with the same friend as 1970. We've known each other from school and did a lot of motorcycle travel together in that decade but he moved to the US in the 80's. When I mentioned I was thinking of buying a DS6 250 and revisiting the original 1970 trip he said he'd buy one as well, ship it over and we'd go on one each.
A school friend, who now lives in the US, that make the story even better
It is coming up to the 40th anniversary of my first ever trip abroad which was to northern France on my Triumph Bonneville, a most enjoyable trip which taught me that I loved motorcycle travel as much as I thought I would. I am thinking of reprising my trip this coming year although by bicycle which seems to be my preferred mode of transport these days, time will tell if it is a good idea but I suspect it will be.
It is coming up to the 40th anniversary of my first ever trip abroad which was to northern France on my Triumph Bonneville, a most enjoyable trip which taught me that I loved motorcycle travel as much as I thought I would. I am thinking of reprising my trip this coming year although by bicycle which seems to be my preferred mode of transport these days, time will tell if it is a good idea but I suspect it will be.
Yes plan your northern France bicycle trip Mark
Myself and a set of friends did 4 consecutive years cycle camping in northern france.
As your aware, France is a great place to cycle the country roads are generally wide, free from traffic and the entire country is cycling friendly, perhaps due to The Tour De France and other cycle events
It is coming up to the 40th anniversary of my first ever trip abroad which was to northern France on my Triumph Bonneville, a most enjoyable trip which taught me that I loved motorcycle travel as much as I thought I would. I am thinking of reprising my trip this coming year although by bicycle which seems to be my preferred mode of transport these days, time will tell if it is a good idea but I suspect it will be.
40yrs - congrats What bits of northern France did you visit back then? For me it's been one of those areas I've never done justice to - just gone through as quickly as possible en route to more 'interesting' places. Nearest I've ever come was a slow exploration of the channel coast from Rouen back to Calais on my ancient 125 Suzuki some years back. It's much the same in Southern England; my Dover ferry port visits must be well into three figures by now but I've never been to eg Dover castle. I only know Canterbury because my daughter was at university there. We always ignore what's on our doorstep.
40yrs - congrats What bits of northern France did you visit back then? For me it's been one of those areas I've never done justice to - just gone through as quickly as possible en route to more 'interesting' places. Nearest I've ever come was a slow exploration of the channel coast from Rouen back to Calais on my ancient 125 Suzuki some years back. It's much the same in Southern England; my Dover ferry port visits must be well into three figures by now but I've never been to eg Dover castle. I only know Canterbury because my daughter was at university there. We always ignore what's on our doorstep.
All I can really remember is Bayeux and some nice places along the way, to be honest it was all so foreign and exotic I got a buzz from everything particularly riding on the "wrong" side.
I'm not the same person I was 45 years ago and the world is very different too. I'd rather enjoy my memories of the stupid things I did back then than go on the same trips as a sensible old fart.
I'm not the same person I was 45 years ago and the world is very different too.
That, for me, was the whole point. I don't want to get all philosophical about this stuff but a bit of retrospection every now and again isn't such a bad thing. You don't have to sink into some kind of depressive regret (or self congratulatory exuberance if everything has worked out), but if you ever look at the photos you took back then what do you think of the version of you trapped in the images? Get enough years on the clock and the future becomes the past. You can't put any of this stuff into context without some use of a rear view mirror. If that's not your world, then fine, we're not all made the same.
You can't step in the same river twice, both you and the water have changed ... it can be interesting to see what those changes are, though!
I'm unable to retrace my earliest motorcycle adventures because bridleways are closed to motorised traffic and fields I snuck across as a teenager are now more thoroughly fenced in. In some areas the spread of industrialised agriculture has changed the landscape completely; rocks, boulders, and hedges have been removed in the name of maximising profits. But many landmarks and hidden joys remain, much as some of the fundamental parts of me are still in place since "growing up", without revisiting and trying to replay those exciting times I might not have been able to recognise what they are.
You can't step in the same river twice, both you and the water have changed ... it can be interesting to see what those changes are, though!
I'm unable to retrace my earliest motorcycle adventures because bridleways are closed to motorised traffic and fields I snuck across as a teenager are now more thoroughly fenced in.
And how, in my case. My first solo 'long distance' motorcycle trip was from my parents home in Essex over to Stonehenge - about 250 miles there and back. Doesn't seem a lot these days but on my 150cc Lambretta scooter it seemed to take for ever. Little acorns though. Back then though (60's) Stonehenge was just a pile of rocks in a field. You could wander around as much as you wanted. No 'national heritage' branding, fencing, visitors centre, gift shop, cafe, coach park or any special status at all. Not much chance of repeating that trip even if I could face a 250 mile trip on a scooter.
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.
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.
9Likes
I've been mining my previous trips as well in recent years, with a project last year where two of us redid a trip we originally did back in 1970 - my first long distance motorcycle trip. Back then we rode from London down to Tangiers two up on a 250 Yamaha two stroke. Last year, after nearly 4 yrs of build up (Covid delays mainly) and 52 yrs later we rode two identical 250 Yamaha two strokes (one each this time) along the same route to the same destination. It was certainly interesting to compare / contrast etc and I always intended that a book would come out of it looking at the nature of travel. Writing it has been a slow process though. 
Linear Mode
