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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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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Hi,
Start with our tips for taking the ultimate travel plunge: going to India for the first time.
The most popular India tour is the all-time classic Golden Triangle. Clichéd, yes, but if time is short this is a fantastic introduction to three of India's very best destinations. Start in Delhi (Hamayun's Tomb, Old Fort) before hitting Agra (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) then Jaipur (Pink City, fort at Amber). Head back to Delhi's wonderful bazaars for a final shopping spree before you fly home.
Too many people try to cram too much into a visit to India. Don't be one of them. Seeing one place slowly is so much more rewarding than seeing many places in a flash. You'll be lesstressed, gain a deeper understanding of where you are and have more time to build relationships with the people you meet.
I have travelled in India a bit... Driving in one of the big cities is like driving in a sea of traffic especially around rush hour........ now days GPS can make this far more painless, almost fun!
Goa is far more calm and I only ever suffered from "karma" driving once.. this is when the truck driver takes the attitude that is number is up! and is beyond caring about life let alone any of the alleged rules of the Indian road!
Goa is like India crossed with the catholic church, beautiful white washed churches dotted about around the paddy fields. I have primarily got about but 125cc motorbikes and taxi, if on my own (otherwise family drive me in their cars.)
Inland Goa is far less touristy than than on the coast, the north was more "western" than the south.
The police take a very dim view of drugs other than alcohol and tobacco.
The food is fantastic especially the fish curries and the traditional Goan recipes (vindaloo (pork), Chicken Xacuti, Bebinca (desert), and Goan sausage pilau.
Telephone use and signal can be very poor but internet access is good and seems to be available nearly everywhere there is a cafe! (wifi).
Did a 3 week tour in August starting from Dehli up north to the Ladakh district. Did all of the highest passes including Kardungla (twice) on a Royal Enfeild Bullet. They are tough and well adapted to the terrain, although lacking in suspension. Great trip with beautiful scenery and friendly people. The only negative point I can say is about the pollution. Too bad people don't seem to be educated about rubbish disposal.Garbage is everywhere to be seen where humans are present.
India is a very famous country for its cultural importance and ethnic beauty. The best part of India is Kashmir. You should plan your journey to Kashmir. Agra is famous for The Taj. I hope you will enjoy your trip to India. If you need any road maps or travel videos of any country then visit Maps2Anywhere(dot)com.
If you like hassle, beggars, con artists, inflated prices, and all of the other wonders of mass tourism, by all means make the golden triangle your first destination. Otherwise, plan and do some research on the multitude of wonders that country has in absolute abundance, and you'll be rewarded with experiences hard to find in any other part of the world.
Mollydog, the traffic and quality of driving in India is definitively some of the worst in the world. Traffic flow works a lot like Indian society, the bigger you are the more right you have. Being forced of the road by truck drivers and buses is just part of the normal reality of driving there. Lots of pollution and constant hazards make driving in India a very trying affair.
However, heading up to the mountains the landscape changes and I found cruising around up there much more enjoyable and not the harrowing experience it is on the plains. That said, doing your best to avoid the busy routes, I think touring India on an Enfield would be an unforgettable experience and a great way to visit rural India.
If you like hassle, beggars, con artists, inflated prices, and all of the other wonders of mass tourism, by all means make the golden triangle your first destination. Otherwise, plan and do some research on the multitude of wonders that country has in absolute abundance, and you'll be rewarded with experiences hard to find in any other part of the world.
Mollydog, the traffic and quality of driving in India is definitively some of the worst in the world. Traffic flow works a lot like Indian society, the bigger you are the more right you have. Being forced of the road by truck drivers and buses is just part of the normal reality of driving there. Lots of pollution and constant hazards make driving in India a very trying affair.
However, heading up to the mountains the landscape changes and I found cruising around up there much more enjoyable and not the harrowing experience it is on the plains. That said, doing your best to avoid the busy routes, I think touring India on an Enfield would be an unforgettable experience and a great way to visit rural India.
I completely agree on this. Driving in India is a very hectic thing, especially when there are trucks, buses and other big vehicles dominating the roads (which are also very bumpy for you).
Lots of population means jams, pollution, confusion in finding the "right" way to reach to your destination. You obviously needs a road map of India if you are visiting India for the first time.
I just came back to Canada after 4 months of living and working in Mumbai, India. I didn't do a lot of travelling, although I did drive to/from Pune, which is a large city nearby Mumbai.
India is certainly a unique country, very different from just about anywhere else, but honestly, I don't think it is the kind of place that would make for a 'relaxed' motorcycle tour. Traffic there is quite unlike anywhere else in the world, and roads are not well maintained.
I've toured every country in Europe west of Russia, and every country in North Africa west of Egypt, and spent many years living and working in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past 5 years, I've been to over 60 different countries, all of which means I'm no newbie to spending time in lesser developed countries and/or different cultures.
But, having said that, if I wanted to spend time touring India, I think I would take some kind of organized tour by train, rather than attempting to do it by motorcycle.
We just returned from Indie. We got our 110cc Hondas in Goa for 4 Dollars per Day and went for a fantastic 3000km ride south (himalaya region is too cold during winter) with our tent ans sleeping bags while most of the tourists never ride further then 10 km away from their hotel:
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Incredible India
I spent 6½ weeks biking (2-up) around India last year. WHAT an emotional roller-coaster ride it all was?! Covered around 9,000 km [5½k + miles], mainly in-and-around the north and north-west of the country .. and barely scratched the surface of what the sub-Continent has to offer.
One minute you're in love with India; by lunchtime you HATE the f**kin' place; by dusk you're back in deepest love with it all again. Then you wake-up the next morning .. with the worst dose of the sh!ts you've ever had!
Wash - rinse - repeat.
@ mollydog: Go there and buy a decent Royal Enfield Bullet. You above all people here will recognise and know a good one when you see it. There are thousands to choose from. Easy to repair and work on; spare parts everywhere .. and dealerships and RE mechanics on every corner of every street in every town and city throughout. Experience India in true Indian style .. on a Bullet.
When your trip is over, sell the darn thing for what you can get .. or simply give it away to someone you feel deserves it; there will be plenty of takers.
Guys, your comments remind me of a story told to me by a taxi driver in Delhi around 9 years ago...
We were talking about traffic in India, generally, and he mentioned that he had a number of friends from overseas living locally who are considering driving, themselves. He was asked by them what they needed to do so. His answer was:
"My friends, you need three things. A good horn; good brakes... and good luck!"
As mentioned previously, India is a place of contrasts in the extreme. Just go there and enjoy..!
I am very positive of traveling in India. Yes the traffic might be a bit confusing but you'll get used to it. I stayed in the area between Mumbai, Pune and Goa with locals. Very friendly, good food, lot's to see when you go inside the country. It's worth going there and just traveling around without a special goal to see something.
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...
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"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.
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