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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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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Just wondering: Are you able to pick up your fully-loaded dropped bike by yourself (in the middle of nowhere)?
Seems important enough when traveling far from the beaten path but my bad back just doesn't allow it. Unsure how much of an issue that could be when overlanding. (Kawaski W650, 195 kg (429 lb) (dry))
My BMW R80GS is around 200kg with some petrol but no luggage and I can pick that up but add loaded panniers and the other luggage carried when travelling and I need to unpack it.
With hard panniers neither of my bikes falls flat on the ground—not difficult to yank them upright, especially adrenaline-fueled from embarrassment from dropping in a public place. I’ve added short loops of climbing webbing, one on each side, which serve as handles at just the right height so that I don’t have to bend my knees or back too far.
On the other hand, I once dropped my bike into a ditch consisting of bottomless silty mud, and had to unload it, find large branches for levers, weep and moan and curse the unforgiving universe, make deals with both god and the devil, and do a bunch of other crazy stuff to get the bike back to vertical on a (muddy) driving surface. I was a scary sight headed down the highway after that.
With hard panniers neither of my bikes falls flat on the ground—not difficult to yank them upright, especially adrenaline-fueled from embarrassment from dropping in a public place. I’ve added short loops of climbing webbing, one on each side, which serve as handles at just the right height so that I don’t have to bend my knees or back too far.
On the other hand, I once dropped my bike into a ditch consisting of bottomless silty mud, and had to unload it, find large branches for levers, weep and moan and curse the unforgiving universe, make deals with both god and the devil, and do a bunch of other crazy stuff to get the bike back to vertical on a (muddy) driving surface. I was a scary sight headed down the highway after that.
I like the idea of the webbing loops - you use the height of the vehicle as a lever. There are also demonstrations available on You Tube (?) that show how to lift the bike most easily. I will disappear off for a while to see if I can find links to them. Back soon with a little luck.
Also, I can imagine myself with my bike in the ditch with similar language etc.
DustRiders makes a portable ratchet strap type hoist for lifting bikes. I carry one on solo off-pavement rides in the backcountry just in case I drop the bike in an awkward position or slippery ground with poor footing.
DustRiders makes a portable ratchet strap type hoist for lifting bikes. I carry one on solo off-pavement rides in the backcountry just in case I drop the bike in an awkward position or slippery ground with poor footing.
On the other hand, I once dropped my bike into a ditch consisting of bottomless silty mud, and had to unload it, find large branches for levers, weep and moan and curse the unforgiving universe, make deals with both god and the devil, and do a bunch of other crazy stuff to get the bike back to vertical on a (muddy) driving surface. I was a scary sight headed down the highway after that.
Yes I can imagine. I was running in a 10km race a few years ago when the (gale force) wind tore my glasses off and threw them into a goop filled drainage ditch. In the time it took me (not) to find them I ended up covered in black mud and had to finish the race like that. My wife wouldn't let me into the car so I had to walk the 2 miles back to where we were staying. I did get some very strange looks during that walk.
Re picking the bike up solo, I think you have to have thought this through beforehand. It's an important part of forward planning. Having a perfectly functional bike that you can't use because your foot slipped when you came to a halt and you can't pick it up is as daft a situation to find yourself in a running out of fuel in the desert. I travel on a whole range of bikes, one of which I can pick up and carry (just about), one of which I don't have a hope in hell of picking up on my own and others that are somewhere in between - at a push I can pick them up if I take them to bits (remove panniers / fuel tank / other heavy bits first). Pick up-ability is one of the factors I'll consider when deciding which one to use. It's not the only one but it is in there.
Last edited by Grant Johnson; 17 Oct 2019 at 19:18.
Reason: Edited so the youtube video is in line. Tip: paste into the window ONLY the bit after the last / select it with mouse, THEN click the red youtube button. Done.
Yes I can imagine. I was running in a 10km race a few years ago when the (gale force) wind tore my glasses off and threw them into a goop filled drainage ditch. In the time it took me (not) to find them I ended up covered in black mud and had to finish the race like that. My wife wouldn't let me into the car so I had to walk the 2 miles back to where we were staying. I did get some very strange looks during that walk.
Re picking the bike up solo, I think you have to have thought this through beforehand. It's an important part of forward planning. Having a perfectly functional bike that you can't use because your foot slipped when you came to a halt and you can't pick it up is as daft a situation to find yourself in a running out of fuel in the desert. I travel on a whole range of bikes, one of which I can pick up and carry (just about), one of which I don't have a hope in hell of picking up on my own and others that are somewhere in between - at a push I can pick them up if I take them to bits (remove panniers / fuel tank / other heavy bits first). Pick up-ability is one of the factors I'll consider when deciding which one to use. It's not the only one but it is in there.
Its one of the main reasons I'm taking a crf250l to Africa. I had a gs800 but it wasn't suited for me for the trip. I dropped it in my front(very sandy) garden once and had to get a friends daughter to help me pick it up. I asked her not to say anything to anyone
usually yes, but all depends where and how you drop - on sand, mud can be a bigger problem or on the hill. Last time I dropped my tenere during log crossing took me 30 minutes to unload and push it over...
There was a time in my undamaged youth when I did a lot of lifting a 600 pound bike by myself. Lift with back etc. These days I have trouble lifting myself off the floor, even when sober--hip and back issues. Ride with others, or maybe ride a side car--no promise you won't fall, but its less likely.
Never had a problem (3 years on a KLR650), even when I had injuries (including a broken rib). First off, it is somewhat rare in travel that there is truly nobody around to help. Also remember that with panniers, even soft, the bike isn't flat on the ground. Beyond that, be certain you use good technique: lift with your legs, never your back.
Weight distribution is a big deal. Once upon a time I had a 261kg (wet) Yamaha Super Tenere. It was surprisingly easy to lift, even fully loaded.
Now I have a KTM 1090 that weighs 228kg (wet). I just assumed it would be easier to lift that the Yamaha because it's 30kg lighter, but it's REALLY difficult, even without luggage.
The weight seems to be very high up compared to the Super Tenere, and the bike lies a lot flatter when it falls. I got stuck in a ditch about 2 months ago but the bike was only leaned over about 45 degrees. Both me and another biker struggled to get it upright together.
So I can lift the bike, but life it a lot easier if it's not loaded.
Just wondering: Are you able to pick up your fully-loaded dropped bike by yourself (in the middle of nowhere)?
Seems important enough when traveling far from the beaten path but my bad back just doesn't allow it. Unsure how much of an issue that could be when overlanding. (Kawaski W650, 195 kg (429 lb) (dry))
I don't think it is essential that one is able to pick up their flopped-over motorcycle by themselves.
Yesterday, whilst riding in southern Italy, my ST 1100 tipped over on its side while I was trying to make a tight U-turn on a secondary road. 20 years ago, when I was 45, I would have been able to pick it up by myself, but I know from unpleasant experience (an attempt to pick it up 4 years ago that injured my hip and back) that I can't pick it up by myself anymore. For what it's worth, the ST 1100 doesn't fall over flat, it just leans at about a 45° angle.
Anyway - the bike was lying in the middle of the road, exactly on the centerline stripe, so I just stood in front of it and waved down the first car to come along. The driver was more than willing to help, and a few moments later, another driver stopped and got out. The three of us then set the bike upright, and I got on it and rode on.
So, as long as you plan to travel on roadways (and not way off in the forest like the picture in the post above), I wouldn't worry about not being able to pick the bike up if it tips over. There will always be helpful and friendly people around to assist you in righting it.
If you're going to be riding in the middle of nowhere, rather than everywhere on public highways, it's a good idea to know how you'd cope when (not if) you have to pick the bike up. There are various techniques, and it's a good idea to research them before you need to use them. You should also bear in mind that you may end up having to pick the bike up alone on a slope, in deep sand or slippery mud. Could you do it?
FWIW, this is one of many reasons I bought a 790, the weight is low down and the pannier fuel tank tends to prevent the bike lying fully flat on its side.
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...
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"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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