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!
Following a fun trip through Central Asia and Mongolia this year (RR at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...et-place-66414 ), and intentionally parking the bike in Mongolia, I’ll return next summer to ride a few trails and roads in Siberia.
Proposed dates are (Of course, all timings are approximate):
*Arrive UB 06July13, back at work in the UK 27Aug13. These dates are fixed: These are my skool holidays. I’m a teechah.
*Spend a day or 2 fettling the bike and then ride north on pavement to Ulan Ude and Irkutsk.
*10 to 17july13 approx ride western BAM road to Tynda.
*20 to 30july13 Ride Yakutsk/ Magadan/ Yakutsk one way via the OSR, the other via the NFR.
*Arrive Vladivostok on about 10 or 15 aug13 and put bike in box in truck or on train to Moscow/St Petersburg .While the bike is en route across Russia I'd have to find something to do to keep me amused. Then ride the bike from Moscow/ St P to the EU.
* OR ride back to UB in Mongolia on around 25Aug13 and put it in box to Germany/Europe via Oasis Guesthouse/ http://www.pan-europa.de/ ).
Many timings will clearly depend a lot on the weather. If it rains the whole time, roads will become quagmires and be a lot less fun on a fat shed like a Transalp (but with light luggage) or similar. Having read a ride report that a commercial tour succeeded on this route this year, I feel a focussed small group (2 or 3 riders) will make it through ok helping each other getting up railway embankments and across/over rivers on the BAM and negotiating rivers to Magadan.
A sketch I prepared for an earlier thread is:
Preferred style of travel: cheap (but clean) Gastinizahs (sic?), food at road side cafés, max 55mph on pavement (above that speed in top gear, my bike burns oil as if it’s going out of style. Also, I'd be surprised if road conditions/ speed restrictions allow any faster anyway).
Very similar if not the same route in 1 4x4 next year also. Although we had planned on doing it a little later than yourself and taking a more leisurely drive through Central Asia. however the optimal time for both BAM and OSR seems to be when you have planned it.
Our calender was looking like the BAM early august but that would leave the OSR a little late in the year.
You could say we are not 'fully committed' as I have no idea if we will be allowed across the railway bridge (Kuanda) or able to cross the river. But I would like to give it a go. Same with the OSR. We will see if a viable opportunity presents itself but we don't have the biggest budget for this trip so we will see what gives.
I have done a fair bit of reading on this leg of our trip but my brain is hurting with all the info from Nordkapp in February, through Central Asia, Siberia, South Korea and then Australia. On top of that we are not returning to the UK so trying to sell everything and tie up loose ends here!
Hi Chris,i am looking to travel to siberia next year,and plan to travel those same routes,i will be taking my xr650l and at the moment i am totally flexible as to dates.I will be back in the uk between the 27th of november and the 19th of december maybe we could meet up for a pint and a chat.
I will do approx the same route next summer. Will ship my KTM Adventure 640 to UB, then still not sure exactly which route I will take (I never been east of UB), the UB-Ulan Ude is boring paved road, I did it already twice...
My final point would be Magadan, I want to ride the old summer road. Then either sell the bike there, or bring it by ferry to Vladivostok and sell it there, or if I can't sell it in UB or store it there for 1 year for another trip in the region... Not really sure about it.
I will most probably only be able to take 4 weeks holidays. I am thinking starting in UB about the same dates as you, in order to be on the right time on the road of bones.
I hadn't tought about the western BAM because I planned to travel alone, but if we are 2, might be interesting.
But are you sure than you can make it with a transalp? Is it ok for watercrossing? How high is the airfilter? It's a pretty heavy bike for such serious off-road isn't it?
Very similar if not the same route in 1 4x4 next year also. Although we had planned on doing it a little later than yourself and taking a more leisurely drive through Central Asia. however the optimal time for both BAM and OSR seems to be when you have planned it.
Our calender was looking like the BAM early august but that would leave the OSR a little late in the year.
You could say we are not 'fully committed' as I have no idea if we will be allowed across the railway bridge (Kuanda) or able to cross the river. But I would like to give it a go. Same with the OSR. We will see if a viable opportunity presents itself but we don't have the biggest budget for this trip so we will see what gives.
I have done a fair bit of reading on this leg of our trip but my brain is hurting with all the info from Nordkapp in February, through Central Asia, Siberia, South Korea and then Australia. On top of that we are not returning to the UK so trying to sell everything and tie up loose ends here!
G
Yeh, there are various threads on cars on bridges/trains in Siberia, including at these
I must admit I pay little attention to them as I’m on 2 wheels, sorry! Bikes and cars often travel at different speeds, so unless we were in the same exact place at the same time, a hook-up is unlikely to be feasible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Dennison
Hi Chris,i am looking to travel to siberia next year,and plan to travel those same routes,i will be taking my xr650l and at the moment i am totally flexible as to dates.I will be back in the uk between the 27th of november and the 19th of december maybe we could meet up for a pint and a chat.
I’m based near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. I like cerveza. It’d be good to meet for a chat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zimi
Hi Chris,
I will do approx the same route next summer. Will ship my KTM Adventure 640 to UB, then still not sure exactly which route I will take (I never been east of UB), the UB-Ulan Ude is boring paved road, I did it already twice...
My final point would be Magadan, I want to ride the old summer road. Then either sell the bike there, or bring it by ferry to Vladivostok and sell it there, or if I can't sell it in UB or store it there for 1 year for another trip in the region... Not really sure about it.
I will most probably only be able to take 4 weeks holidays. I am thinking starting in UB about the same dates as you, in order to be on the right time on the road of bones.
I hadn't tought about the western BAM because I planned to travel alone, but if we are 2, might be interesting.
But are you sure than you can make it with a transalp? Is it ok for watercrossing? How high is the airfilter? It's a pretty heavy bike for such serious off-road isn't it?
If our timings match, we could make a plan. As far as suitability of bike goes, there’s a thread I started at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ons-july-63433 I chose the Transalp over DRZ, so I have to make the best of it.
We all know it depends a lot on the weather (a.k.a luck) and riding ability. As much as I try, I have no influence on the former, and the latter, well, I’ll let others judge my ability, but I’ll give anything a try. If I wanted an easy life I’d fly to Spain and lie on a beach .
The air filter on the Trannie is under the seat, so not too high. On a bridge this is less of an issue. What I learnt in the following clip from my summer trip in Mongolia is to walk rivers first, just in case the current is too fast…
chris, I had to cancel my planned trip this year, so hope to be out that way next year. I won't be travelling the same routes, but maybe we'll pass each other or overlap in some flea-bitten roadside hotel.
What did you mean about putting your bike in a box at Oasis? The link was not very illuminating. Is the box a shipping container? If so, where is it going?
chris, I had to cancel my planned trip this year, so hope to be out that way next year. I won't be travelling the same routes, but maybe we'll pass each other or overlap in some flea-bitten roadside hotel.
What did you mean about putting your bike in a box at Oasis? The link was not very illuminating. Is the box a shipping container? If so, where is it going?
Hi Tom
Could well be looking up Doug in Bulgaria over the next few months. I've got a jaunt round S E Europe planned this winter/next spring.
It'd be great to meet in Siberia/Mongolia somewhere.
By "box/Oasis" I mean that Rene the co-owner has a carpentery business that can make a shipping pallet/box and Sybille has contact to a local shipping agent who use pan-europa.de (A German freight company) to move freight (bikes) from Mongolia to Germany.
Hi All,
2 of us did the RoB and western BAM end of July begining of Aug this year.
Fantastic trip you will have a lot of fun, think we were lucky with the weather, no real problems with river crossings etc both on 690's.
If I can help with any info just drop me a mail.
Good luck and look forward to hearing your tales.
Mark
p.s Chris where was that river crossing in Mongolia that you dropped your bike? I dropped mine on the way out of Mongolia on the northern road in the last river crossing, managed to get it up quickly so no dismantling
Ufff, I change my route becayse war on Pamir Highway, and I was in this summer behind Novosibirsk and go back to Serbia, 14000km, not bad because I was alone. Scott, your plan is funtastic, perfect route. What you think about price of trip, I have not so big budget. I thinking about aeroplane price and price for motorbike to Moskou. Do you knows price for that....?
PS: I meet Doug in Sevastopolj, moto meeting off nights wolfs, he is cool man
Chris, thanks for the explanation about the box. Say "hi" to Doug for me if you see him.
I don't know about dates for next year yet, but let's keep in touch, would be great to have a !
Beer = v good. It turns out Doug won't be in town when I'm there
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harryg
Hi All,
2 of us did the RoB and western BAM end of July begining of Aug this year.
Fantastic trip you will have a lot of fun, think we were lucky with the weather, no real problems with river crossings etc both on 690's.
If I can help with any info just drop me a mail.
Good luck and look forward to hearing your tales.
Mark
p.s Chris where was that river crossing in Mongolia that you dropped your bike? I dropped mine on the way out of Mongolia on the northern road in the last river crossing, managed to get it up quickly so no dismantling
Hi Mark
Will definitely pick your brains closer to the time. Many thanks for the offer.
The river crossing was on the main road about 20km south of Ulaangom, just before the turn off onto the "Cental Route" towards Naranbulag (sp.?). It probably isn't usually that bad but it had rained for 36 hours prior and there were a couple of biggish mountains "upstream". Clearly the error was to not walk the river first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sciii
Ufff, I change my route becayse war on Pamir Highway, and I was in this summer behind Novosibirsk and go back to Serbia, 14000km, not bad because I was alone. Scott, your plan is funtastic, perfect route. What you think about price of trip, I have not so big budget. I thinking about aeroplane price and price for motorbike to Moskou. Do you knows price for that....?
PS: I meet Doug in Sevastopolj, moto meeting off nights wolfs, he is cool man
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.
Bikes and cars often travel at different speeds, so unless we were in the same exact place at the same time, a hook-up is unlikely to be feasible.
.
What I learnt in the following clip from my summer trip in Mongolia is to walk rivers first, just in case the current is too fast…
Linear Mode
