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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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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Carry a lot of luggage? Yes a big bike can handle that better but I thought it was all about the art of packing light when you go for long travels? Although its an art I will never learn....
So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?
Hello
Why should the art of packing light be an admirable goal?
In trekking all you need is 10 lbs. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking)
By that, every biker is an overweight luxurious camper.
So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?
sushi
Whatever you say mate!
Packing a bike is an ART ... and doing it well is not easy. Most don't.
But of course much will depend on what sort of riding is intended.
Rough tracks and trails with possibly hundreds of km of deep sand, mud can (and should) influence how much you take along ... and what "luxuries" you can afford. The type of bike used is also key. Obviously, scooters and big bikes present different challenges. Bicycle riders face even greater challenges.
Neat, light packing always is better. "A system" as it were. We all have our own
"genius" ways of dealing with this. It's taken me decades to learn this ... and it all changes with every new bike.
Camp Chairs and Tables? Perhaps you employ "porters" on your rides through the Swiss Alps?
This Suzuki DR650 rider pulled this little trailer across USA. Coast to coast. Lots of ways to do it.
We have thousands of Gold Wing owners who tow BIG trailers behind their bikes. Great on smooth paved roads, but not compatible in rough off road conditions. Everyone has their own set of compromises regards packing up their bike ... and it starts with WHICH bike we are talking about. Scooters and Gold Wing riders must have different priorities.
I fall more on the pack light side. YMMV.
Whatever you say mate!
Packing a bike is an ART ... and doing it well is not easy. Most don't.
But of course much will depend on what sort of riding is intended.
Camp Chairs and Tables? Perhaps you employ "porters" on your rides through the Swiss Alps?
Whatever you say mate...
It's quite simple.
Take what you like and deal with it, it's your trip.
Camping chair and table OR a complete set of wheels (28kg).
Never ruin your trip by watching too much on weight, no matter what "experts" of "the art of packing a bike" say.
greeting from the swiss alps
sushi and his porters(2x XT660Z)
So, why not travel in style?
Why sitting on aluminum boxes if you can take a comfortable chair and table?
How else can one enjoy a sunset with a cup of tea (or warm ) in the middle on nowhere?
sushi
Trekking and a motorbike travel around the world isnt exactly the same. You dont need to carry spares and tools when you trek or hike. And no pump, tyre levers, chainspray, engine oil, W40, funnel, jerrycans etc when your trekking/hiking.
Weight weight weigt - the most important thing to think about when youre on a bike and going on roads a bit from the main routes.
But I do carry a chair, the second most useful item on my trip so far...
Trekking and a motorbike travel around the world isnt exactly the same.
Hello
In the "10lbs" religion is only camping (tent, sleepingmat, sleepingbag, cooking stuff, hygiene) defined.
Food is extra, of course, for biking the spares/tools will be extra.
Just as a reminder to the believers of the "weight, weight, weight" religion, there is still al lot of potential for improvement.
Most importent is the weight of the bike, so, take a scooter.
Then no parts are needed, if it breaks, give it back an rent another one for $5 a day.
I'm glad I'm an atheist when ist comes to the church of "weight, weight, weight".
Just have fun riding bikes
sushi
P.S.
Remember the thread title:
Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!
P.S. again
Somehow can't put smilies in my text, so put them in your mind where ever one is needed.
Whatever you say mate...
It's quite simple. Take what you like and deal with it, it's your trip.
Camping chair and table OR a complete set of wheels (28kg).
Never ruin your trip by watching too much on weight, no matter what "experts" of "the art of packing a bike" say.
greeting from the swiss alps
sushi and his porters(2x XT660Z)
Some beautiful pics of some nicely packed up bikes.
Sure, if you never go serious off road, "don't worry too much about weight"!
But if you do go off road, weight is CRITICAL IMHO, especially if riding solo. If you ride with enough friends (or Porters!) then moving a 640 lb.
1200 Tenere' is possible. Solo?
I follow riders traveling Latin America, lived there myself and have seen most of it going back 40 years.
It's funny how many Euro Motoqueros (starting in Chile or in Mexico) bring a TON of gear on their bikes and wearing riding gear suited for Cold Northern Europe.
Camping/Cooking Gear takes up lot of space, adds lot of weight too.
Walter Colebatch claims this is a Teutonic trait. They can't help themselves!
In SO MANY cases travelers barely use their camping gear (in Latin America) and end up in Pensiones/Hotels/Backpackers 95% of the time. Now why is that?
On recent Mexico/Cent. America trips I left ALL camping/cooking gear at home. This requires more careful planning of course but it's not too hard. If getting into super remote areas sometimes emergency camping gear is a good idea.
But most times there are towns and people everywhere.
Some riders love to camp. I get that. As an older rider I no longer am happy sleeping on the ground, but as always, YMMV and enjoy it while you can.
3 week camping ride on DR650. Only other luggage is my Camel Back drink system backpack. This pic shot around 2012.
Sure, if you never go serious off road, "don't worry too much about weight"!
What is "serious off road" in your eyes?
I quoted "the art of packing light when you go for long travels".
To me that means RTW riding on public routes inkl. sand tracks/dirt roads, everywhere the locals go too (in some parts of the world that's serious offroad to me), but not playing for a few days with MX-bikes loaded on a pickup truck and sleeping in a hotel.
For that you can take a scooter -> Best bike for offroading...its a Scooter!!!
That’s hilarious! Russians will try almost anything, then post the videos. I’d be convinced if I could only see whether he’s smiling like the guy on the scooter.
It’s hard to imagine how I even survived the several weeks since the last argument about what bike is better than whatever other bike, then how much baggage to bring along. Fortunately, I was able to distract myself by actually riding a motorcycle, rather heavily loaded, around much of Vietnam. FWIW, all the fellow tourists I met riding those little scooters and 125s professed jealousy about my rented 250–until I told them how much I paid for my mighty beast.
Here’s to more arguing on the internet, less riding!
Mark
(From Halong Bay, Vietnam’s most popular tourist destination)
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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"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.