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!
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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."
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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!
Which Bike?Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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Personally I think it looks particularly good from this angle...
I'm surprised to see they kept the four separate headlights, I was certain they'd have replaced them with a one-piece plastic assembly for the production spec.
(So basically same weight as my Tiger 800 and my XT660z - both of which have larger tanks).
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that what I've expected based on MT07 weight. For traveling this weight with that engine is OK but tank definitely too small. Looks like I'll keep my old tenere for few more years anyway.
p.s.
somehow nobody want's to jump into 140-160kg wet weight segment for adv bike, must be conspiracy
looks real good in the photos, shame I'm such a short arse, I found my 660 ten too tall and top heavy. be interesting to see how they price this given that the other bikes using the same engine are very reasonable. I'd like to think this bike comes in shy of £8k but who knows?
looks real good in the photos, shame I'm such a short arse, I found my 660 ten too tall and top heavy. be interesting to see how they price this given that the other bikes using the same engine are very reasonable. I'd like to think this bike comes in shy of £8k but who knows?
If the bike get too expensive, the 2019 cb500x now comes with a 19inch front wheel and an extra 15mm of front suspension.
shame I'm such a short arse, I found my 660 ten too tall and top heavy.
I'm 5'8" with 30-in inseam, so also 'partially heighted'. Initially I had a lowering link on my 660 Tenere but as I quickly gained confidence I took it off in favour of the increased suspension travel. My method of mounting was a take-off of John Cleese's silly walks.
Yes the 660Z is top heavy but I think that's actually an advantage off-tarmac as it makes it quicker reacting to steering/weighting inputs. My main criticism of the bike was the deep wheel rims which made swapping inner tubes when you have a puncture such a pain.
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
I had a look at one at the bike show. It looked a good machine. everyone keeping stum about the price and weight but from what i gleen it will be sub £9 in the UK depending upon brexit. seat height at 880mm is a bit much for a 5'5" squirrel like me, but lower seats will be available.
Seat was just right, wide enough for all day but easy enough to move around for balance.
The look was just right to make it appreciable by people in the know but fairly understated when you wern't trying to boast your wealth.
I didn't like the mountings for luggage which made it very wide but I recon this was only put on as a show afterthought so someone will make narrower luggage hangers.
As a side the KTM 790 was much lower, good for someone like me, but it was all hard on and un-sublte. The big tank seemed to bulge out at the side making it seem lardy and also a weak area in a crash.
I'm sure it is technically well ahead and on the sheets appears a long way ahead, but I would feel uneasy parking up in less salubrious parts of the world on such a machine, whereas the Tenere is more subtle.
Just thoughts from my own perspective, but it is really good to see these manufactures taking a decent stab at making really usable all surface bikes like this.
I love lighter bikes because I spend so much time picking them up!
Yes the 660Z is top heavy but I think that's actually an advantage off-tarmac as it makes it quicker reacting to steering/weighting inputs.
it's actually the opposite, having lower center of gravity is better off-road because of low speed maneuvers while top heavy bikes are quicker to move around on tarmac at higher speed on twisty roads.
The turning dynamics are mainly to do with trying to interfere with the stability brought about by the gyroscopic effect of the rotating wheels.
If you are in sand you want to be turning primarily by weighting the pegs. Do this on a BMW 1200 GS and nowt much happens and you carry straight on. Do the same with the Tenere and it turns nicely. This is the advantage of a top heavy bike compared to the beemer with its weight low down.
At speed on tarmac the Tenere with the larger 21-in front wheel is harder to turn than the BMW with its 19-in setup and really needs assistance with deliberate counter steering. This is best demonstrated by riding first the BMW 700GS with its 19-in wheel and then riding what is essentially the same bike, the BMW 800GS with its 21-in wheel.
If the wheels were the same I guess the Tenere might be easier to turn.
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
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...
"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.