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.
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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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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!
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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About to bite the bullet and buy one. Tell me why I shouldn’t. Interested in the opinions of people who own or have ridden one only. Intended use would be primarily for extended overlanding; so what are the pros and cons for this?
I was lent one to test ride for a week and really liked it, but what are they like to live with longer term? I know it has a smallish tank and uncomfortable seat, but the engine is brilliant. Ergos were good (for me), I didn’t find it too heavy and it was enormous fun to ride. So, tell me........why shouldn’t I get it?
Ta
(For reference: I’ve had an XT660Z for 10 years and also a CRF250 in the shed)
You should.....cracking bike . But I would want to address the seat though .
We sell shed loads of them and I'm struggling to think of any issues unlike Ktm .
I've had 2 660Z's in my career and put a combined 100.000+km on them. I also had the opportunity to ride the T700 for a few hours on a press event on varied terrain. It's better than the 660 in all regards, except autonomy.
But whether it is the best bike for you for "extended overlanding" depends on how you like to spend that time. It might be that the CRF250 is more suitable (I'm assuming an L or a Rally here). It all depends on how you prefer to travel.
I have a good friend who recently bought one. He loves it. It looks like a fantastic bike. He and I just got back from a weekend camping trip.
I looked at the Tenere 700, and the features that led me to the CB500X is the fuel mileage, fuel range, and weight. The CB500X has a larger tank and gets better fuel economy. It's also about 15 kg lighter.
The extra cost of the Yamaha had a small effect on my decision also.
Thanks all. I did rent a CB500X for a few days a while back now. Nice bike, but I felt a bit cramped on it. Being “too” tall: I’ve got higher than stock seats on both my XT and CRF (yes, the Rally) so the CB wasn’t comfortable for me.
So, unless one of you talks me out of it before, the deposit goes on the T7 tomorrow.
good solid bike but make sure that you are comfortable with the fact that 1. it is a road bike at heart, 2. it is heavy, top heavy at that, 3. tank range is limited.
good luck with your decision
I was pretty dead set on a CB500x Rally Raid after months of research and debating all possibles bikes. Came down to the CB vs the T7.
The CB with all of the upgrades comes close to the T7 base price and actually surpasses it by some bits. So price for me are pretty similar for both bikes fitted like I want them to.
CB is a tad lighter, more importantly less top heavy. Easier to ride, bigger fuel range.
But ... Because there is a but... The T7 is just a different beast. 21" front wheel, more powerful... And that face...
I went and looked at one in my Yamaha dealer today and I just fell in love with it. Yeah it's bigger, heavier, less fuel yadda yadda yadda... But damn me if that bike isn't a piece of art. Itr just screams adventure.
So there you go... From my side: Head says CB, Heart says T7.
Oh and they have it in stock. Could be mine tomorrow if I pull the trigger.
Still, I'll give it another month to try both of them (if I can find a CB in Switzerland to try mind you).
In case you missed it, and you haven't made up your mind, maybe Ryan's insights and review will be of benefit - it appears he wants to now sell his GS:
The claimed wet weight of the CB500X is 197 kgs, while the T7 is 204 kgs. Only 7 kgs heavier. It is 3K cheaper though. Anyway deposit has been put down on the T7; decision made, no going back now. Thanks all.
Having had a CB500X (with all the RR level 3 trimmings) and now running an XSR700 Yam, same engine as the T7, I presume, I much prefer the Yamaha, and mine is still A2 learner restricted, but its so much more torquey and flexible than the Honda.
I wouldn't expect the XSR to be any better than any other road bike in stock form, off road. But I'm sure the 700 Yamaha engine would be a lot more satisfying for a trail bike
At last! One manufacturer who didn't follow the crowd.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hugues
good solid bike but make sure that you are comfortable with the fact that 1. it is a road bike at heart, 2. it is heavy, top heavy at that, 3. tank range is limited.
good luck with your decision
I beg to differ. It is not a road bike, it is a dual purpose, adventure bike and is a lot easier to ride off road than the Honda and most of the other big adventure bikes out there. Overlanders strap on spare fuel when necessary, it's just part of your luggage. I used to lead expeditions on GS's from London to Cape Town down the West side of Africa and never once ran out of fuel.
My plan recently has always been to buy a 2002 Africa Twin and head back to Africa. One of the guys on my expedition rode on one and the only maintenance he did for the 5 month trip was oil the chain.
I was also just considering the option of a newer 660 Tenere vs 20 year old AT and then, suddenly, there was a new Tenere! After months of being stuck at home during the Covid lock-down with too much time on my hands... I decided it was time to buy a bike and I could still get out of the house and social distance by riding alone. My local dealer had a demonstrator on offer. I took a test ride which was the first time I have been on a bike in 10 years (I don't enjoy roads in the South of England after being in the wilds) and bought it the same day.
The engine is bullet proof and Yamaha have improved on the 660 all round. They have kept it simple. The only sophistication is ABS on demand and fuel injection, so not much to go wrong in the middle of nowhere.
Unless you're planning to spend as much time as possible off-road, climbing over rocks, I believe this is the best new bike on the market for a combination of practicality, reliability, comfort and handling for that next RTW trip
get it, it rides awesome - not perfect bike but from current offerings probably the best money can buy for adv trips. Sure bigger tank would be nice and sure tubeless wheeels would be good as well. Also is most off-road orientated from the rest.
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.