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!
New Owner Intro (49L) + New Questions [Rebuild, Brakes, Suspension]
Hey all,
Last week, I finally picked up my 1985 XT600 (49L, manufacturing date of 12/'84) - I bought it from a fellow mid-20's rider. The bike had been in his family for well over 10 years, and he actually learned on the bike. I had some hiccups registering this expired/out-of-state bike, but I'm happy to say that it's finally registered in California!
With 15.5k miles or so on the odometer, she's in surprisingly decent shape for a 30 year old motorcycle; the seat is the only area that looks terrible.
I am surprisingly excited about my XT600, especially having just sold my street bike ('09 Monster 696) - I am loving this bike on San Francisco's bumpy roads. However, due to a wrist injury and not being able to ride for the next 5-6 weeks, I have decided to work on rebuilding the motor as well as improving areas that could use them.
Please provide your advice on the following areas that I want to improve, I've spent at least 10-15 hours reading but I still have much to learn, since most of the mods apply to the later XT's:
Rebuilding motor to "freshen" things up
Front-end swap (w/ different bike) VS stock fork rebuild + springs, oil, emulators. The front-end conversion to a more modern bike will give me more options, in case I want to run Supermoto wheels (less likely atm). Mainly, it would let me run better brakes and improve adjustability and stiffness. I want to consider the swap vs overhauling and replacing parts on my current fork, if I'll end up spending the same amount.
Rear shock upgrades? Seems a bit soft, even for me 170lb/77kg rider. I read about Ohlins, Wilbers, and Works shocks - but it seems that my model might not be compatible with all.
Front brake upgrade - San Francisco is a dangerous place to ride, need to be able to stop QUICK. The newer XT can take the larger rotors and caliper adapter, but my 49L has no upgrade options besides new sintered pads, SS lines, and good fluid. Before dumping money into improving my current fork and brakes - I want to consider the front-end swap; since I have a feeling the costs might be similar and I might potentially end up being unhappy with the current system.
Having and sharing some tools with friends, I also bought:
Clymer XT600 manual
K&N Oil Filters (x4)
Yamaha OEM Cam Timing Chain
Full stainless steel bolt replacement set
Full gasket set (made by "Athena")
XT200 wide rider footpegs
Adjustable "shorty" levers (somewhat small hands)
Here are things I would like to add, but it's not a priority:
Clarke or Acerbis large tank
Replace or fix speedo/tach
Reupholster or replace seat cover
Newer handlebars + controls (the old controls feel cheap)
New exhaust, or custom setup (will avoid if it actually makes less power)
Finally, thanks so much for reading. For most of the repairs and mods, my friend(s) and I will be tackling ourselves. We have most of the tools and have access to a friend's shop after-hours. I'm not necessarily too worried about "labor" since we'll be doing the work, it's more about getting the results I need out of my suspension and brakes and the money I'll be spending on those components (whether it's a new front-end, or parts for my stock suspension).
First thing, throw the clymer manual away, they are terrible and wrong. Get a genuine yamaha manual, they are available on line for the asking.
Before jumping into rebuilding the engine, first do some tests. 15K miles is nothing. DO a compression test. Normal is 150 to 170lbs. My 86 xt has about the same mileage and measures 170 lbs.
I recently freshened up mine by stopping all the oil leaks, new seals etc. You will probably have to take the rocker box off, clean and reseal it using Yamabond sealer. While apart look at the camshaft for wear and deep scratches, look at the rocker arm faces too. If the oil has been changed and filter changed the cam will be fine. After reassembling the rocker box, you MUST set the valve clearance. All of this is in the Yamaha manual as to disassembly and valve settings.
If you have low compression, adjust the valves first. If still low, squirt some oil in the cylinder then do another compression test. If compression is better then the rings/piston/cylinder may need attention. If no change then the valves may need to be replaced. Replacing and lapping the valves is a job for a shop, just take them the head after removing it. You cannot grind the valves other than lapping them in and it may be all they need.
Good luck, ask for advice here and other xt600 forums. Plenty of folks to help you.
Last week, I finally picked up my 1985 XT600 (49L, manufacturing date of 12/'84) - I bought it from a fellow mid-20's rider. The bike had been in his family for well over 10 years, and he actually learned on the bike. I had some hiccups registering this expired/out-of-state bike, but I'm happy to say that it's finally registered in California!
With 15.5k miles or so on the odometer, she's in surprisingly decent shape for a 30 year old motorcycle; the seat is the only area that looks terrible.
I am surprisingly excited about my XT600, especially having just sold my street bike ('09 Monster 696) - I am loving this bike on San Francisco's bumpy roads. However, due to a wrist injury and not being able to ride for the next 5-6 weeks, I have decided to work on rebuilding the motor as well as improving areas that could use them.
Please provide your advice on the following areas that I want to improve, I've spent at least 10-15 hours reading but I still have much to learn, since most of the mods apply to the later XT's:
Rebuilding motor to "freshen" things up
Front-end swap (w/ different bike) VS stock fork rebuild + springs, oil, emulators. The front-end conversion to a more modern bike will give me more options, in case I want to run Supermoto wheels (less likely atm). Mainly, it would let me run better brakes and improve adjustability and stiffness. I want to consider the swap vs overhauling and replacing parts on my current fork, if I'll end up spending the same amount. ( You will have work to do to make it all work out, ask for advice)
Rear shock upgrades? Seems a bit soft, even for me 170lb/77kg rider. I read about Ohlins, Wilbers, and Works shocks - but it seems that my model might not be compatible with all.
Front brake upgrade - San Francisco is a dangerous place to ride, need to be able to stop QUICK. The newer XT can take the larger rotors and caliper adapter, but my 49L has no upgrade options besides new sintered pads, SS lines, and good fluid. Before dumping money into improving my current fork and brakes - I want to consider the front-end swap; since I have a feeling the costs might be similar and I might potentially end up being unhappy with the current system.
Partzilla is best price for Genuine parts.
Having and sharing some tools with friends, I also bought:
Clymer XT600 manual (JUNK)
K&N Oil Filters (x4)
Yamaha OEM Cam Timing Chain
Full stainless steel bolt replacement set
Full gasket set (made by "Athena")( have better luck with genuine Yam)
XT200 wide rider footpegs
Adjustable "shorty" levers (somewhat small hands) (will make pull harder)
Here are things I would like to add, but it's not a priority:
Clarke or Acerbis large tank
Replace or fix speedo/tach (turn upside down, soak drive with light oil like 3in1)
Reupholster or replace seat cover Replace, be careful. Europe model covers are different.
Newer handlebars + controls (the old controls feel cheap) ( I replaced my left control switch with chinese made one from eBay. Actually quite good about 10 bucks)
New exhaust, or custom setup (will avoid if it actually makes less power) (Nothing wrong with stock exhaust)
Finally, thanks so much for reading. For most of the repairs and mods, my friend(s) and I will be tackling ourselves. We have most of the tools and have access to a friend's shop after-hours. I'm not necessarily too worried about "labor" since we'll be doing the work, it's more about getting the results I need out of my suspension and brakes and the money I'll be spending on those components (whether it's a new front-end, or parts for my stock suspension).
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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"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
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"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.