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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World Map Sticker for PanniersShow your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
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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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Great report Matt, you look like you'd be a natural on The Gadget Show. Maybe when Suzi Perry moves on .....
How about a report on overlanding bikes. Must be enough people here with different types who'd volunteer a day.
Also, have they got you at the UK meet to do a talk on video production. I'm sure a few tips on how to get the best footage on a trip would go down well.
It was a reaction to the Adventure Show video where I looked like a tramp who happened to be stood in front of a camera - so I went looking 'smart' and ending up looking too smart.... best bet is to stay in my bike kit I think
This is one from an Off Road training day that Patrick did - I'm much happier with the 'look' but we had some issues with the quality of the shooting so I didn't shout about it too much. (See below - thoughts on the 'look'?)
Really glad you like the simple tents video though - next one will be cookers I think. The point of these videos are a kind of quick shot if you've not got much time - to get the headlines on some of the pitfalls and what to look out for. One on the bikes people use? Yes definately!
Later this year Horizons are going to be releasing a new series of DVDs which will go much deeper into the kit and talk to more people who've used it on the road. We're filming and producing it right now and at the July meet - having so much fun !
As far as a video production talk at the July meet goes - yeah why not - I'll ask Grant.
Nice video Matt.The swag has been used in Australia for well over a century now but has developed from a simple piece of canvas to what you see today.It's beauty is it's simplicity to erect and pack away (usually less than 5 minutes.The swag is mainly used for shorter trips of up to a week and is a joy to have it erected and be sitting down with a watching your mates still struggling with they're tents.
It's very quick to set up
I spent a week in the Victorian High Country using a swag and enjoyed it's simplicity immensly.One drawback is not having anywhere to stow your gear( I used the canvas bag that my swag came in ) and it could be a little uncomfortable if you had to spend any length of time in it because of bad weather.
I took the foam mattress out of mine and now have it rolled up with a self inflating mattress,sleeping bag and inflatable pillow which is now smaller than with just the foam mattress in it.
I could'nt just have a swag and they're definately not for everyone but if your feeling a bit lazy or know that your only spending a couple of nights away then they are great.
By the way "coolabah" is an Austarlian tree and it's pronounced cool-agh- bar
Thanks for the tip Andrew - will remember that - I'm filming a special about the swag bag in a couple of weeks in Wales.
I'm really interested in it - and if I can get the pack size down to something that will fit in my ortleb then I'm going to take it with me.
I think you're right about taking the foam mattress out and replacing it with an inflatable one - it'll make a hell of a difference to the size it roles up to i think.
Well done there Matt! I think you have a calling there eh!?
I appreciate your restricted to length of the vid but here's a few things worth noting in addition to your list;
Poles.. (You may have said it and i missed it) This is by far the largest single reason for a tent failure. Avoid fibreglass poles like the plague -It's heavier and not as strong as aluminum poles and has a nasty habit of splintering.
Never let them "flick" together with the elastic, (causes over time damage to the joints and sleeves) but put the joints together individually, making sure they are all the way home. (another major cause of failure in tents)
Footprint/ground sheet... The fact that it restricts condensation is actually a (very nice) secondary reason for a footprint. It protects the floor of the tent from puncture and also minimises the dirt getting ingrained into the tent floor fabric - it will prolong the life of the tent. save yourself £20.. and make a homer... get some plastic film (same stuff greenhouses are made of) and cut it the same shape as the tent floor but an inch smaller to stop water filling in and then duct tape it in place - sorted for 3-4 GBP!
Tunnel verses Dome... (A good quality) Tunnel tent is far superior to a 2 pole dome tent in the wind (if set up correctly pointing into the wind) and a lot easier to put up in very windy conditions, and has generally straighter more vertical walls than a dome so allows more living space. A dome can be free standing so if there are more bugs than rain you can pitch it as a bug shelter (inside hotels or barns if need be) and pick it up and move it a lot easier - also great for hard ground - less pegs needed
If you want two people to be in the tent make sure you get two people in the tent in the shop - some tents have only enough height and head space for one person at a time to sit up - the other having to lay down and wait to get dressed etc - needless to say a pain in the ar#e! Especially on bad weather days.
If you want to roll the tent up traditionally make sure you roll the poles up inside the tent - prevents the poles getting bent, and also prevents the poles from puncturing the tent in transit. I personally get a small sleeping bag compression sack and stuff the tent in like a sleeping bag with out the poles. the pack size is 1/4 of the original size. I then pack the poles separately.
If you are on a long trip especially, avoid leaving the tent up in the sun...3-4 months of that and even a 500GBP tent fly will be shredders from the UV damage.
__________________ '99 R1100GS - In a suitable shade of black
It's not that life is so short, It's just that we're dead for so long....
"The world is a book, those who do not travel read only one page." ~ Saint Augustin
You're quite right this video is quite short - that's because I don't want it to conflict with what Horizons are planning later in the year and also because it's just an overview with the headlines of what to look out for....
Groundsheet / footprint - so important I mentioned it three times!
Poles only got a mention once I'm afraid and only in the context of make sure they're good quality and tunnel tents generally have shorter ones.
Tunnel vs Dome - quite right too - a cheap tunnel will give you a very uncomfortable night - but something like the Alaska 3 (second 1/2 vid) will be very capable and much better than 99% of dome tents - once you start getting into the Geodesic designs however that advantage starts to slip away.
UV - yes really should have mentioned that - wanted to go into a lot more detail about wear and tear on the road but decided to leave that for the longer one.
Thanks for the review Steve - I'm making many many more of these (I hope!) so the more advice the better... as far as the jacket goes... I like that jacket! I'd go camping in it! honest.
Mate, I'd have people coming into the shop spending 2 hours looking at tents(and packs and sleeping bags etc)...and then coming back for another session. Like any bit of kit the things to consider is a very long list. but you want to make sure you get it right - before you part with your hard earned cash.
So it's great you're offering a another non-commercial angle. Keep them coming.!!
Do try the stuffing into the sack thing with the tent... I'll bet you'll be surprised how small it will go!
maybe some knox armour in the suit jacket.... gore-tex lining........ the james bond of MC......
__________________ '99 R1100GS - In a suitable shade of black
It's not that life is so short, It's just that we're dead for so long....
"The world is a book, those who do not travel read only one page." ~ Saint Augustin
Mr McGregor and Boorman could learn a thing or two!
Hi Matt,
Great video, and you certainly have the TV skills! And I finally, despite intentions to do so for a long time now, checked out the website of your trip - it's excellent, congrats.
A mate of mine and I are touring all over Europe between July and Oct this year and so we might even be able to catch up somewhere on the road., which would be fantastic.
We are starting and ending in the UK, heading North first, then West to St Petersburg and making our way down through Eastern Europe and back via the Balkans and anywhere we missed on the way down!
With coffee, , touring and video production in common (not necessarily in that order) I think we'd have plenty to talk about! (Or we could compare war stories from working in Emergency depts if I remember correctly...)
Great show although, yes, brown jacket??? not sure about that one mate.
Also good to see the swag bag finally making an appearance in the UK, I've got one I bought in Oz in '88 and it's great, and why did I never think of replacing the foam with a self-inflating mattress, that's a great thought too. I always think of it as a super-delux bivvy bag, now if only they could make one out of the latest materials so it packed smaller it'd be brilliant.
And good to see fine use of hands in this vid, particularly the gesture I like to think of as the "Matt Strangle"
DP - yes that would be really good - drop me a PM when you're around and I'll help out however I can whilst you're here - coffee at the very least!
I just don't understand the jacket issue! It's a very nice jacket and you have to say I look better in the jacket than the hoodie I had on at the adventure show!?
Next time I'll definitely do the armour thing - I like the idea of being the James Bond of the motorcycle world!
Jacket aside though - really glad you're enjoying the vids... I shall keep them coming :-)
One thing I did forget to mention about the swag is if you are in a real hurry you can just tie the rope( of the large end ) up to a tree or your bike and not even put the poles in.It still works the same and will only take 30 seconds to erect.
Another material to use as a footprint for your tent is shade cloth.It's tough and allows water to soak away instead of pooling.
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.
Dressed for camping
watching your mates still struggling with they're tents
.
honest.
Mr McGregor and Boorman could learn a thing or two!
Linear Mode
