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!
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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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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I'll be looking for an old generation Hilux (1998-early 2005 if I'm not mistaken, before the Euro 3).
Anyway. To answer the question about the Landrovers or Landcruisers, I'd really prefer a pickup to stay as low profile as possible as danielsprague said. But I'll have a look at them too.
1) what is the maximum mileage you would consider buying ?
2) do I need to focus on diesel engines or are petrol ones fine too ?
The main problem with buying a pickup is that they are almost always work vehicles, often worked hard and poorly maintained, especially the bodywork.... keep looking for a good one and get some expert advice when looking at potential cars!
Toyota is IMHO the benchmark. Having built a Toyota HJ75 series Land Cruiser Tray Back Ute (Pickup) 100mm shorter chassis then the HZJ for better entry and exits, Stating with a chassis and a tub, it turned out to be the most reliable, economical and all round beast I have ever owned. 10 years without an issue and was capable of 1350 K's @100 Kph without filling up.
Fitted was a 61 Series 12HT Factory Turbo Diesel Engine. Aux fuel tank, 75 Lt. Water tank and shower with pump. Thomas PTO winch with 50m of S/S 10m cable. Snorkel for deep water crossings, AC, CD, CB, Work light and Spotties, Super springs, Quality gas shocks, Non flip Shackles and 33 inch tyres.
Build time was about 3 months, cost was around 10K AU at the time and wouldn't be all that much more now if you had the time to swap out or source parts. Bullet proof engines, kicking myself for selling it
Failing that just buy a 61 Series Sahara Wagon with the 12HT motor in it. Or, I now own a Toyota Hilux Extra Cab Ute, a great combination because you can carry 4 passenger's if need be and there's enough room to lock up personal belongings and still have a usable sized ute, reasonably cheap and a very reliable, economical and capable 4X4.
I won't go over the arguments of new vs old as it has been done to death, however:
The Amarok has had loads of problems with reliability and build quality. Check out the forums. It is a new, relatively untested design. VW has no history of building this type of vehicle. It has a highly tuned and complex twin turbo 2.0 engine. It has no low range box, which gives you some indication of it's off road intentions.
Whilst it may be nice to drive around the streets of Berlin, it would be, in my opinion, about the worst choice of vehicle you could make for overlanding! It is simply not up to the job. You would probably be better off taking VW Golf!
If you are looking at new there are only 2 realistic choices of pickup that have the credibility, reputation and reliability, and when your life depends on your vehicle starting in the morning, that counts for a lot. 1st is the Hilux, 2nd is the Isuzu Dmax.
thats an L200 in the piccie above BTW, also a not terribly good vehicle!
A close friend has recently faced difficulties with the electronic fuel injection system of a recent generation LR Freelancer. Basically the system limited engine revs, thus limiting speed to 80 km/h, because of low quality diesel fuel that he had bought in the Pyrenees (!). In the end he had LR service tow the car all the way back to the dealership in Lombardy and cover for a temporary replacement vehicle for his trip.
Those systems are for sure useful to prevent damage but also getting all the more complex to the extent that taking an EFI vehicle for an overland trip in countries where quality of fuel can be dreadful can become a costly adventure. I guess proper electronic preparation just as improvements to suspension and alike are in order, if possible. So IMHO the simpler the better.
Having mentioned that, I happen to have a LR Defender 300 Tdi up for sale on this very forum. Unfortunately it's not a pick-up truck, but at least it has none of those electronic innovations. Have a look, I'm also in Switzerland. should you wish to take it for a road test.
Interesting link, even though it seems to contradict your recommendation!
I especially like the map of worldwide sulphur content in diesel, do you know whether the quoted figures are regulatory limits or actual measurements in the fuel? I know Iranian diesel stinks of sulphur to the point of smelling quite different from European diesel, but I never noticed any significant increase in smoke output.
Having a new generation EFI Euro 4, 5 common rail blah blah diesel would be terrible for overlanding. Even if one didn't have any problems, fuel quality, filter condition would become a constant obsession. I think for many years, pre common rail mechanical injector / VE rotary pump engines will be the overlander's choice.
Toyota is IMHO the benchmark. Having built a Toyota HJ75 series Land Cruiser Tray Back Ute (Pickup) 100mm shorter chassis then the HZJ for better entry and exits, Stating with a chassis and a tub, it turned out to be the most reliable, economical and all round beast I have ever owned. 10 years without an issue and was capable of 1350 K's @100 Kph without filling up.
Fitted was a 61 Series 12HT Factory Turbo Diesel Engine. Aux fuel tank, 75 Lt. Water tank and shower with pump. Thomas PTO winch with 50m of S/S 10m cable. Snorkel for deep water crossings, AC, CD, CB, Work light and Spotties, Super springs, Quality gas shocks, Non flip Shackles and 33 inch tyres.
Build time was about 3 months, cost was around 10K AU at the time and wouldn't be all that much more now if you had the time to swap out or source parts. Bullet proof engines, kicking myself for selling it
Failing that just buy a 61 Series Sahara Wagon with the 12HT motor in it. Or, I now own a Toyota Hilux Extra Cab Ute, a great combination because you can carry 4 passenger's if need be and there's enough room to lock up personal belongings and still have a usable sized ute, reasonably cheap and a very reliable, economical and capable 4X4.
Cheers Dave
that sir, is a mighty fine truck! The 12HT is not a common engine over these parts though.
that sir, is a mighty fine truck! The 12HT is not a common engine over these parts though. did you get hold of a factory new one?
Yes it was, thanks and man I miss it! I was fortunate enough to get it with the 12HT in perfect condition already in it. However it was owned by a pig hunter and the body work, interior and the tray was trashed, the running gear was replaced also.
The 61 series Sahara Wagons are around but hard to find, I agree. The HJ75 / HZJ75 series utes would be hard to find also. A mate in France found and bought a 61 series Sahara Wagon with the 12HT in mint condition last year for 5000 Euro, he loves it!
Guess you just have to want one enough to start sourcing the parts! It's quite an easy build and once you have it all together.............
Quote:
Originally Posted by ar1814 Thanks again for all the inputs, I'll stay focused on the pre Euro 3 Hilux (idealy 1998-early 2005), mainly diesel, maybe petrol or in second choice an Isuzu D-Max. I think that a manual gearbox is the way to go or are automatic good too ?
Good choice, I'd look for the 2.7 petrol engine 2000 Toyota Hilux RZN174R, a few pints to consider, get freewheeling hubs and put mags on it, the difference in handling is huge, unsprung weight ect ;-) Keep away from the Isuzu!
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)
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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
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Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books availablefrom the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
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.
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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!
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.
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