Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > Welcome to HU
Hello from SW UK Hello from SW UK
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Welcome to HU New to the HUBB and Horizons Unlimited? Introduce yourself here! Get to know the denizens.
Photo by Josephine Flohr, Elephant at Camp, Namibia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Josephine Flohr,
Elephant at Camp, Namibia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By andrew.corey

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Hello from SW UK
Hello everyone, greetings from the (currently) sunny UK!

I've had a motorbike for 6 months now (2014 F800GS) and plan to do a long-distance trip in the new year. Possibly on my GS, possibly on something cheap/ novel and easy to maintain/ get parts along the way. I'm really in the 'that-sounds-like-a-good-idea' stage at the moment and putting feelers out amongst friends to see if anyone bites.
I look forward to hearing everyone's stories and getting some insight and advice from some seasoned adventurers.

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Essex UK
Posts: 186
Hello Andy,

Why not take the GS, after all that's what they're made for right ??
Where are you thinking of going ? I assume being new to riding it'll be your first trip .

Loads of info here mate, sure you'll find all you need.

Lee
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 380
Hi Andy

How much time do you have and what sort of thing so you enjoy? (Will help us with pointers)

Cheers
Andy (based in Bristol)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by leevtr View Post
Hello Andy,

Why not take the GS, after all that's what they're made for right ??
Where are you thinking of going ? I assume being new to riding it'll be your first trip .

Loads of info here mate, sure you'll find all you need.

Lee
Cheers Lee,

if it's mainly roads, then I'm more than happy to take the GS. I use it as a commuter/ sunday in the brecons bike currently, but I have zero trails experience, never ridding sand, poor surfaces etc. so maybe a trip around europe on it might be a good starting point before I consider something epic..
I was toying with the idea of riding to cambodia (I'm well travelled, just not on a bike) I could take anywhere between a month and four off in the new year to head out...
what do you think for a first trip? keep it short and learn or go balls out?

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Sep 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Hi Andy and welcome,
I would start with a few shorter trips and by reading a few ride reports elsewhere here. Pay attention to when people make their trips and how long they take, motorcycle travel is fairly seasonal and unless you are Nick Sanders going for a world record there is a limit to how far you can get even in a few months. You could start off by doing some trail riding locally which will give you an idea of what the bike is like on rougher roads but these days you can cross most continents on tarmac if you choose to.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 7
Hi Andy,
My girlfriend and I are planning a long trip to South America starting April 2017.

We have done loads of two or three week trips around Europe.

Happy to chat through our experiences.


Kelvin and Suzie
Also based in Bristol


Sent via Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelvin_uk View Post
Hi Andy,
My girlfriend and I are planning a long trip to South America starting April 2017.

We have done loads of two or three week trips around Europe.

Happy to chat through our experiences.


Kelvin and Suzie
Also based in Bristol


Sent via Tapatalk
Kelvin and Suzie,

I've travelled south America some years back, walked the andes etc., could swap some tips with you! would be great to have a chat about it! There's a guy on here called Andy from brizzle if you guys are all keen to meet up then send me a DM and we can sort something out

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Sep 2016
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Welcome to the HUBB


The other thing you could do if funds allow is to buy a smaller, old, cheap ~ 250cc bike to learn riding dirt on at home, then you wont mind pushing yourself and the bike and dropping it - dropping the 800 GS might get expensive. For a trip around Europe the GS will be a great bike to ride, especially through the Pyrenees and the Alps
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew.corey View Post
Kelvin and Suzie,



I've travelled south America some years back, walked the andes etc., could swap some tips with you! would be great to have a chat about it! There's a guy on here called Andy from brizzle if you guys are all keen to meet up then send me a DM and we can sort something out



Andy


Andy,
Would be great to share some hints and tips. The other Andy you refer to has just returned from an Africa trip. Lovely chap and would like to catch up with him to.


Cheers


Sent via Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Sep 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 5
thanks for the advice everyone, i'll be checking out ride reports and looking at getting my shed extended....!

andy


Quote:
Originally Posted by Gipper View Post
Welcome to the HUBB


The other thing you could do if funds allow is to buy a smaller, old, cheap ~ 250cc bike to learn riding dirt on at home, then you wont mind pushing yourself and the bike and dropping it - dropping the 800 GS might get expensive. For a trip around Europe the GS will be a great bike to ride, especially through the Pyrenees and the Alps
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

2025:

  • Queensland is back! Date TBC - May?

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
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.

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.

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

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

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.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top