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!
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 Difference Tips 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!
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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."
Road Heroes"Inspiring and hilarious!" (only on DVD)
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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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I think the comparisons between the 790 and the T7 just stopped. With just 72 bhp and weighing in over 200 kgs dry, the T7 has shot itself firmly into the Africa Twin category. The 790 is thus a bike out on its own, lighter, more powerful and, with the pannier type tank, no doubt feeling a whole lot lower.
I'm pleased they are offering a base and R model, as the base looks pretty good for adventure touring while the R will be a bit higher with more electrickery for sporty riding.
189 kg dry and 20 liters tank with 450km range so it's about 204 kg wet, not that bad similar to T7 which has smaller tank and range as well as less power.
still heavy, not sure why some would buy this instead of 1090 adv R?
if you dial in reliability; I think the comparisons have just started for me. In a travel bike, reliability is at the top of my list of priorities; and here KTM just stalled.
I'd agree about the importance of reliability but I wouldn't agree the 790 can be judged on it. After all this is a virtually brand new engine, KTM have done a mahoosive amount of work to develop it and there have been no problems I'm aware of reported in the 790 Duke which has been out for nearly a year.
It's wrong to judge KTM by the standards of its past bikes (though BMW kinda trades on that), and even if you do there are plenty of examples of machines that have clocked up huge mileages with no problems.
I find it incredible that KTM thinks this is an advert for an adventure travel bike. Enduro yes, but definitely not Adventure.
Let's see some photos with luggage and sensible off-tarmac riding, not some juvenile Top Gear type antics.
50 kg heavier is not a selling point to me and I definitely don't need any extra power, so it looks like I will stick with my KTM 690 'bumbling adventure' bike.
The one thing that might have swung it for me is if KTM had made the spokes external to allow tubeless tyres.
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
I've tried both. Against things that penetrate the outer tyre, the thickness of the inner tube has no relevance.
Heavy duty tubes might help with 'snake bite' punctures when you are running at low pressures over rocks and where the tube gets pinched, but there's a downside that even when fully inflated they limit the speeds you can run at due to heat buildup.
Slime has never worked for me. Some people report that once a tube has had slime in it, you can't patch the tube, but I find it washes off just fine. But then I rarely patch tubes, I replace the tube with a new one and then have the old tube vulcanised.
So at the moment my preferred options are tubeless or running mousses. I use mousses in my KTM 690 Enduro. Michelin BIB mousses are a real PITA to fit but they last as long as the outer tyre.
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
if I'm not mistaken all new adventure bikes from KTM, BMW, Suzuki XT versions use tubeless, spoked wheels so only honda is behind and Kawasaki. We'll see what approach T700 is gonna take.
I find it incredible that KTM thinks this is an advert for an adventure travel bike. Enduro yes, but definitely not Adventure.
I think it's important to make a distinction between the basic 790 Adventure and the 790 Adventure R. KTM themselves describe the Adv as a long distance touring bike with offroad capabilities, while the R is clearly more performance focused, with its single seat, high front mudguard and many selectable driving modes. I'd agree with you the R is not an Adventure bike as we would generally think of it.
I'll be able to let you know how capable the Adv feels in March hopefully, as I've just put down an deposit on one
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
I think it's important to make a distinction between the basic 790 Adventure and the 790 Adventure R. KTM themselves describe the Adv as a long distance touring bike with offroad capabilities, while the R is clearly more performance focused, with its single seat, high front mudguard and many selectable driving modes. I'd agree with you the R is not an Adventure bike as we would generally think of it.
I'll be able to let you know how capable the Adv feels in March hopefully, as I've just put down an deposit on one
Yes, you are right, the 790 Adventure looks a far better bike for travellers. The more I look, the more impressed I am. 15,000km service interval is brilliant, a wide variety of accessories and luggage. If I was in the market for a mid-weight travel bike it would probably be a toss up between this and the BMW 850 (which has tubeless spoked wheels).
__________________ "For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
790 also doesn't seem to have hydraulic clutch, which is interesting since most of ktm have it. Would that indicate it will be budget version of 1090?
which in turn was budget version for 1290 adv r
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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"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
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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.
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.
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