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!
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.
Eh? Small bike fast is the best kind of riding - if you've never dragged knee on a 125 at full throttle trying to squeeze every bit of momentum from a corner, are you really living?
dosnt sound much like an adventure ride to me !!( 350 cc scooter )
Well, at the moment my adventuring is done on a 9hp 125 with 50/50 tyres, and it works very well for me, but sometimes it's fun to lean it hard on the road when I'm going to work too ... certainly more fun than the "big" bikes we've got
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 470
Honda CG Cargo
Since 1975, Honda produced the CG 125 for decades.
Currently it is produced as 150/160 cc.
There is a version called "Cargo".
That comes ready with a rack over the pillion seat.
As far as know the GG is produced in Brasil and Mexico.
I have never seen one in Europe.
it it was availible, I would buy a CG 160.
Simon used this CG 125 pizza delivery bike to ride from Mexico to Ushuaia and than up to New York.
His trip seams much more an adventure and interesting than riding Interstates and Pan American Highway from Alaska to Ushuaia on a huge touring bike.
Someone already mentioned Nathan. Who used a CT 110 from Sydney to London. He is very open to all kinds of bikes. For this trip at that time it he consider this as the perfect bike.
Reliable and easy to maintain. Kind of important in Mongolia that it starts every morning.
And more....
So it has been done... With fantastic results
All respect for these guys. (And Ed, Godspeed, ++++)
I want to sleep in tent when travelling. I have not seen any luggage racks for 125 c bikes. So you have to create and build your own solution
==
I am not at 125 cc yet. But at 400 cc.
Next step will probably be a 250 cc.
(Benelli TRK 251)
The cargo 160 is an almost ready made solution. Pretty much change the tyres, load up and ride away. The hassle is getting one outside South America then doing the registration paperwork.
Next level is the Hunter Cub. The rack is huge, plenty of luggage options available. Seven Seas will import you one to the UK and your only hassle with paperwork is maybe insurance for a grey import. Plenty have done it.
The Supercub luggage options are many. Start here https://beezdeals.com . The Supercub's minor challenge is tyres unless you want to revert to tubes. That said, I've ridden mud and snow on the OE tyres and it was actually fun. I'll take the Cub in commuter trim over a GS behemoth just for the lack of weight. MX machines they are not though.
A CG125 probably is indeed going to need more fabrication, but given you need to travel light anyway I'd start with what commuters might use and strengthen.
I bought a Supercub because having an oil filter was important to me.
Honda of course reacted by fitting the same engine in the CT and making the petrol tank bigger, thus leaving me with only my tubeless tyres and simpler insurance as consolation.
It's honestly great, a real variation on the whole thing, a sort of halfway between big motorcycles and joining the lycra.
Practically, loads are no problem, the limit is volume and trying to avoid too much that will catch the wind.
Speed over the ground is mid-30's mph, 200-250 per day is a breeze. It'll do motorways and you get no hassle so long as there are trucks also doing 53-56 mph. On steep gradients you can be down in second at 25 mph, but so are the campervans and the cyclists are even slower.
Handling is actually great fun, you can ground the stand on corners
Off road it does what a road bike does but is so very very light. You can pivot it round on the stand, lift it up by a wheel etc.
Running costs are a pittance. Fuel use is 130's to mid 150's mpg giving a tank range of 100-120 miles, hence the little can. I got an oil filter for £3.84. The chain enclosure works.
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.