Planning a long trip?

Mr Lefty · 05-28-2009, 10:12 AM

check this site out...
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/

they have a LOT of info on traveling on two wheels... through boarders, shipping your bike, packing, places to stop, where gps works and where it doesn't, places for repairs... pretty much everything you need to know.

they've got a list of quite a few trips round the world. and tons more multi-country trips.

They seem to be mostly based in Canada and the UK... but wisdom is multicultural so I'm passing it along.

I actually ran into one of their members Ian Moore (you can find his blog here)

he's on a trip around the world... the WRONG way

CrazyKell · 05-28-2009, 11:36 AM

Good find. I'd love to do some travels by way of motorcycle. Unfortunately my current bike isn't exactly suited to long trips like that.

Heck I'm dreading a planned 8 hour ride in the fall!

G-Rex · 05-28-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

Good find. I'd love to do some travels by way of motorcycle. Unfortunately my current bike isn't exactly suited to long trips like that.

Heck I'm dreading a planned 8 hour ride in the fall!

8 hours? If you start extending your riding range now, by the fall, 8 hours will be nothing! Just takes practice.

An 8 hour trip is the same as a 2 hour ride for me now. Build yourself up and you'll be fine.

Great link also Ebbs!

derf · 05-28-2009, 01:02 PM

Yup the horizon unlimited folks have probably the best long distance touring information pool int the world. I have opened up my couch to a few of their members in the past who are on long rides.

Mr Lefty · 05-28-2009, 01:34 PM

I'm starting my research for a world trip... won't happen for some time... have to get out of the military first... and since I'll still need money that means RETIRING from the military... so 13 years... but hell... that just means I get more time to find people to meet up with and maybe learn a language or two... (

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Rex

8 hours? If you start extending your riding range now, by the fall, 8 hours will be nothing! Just takes practice.

An 8 hour trip is the same as a 2 hour ride for me now. Build yourself up and you'll be fine.

Great link also Ebbs!

No doubt... but honestly... prior to my Indy trip last year... I hadn't spent more than 2hrs on the bike in one sitting. and never ridden over 4 in a day.

that trip I didn't have a day of riding under 6hrs... and only two under 12.

never had an issue... did one day of 904 miles in 16 hrs.

Like ya said G... after the first fill up... the rest of the day feels the same... 2-4-6-12 hrs riding all feels the same... at least until you stop for a couple hours and it hits ya

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

Yup the horizon unlimited folks have probably the best long distance touring information pool int the world. I have opened up my couch to a few of their members in the past who are on long rides.

no shit? that's damn cool of ya... Yeah I'll be opening my place up to travelers too if need be... but not many people wanna stop in southern Mississippi

CrazyKell · 05-28-2009, 02:04 PM

I've ridden long distances before. I'm just not thrilled about the idea of doing it.

Traveling around Newfoundland I had some pretty long days.

derf · 05-28-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBBs15

I'm starting my research for a world trip... won't happen for some time... have to get out of the military first... and since I'll still need money that means RETIRING from the military... so 13 years... but hell... that just means I get more time to find people to meet up with and maybe learn a language or two... (

)

No doubt... but honestly... prior to my Indy trip last year... I hadn't spent more than 2hrs on the bike in one sitting. and never ridden over 4 in a day.

that trip I didn't have a day of riding under 6hrs... and only two under 12.

never had an issue... did one day of 904 miles in 16 hrs.

Like ya said G... after the first fill up... the rest of the day feels the same... 2-4-6-12 hrs riding all feels the same... at least until you stop for a couple hours and it hits ya

no shit? that's damn cool of ya... Yeah I'll be opening my place up to travelers too if need be... but not many people wanna stop in southern Mississippi

I start mine in 2023, thats when my son turns 18 and graduates high school. I'll retire with 25 years. The general plan is to leave home, then head to alaska for the summer solstice, then down to Ushauanda (southern most city in the Americas) for the winter solstice, explore south America a little more, then ship the bike to Europe, and take a month off of riding and go stay with relatives. Meet up with the bike in Europe and explore that continent, then down through the western countries in Africa, then back up the eastern coast. Head north through southwest Asia avoiding all the nasty countries on my way to India, stay there for a while, then into Southeast Asia. After that, ship the bike down to Australia then New Zealand. And finally finish up the journey with a swing through all 48 lower states.

A great book to buy and read is called Lonely Planet, details alot of places to visit, stay, and routes to avoid, visas, stuff like that.

Mr Lefty · 05-28-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyKell

I've ridden long distances before. I'm just not thrilled about the idea of doing it.

Traveling around Newfoundland I had some pretty long days.

yeah I bet! I'm planning a trip up there... thinking next year... looping up through Labrador.

though I'm done with long days rack'n up miles (if I can help it) I wanna take my time... enjoy the views... 8hr days max unless it's all off road... then 12hrs

I think back to my Indy trip... and think of all the area's I blew through pushing to get to the next stop... blah... as is I have photos from the start.... in FL... TN... and Indy... that's about it. sad really.

t-homo · 05-28-2009, 02:19 PM

Iron Butt from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL and back coming up in a week and a half.

derf · 05-28-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBBs15

though I'm done with long days rack'n up miles (if I can help it) I wanna take my time... enjoy the views... 8hr days max unless it's all off road... then 12hrs

My total dream is to see a sign for the worlds biggest squirl, then pull off for a day to see the world biggest squirl, and not worry about having to be somewhere in any decent amount of time.

05-28-2009, 10:12 AM	#1
Mr Lefty TWFix Legend Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver CO Moto: 01 BMW F650GS Dakar Posts: 15,677	Planning a long trip? check this site out... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tripplan/ they have a LOT of info on traveling on two wheels... through boarders, shipping your bike, packing, places to stop, where gps works and where it doesn't, places for repairs... pretty much everything you need to know. they've got a list of quite a few trips round the world. and tons more multi-country trips. They seem to be mostly based in Canada and the UK... but wisdom is multicultural so I'm passing it along. I actually ran into one of their members Ian Moore (you can find his blog here) he's on a trip around the world... the WRONG way

05-28-2009, 01:02 PM	#4
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Yup the horizon unlimited folks have probably the best long distance touring information pool int the world. I have opened up my couch to a few of their members in the past who are on long rides. __________________

05-28-2009, 11:36 AM	#2
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	Good find. I'd love to do some travels by way of motorcycle. Unfortunately my current bike isn't exactly suited to long trips like that. Heck I'm dreading a planned 8 hour ride in the fall!

05-28-2009, 02:04 PM	#6
CrazyKell Vrooom Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: 06 ZX6R Posts: 4,427	I've ridden long distances before. I'm just not thrilled about the idea of doing it. Traveling around Newfoundland I had some pretty long days.

05-28-2009, 02:19 PM	#9
t-homo WSB Champion Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 7,146	Iron Butt from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL and back coming up in a week and a half.