So, a long distance and non existent time frame means that one must be self sufficient on the road.
Meaning, if anything goes wrong with the bike one must be able to fix these problems and so requires the appropriate tools and spares .... well I'm screwed then as I have no idea what I'm doing... I do have some tools though? oh and an inner tube!
I can't afford all the sexy panniers and hard cases and even if i could i like to travel light and prefer soft luggage. However the security of a pannier does come in really useful...So my gear will be broken down into two waterproof bags supplied from 'Overboard' (near windsor) and one pannier.
The pannier and its frame was completely made from scratch by the Great Slovak Welder Rusty!
I have broken down my gear into three sets:
1. Personal - Duffel #1 sits behind me on top of bike
2. Camping - Duffel #2 sits behind me on top of bike
3. Heavy Boring Crap # small secure hard pannier, fixed to the right hand side of bike
4. Rotopax- Not luggage but an attachment - heavy duty gasoline and water canisters fixed to the left side of bike - Water: washing, showering, cleaning, drinking - Gasoline: Emergency and to refill the MSR stove. Plus like that dude said if your stuck: Petrol = Distance Water = Time
With motorcycle touring i have been repeatedly told and have read a million times that packing is super important and travelling light is imperative for a number of reasons:
Easier to ride the bike if its not so heavy, can go off road easier, you don't have a ton of crap behind you, if you drop your bike its not a super bitch to pick up and you won't have so much to lug around when you get off....
Getting everything down to a super minimal travelling light state is an art! ... I suck at art...
1. My personal bag contains:
- A couple of pairs of pants, socks, spare riding gloves, two t-shirts, jumper, linen trousers, and of course flip flops (never leave home without the flippy floppy's - small, compact and saves the bulk of trainers)
- Hygiene stuff such as toothbrush and paste, shaving and washing
- Books and motorcycle manual
- Journal
- Maps
- Memorabilia and other random bits and bobs such as sowing kit, knives, and a first aid emergency plaster in case I get a boo boo
2. Camping bag contains:
- Sleeping bag
- Endura Silk inner for bag
- Mossi net
- Karrimor tunnel tent
- Trail light sleeping mat
- Tarp - to be used as ground sheet and bike cover
- Pocket shower
- A pot and a Pan
- Cup
- Cutlery
- MSR expedition Dragon Fly stove - a super cool stove which runs of anything! even petrol and diesel. Using petrol from the rotopax to run the stove (saves the weight and hastle of using gas cannisters)
- Paracord rope (doubles up as my washing line)
3. Heavy Boring Crap
- Food (all meals will be cooked so must carry enough food to last a few days)
- Tools - ratchet, spanners, keys, levers, tubes, gaffa tape, cable ties, grips, sockets, drivers, tire lever's, rim protectors, Spares such inner tube etc bla bla blaaaa
- Cleaning products - for bike, body, hair, dishes, clothes, rags etc
- Oil's - WD40, Coolant, Scottoiler top up, engine oil
- extra stuff that I don't have space for
Last but not least .... I have a camera :D
I'll be riding in my 7 year old riding Jacket, pair of jeans, old biking boots, Nolan N90 Flip front lid and shitty old gloves ... no fancy crap
The list may look like a lot but bear in mind this will be my:
Bedroom, Bathroom, Shower, Kitchen, Living room, Lounge and life for the entirety of my trip!
