I was a tank soldier for 26 years and we had a saying when packing for exercise for a few weeks "Anyone can rough it". More of a dig at the Infantry but I have a bike that can carry all the gear I want so i will take anything that makes my life a bit more luxury in the evenings etc.
Mechanised infantryman here, if my coffee pot can’t come I’m not going. The feeling of a clean shirt, clean undies and clean socks still makes me happy.
Thanks for the content. I always save the pants and socks and tee shirts, that I was intending to throw away, take them on tour,dispose of them while away, and it’s less washing and leaves room for stuff on the return journey. Thanks for the useful info
Good tips guys. I find taking walking trousers which have zip off legs helps with space as you have shorts and trousers in one item. Also a micro fleece base layer and micro down jacket. Often mountaineering and back packing gear is excellent for bike touring as it's designed to be tough and light and highly packable.
Great advice guys, I'm taking the wife on a 4500km in 10 days trip from Alberta thru Idaho to the Oregon coast back thru Seattle, Mount Ranier NTL park and back to Alberta. I will show her your video as a packing tip. I came from the Army so I can live on next to nothing but she likes to pack the frigging kitchen sink... Great channel guys!!
Thanks guys for these tips. The one with the usb stick is a good one. Gonna do that when i'm going to a country here there is no internet, and i can't use my one drive. Yeah i know the video is 5 years old, and for that time the usb was the way to go. Still if you travel to a country that is still 25 years behind on those matters, you still have a laptop with you, where you can put that usb stick in! So thank you for that tip!
I take Cotton Traders 2 in 1 trouser/shorts with a zipped leg and roll every time best way not to crease. Three of everything is all you need - wear one - air one - spare one. Riding solo its tank bag for camera, phone documents etc. and top box for luggage. Two up tour then its panniers his and hers. Top box kept empty more or less and used to store helmets when away from bike sight seeing/food etc.
What a Brilliant Video. I'm new to going abroad & last year i took way too much & half of it i didn't use as i found myself washing clothes every night. Love your Channel as i have Recently Discovered you so plenty more Video's to Watch. Thanks for the Advice.
I know you guys need to take added electronics in your line of work, but I find that (apart from my iPhone), most of the (electronics) leads are fairly standard (micro), so only a couple are needed. Tip: Charge a power-bank up and use this to charge your devices from, recharging the bank when you can find an a/c socket. Also, I place my electronics in a ziplock bag in my tank bag. I use this as my 'day-bag', holding water bottle, wallet, cash, documentation, snacks etc.
Nice video. Enjoyed watching and laughing. I pack for a motorcycle trip the same as a bicycle trip with some minor changes to camping gear. I’m also a roller. For off bike, I use 2 sets of convertible pants, merino wool shirt, quick drying underwear and socks. Roll them up into a 2 dry sack (1 per set). For on bike, I have a set (1 hot, 1 cold weather) quick drying top and bottom that I wear under my riding suit. Everything gets washed in the sink and dry overnight while I sleep.
It's really nice to see you guys talking about motorcycle "stuff" - it's like sitting with old buddies in the pub :) I watched this particular video to learn something new about packing - because I always struggle at that part of the motorcycle trip (it's not what i especially like ) I found this surprising that I pack just like you ! I still think I pack too much, but generally after a couple of years I developed very similar "packing style" - I even pack my tshirts/socks into shoes to maximize efficiency ;) So - learn a few little tricks, and I'm more confident now about packing - thanks to you, more experienced riders :) Cheers from Poland!
Really good lads nice and simple funny like it a lot. Me and my mate ride quadbike and I take just enough to get by every day even on long trips works really well for me. Thanks really good information
Glad it's not just me that washes bits and bobs as i travel! Where would we be without hotel heated towel rails. One thing I do is have a generic check list to print and tick off before i go, covering the most important things such as spare keys, ehic card, specific documents and photo copies etc. We all have our routines 👍
Cheers guys, great stuff. I always pack everything into separate bags....socks in one, grundies in another, keeps it neat, keeps um dry too. Gonna get zip lock bags next time though. Great site, keep um rubber side down.
Ski gear is designed to be moisture wicking and dries quickly, ski socks and thermal base layers work well on a bike. Big plus is that it is often cheaper than "proper" motorbike gear.
Guidance when packing, used this for years. Pile all you think you want, then half it. Then pack half of that, you will still have the odd item not used. Similar kit to yourselves used as it's easier to wash and dry. Wife gets given the smaller pannier and I share the big one with the cook kit. Roll sack on the back for camp kit, use larger sack as it enables wet kit etc to be stashed easily. Tank bag for documents, day kit, maps etc that you need to keep with you.
Guys, at Ikea you can buy handy packing cubes, very handy for adapters, cables etc. Way smaller than your sandwich boxes. They costs like 5 euro's here in Amsterdam and come in a set with different sizes.
Great vid guys, i find that take more stuff for the evenings, T shirts and underware doesnt weigh much and sometimes the stuff doesnt dry enough. A good tip for washing clothes so that they dry quicker, when you have done your washing, get one of the spare towels thats always in the hotel room, lay your damp clothing in the towel, then roll the whole lot together, squeeze the towel, you can even walk on the towel, this will dry the clothing alot more than just squeezing it. Oh and you can get base layers that have an anti bacterial property to them, they last a few days and dont smell at all.
Yep, merino wool works great for my hiking trips as it has antibacterial properties and it`s warm. It dries longer than synthetic materials though. When I use a towel to pre-dry my clothes I like to turn them inside-out. Hotel towels tend to leave this annoying white fluff on my dark clothes.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.
@Nikolai Emmett Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
Great Vid and great packing advice as well. the other small things i carry include meds for myself, first aid kits, high vis vest, disc lock, thin bike cover, and the bike essentials like oil etc.like you guys i also have recently pulled together a review of the look a like KRIEGA bags (UglybROS) and what i take touring for the same period of time. Big Up guys
One of the best packing video's i've seen, having toured europe many many times camping in the early years but now all hotels I have most of the gear you suggest. Just a bit of fine tuning to do, but I always take far too much clothing and gadgets. I always try to prepare for every eventuality but there is no need. I will certainly start washing the clothing first thing every night as you suggest. And although I have toured every year for the last forty years it is only once per year and I always seem to forget the lessons from the previous year :-)
I always pack my clothes role up tight in zip lock bags several in a bag. You can dig through everything and not mess up anything and they always come out looking good. I started doing this in 1969 when I started cruising shortly after I started racing sailboats did it then for as much as keeping everything dry.
now thats a very good idea, thanks for sharing Bob. Might try that next month on our next tour. it is a pain rifling through the bag to get what you need.
That’s a good one. Thanks matey. Will do that one at some point as the last trip I took where I camped I did take a little more and have a great tent and accessories. Watch this space :) 😉
Hi Guys, great information, didn't see or here you mention a first add pack but I bet you carry one!? And I always tuck a few dehydration sashes in my first aid pack they are invaluable at times especially in hot country's. All the best ride safe. Martyn
Brilliant video!! So much good info.... I wondered what gloves you´d take for a summer tour? 2 sets, for example one: gore tex, second: summer ( light, well ventilated)??
Mark wears the BMW double glove, which works well for cold and warm and Toby wears Richa... the cheap ones and uses the same pair all year round, although for the heat we do take 2 pairs with us to cater for sweat etc on long journeys... we both wear the Furygan James D30 gloves for the summer
Nice one, good to hear you haven't had problems with the Caxton FX card, as I've often encountered the auto petrol stations declining my FairFX card and so was looking for an alternate option this year.
Another great video chaps, a lot of expedition / trekking clothing transfers very well, like the HH stuff; have you looked at Merino base layers? all of the benefits of HH but just doesn't smell at all, it's not cheap but fantastic. Also look at "XSocks" for their silver impregnated socks to hiking wear etc, they don't smell either. I did a 2 week expo across Scotland with only 1 change of clothes. I'm going to try Mr Mark's commando theory next :-)
Thanks Liam. Glad you enjoyed the video. The Merino sounds interesting. Will have to have a look and see what it’s like. Thanks for the tip ;) Careful marks commando tip doesn’t make things Chaffee. Hahahhahha
Nice one chaps. Less is more. Was wondering how you packed 21 pairs of trollies but you've solved it... As a back to biker I'd appreciate a video on weekly / monthly checks on the BMW shaft driven bikes, I've an RT, but similar to your GS 's I guess.
Looks like you only hotel tour, I only camp so I have to take more IE the tent and more clothes because if the weather is bad or it's just cold I can't dry them. But a really good video guys thanks,,.
Hey Robert, thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video. We do indeed hotel tour as that's the tours the company we work for run, although we have camped toured before, and that involves carrying a little more, although depending where you go (we were in Germany and Austria in the summer a few years ago and applied the same principle to washing things etc. just had to plan it a little more). eek!
I'm catching up on your back catalogue, and a big thank you to both of you. I have a question please, apologies if you've already covered it. What locks, chains and other security kit do you take on a trip, what do you put them in and where do you stow them? Cheers
So basically if you go on a bike tour, take only one change of gear no spare socks or underwear. You will always get a quiet spot by yourself in a crowded cafe or bar, if you smell like a pair of polecats.
Hahaha, funny really! We ride in bike kit all day and have a change of clothes for the evening, spare underwear and socks but very few as we wash them when at the hotel and they are dry but the morning.. never smelt bad as you always have a clean pair in your bag (through cycling them everyday). Mind you a quiet spot in the bar is sometimes needed 🤣
Interesting vid. No mention of using a tank bag; are you agin these? Or a waist bag like the Kriega R8. Never tried Croc shoes but usually take Espadrilles (although not good for long sightseeing walks).
Hi Richard, I had a BMW tank bag and hated every mile I spent leaning over it. Now I use a thigh pouch which is much more comfortable and practical in my opinion.
Guess you guys don't camp then... I suggest zip offs then you have shorts and trousers. Lip balm & Ibuprofen are useful along with the suncream for preventing problems. Wash your gear when taking a shower: just stand on it. Wet wipes make freshening up nice when its hot sticky weather. A simple cable lock for your jacket if you want to leave it on the bike and a bike cover for security. A tubeless repair kit and first aid kit should go without saying. Think you made a video on these but I always have a pair of Rok straps.
Totally agree matey. Wet wipes and lip balm are a great idea. Have camped before and it’s a great way to travel. Went through Europe a few years ago camping everywhere and it was awesome.
Thought this video was great. Im planning a spain / portugal from UK tour solo ( NONE of my mates ride and my missus wont entertain getting on the back of a bike ) this comming summer on my Tracer 900, and was very informative. I dont have panniers as such but I do have a 15 liter givi tank lock bag, and a Ventura textile top pack thats got a max of 11kg plus a small 30cm x 15 x 15 pack that clips onto the Ventura rack, and ill be taking a decent Osprey medium sized hiking backpack. Planning on a week maybe upto 2 weeks depending on work with decent stops and stays in between if I do the 2 weeks. My arse hurt after doing 600 miles around wales in a day with a Comfort seat on also, so wondering if my luggage would be adequate for my first tour and if you have any recommendations on a gel or fur seat cover that wont break the bank as I could spend that on new tires and bits to get me fully serviced and prepped. Also I have some RST Paradigm 5 textiles that I find just too hot with the liner out in our summer climate, and have been looking for something that would do a bit of everything, laminated ( Gore-tex at a push ), snug fitting preferably ( im a lankey skinny git at 6'3 and 11 stone ). Got my eye on some Aplinestars Yokohama but ive going to try some on the weekend to test the fit as they are on a brilliant sale at the momment, heard they are brilliant at full price for what they do during the colder / wetter seasons and would rather not test out my Wolf Nimbus leathers and regret it. Any info and tips appreciated.
Di Ablo hiya! Make sure you buy some Rok Straps to lash your stuff on the bike. Don’t wear a pack pack as you will end up with a bad neck. If you are staying in hotels pack very light as you can wash everything at night. Wear ‘wicking’ underwear as it dries quickly and in the heat who cares if it is damp? Your current jacket should be fine. Enjoy the ride and let us know how you got on. Ride safe.
HaHa lol, I just mentioned to my wife that she can only take two tee shirts and two pairs of nickers. OMG, I can't tell you exactly what she said but the tamed down version was this " You can get lost. I'm on holiday mate. If you think I'm doing laundry every night your very much mistaken. Honestly guys you should of seen her face, it was so funny.
Obviously the two most important words in any marriage are 'yes dear'. My wife will be with me for my Norway trip next year so I have just invested in two 20lt pannier bags that will be secured on top of my side panniers...
Did all of western Europe last year and packed far to much, your video has been great for ideas this year (eastern Europe). Knew you where ex mill as soon as I heard you talk lol . would say sgt major?!
one pair of underpants are good for 4 days right way round right way in, back to front right way in, inside out right way round, inside out back to front. every bloke knows this.......
Yes i take my spouse with me " On Tour",so one has to take a little extra ,fact.Oh and i use bin liners in my panniers works a treat it does not have to be " Always hi-tech".Just saying great vid anyway. What does make me laugh is all the tech equipment ,should be like " Easy Rider" Throw away your watch.
Great tip guys thanks very much. Apologies if I missed it but what motorbike trousers do you take for long trip on bike? Armoured jeans for whole trip? Must get a bit whiffy if so? Any recommendations?
Thanks matey. Glad you enjoyed it. We typically on a tour would ride for an hour or so, perhaps and hour and a half before taking a break. Depending on the weather, time of day and how we feel though. It’s always good to split rides (tours days) up a little so you can stretch walk around and eat etc. Hope that helps.
We don’t tend to use tank bags as they are a real faff when refuelling and also when leaving the bike. So we opt for the thigh bag option. Always with you and has enough space for all the essentials. If you are looking for a tank Bach however, the Givi bags are great as the mechanism is easy to use and doesn’t get in the way of anything. They also do a huge range of sizes. Just make sure you get the correct tank ring for your bike (where it fixes to your tank). For a roll bag, the oxford or ortleib bags are great. Come in loads of different sizes and are fully waterproof. Biggest tip would be to. It pack too much :) Ride safe and enjoy your tours :)
Have you guys done much in the uk , say a trip to Scotland ? Its not a hot climate , so more clothes involved ,and you haven't got the added bonus of getting stuff dry that's been washed , whats your views on this scenario ?
Hey John. We have been to many places in the UK on our bikes but tend to tour abroad as that’s where our work takes us. Touring in this country is just as much fun and getting stuff dry can be done, but may need the use of hairdryers in the rooms etc but is totally doable :)
I’ve been wearing a camel back hydration pack. Easy to lift the nozzle up to mouth and have a drink as you ride. Great for hot long trips. Very refreshing to drink whenever and not have to wait for the next stop.
RiderCamTV your not going to believe this, I checked the name of the under clothing my company supply us for the winter and it's the same name lol I tried it out yesterday and it works a treat. Been in my wardrobe all winter never used it, I thought it was just a wind stopper 😩 well saved me money cheers guys 😎
I'm off on a solo motorcycle tour of Germany in July, and my question is, if the unthinkable happens and I break down, what are the essentials I'll need on the side of the road while waiting for recovery?
Sounds like a great journey. We’d take a reflective vest in case, as much of Europe require you to have one if you have broken down and are by the side of the road. Take a few snacks and a hat to keep the sun off you. Oh and water.
@@RiderCamTV thank you for your reply, this is my first tour and I want to have the best experience I can by having as much information and safety tips as possible, so on that note would you recommend getting some sort of European break down cover or use the local garages to fix any issues, I intend to mix my accommodation with camping and hotels
@@rocdouglas if you have a BMW that is under warranty then you should have BMW recovery which is amazing. If the bike is out of warranty you can purchase this from Motorrad. Otherwise AA or RAC have affiliates in Europe. It is worth getting a recovery package that gets the bike home should the worst happen. It can take up to a month for the bike to be returned. Also check your bike insurance covers you for being in Europe. Travel health insurance is essential that also covers you for unexpected covid isolation… Ride safe.
great video once again chaps , ive always over packed never again ... i'd be interested to see your opinion of the jvc quad proof as i'm looking at stream lining my equipment , i'm currently have the roadhawk helmet cam and on the bike (r1200rtw) the nextbase ride.. the jvc looks great as a universal bit of kit , take it out with you in the evenings as a camera/video and on the bike in the day recording the ride when out for a few weeks in europe touring ?
Thanks for the kind words matey. The JVC quadproof is great and provides good quality video although the output is an avhd format (their own format) which is a real pain to extract and input into a video editor. GoPro and drift are much more versatile
Thanks gents, very informative as always. Perhaps a rhetorical question, do you have to take a laptop to download footage from your helmet cam or is there something else available other than taking numerous memory cards?
Hey Andrew. Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed it. In terms of the laptop, to download all of the footage (sometimes about 500GB) it’s a god send. I also edit and upload when on the road so need a laptop with me. Eek! I researched drives you can download directly on but it didn’t seem an issue as I always have the laptop. :)
RiderCamTV many thanks. I intend to start videoing trips next year so any advice is welcome; am looking to buy a Drift Ghost 4K but am waiting for them to sort the software out.
Cool. Will look forward to seeing some vids :) I’d go with the gd ghost s and a GoPro as the footage in HD is great and you’ll be hard pressed to find a 4K streaming service to show the 4K quality at the moment. Plus the ghost s is great to mount and have the camera level as well as a mic input. Although the GoPro audio is better it’s tricky to plug the cable in without an extra case. Hope that helps matey :)
E111 no problem but (big but) only for use in the specific nations public hospitals. Private hospitals then obviously cash (lots) or Travel Insurance. Many holiday makers get taken to private hospitals/Doctors and don´t realise it.
lar go hiya, I have used my Caxton FX on French toll roads without any problem and so far had no problem anywhere in Europe regardless of how remote the area.
Good advice...?really? couldnt finish the video after 11 min because all i learned was adaptors and usb sockets ....and then dude asks if you really need all these (has a laptop himself!!!!A FREAKIN LAPTOP!)) Dont take advice from this video PLZ!Youll get further searching youtube.
![KAYTRANADA - Witchy (feat. Childish Gambino) [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jGK3YVmGZ3Y/mqdefault.jpg)
I was a tank soldier for 26 years and we had a saying when packing for exercise for a few weeks
"Anyone can rough it". More of a dig at the Infantry but I have a bike that can carry all the gear I want so i will take anything that makes my life a bit more luxury in the evenings etc.
Mechanised infantryman here, if my coffee pot can’t come I’m not going. The feeling of a clean shirt, clean undies and clean socks still makes me happy.
Thanks for the content. I always save the pants and socks and tee shirts, that I was intending to throw away, take them on tour,dispose of them while away, and it’s less washing and leaves room for stuff on the return journey. Thanks for the useful info
Good tips guys. I find taking walking trousers which have zip off legs helps with space as you have shorts and trousers in one item. Also a micro fleece base layer and micro down jacket. Often mountaineering and back packing gear is excellent for bike touring as it's designed to be tough and light and highly packable.
Great advice guys, I'm taking the wife on a 4500km in 10 days trip from Alberta thru Idaho to the Oregon coast back thru Seattle, Mount Ranier NTL park and back to Alberta. I will show her your video as a packing tip. I came from the Army so I can live on next to nothing but she likes to pack the frigging kitchen sink...
Great channel guys!!
Hey Colin. Thanks for the kind words. Sounds an epic trip and glad you found the vid useful. Enjoy and ride safe :)
Thanks guys for these tips. The one with the usb stick is a good one. Gonna do that when i'm going to a country here there is no internet, and i can't use my one drive.
Yeah i know the video is 5 years old, and for that time the usb was the way to go. Still if you travel to a country that is still 25 years behind on those matters, you still have a laptop with you, where you can put that usb stick in! So thank you for that tip!
thanks for the lovely comments buddy... Ride safe :)
I take Cotton Traders 2 in 1 trouser/shorts with a zipped leg and roll every time best way not to crease. Three of everything is all you need - wear one - air one - spare one. Riding solo its tank bag for camera, phone documents etc. and top box for luggage. Two up tour then its panniers his and hers. Top box kept empty more or less and used to store helmets when away from bike sight seeing/food etc.
simple bungee clothesline so things dry faster out of the shower, and yes, use shower gel (or American "Dr. Bronners") for washing everything.
What a Brilliant Video. I'm new to going abroad & last year i took way too much & half of it i didn't use as i found myself washing clothes every night.
Love your Channel as i have Recently Discovered you so plenty more Video's to Watch.
Thanks for the Advice.
I know you guys need to take added electronics in your line of work, but I find that (apart from my iPhone), most of the (electronics) leads are fairly standard (micro), so only a couple are needed. Tip: Charge a power-bank up and use this to charge your devices from, recharging the bank when you can find an a/c socket. Also, I place my electronics in a ziplock bag in my tank bag. I use this as my 'day-bag', holding water bottle, wallet, cash, documentation, snacks etc.
Great video guys it's all about traveling light, after 30+years touring Europe always 2up got a pretty good idea now but always happy to learn more
Hey Tony. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Really appreciating the genuine, down to earth and easy listening information you guys supply. Thanks again gentlemen.
Hey matey. Thanks so much for the kind words. It means a lot. Ride safe :)
Great information as always especially the gear for wicking the sweat away. 👍👍 I gave you two thumbs up just so you get one each 😂
Nice video. Enjoyed watching and laughing. I pack for a motorcycle trip the same as a bicycle trip with some minor changes to camping gear.
I’m also a roller. For off bike, I use 2 sets of convertible pants, merino wool shirt, quick drying underwear and socks. Roll them up into a 2 dry sack (1 per set). For on bike, I have a set (1 hot, 1 cold weather) quick drying top and bottom that I wear under my riding suit. Everything gets washed in the sink and dry overnight while I sleep.
It's really nice to see you guys talking about motorcycle "stuff" - it's like sitting with old buddies in the pub :)
I watched this particular video to learn something new about packing - because I always struggle at that part of the motorcycle trip (it's not what i especially like ) I found this surprising that I pack just like you ! I still think I pack too much, but generally after a couple of years I developed very similar "packing style" - I even pack my tshirts/socks into shoes to maximize efficiency ;) So - learn a few little tricks, and I'm more confident now about packing - thanks to you, more experienced riders :)
Cheers from Poland!
hey buddy, thanks for the kind words... we love these kind of. videos.. :) Ride Safe
You guys always have that much fun?? Its fun to watch your videos. Thanks.
Great Video with really good ideas and advice. Cheers Lads
Really good lads nice and simple funny like it a lot. Me and my mate ride quadbike and I take just enough to get by every day even on long trips works really well for me. Thanks really good information
Glad it's not just me that washes bits and bobs as i travel! Where would we be without hotel heated towel rails. One thing I do is have a generic check list to print and tick off before i go, covering the most important things such as spare keys, ehic card, specific documents and photo copies etc. We all have our routines 👍
Cheers guys, great stuff. I always pack everything into separate bags....socks in one, grundies in another, keeps it neat, keeps um dry too. Gonna get zip lock bags next time though. Great site, keep um rubber side down.
Great video lads good tips taarrrrrr me mukkas
Thanks for your useful advice and guidance in this regard...
Ski gear is designed to be moisture wicking and dries quickly, ski socks and thermal base layers work well on a bike. Big plus is that it is often cheaper than "proper" motorbike gear.
What about your personal gear, jacket, shoes, gloves....?
Guidance when packing, used this for years.
Pile all you think you want, then half it.
Then pack half of that, you will still have the odd item not used.
Similar kit to yourselves used as it's easier to wash and dry.
Wife gets given the smaller pannier and I share the big one with the cook kit.
Roll sack on the back for camp kit, use larger sack as it enables wet kit etc to be stashed easily.
Tank bag for documents, day kit, maps etc that you need to keep with you.
Excellent tips there matey. I do the same. Pile it up and then half it and half it again :) ride safe
instant subscribe one minute in, love your guys' energy and dynamic
Nice tips for all riders. And love your sense of humor.
Thanks buddy. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Great Video - Thanks for the info. 👍🏻
thanks James, glad you enjoyed it :)
Great video both, very informative and nice to see what you guys take with you. Top quality video with great sound.
Hey David. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Guys, at Ikea you can buy handy packing cubes, very handy for adapters, cables etc. Way smaller than your sandwich boxes. They costs like 5 euro's here in Amsterdam and come in a set with different sizes.
Hey matey, thanks for the idea. great one at that. was in Ikea the other day as it happens and picked a couple up :)
Great vid guys, i find that take more stuff for the evenings, T shirts and underware doesnt weigh much and sometimes the stuff doesnt dry enough. A good tip for washing clothes so that they dry quicker, when you have done your washing, get one of the spare towels thats always in the hotel room, lay your damp clothing in the towel, then roll the whole lot together, squeeze the towel, you can even walk on the towel, this will dry the clothing alot more than just squeezing it. Oh and you can get base layers that have an anti bacterial property to them, they last a few days and dont smell at all.
Yep, merino wool works great for my hiking trips as it has antibacterial properties and it`s warm. It dries longer than synthetic materials though.
When I use a towel to pre-dry my clothes I like to turn them inside-out. Hotel towels tend to leave this annoying white fluff on my dark clothes.
i dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a method to log back into an instagram account?
I somehow lost my password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me.
@Mack Alfonso Instablaster :)
@Nikolai Emmett Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Nikolai Emmett It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thanks so much you really help me out!
Great Vid and great packing advice as well. the other small things i carry include meds for myself, first aid kits, high vis vest, disc lock, thin bike cover, and the bike essentials like oil etc.like you guys i also have recently pulled together a review of the look a like KRIEGA bags (UglybROS) and what i take touring for the same period of time. Big Up guys
thanks for the kind words buddy :)
One of the best packing video's i've seen, having toured europe many many times camping in the early years but now all hotels I have most of the gear you suggest. Just a bit of fine tuning to do, but I always take far too much clothing and gadgets. I always try to prepare for every eventuality but there is no need. I will certainly start washing the clothing first thing every night as you suggest. And although I have toured every year for the last forty years it is only once per year and I always seem to forget the lessons from the previous year :-)
Thanks John. Glad it helped :)
Great stuff!...I, as most, Always...ALWAYS pack too much! Everytime I vow I will do it differently next time! Haha! Really good!
Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed it. I still take too much. Hahah
Very helpful guys, many thanks 👍🏽
I always pack my clothes role up tight in zip lock bags several in a bag. You can dig through everything and not mess up anything and they always come out looking good. I started doing this in 1969 when I started cruising shortly after I started racing sailboats did it then for as much as keeping everything dry.
now thats a very good idea, thanks for sharing Bob. Might try that next month on our next tour. it is a pain rifling through the bag to get what you need.
Brilliant idea!
Be interesting to hear how you'd change this for a camping trip, where you're taking tent, sleeping bag, rollmat, cooking stuff, food, etc.
That’s a good one. Thanks matey. Will do that one at some point as the last trip I took where I camped I did take a little more and have a great tent and accessories. Watch this space :) 😉
Hi Guys, great information, didn't see or here you mention a first add pack but I bet you carry one!? And I always tuck a few dehydration sashes in my first aid pack they are invaluable at times especially in hot country's. All the best ride safe. Martyn
thanks buddy. yeah we always have a first aid kit as you never know when it might be needed. dehydration sashes are a great idea too!
Brilliant video!! So much good info.... I wondered what gloves you´d take for a summer tour? 2 sets, for example one: gore tex, second: summer ( light, well ventilated)??
Mark wears the BMW double glove, which works well for cold and warm and Toby wears Richa... the cheap ones and uses the same pair all year round, although for the heat we do take 2 pairs with us to cater for sweat etc on long journeys... we both wear the Furygan James D30 gloves for the summer
@@RiderCamTV thanks for replying!
Nice one, good to hear you haven't had problems with the Caxton FX card, as I've often encountered the auto petrol stations declining my FairFX card and so was looking for an alternate option this year.
The Caxton has worked everywhere we have needed and has been a god send :)
You can also have two cards for the same account so if you loose one you can cancel it but still use the account.
Fascinating and funny. I take more than you two just going to work 😱👍🏻
Hahhah. What ya like. 🙈
Great video guys. Been riding every make since 1976 but never aspired to riding outside the UK. Just took early retirement and bought a new toy.
thats great news mate. happy and safe riding......... have you packed everything... hehehehe
Wear one, wash one and spare one, has always worked well for me. Otherwise enjoyed your videos. Well done.
Thanks for the Sync Wire recco, just bought one on Amazon - only £10! Happy Christmas guys!!
Happy to help. Have a great Christmas :)
Another great video chaps, a lot of expedition / trekking clothing transfers very well, like the HH stuff; have you looked at Merino base layers? all of the benefits of HH but just doesn't smell at all, it's not cheap but fantastic. Also look at "XSocks" for their silver impregnated socks to hiking wear etc, they don't smell either. I did a 2 week expo across Scotland with only 1 change of clothes.
I'm going to try Mr Mark's commando theory next :-)
Thanks Liam. Glad you enjoyed the video. The Merino sounds interesting. Will have to have a look and see what it’s like. Thanks for the tip ;)
Careful marks commando tip doesn’t make things Chaffee. Hahahhahha
Merino wool base layer is way better then HH stuff. They do not smell or make you sweat. Well worth the money
100%
Nice one chaps. Less is more. Was wondering how you packed 21 pairs of trollies but you've solved it... As a back to biker I'd appreciate a video on weekly / monthly checks on the BMW shaft driven bikes, I've an RT, but similar to your GS 's I guess.
Thanks mate. Will see what we can do :)
Great advice, took too much to Germany this year, as usual....
Thanks Ian. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Looks like you only hotel tour, I only camp so I have to take more IE the tent and more clothes because if the weather is bad or it's just cold I can't dry them.
But a really good video guys thanks,,.
Hey Robert, thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video. We do indeed hotel tour as that's the tours the company we work for run, although we have camped toured before, and that involves carrying a little more, although depending where you go (we were in Germany and Austria in the summer a few years ago and applied the same principle to washing things etc. just had to plan it a little more). eek!
I'm catching up on your back catalogue, and a big thank you to both of you. I have a question please, apologies if you've already covered it.
What locks, chains and other security kit do you take on a trip, what do you put them in and where do you stow them?
Cheers
I take a disc lock and stow it in my panniers. I don’t have a tank bag. Ride safe
3 week trips boy you guys have great jobs to fund this.
we are very lucky.. Its not always easy as working 24 hours a day when away its tiring, but have to say it is the best job in the world
If you go camping in Europe, the distance between cities is very small, if you go camping on a bike in other places of the world you need more stuff,
So basically if you go on a bike tour, take only one change of gear no spare socks or underwear. You will always get a quiet spot by yourself in a crowded cafe or bar, if you smell like a pair of polecats.
Hahaha, funny really! We ride in bike kit all day and have a change of clothes for the evening, spare underwear and socks but very few as we wash them when at the hotel and they are dry but the morning.. never smelt bad as you always have a clean pair in your bag (through cycling them everyday). Mind you a quiet spot in the bar is sometimes needed 🤣
Interesting vid. No mention of using a tank bag; are you agin these? Or a waist bag like the Kriega R8. Never tried Croc shoes but usually take Espadrilles (although not good for long sightseeing walks).
Hi Richard, I had a BMW tank bag and hated every mile I spent leaning over it. Now I use a thigh pouch which is much more comfortable and practical in my opinion.
I want to tour with you guys
Would be good to have you along...
Guess you guys don't camp then... I suggest zip offs then you have shorts and trousers. Lip balm & Ibuprofen are useful along with the suncream for preventing problems. Wash your gear when taking a shower: just stand on it. Wet wipes make freshening up nice when its hot sticky weather. A simple cable lock for your jacket if you want to leave it on the bike and a bike cover for security. A tubeless repair kit and first aid kit should go without saying. Think you made a video on these but I always have a pair of Rok straps.
Totally agree matey. Wet wipes and lip balm are a great idea. Have camped before and it’s a great way to travel. Went through Europe a few years ago camping everywhere and it was awesome.
Thought this video was great. Im planning a spain / portugal from UK tour solo ( NONE of my mates ride and my missus wont entertain getting on the back of a bike ) this comming summer on my Tracer 900, and was very informative. I dont have panniers as such but I do have a 15 liter givi tank lock bag, and a Ventura textile top pack thats got a max of 11kg plus a small 30cm x 15 x 15 pack that clips onto the Ventura rack, and ill be taking a decent Osprey medium sized hiking backpack.
Planning on a week maybe upto 2 weeks depending on work with decent stops and stays in between if I do the 2 weeks.
My arse hurt after doing 600 miles around wales in a day with a Comfort seat on also, so wondering if my luggage would be adequate for my first tour and if you have any recommendations on a gel or fur seat cover that wont break the bank as I could spend that on new tires and bits to get me fully serviced and prepped.
Also I have some RST Paradigm 5 textiles that I find just too hot with the liner out in our summer climate, and have been looking for something that would do a bit of everything, laminated ( Gore-tex at a push ), snug fitting preferably ( im a lankey skinny git at 6'3 and 11 stone ). Got my eye on some Aplinestars Yokohama but ive going to try some on the weekend to test the fit as they are on a brilliant sale at the momment, heard they are brilliant at full price for what they do during the colder / wetter seasons and would rather not test out my Wolf Nimbus leathers and regret it.
Any info and tips appreciated.
Di Ablo hiya! Make sure you buy some Rok Straps to lash your stuff on the bike. Don’t wear a pack pack as you will end up with a bad neck. If you are staying in hotels pack very light as you can wash everything at night. Wear ‘wicking’ underwear as it dries quickly and in the heat who cares if it is damp? Your current jacket should be fine. Enjoy the ride and let us know how you got on. Ride safe.
HaHa lol, I just mentioned to my wife that she can only take two tee shirts and two pairs of nickers. OMG, I can't tell you exactly what she said but the tamed down version was this " You can get lost. I'm on holiday mate. If you think I'm doing laundry every night your very much mistaken. Honestly guys you should of seen her face, it was so funny.
Hahhaha. You know that means you will have to take less so she can take more ;) hehhe
Obviously the two most important words in any marriage are 'yes dear'. My wife will be with me for my Norway trip next year so I have just invested in two 20lt pannier bags that will be secured on top of my side panniers...
😂
Did all of western Europe last year and packed far to much, your video has been great for ideas this year (eastern Europe). Knew you where ex mill as soon as I heard you talk lol . would say sgt major?!
stuart steele. Ha! That made me laugh.
one pair of underpants are good for 4 days right way round right way in, back to front right way in, inside out right way round, inside out back to front. every bloke knows this.......
John McGuinness only four?
You boys have cost me a fortune been on an bought stuff same as u and card ordered
Yes i take my spouse with me " On Tour",so one has to take a little extra ,fact.Oh and i use bin liners in my panniers works a treat it does not have to be " Always hi-tech".Just saying great vid anyway.
What does make me laugh is all the tech equipment ,should be like " Easy Rider" Throw away your watch.
Very true. The bin liners are a great way to keep the costs down as well as very practical. :)
Great tip guys thanks very much. Apologies if I missed it but what motorbike trousers do you take for long trip on bike? Armoured jeans for whole trip? Must get a bit whiffy if so? Any recommendations?
We take either a Bmw suit or klim suit as they have loads of vents. Not had wiffyness so far ;)
Does taking the wife count as packing too much?
Hahhahahhahhaaaaa. 😂🙈😬
Depends whose wife she is...
Fantastic video, really good and helpful. Roughly how many miles do you do before you'd stop for a break when on your?
Cheers guys
Thanks matey. Glad you enjoyed it. We typically on a tour would ride for an hour or so, perhaps and hour and a half before taking a break. Depending on the weather, time of day and how we feel though. It’s always good to split rides (tours days) up a little so you can stretch walk around and eat etc. Hope that helps.
I'm looking to do a bit of touring this year so was wondering if you can recommend a tank bag & roll up bag? Plus any tips for the first timer.
We don’t tend to use tank bags as they are a real faff when refuelling and also when leaving the bike. So we opt for the thigh bag option. Always with you and has enough space for all the essentials. If you are looking for a tank Bach however, the Givi bags are great as the mechanism is easy to use and doesn’t get in the way of anything. They also do a huge range of sizes. Just make sure you get the correct tank ring for your bike (where it fixes to your tank). For a roll bag, the oxford or ortleib bags are great. Come in loads of different sizes and are fully waterproof. Biggest tip would be to. It pack too much :)
Ride safe and enjoy your tours :)
Have you guys done much in the uk , say a trip to Scotland ? Its not a hot climate , so more clothes involved ,and you haven't got the added bonus of getting stuff dry that's been washed , whats your views on this scenario ?
Hey John. We have been to many places in the UK on our bikes but tend to tour abroad as that’s where our work takes us. Touring in this country is just as much fun and getting stuff dry can be done, but may need the use of hairdryers in the rooms etc but is totally doable :)
I am not carry any more money. I take monzo and revolut cards. Monzo as well on iPhone. Easy and safe
I’ve been wearing a camel back hydration pack. Easy to lift the nozzle up to mouth and have a drink as you ride. Great for hot long trips. Very refreshing to drink whenever and not have to wait for the next stop.
Who do you work for as a guide, would be great to go on one with you lads!
Magellan motorcycle tours :)
Pop over to their website www.magellanmotorcycletours.co.uk and pick a tour ;) would be fab to have you along
Fantastic video guys 👍🏻 can you tell me the name of the under clothing you were wearing in the video please?
It was helly hanson underclothing although there are others available. Good stuff though :)
RiderCamTV your not going to believe this, I checked the name of the under clothing my company supply us for the winter and it's the same name lol I tried it out yesterday and it works a treat. Been in my wardrobe all winter never used it, I thought it was just a wind stopper 😩 well saved me money cheers guys 😎
I'm off on a solo motorcycle tour of Germany in July, and my question is, if the unthinkable happens and I break down, what are the essentials I'll need on the side of the road while waiting for recovery?
Sounds like a great journey. We’d take a reflective vest in case, as much of Europe require you to have one if you have broken down and are by the side of the road. Take a few snacks and a hat to keep the sun off you. Oh and water.
@@RiderCamTV thank you for your reply, this is my first tour and I want to have the best experience I can by having as much information and safety tips as possible, so on that note would you recommend getting some sort of European break down cover or use the local garages to fix any issues, I intend to mix my accommodation with camping and hotels
@@rocdouglas if you have a BMW that is under warranty then you should have BMW recovery which is amazing. If the bike is out of warranty you can purchase this from Motorrad. Otherwise AA or RAC have affiliates in Europe. It is worth getting a recovery package that gets the bike home should the worst happen. It can take up to a month for the bike to be returned. Also check your bike insurance covers you for being in Europe. Travel health insurance is essential that also covers you for unexpected covid isolation… Ride safe.
*USB charger envy* ;)
100% haha. Gotta look good too. 😂
great video once again chaps , ive always over packed never again ... i'd be interested to see your opinion of the jvc quad proof as i'm looking at stream lining my equipment , i'm currently have the roadhawk helmet cam and on the bike (r1200rtw) the nextbase ride.. the jvc looks great as a universal bit of kit , take it out with you in the evenings as a camera/video and on the bike in the day recording the ride when out for a few weeks in europe touring ?
Thanks for the kind words matey.
The JVC quadproof is great and provides good quality video although the output is an avhd format (their own format) which is a real pain to extract and input into a video editor. GoPro and drift are much more versatile
Great video. Judging by your fashion styles, I guess your both British.....;) But I agree especially on 1 thing, you always have to look good!
Hey buddy thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it :)
You've not mentioned anything about packing security items but assume you might take a disc lock as a minimum?
yep always take a disc lock and mark also takes a handlebar brake lock and we both have trackers on the bikes :) can never be too careful!
Which socks do you/people use that dry overnight?
I tend to use a thicker walking sock like the type issued by the uk military. Ride safe
Where is your camping gear packed?
For our tours we don’t use tents, rather hotels, although for my own holidays on a tour the tent is in its own bag with the stove etc :)
What was the Hanson Tops you recommended?
yep
Alex Morley they are called Lifa but Halverssons mesh underwear are better we have found out since..
Thanks gents, very informative as always. Perhaps a rhetorical question, do you have to take a laptop to download footage from your helmet cam or is there something else available other than taking numerous memory cards?
Hey Andrew. Thanks for the comments. Glad you enjoyed it.
In terms of the laptop, to download all of the footage (sometimes about 500GB) it’s a god send. I also edit and upload when on the road so need a laptop with me. Eek!
I researched drives you can download directly on but it didn’t seem an issue as I always have the laptop. :)
RiderCamTV many thanks. I intend to start videoing trips next year so any advice is welcome; am looking to buy a Drift Ghost 4K but am waiting for them to sort the software out.
Cool. Will look forward to seeing some vids :)
I’d go with the gd ghost s and a GoPro as the footage in HD is great and you’ll be hard pressed to find a 4K streaming service to show the 4K quality at the moment. Plus the ghost s is great to mount and have the camera level as well as a mic input. Although the GoPro audio is better it’s tricky to plug the cable in without an extra case. Hope that helps matey :)
RiderCamTV hopefully the Ghost is still available to purchase; I’ll have a look in the new year. Thanks for the advice.
No probs mate. It should be and will be a little cheaper too ;)
British not "English" adapter as usual people don't know the Difference between GT Britain and England!
semantics really
Who studied at a boarding school or was a military man, has better ability to prepare the luggage ... The less is always better!
Hahah. Know what you mean. We have both been indoctrinated in the military/services way of preparing luggage. It certainly helps ;)
E111 card ! Have you ever tried to use one ? Sadly the EU don’t play by the rules ... they wouldn’t give you treatment without insurance .....
Fortunately not as have been fortunate to not need to but I guess it’s better than not having one in the long run ;)
E111 no problem but (big but) only for use in the specific nations public hospitals. Private hospitals then obviously cash (lots) or Travel Insurance. Many holiday makers get taken to private hospitals/Doctors and don´t realise it.
Why would you put a mouse in a plastic sealed box
hahaha
Genuine Comments it stops it running away...
Hi guys...do you use your caxton fx card at french toll booths. i've heard they don't work?
Haven’t as yet as we don’t use the toll roads. The D roads are much nicer :)
But in France it hasn’t been refused anywhere :)
lar go hiya, I have used my Caxton FX on French toll roads without any problem and so far had no problem anywhere in Europe regardless of how remote the area.
the work on French Tolls, but Not spanish
Not had a problem on Spanish roads as yet with it :)
too much talking....
hahaha, that was the whole point of the video!
Good advice...?really? couldnt finish the video after 11 min because all i learned was adaptors and usb sockets ....and then dude asks if you really need all these (has a laptop himself!!!!A FREAKIN LAPTOP!)) Dont take advice from this video PLZ!Youll get further searching youtube.