Ive been motocrossing and riding adv bikes for the past 20+ years and personally ive done both sides of the coin. The thing is, the style of packing you are doing in the video is the best for ppl that will be going off road and that kind of adventure. But, specially here in europe, there are a lot of riders that do more of a cross country, town-to-town type of riding where they will be 99% of the time on highways. Thats the type of traveler that will use the aluminium paniers for multiple reasons. The main reason being able to park your bike in Madrid, Paris ir Rome and not having your soft-attached soft-luggage stolen on the first night. The key is to know what type of luggage to use in what situation. Dont go parking in madrid with your soft bags attached to your bike...as a matter of fact, dont go parking in madrid at all...
Then an Adventure bike isn't what those people need; they need a sport touring like the Concours 14 with enduro tires for the times they will be offroad; or learn to ride the offroad on street tires. I've ridden plenty of dirt roads on my C14 in sport tires.
@@kyferez1 what they buy is their problem. Their money, their choice. And btw, at no point whatsoever did i ever say anything about the type of bike in question. I was talking about the luggage system, period.
@@Driftunercontext matters. You were talking specifically about your adv riding and others and this video was specifically about adv riding. So your reply seems more like saving face than anything.
@@kyferez1 no, the problem is you being a typical bike-snob thinking you can tell people what they should and shouldnt buy with their own money, no context issues here buddy, the main subject is and was always the luggage system. And by the way, there are ppl out there (like me) that do both. I ride cross-europe on my T7 World Raid with aluminium panniers, but then when i go to places like the deserts in north africa or the woods in romania i take my soft luggage. Following your rules i am not allowed to do that, i need to buy a sport touring bike just to not hurt you ego. Get a clue kid...
@@Driftuner I don't care what they buy or do, I said need, not must buy, there's a clear distinction there. The point of this video was to learn to ride properly and to travel without all the gaudy weight that does nothing but attempt to show off bling. Not the luggage system alone, but the stupidity of carrying way too much OFF ROAD, not ONROAD like you were talking about TOTALLY missing the point of the video. Sorry you miss my points too. Clearly there's a comprehension issue between us in this discussion and projection issues. Most of the time, whenever someone accuses another person of being something, they are simply projecting, i.e.: "Bike snob", trying to derail the real subject of carrying too much offroad, "ego issues", etc.
Awesome. I'm a survival instructor, and you are so right on lightweight camping. I have just been watching BDR riders in America, its ridiculous how much gear they have on their bikes. 4 riders to lift one bike. Unbelievable. I hope millions see this video. Thanks. Carl
That thing always amazed me - how can you buy / pack a bike that you cannot lift up? Like seriously people should buy smaller bikes, hit some gym and pack lighter, if you cannot lift your bike, you have a wrong bike/wrong setup on said bike.
@@danogh2227 I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks like this. Even in the world of cruisers, this thought process applies. Guys ride 8-900lb bikes and then need a team of people to lift them when they drop the thing. Even my 114 Street Bob weighs around 600lb, but I made dang sure I could pick it up or drag it if needed.
@@peted2770 Exactly, I have a friend, he's an older guy and he bought himself a gold wing. he had troubles just mavevouring it on the parking lot, luckily he has never dropped it, cause he would not be able to pick it back up alone. I do understand wanting a big bike for the looks, but if you cannot handle it don't buy it. Same goes for horsepower btw.
Switched my load out to soft luggage and lightweight backpacking, minimalist gear. Made an enormous difference. Then started riding the big 990 like a small dirt bike, standing, just like you described. He speaks the truth.
Perfect pack for 2-3 days on the remote trails but I spent 450 days on the trails hence I carried more ‘stuff’! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂 You’re 100% correct about learning how your bike rides & handles with & without the luggage. It’s a different animal and completely different skill set. I had to carry 30kgs of luggage but it gave me the freedom to go to the remote magical places off the beaten trails on my CRF250L with a 725km fuel range, 10 days supply of water, food, essential tools & supplies plus some creature comforts. Yes, my bike was like a caravan but I didn’t ride it like a Dakar racer. I rode it like a curious explorer and when I pulled up camp in a remote spot, I’d offload my gear and then explore the remote area like a Dakar rider! 🤞😂🏍💨 It’s a freedom like no other. The trick is to go on adventure often and you’ll eventually work out which items are essential, which items have multiple uses, which items you can upgrade to the latest lightest technology to replace your older heavier stuff and which items you’ll sacrifice the bikes handling for a little bit of luxury. You also work out what mods you’ll need to do to your bike to lighten the bike itself (replace 5kg exhaust for a 1kg performance exhaust, light weight soft panniers, etc) and to set up your suspension to allow for the extra load. Its a science and the more you ride, the more you’ll work out what works best for the places you want to ride in. If you’re on a remote trail in Tasmania, you can guarantee there’ll be a town with supplies 100kms down the track but if you’re in far north WA or QLD, it could be days without fuel, water or supplies. Experience is critical to a great & safe adventure…so ride often! It’s always an adventure…carry on! 😁👍🏁🏍💨⛺️
@@felipemoura_ Yep, if you lodge and never camp (which is expensive)... so much less gear! If you have road assistance and don't take tools to fix your bike... so much less gear.
THIS is a VERY good point! There is more then one way to go about adventure riding! I very much appreciate the times I've set up a remote camp OR just paid for camping and felt "secure enough" leaving everything set up and then go ride sections!! All good as long as people are having fund with how they are adventuring...
Yea, one of his video's they had no tire levers between 2 riders. No way to fill a tire, no spare tube. They were able to find someone to translate for them and found a guy that was able to beat a front rim back into shape so the tubeless tire would hold air. But crazy they did that kind of traveling and were not prepared for the basics of a flat tire...
🙌🏼 Mate! Thank you so much! Spot on! I've only been an adventure rider for two years after a lifetime of cruisers. I've only used soft luggage and each time I attempt to reduce the weight. I'm at the point now where I imagine myself hiking with the gear and the simplicity of removal because let's all be real, sometimes you HAVE to remove and walk gear over difficult terrain (Fast flowing river).😂 right?! It's not if I might have to carry my gear, it's WHEN I carry my gear traversing a wicked terrain that I'm unable to ride a loaded bike... And I might be new, but as a solo rider going off into unknown territory and down some trails beyond my comfort, I praise the forgiveness of soft light luggage! Remember, it's an adventure, not a convoy cookout. Less is more. If you have to bring all the fancy glamping stuff, perhaps a bike is the wrong choice. But that is your judgment. Be safe, go light, have fun on two wheels. 😊
I couldn't agree more. I was a backpacker before an adventure bike rider so I had already learned the value of packing light as possible. I appreciate the tips about keeping the weight low and forward.
I'm coming from that same pack light backpacker perspective. It's a philosophy I learned over many trail miles and many years of hiking, and it applies here too. But, then there are those times when I splurge for a few luxury items. Nothing like the pictures he threaded in the video... they speak volumes.
As a mountain climber with a bad back, I've learned to pack super light. Did three months in NZ, wild camping mostly with a 25lb back pack. I carry the same philosophy to my bike. Clothes, sleeping bag and roll mat up high in the top box that came with the bike. Food tools in the small nearside soft luggage. Tent and boots and first aid kit in the other side. Awesome video.
This is really good information! I was a beginner ADV rider at 61 (all street riding previous). Even with no experience, I concentrated on weight reduction. A lightly modified XR650L and less than 50lbs of gear, lets me go anywhere I want (my riding skill being the limiting factor).
Very similar case with me! I was debating between the 80liter and 40liter soft bags out there, and truly the 40liter setups are more than enough for what little overnight or weekend trips I'll be doing.
Hello Adam, This is all you need to travel on a motorcycle, I am so happy that your making it easy for people to understand the true fun of travelling on a motorcycle.👏
Thanks for bringing this up! Leave all the unnecessary crap at home and ride the bike! I always try to keep things trim and light when traveling, but every time I still find that I bring too much. It super easy to get sucked into the trap of bringing every gadget, and companies are brilliant at making you feel like you gotta buy a ton of stuff just to camp off your motorcycle. Keep it simple.
Some great points as always. IMO it all depends what the person is doing. A pure riding tour (e.g. a two week trip to Morocco, some TET or whatever), or a more multifaceted tour especially if the trip includes hot and cold climates (+39c/-10c), stays in big cities (visiting cocktail bars, restaurants etc).. Long stays in nature, hiking etc... (for example 6 month in South America). One shouldn't confuse adventure touring with enduro riding and rallying as people seem to do on some forums. The joke on ADV rider now is it's not adventure touring unless you jump a log ;)
You are Missing the main point...if you have over 20kgs of crap strapped to your bike, you are overpacked, limiting the fun of riding needlessly and making the ride more dangerous.. 6 days or 6 months...same pack out
@@mbrad5966 you are correct. I learnt this years ago from army training which I implemented when hiking. Instead of carrying an 80lt backpack filled with a 2 man tent, sleeping bag cooking utensils blah blah blah...I wore military webbing with just a few small pouched, a water bottle, a hoochi (like a small tarp with paracord you set up between 2 trees as a shelter. A very compact rain coat rolled up taking up 1/2 an ammo pouch. Basically I had everything I 'needed' & NOTHING else. People would ask me...."wear is your gear"?...lol. I had NO big heavy backpack, everything I needed around my waist supported by webbing. After a few good hours of serious hiking through mountains, I was like 10X better off than all the folks with huge heavy packs filled with 'comforts'. They aren't comforts after a 10/20/40km, they are liabilities. So I get the concept of this video, it makes a lot of sense to me.
@@mbrad5966 I never said anything about weight, so not missing anything. Just talking about adv touring in general, and how on different tours you need different things. For example in colder climates your down sleeping bag and matt will be much bulkier, than those taken for a warm climate tour. Same for the activities you might do whilst on tour. Zero activities requires zero extra gear. Planning a lot of hiking, might require a set of hiking boots and maybe a trekking pole. As I said it all depends on what type of tour it is. ADV riding isn't just jumping logs, and riding dunes. Slightly different subject, but didn't one of the KTM rallies that Adam shot have a couple complete it 2-up.
Great info. As someone living in a country where temperatures can swing a lot , more gear is absolutely required. But centralization and packing low is totally valid.
one of the best and most correct bikepacking videos on youtube, thanks man... got an africa twin 2018 a year ago and i absolutely love it... but after a trip to greece with full metal boxes, i just sold them all and now I just use soft bags, WAAAY better.
I went from a adventure 4x4 truck back to a tenere xt660z, the crap I had in that truck was unbelievable, now on the bike it's a light weight 2 man tent, sleeping bag and mattress, simple cooking gear. I buy the boil in the bag meals and normally find somewhere to have breakfast but allways have a few tea bags and army ration powder milk. Changed the twin exhaust for a single and used the empty side for tools, allway weigh my soft bags before a trip to equal the weight. Mine normally weigh about 6kgs each side, wash clothes as needed no need to take your complete wardrobe
This is so relevant in Mountain bike touring as well. The bicycle racers on the Continental Divide race can teach the adventure motorcycle riders a lot. Design a fairing on the front to hold your tools to counterbalance the weight on the back. Total gear weight around 10 pounds + food and water.
Love your attitude! I feel the same! I learned the hard way but I learned!! I did 2 small(2-3) day trips to test. Figured out what I truly needed and what was just extra weight! When I finally spent 6 weeks on the bike I had it figured out!
My Dad and I rode a BMW 650 Dakar and a DRZ 400 around OZ and crossed the Simpson Desert on the way. We carried as little as possible, excluding water and fuel. Get used to a smelly tent, one set of casual clothes and the same cous cous meal for quite a few weeks. Travel light, you don't need a bunch of "stuff". Great vid. Keep it balanced, keep it simple.
Some very valid points, and great explanation of a particular style of adventure riding. Minimalist adventure rider going for the ride as top priority and only stopping to eat and sleep. But of course it does depend on what style you’re going for many many people ride to camp and don’t camp to ride like you do. However, you have greatly inspired me to cut down a lot of my weight and cut out luxury things if they don’t bring that much value. Great video man
All very good information. Information that takes a lot of experience to get down to. The only difference really in my setup is that I use a stove that can use any liquid fuel for fuel. The cans are great as long as you absolutely know they are full. But too many adventures have been started with full stoves to have them leak all their fuel out by the time you go to use them. Good when new but after used it's a crap shoot. Liquid fuel is the way to go. My stove will burn pretty much anything. Diesel, petrol, alcohol, camp fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, etc. You run out of fuel in your canister then rob it from your bike. Thanks for the video Adam. Took me a while to get there. I went from hardly taking anything, because I didn't have the money for all the luxury, to taking way more than I needed back to taking almost nothing. Just because you have the money to buy big panniers and to fill them with all the latest gear doesn't mean that you should.
I have traveled to 55 countries in the last 30 or so years and still I take less and less crap. Fort the last 3 week trip, my complete luggage was less than 15kg.
Finally !!!! Someone has stated the obvious... something I've thought since the early 00's when I saw Ewan and Charlie leave on their Long Way Round trip (supposedly on their own) with the overloaded BM's which sparked over a decade of fan emulation, I've never liked hard cases and dislike intensely the top box concept always believing it keeps weight high and back and off the front wheel causing understeer. I've done some adventure touring with a tent and a bag with my old Yam XJ600N and Pirelli Scorpion STR tires, never failed and was light to pick up when grass gave way to a hidden culvert, too too many people invest in expensive, heavy bikes with all the gadgets, then have to go out in big groups in case they fall over, defies logic say no more, respect to ya bud👍
Your explanation felt more authentic because you chose to demonstrate the adventure luggage in the wilderness like it's supposed to be. Your advice is going to help a lot of motorcycle campers better carry their cargo and reduce the risk of lost items.
Thanks for the great advice! Really good point about riding the"naked" machine first to get familiar with just how the bike should handle (as the engineers intended). I skip the tent and use only a plastic tube if rain threatens. Skip the cushion pad and scrape a small depression in the ground for your hip bone. Skip the sleeping bag and use a 0.5 mil space blanket instead. It really takes experience with one's machine to learn what sparse toolset to get by on.... Too bad it's more than just a Swiss army knife, but that's life. Thanks so much!
Strongly agree with your views on overpacking. I rode from Canada to Ecuador and have changed the way I pack. No more hard bags and top case., soft luggage is the way to go!
So true! You need to be able to take care of yourself for sure but people, including myself at one time, get caught up in every possible "what if" scenario and end up packing way too much stuff. It's kinda like when I started fishing in streams. I had a rod and a few hooks. Went everywhere with runners and jeans up and down and through the rivers. Now I carry literally over $5000 worth of gear on me to be better prepared. And although I like that being prepared feeling I hardly ever need most of the things that I carry. Same thing.
I couldn't agree more. I started out wanting to pack my bike as if I was going camping with my truck. Lots of stuff that I didn't need and loss of confidence in riding because it became that much harder with all the weight. Getting to have the most minimalist setup is a constant project that requires a little investment, as light and compact stuff costs more, and lots of trips to know what works and what doesn't work for you. Great points!
Great video! 100% agree on your tips in this video. One thing I think you should make clear is that your setup is good for a weekend worrior. I travel with a top box and panniers plus a dry bag between myself and the top box. I go on 3 month trips with my laptop to continue working. I still travel offroad, obviously not pulling your crazy moves but still having the time of my life when I ride.
Started ADV riding at the start of this year. I try and make a target for myself to pack lighter and lighter every time I pack for a trip. Works a treat!
As a new rider I have been trying to decide between what type of luggage racks hard/soft etc to put on my cb500x and watching this definitely helped. Thanks for the video !
Great tips, mate! You're absolutely right on every point you made. Packing for an adventurous journey should be done meticulously, just as you've suggested. While embarking on an off-road adventure can be incredibly thrilling and unforgettable, it's essential to consider that approximately 90% of bike adventures will take place entirely on tarmac due to practical reasons. The primary factor is time constraints. Many adventurers have limited days available, typically determined by their work or business commitments. Venturing off-road entails higher risks of unexpected obstacles or accidents that could potentially delay the journey. This could be detrimental, especially when adhering to a tight schedule. Moreover, remote areas might lack proper accommodations or places to eat for days on end. Therefore, it becomes necessary to carry all the essentials for self-sustainability, adding extra weight to the journey. Even a spare bike tire is a must since finding one in the countries you cross might prove challenging. Packing for an adventure always poses a challenge in finding the right balance between the items you genuinely need and preparing for potential risks. However, one thing is certain: the lighter your load, the better your experience will be.
Not only have I learned and incredible amount about adventure riding, and how to ride (yet to master), I literally bought the exact bike. Ton of knowledge from your channel..
Great video as usually. Noticed these same issues after few years of adventure riding. Now I have taken lightening to exteme and been riding with KTM 500 exc-f last three seasons. After two Tiger 800s it has been pure pleasure, even though some of my friends doesn’t understand me at all😊But it is really nice, when you can pick up your own bike even after long day and perhaps even when it is upside down at some ditch😅
Fantastic .. just the kind that i wanted to share among my friends. They think i am depending on them on tours and hence i pack less. This is exactly what they need to see. Excellent scripting/impromptu
I've ridden through 14 countries and 32 states, When I started, I brought way too much stuff. Now, my entire kit including the soft luggage--tools, clothes, tent, sleeping bag, pad, cook kit-- weighs 18 pounds. Believe this man! He gets it!
Love this no BS approach. McGregor and Boorman have a lot to answer for. I've always used soft luggage and pack very little on top behind me. I've even had guys I ride with laugh at me for carrying my hydration pack with essential bits and pieces in (learnt from my days of all day mountain bike rides). Thanks for the vindication.
Yeah it’s a pity ktm didn’t back them. Their huge heavy bikes they used have a lot to answer for. A Tenere or desert x or any of the smaller bikes would be much better. Even a Honda Africa twin would probably have been a better bike for what they did.
Mcgregor and boorman took their bikes through some of the most isolated parts of the world before youtube and before social media where they could do their information gathering. They had minimal information for what to expect and so they packed accordingly
Wait, you ride without your grandmothers ashes??? - Jokes aside, your message is completely correct! I ride a Pan Am, and after my first 2 trips I tossed my passenger, removed rear handlebars (-2KG) , tossed the hard boxes and engineered a minimalistic mounting of soft bags. The Soft Bags (Kriga OS32 + 22) are whopping 8 KG lighter than the original Street luggage canisters. No heavy Spoke wheels (-6 KG), SE exhaust instead the original (-4 KG), no adaptive ride height system (-4KG). The fuel bladder is new to me and I will adopt it for my trips. Thank you very much, and keep on making these wonderful videos and keep twisting the right hand propperly. Tom
I am a backpacker that is getting into adventure riding and have been blown away at how much stuff I see being carried. I guess it’s the same for this as with backpacking….you pack your fears. With experience that 40 pound backpack gets down to 20 when you realize what items are really important. I guess this is the same.
Sure, but I'll never leave my super light camping chair at home on a multi-day moto-camping ride. I feel so much better in the morning after not sitting on the ground, or a log all night that I can ride better. At least that is what I'm telling myself 🙂
Absolutely spot on, get your skill set first, and minimalist and packed correct, you don't need half of the stuff they carry in the panniers, low weights better handling.
Probably the best, most informative, quick, easy explanation of helping yourself, help yourself, that someone other than me has given I’ve seen. I think this way and have utilized this for many years. I’m only just beginning to entertain the notion of ADV riding. I’ve been doing this for touring for years. I’m OCD and (over) think this way. When you explain it to someone else, they first look at you as if you’re OCD and over thinking things, then they praise you and hail everyone they can find to hear your ramblings. Awesome video. I’ve found another wacko who thinks like me!
You're absolutely right Adam. As a former bike packer I know what weight is doing. The less, the better you feel on the track. Take everything you need and leave half of it home.
99% of first aid kits are never used. 😼 90% of riders don't know HOW to use the kit. 😆Just follow a first aid course and get a small bottle of disinfectant and a few small band aids on the bike.
@@lukeadv haha, true. But you would look very silly if you put on your helmet backward. My point is, that most people don't know how to use an extensive first aid kit.
@@PeterR0035 you’re right of course, I agree. Just playing devils advocate :-) I was riding in India with a few other people once and one of them was a doctor. She came off her bike and cut a knee open. She pulled out her first aid kit and first thing she did was inject the wound with local anaesthetic, give it a thorough cleaning and then stitch it up and put a dressing on it. very impressive.
All good points here. Don't forget to set the sag for the load you have on there. One thing I've been doing is carrying my tool/tire repair/emergency kit on the crash bars of my T7, as I was also doing with Multistrada Enduro. That keeps the weight forward, it is always on the bike, no matter if I go for a couple hours or couple weeks trip, and when packed properly it can add a layer of protection when things go south... Another plus for me is that it props up the bike a little bit when it's laying on it's side, much easier for me to pick it up and being 167cm and 68kg, every bit helps! I also carry a 21" tube under the T7 seat, where the OEM tool kit used to be.
A link to the luggage bag would've been great. I can't find anything similar on the internet. Also I totally agree with having minimal luggage on yourself.
Giant Loop if you have the BMW and grange taste... Rigg Gear soft panniers work alright on enduro style bikes.. and if your on the ol bush pig a 4wd inner tube cut in half, tie off one end, packed, sling over the back of the seat and tie of the other end can work out ok for a short term, late notice ride if your in a bind..
Thanks for this video and well explained Adam. Fun too see that Your Biltema stove is a keeper 💪🔥, I pretty much pack a similar packing as base, very much how I pack on hikes in rougher terrain. There are a couple of differences, earlier I had a Motonaut pack system that simply is a strapping that works on enduros to large bikes and the bags just simple dry bags. This was really light weight but a tad fiddly to use but very much OK, around 8-10 Kgs in total. Then I went for the Mosko Reckless 80, just love it and packs tight and low. Very modular to your needs. BUT since it is robust as a tank and very engineered it weighs alot more than my good old packing system. The other stuff that differs is that I often bring a winter sleeping bag for the highlands or in spring /fall, does not weight much but requires volume. I also like to do hikes or other activities so I also bring a light pair of running shoes. I did an experiment his summer and wanted do carry beverages for the trip to last for 12 days (except the daily couple of beers). Dry meat like sausages and other dry ingredients. hat weighted in all more than I thought bu was an interesting experiment. Other wise I also buy what I cook for each day, except from a couple of dry meals tha is for the days you don't find anything fresh. Motovloggers tend to need alot of electronic as well, preferably kept in a tank bag, that easily could be carried. Where do you keep he electronics Adam?
@@Athe-Bathe I'm really happy with the very robust Reckless 80 after 2 years no wear at all. Seems like Adam use the Giant Loope? A syste i habe looked closely at. Seems great as well.
@@Braapncamp hey, thanks for sharing...I am thinking of upgrading to reckless 80 as I have heard so many good things about the products mosko makes. Giant Loop is not available in my country currently. Seems like a great brand though.
Hell yeah. Socal rider here that grew up in the desert. Currently riding MTS950 as we have so much highway and it has huge range. Top bag has tent and sleeping bag, 20l. 25l side bag from GL with food (can of ranch beans, can of corn, saved takeaway side dish containers, 60mm round 20mm deep ea for oatmeal and coffee grounds) things to cook it (one rocket stove, solo pot, and collapsible cup) one spork, two lighters, one can fuel stored in pot. Rest of bag is two change spare underwear/socks, small swimsuit and air mattress. Tools, tire stuff in waterproof container mounted on inside of rack opposite muffler, and in underseat storage. The other side of the bike is simply a rotopax for water with a hard mount to the bike and a rachet strap for extra support/emergency use. We have hot springs out in death valley that it's best to have a few days worth of water for (so you can chill for a day or more when youre out far enough). Meant primarily for self sufficiency for closer to a week in the desert, with extra food going in a backpack. Totally stealing the flask idea for drinks!!
Great content and wise advise, good to see you back home safely, long trip for the warhorse though, thanks again for a very interesting vid , cheers and safe riding , Mitch 👍🏴
Wish I had considered this before my solo BDR in New Mexico,USA. Traveling on my T7 with 100 lbs of camping gear the bike handled horribly. I had no room to shift body weight back to the rear and consequently went down hard in deep sand getting trapped under the bike for hours 22 miles from the nearest highway. Temperature was 90 degrees and could no reach water at the back of my soft luggage. Didn’t fill my Camel Back! The only thing I did right was to wear a In Reach on my body. Had to lay there and hope rescue would show up. I already knew before your video I wold go minimal next time. I always enjoy your videos and they inspire me at 72 to keep riding off road.
Thanks Adam for sharing, Completely agree with you on packing light to fully enjoy the ride! Would be awesome to see how you pack your camera gear and also film your adventures!
Amen and haléluyah. I've been telling other motorcyclists to learn from backpackers and cycle tourers for years. Mostly they don't want to hear it. There is a lot of comfort in camp at the end of the day in not being exhausted from fighting an unbalanced, overweight beast. Continue to preach.
Well said! I know a guy that packs 120 additional pounds on his very large adventure bike..60 lbs in each pannier....crazy! From my backpacking experience I learned to pack and travel light. Again Adam...thank you for your straightforward approach.
Good info mate. I remember when I first started doing longer trips into Europe. Bought some aluminium panniers. Horrible things. Clashed with another riding leaving the ferry then took a load of cones out trying to filter through traffic on the M25. Got rid of them immediately. Used soft luggage ever since and pared down what I carry each trip. Just had a Week in Europe and still took things I never used or needed. That was with 1 30ltr kriega and 2 10ltr strapped to the sides. What the hell do these people carry in all those massive panniers and top boxes?
I travled for work quite a bit in the past. Maybe ~50 trips per year. I started to make note of what I packed (type of trip/mission) and what I did not use. What was not used on the last trip did not get packed for the next similar trip. I've done that with my moto-camping kit as well, and have gotten it down to pretty much only things that do get used and a few safety things that I hope never get used (bear spray and such).
As an adventure riders who also goes backpacking, I'm simply blown away by all the stuff some bikes are carrying, its plain crazy! On multi day adventures my bike carries the same gear I would put on my back plus tools and tubes, no more, no less
Agree 100% Having travelled across Africa with 70 litres of hard pannier space and way too much “have to have” stuff … followed by a trip in Patagonia with only slightly less… I now only travel with no more than 40 litres of soft luggage Mountaineering equipment translates perfectly to adventure travel and typically last forever That said here is South Africa you can travel 400-800km a day linking gravel roads avoiding black top and end in a small town with a lekker pub meal and reasonably priced roof over your head.. Or a fantastic farm stay km’s from the nearest town.. Light is the way to go..
Awesome video & great content. I’m a new T7 owner so I will be watching these videos closely. Would be great if you could link the bags in the description please. Cheers!
I think you have picked up on an important distinction between an adventure for a few days to a couple of weeks versus what everyone sees in documentaries where people are traveling across continents for months. They pack a lot because they need more self sufficiency vs like you’re saying an adventure where you’re out and not necessarily having to “live on your own” for an extended period of time. It’s our visualization from the stories and movies that lead us into the trope of needing the same level of kit they have to make a successful adventure. Thanks for the refreshing insight! P S the fuel bladder tip is gold. If you’ve planned the trip enough to know the fuel requirement to the next trail head and out that is a gem of a tip and the weight penalty on handling for cruising the highway is minimal. Genius idea!
Impossible to travel too light if camping on a 30 day adventure. Easier to check into hotels if you can afford it. It’s getting cold now and the reality of traveling light is next to impossible.
True. I'm looking at the forecast here on the west coast in upper California and Oregon, seeing overnight temps in the 20's (f). Not sure how much access there might be to get off road due to snow however, but I'll surely take Riemann's advice and see where I can improve.
I agree about packing light. I've been on several longer trips with my 690, just carrying two ~30 l saddle bags with clothes and camping gear and a backpack with my camera gear. Still handles fine.
Awesome! I am a newbie on motocamping and gradually completing my stuff. Watching your video confirmed that my idea getting a saddle bag than those bulky boxes is the way to go. Learned a good tips on how to pack my things. Thanks a lot!
Couldn’t agree with you more mate. Lightweight soft luggage with minimal gear with a lighter weight adventure bike makes for real fun off-road adventures. All the other really big and heavy ADV bikes we see with hard luggage and all, are really just comfortable sport tourers for the road. Absolutely nothing wrong with that but people need to be honest with themselves about what sort of riding they’re actually doing. Keep up the good content 🤙🏼
Never a perfect setup for every situation, but you nailed 99.875% of most people’s needs. I’m of the same mindset myself, keeping everything including my bike (CRF300Rally) lightweight and dependable. Makes it so easy to pull off a one nighter on a whim. If I decide to take on a BDR I really don’t think I’d add much other than a few extra “hidden pairs” of socks and undies. Maybe a bigger flask! Great video, love your approach!
I tend to agree with Mr Riemann and have soft luggage myself, but don’t kid myself that I’ve got his skill set. I don’t. I’m happy slowly making my way, seeing the sights, and taking few risks. I probably use 20% of the capability of my Africa Twin and I’m good with that. Love these videos!
The most experienced adventure rider I ever met, Doug Sunderland, used to wear a warm, waterproof riding suit. When he got tired, he'd stop and lie down fully clothed. Helmet on as it sort of made a pillow. He got used to eating at a cafe or something every couple of days. He didn't carry a tent, or cooking gear. Just tools and spares, a couple of tee shirts, and that was it. Oh, and a log book. He logged every ride. Hit 2 million km in the Himalayas.
I've packed my road bike down like the Beverly Hillbilly's. Wanting to get into adv riding. Really opened my eyes as far as distribution of weight and the handling of the bike, thank you, subbed.
I'm a backpacker myself. I did a long thru hike and I just started motorcycle adv. If you do this kind of packing, I think you'll need to resupply at some point, going to town, only bring the essentials when do moto adv at back country, and cant go more than a week in a single trip (I think). Travelling light is making your adventure is less comfortable, but you can enjoy more the adventure itself.
In answer to your question about what's on somebody's heavy-laden bike, it depends on expected temps. Summer packing is pretty light, but for colder weather you need more clothing layers, my cold weather sleeping bag is very a bulky synthetic (bc of cost mainly, I got it for quite cheap on REI outlet and a packable down bag costs way more), and a few other considerations. Additionally, sometimes people are on extended trips through multiple climates and/or seasons, or expect to be away from civilization (so grocery stores and gas stations) for several days at a time instead of one or two. Sometimes, you're 2-up and have both the extra body and need more stuff in the bags to accomodate them. Also I may not be out for a bike adventure. I use my bike for almost all transportation needs so I might just be loaded down with stuff I need at my destination or need to transport from point A to point B but don't want to use my truck for. That's the heaviest/bulkiest I ever load it. One time it was ~180 miles with soft panniers, top case, 75l bag in passenger seat, and 2 backpacks on top of the panniers bungeed against the 75l bag. I had just moved, but had stuff in the old area bc I went on a ski trip (by air) after moving most of my stuff to the new place with the truck/trailer and riding the bike back up to leave with family while I was gone. It handled the load perfectly fine, better than one fidgety passenger with no bags/cases. I bought the bike I did because it handles just fine with a big load. But if I want to do more demanding terrain or really fast carving, I can always set up a base camp and leave stuff behind for the day, or plan/pack with that type of riding in mind. Not every trip is the same, people just have different goals in their riding.
Yaaay! Great advice. ADV attracts a lot of people without dirt and offroad capabilities and NO idea how to maintain the bike on a long ride. Up in Colorado, on a ride I was helping rider after rider, lift their 900lb bikes up. I drove for 3 days a lot of $ and my day started lifting noobies off the ground. After 5-6 - that was it.... you're on your own. Thanks for posting this, thanks for injecting sensible advice into people who participate in this sport who need to hear it. Also, some people for a few years could use riding a 250 and packing a van, ride like mad and trailer the bikes.
Great video finally some one who calls it correct. If people don't believe you about packing an balance., I pack my 1000lb Harley road glide in correctly .and only had basic camp gear an bit of food .I just about road it off the mountain comming down mountain into long flat in the rain. So on a light adventure bike it will make a massive difference. Yep silly move on my part ,but who would of thought a bit of gear in the wrong place would of made a massive difference in the wet an stormy rain. I getting a adventure bike ,this is why I watch you. Thanks for your help.
This is a refreshing video. A lot of my background is off road adventure cycling where weight, or lack there of, is paramount. In that case my base weight (non-consumables) is about 10 lbs. That's camping gear for days or weeks on the trail. It seems many ADV motorcycle riders bloat the bike with accessories and carry tons of gear. Even with your kit in this video I see many places where i would personally pair down the weight and storage space.
Hey Adam, love what your doing for us here. I agree with the travel lite freeze at nite , but for me with a few broken bones and alot of years riding i just dont go as hard as you do , so i still go on MY adventures with a few more comforts than you on a less off road capable bike (BMW 1200 GSA) and still have a big smile on my face. Cheers from USA!!!
Hi, I'm riding motorcycle since i'm a kid, but I also travel a lot on bike ! And it's the perfect school to learn how to travel light ! I use exactly the same gear for both (except the tool kit) I never carry more than 15kg including food for 3 days !
One thing I noticed first time on ANY camping , adventure Bike and liked too is that you have avoided that Luggage brackets , panniers and those saddle stays.
Been looking at getting into adventure riding, this advice is game changing man. No offense taken at all, it is good to hear it straight..... no bullsh!t. Rather listen to a rider than a seller anyday. Thank you so much.
Great video. I’ve been there and back with luggage. First thing I bought was rear racks, saddle bags, and duffles. Probably 90-100 litres all up. Now I’ve stripped it all off and sold most of it. Running the Reckless 40 from Mosko. 2 man tent, mat, bag, kitchen like yours. Much better rig and it doesn’t impact riding position at all. Great to have a beer on Safari as well.
I'd add a small foldable portable stove. It takes up no space whatsoever and allows you to make fire and cook if gas runs out. Great video, as always! Thanks
Love the bonus jocks. After a few days of getting up in the morning and putting on the still wet gear from the day before, and with the "smell of adventure" starting to permeate everything, the delight of finding the bonus jocks can't be overstated.
good tips and subject matter- particularly about the entire point is to enjoy riding your bike. Many adventure bike channels seem to put themselves in rough conditions with their bike as it is so overloaded and things turn dramatic (maybe on purpose), I get frustrated watching as their skill level is not really there. It should be about the bike, enjoying it and pushing yourself a bit.
THe other argument is that you choose your trails to suit your abilities and needs. I ride light on my WR450. My mates have KLR's and they pack em like mules and being older foke we love our outdoors but no real need to be hard core riders of the outback. So many National Parks these days are so accesable and so much fun when you get out with your mates. I've loved being here from the UK where so much is closed. Thanks for a great vlog AR..
I have very similar setup. I do my overlanding trips on Beta 480 with 12l Tank upgrade. My trips are usually 3 weeks long. I am able to pack to two 15l waterproof bags strapped to the sides of the bike. I used to carry my tire levers strapped down to the front forks. Now i have one short lever and the other is done by cutting and forming one end of tire wrench to act as a lever. My kitchen is 700ml titanium cup with a mini gas stove same as yours. I do carry my tent poles outside of waterproof bags. A couple of times they poke a hole in my bags on falls. WARRNING: Cans with opener lever can open themselves when pushed from top by other items in your bag. Ask me how I know that. Herring in tomato sauce in your sleeping bag is not a good thing :D
I came to motorcycling quite late in life from a background of cycle touring. When cycling every ounce counted but it was amazing how little you needed to carry even when camping for 2 weeks. It was a real cultural shock to see the huge GS's with massive square tin boxes on the back,very often with tents on top. Even for a weekend they take everything...chairs, tables, bbqs, and god knows what. I have 2 smallish plastic panniers and a top box on my CB500x and they are half empty and it's still more than I need. I think if you need to take that much stuff, just take a car.
I carry a little bit more on long trips but my setup is the same for a couple of days to weeks and even if i would be able to go for months it will not change. I do use soft luggage and pack for balance, i'm able to ride the bike sliding the rear and jumping obstacles. My total luggage incl. camera's, tools, spare tube etc. come in at 26,8kg in the Mosko Moto dry bags so the Reckless 80 harness needs to be added. I did some modifications (actually a lot) like Touratech Wold Travel Extreme suspension, MIVV Dakar exhaust and some other things but kept the bike pretty close to the original weight. Have some upgrades coming and will weigh the bike when finished to see the real "damage" but all add-ons, upgrades and removals are to make the bike perfect for me and what i do with it. It's a daily rider with as much offroad i can get in, even when i go home after a late shift in the dark winter and i can tell you i can ride the bike fully packed almost like on the daily rides. Best test if you packed right is to take the hands of the bars and see if you go straight or if it veers left or right. if so the side it goes is too heavy and might bites you in the ass on the road.
I absolutely wish I would have watched this before I spent 2000 on honda Hard Boxes for my africa twin. It's absolutely crazy how much they totally ruin the ride. Awesome video.
Ive been motocrossing and riding adv bikes for the past 20+ years and personally ive done both sides of the coin. The thing is, the style of packing you are doing in the video is the best for ppl that will be going off road and that kind of adventure. But, specially here in europe, there are a lot of riders that do more of a cross country, town-to-town type of riding where they will be 99% of the time on highways. Thats the type of traveler that will use the aluminium paniers for multiple reasons. The main reason being able to park your bike in Madrid, Paris ir Rome and not having your soft-attached soft-luggage stolen on the first night. The key is to know what type of luggage to use in what situation. Dont go parking in madrid with your soft bags attached to your bike...as a matter of fact, dont go parking in madrid at all...
Then an Adventure bike isn't what those people need; they need a sport touring like the Concours 14 with enduro tires for the times they will be offroad; or learn to ride the offroad on street tires. I've ridden plenty of dirt roads on my C14 in sport tires.
@@kyferez1 what they buy is their problem. Their money, their choice. And btw, at no point whatsoever did i ever say anything about the type of bike in question. I was talking about the luggage system, period.
@@Driftunercontext matters. You were talking specifically about your adv riding and others and this video was specifically about adv riding. So your reply seems more like saving face than anything.
@@kyferez1 no, the problem is you being a typical bike-snob thinking you can tell people what they should and shouldnt buy with their own money, no context issues here buddy, the main subject is and was always the luggage system. And by the way, there are ppl out there (like me) that do both. I ride cross-europe on my T7 World Raid with aluminium panniers, but then when i go to places like the deserts in north africa or the woods in romania i take my soft luggage. Following your rules i am not allowed to do that, i need to buy a sport touring bike just to not hurt you ego. Get a clue kid...
@@Driftuner I don't care what they buy or do, I said need, not must buy, there's a clear distinction there. The point of this video was to learn to ride properly and to travel without all the gaudy weight that does nothing but attempt to show off bling. Not the luggage system alone, but the stupidity of carrying way too much OFF ROAD, not ONROAD like you were talking about TOTALLY missing the point of the video. Sorry you miss my points too. Clearly there's a comprehension issue between us in this discussion and projection issues. Most of the time, whenever someone accuses another person of being something, they are simply projecting, i.e.: "Bike snob", trying to derail the real subject of carrying too much offroad, "ego issues", etc.
Awesome. I'm a survival instructor, and you are so right on lightweight camping. I have just been watching BDR riders in America, its ridiculous how much gear they have on their bikes. 4 riders to lift one bike. Unbelievable. I hope millions see this video. Thanks. Carl
That thing always amazed me - how can you buy / pack a bike that you cannot lift up? Like seriously people should buy smaller bikes, hit some gym and pack lighter, if you cannot lift your bike, you have a wrong bike/wrong setup on said bike.
@@danogh2227 I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks like this. Even in the world of cruisers, this thought process applies. Guys ride 8-900lb bikes and then need a team of people to lift them when they drop the thing. Even my 114 Street Bob weighs around 600lb, but I made dang sure I could pick it up or drag it if needed.
@@peted2770 Exactly, I have a friend, he's an older guy and he bought himself a gold wing. he had troubles just mavevouring it on the parking lot, luckily he has never dropped it, cause he would not be able to pick it back up alone.
I do understand wanting a big bike for the looks, but if you cannot handle it don't buy it. Same goes for horsepower btw.
Switched my load out to soft luggage and lightweight backpacking, minimalist gear. Made an enormous difference. Then started riding the big 990 like a small dirt bike, standing, just like you described. He speaks the truth.
Perfect pack for 2-3 days on the remote trails but I spent 450 days on the trails hence I carried more ‘stuff’! 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️😂 You’re 100% correct about learning how your bike rides & handles with & without the luggage. It’s a different animal and completely different skill set. I had to carry 30kgs of luggage but it gave me the freedom to go to the remote magical places off the beaten trails on my CRF250L with a 725km fuel range, 10 days supply of water, food, essential tools & supplies plus some creature comforts. Yes, my bike was like a caravan but I didn’t ride it like a Dakar racer. I rode it like a curious explorer and when I pulled up camp in a remote spot, I’d offload my gear and then explore the remote area like a Dakar rider! 🤞😂🏍💨 It’s a freedom like no other. The trick is to go on adventure often and you’ll eventually work out which items are essential, which items have multiple uses, which items you can upgrade to the latest lightest technology to replace your older heavier stuff and which items you’ll sacrifice the bikes handling for a little bit of luxury. You also work out what mods you’ll need to do to your bike to lighten the bike itself (replace 5kg exhaust for a 1kg performance exhaust, light weight soft panniers, etc) and to set up your suspension to allow for the extra load. Its a science and the more you ride, the more you’ll work out what works best for the places you want to ride in. If you’re on a remote trail in Tasmania, you can guarantee there’ll be a town with supplies 100kms down the track but if you’re in far north WA or QLD, it could be days without fuel, water or supplies. Experience is critical to a great & safe adventure…so ride often! It’s always an adventure…carry on! 😁👍🏁🏍💨⛺️
@@felipemoura_ Yep, if you lodge and never camp (which is expensive)... so much less gear! If you have road assistance and don't take tools to fix your bike... so much less gear.
Camp to Ride vs Ride to Camp..
THIS is a VERY good point! There is more then one way to go about adventure riding! I very much appreciate the times I've set up a remote camp OR just paid for camping and felt "secure enough" leaving everything set up and then go ride sections!! All good as long as people are having fund with how they are adventuring...
Yea, one of his video's they had no tire levers between 2 riders. No way to fill a tire, no spare tube. They were able to find someone to translate for them and found a guy that was able to beat a front rim back into shape so the tubeless tire would hold air. But crazy they did that kind of traveling and were not prepared for the basics of a flat tire...
Hi Roz you forgot to mention your tactic of lightening your load which involves dropping stuff along the road (like POD knee braces) as you ride 😅👍
🙌🏼 Mate! Thank you so much! Spot on!
I've only been an adventure rider for two years after a lifetime of cruisers. I've only used soft luggage and each time I attempt to reduce the weight. I'm at the point now where I imagine myself hiking with the gear and the simplicity of removal because let's all be real, sometimes you HAVE to remove and walk gear over difficult terrain (Fast flowing river).😂 right?! It's not if I might have to carry my gear, it's WHEN I carry my gear traversing a wicked terrain that I'm unable to ride a loaded bike... And I might be new, but as a solo rider going off into unknown territory and down some trails beyond my comfort, I praise the forgiveness of soft light luggage!
Remember, it's an adventure, not a convoy cookout. Less is more. If you have to bring all the fancy glamping stuff, perhaps a bike is the wrong choice. But that is your judgment.
Be safe, go light, have fun on two wheels. 😊
I feel that doubling weight quadruples your problems!
I couldn't agree more. I was a backpacker before an adventure bike rider so I had already learned the value of packing light as possible. I appreciate the tips about keeping the weight low and forward.
I'm coming from that same pack light backpacker perspective. It's a philosophy I learned over many trail miles and many years of hiking, and it applies here too. But, then there are those times when I splurge for a few luxury items. Nothing like the pictures he threaded in the video... they speak volumes.
@@richgran same as me, but I also have experience riding a bike with light weight luggage.
As a mountain climber with a bad back, I've learned to pack super light. Did three months in NZ, wild camping mostly with a 25lb back pack. I carry the same philosophy to my bike. Clothes, sleeping bag and roll mat up high in the top box that came with the bike. Food tools in the small nearside soft luggage. Tent and boots and first aid kit in the other side. Awesome video.
A good way to learn to pack light - hiking. When its only your back, you"ll think muuuuch more about what do you really need.
Dead right
This is really good information! I was a beginner ADV rider at 61 (all street riding previous). Even with no experience, I concentrated on weight reduction. A lightly modified XR650L and less than 50lbs of gear, lets me go anywhere I want (my riding skill being the limiting factor).
Very similar case with me! I was debating between the 80liter and 40liter soft bags out there, and truly the 40liter setups are more than enough for what little overnight or weekend trips I'll be doing.
Hello Adam, This is all you need to travel on a motorcycle, I am so happy that your making it easy for people to understand the true fun of travelling on a motorcycle.👏
Thanks for bringing this up! Leave all the unnecessary crap at home and ride the bike! I always try to keep things trim and light when traveling, but every time I still find that I bring too much. It super easy to get sucked into the trap of bringing every gadget, and companies are brilliant at making you feel like you gotta buy a ton of stuff just to camp off your motorcycle. Keep it simple.
Some great points as always. IMO it all depends what the person is doing. A pure riding tour (e.g. a two week trip to Morocco, some TET or whatever), or a more multifaceted tour especially if the trip includes hot and cold climates (+39c/-10c), stays in big cities (visiting cocktail bars, restaurants etc).. Long stays in nature, hiking etc... (for example 6 month in South America). One shouldn't confuse adventure touring with enduro riding and rallying as people seem to do on some forums. The joke on ADV rider now is it's not adventure touring unless you jump a log ;)
You are Missing the main point...if you have over 20kgs of crap strapped to your bike, you are overpacked, limiting the fun of riding needlessly and making the ride more dangerous..
6 days or 6 months...same pack out
@@mbrad5966 you are correct. I learnt this years ago from army training which I implemented when hiking. Instead of carrying an 80lt backpack filled with a 2 man tent, sleeping bag cooking utensils blah blah blah...I wore military webbing with just a few small pouched, a water bottle, a hoochi (like a small tarp with paracord you set up between 2 trees as a shelter. A very compact rain coat rolled up taking up 1/2 an ammo pouch. Basically I had everything I 'needed' & NOTHING else. People would ask me...."wear is your gear"?...lol. I had NO big heavy backpack, everything I needed around my waist supported by webbing. After a few good hours of serious hiking through mountains, I was like 10X better off than all the folks with huge heavy packs filled with 'comforts'. They aren't comforts after a 10/20/40km, they are liabilities. So I get the concept of this video, it makes a lot of sense to me.
Good as always! I have been looking for a bigger tail bag the last couple of days. After watching these I realize I don’t need it. 😂
@@aussiehardwood6196 that sounds impressive. Any chance you have a video of your setup?
@@mbrad5966 I never said anything about weight, so not missing anything. Just talking about adv touring in general, and how on different tours you need different things. For example in colder climates your down sleeping bag and matt will be much bulkier, than those taken for a warm climate tour. Same for the activities you might do whilst on tour. Zero activities requires zero extra gear. Planning a lot of hiking, might require a set of hiking boots and maybe a trekking pole. As I said it all depends on what type of tour it is. ADV riding isn't just jumping logs, and riding dunes. Slightly different subject, but didn't one of the KTM rallies that Adam shot have a couple complete it 2-up.
Great info. As someone living in a country where temperatures can swing a lot , more gear is absolutely required. But centralization and packing low is totally valid.
one of the best and most correct bikepacking videos on youtube, thanks man... got an africa twin 2018 a year ago and i absolutely love it... but after a trip to greece with full metal boxes, i just sold them all and now I just use soft bags, WAAAY better.
Simple, to the point from a man who's been there and done that. Best Damn motorcycle channel ever...nuff said.
I went from a adventure 4x4 truck back to a tenere xt660z, the crap I had in that truck was unbelievable, now on the bike it's a light weight 2 man tent, sleeping bag and mattress, simple cooking gear. I buy the boil in the bag meals and normally find somewhere to have breakfast but allways have a few tea bags and army ration powder milk. Changed the twin exhaust for a single and used the empty side for tools, allway weigh my soft bags before a trip to equal the weight. Mine normally weigh about 6kgs each side, wash clothes as needed no need to take your complete wardrobe
Mate, I couldn't agree more. I do think dirt bikes are for riding in the dirt. Great channel, love your work.
This is so relevant in Mountain bike touring as well. The bicycle racers on the Continental Divide race can teach the adventure motorcycle riders a lot. Design a fairing on the front to hold your tools to counterbalance the weight on the back. Total gear weight around 10 pounds + food and water.
Love your attitude! I feel the same! I learned the hard way but I learned!! I did 2 small(2-3) day trips to test. Figured out what I truly needed and what was just extra weight! When I finally spent 6 weeks on the bike I had it figured out!
My Dad and I rode a BMW 650 Dakar and a DRZ 400 around OZ and crossed the Simpson Desert on the way. We carried as little as possible, excluding water and fuel. Get used to a smelly tent, one set of casual clothes and the same cous cous meal for quite a few weeks. Travel light, you don't need a bunch of "stuff". Great vid. Keep it balanced, keep it simple.
Some very valid points, and great explanation of a particular style of adventure riding. Minimalist adventure rider going for the ride as top priority and only stopping to eat and sleep. But of course it does depend on what style you’re going for many many people ride to camp and don’t camp to ride like you do. However, you have greatly inspired me to cut down a lot of my weight and cut out luxury things if they don’t bring that much value. Great video man
All very good information. Information that takes a lot of experience to get down to. The only difference really in my setup is that I use a stove that can use any liquid fuel for fuel. The cans are great as long as you absolutely know they are full. But too many adventures have been started with full stoves to have them leak all their fuel out by the time you go to use them. Good when new but after used it's a crap shoot. Liquid fuel is the way to go. My stove will burn pretty much anything. Diesel, petrol, alcohol, camp fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, etc. You run out of fuel in your canister then rob it from your bike. Thanks for the video Adam. Took me a while to get there. I went from hardly taking anything, because I didn't have the money for all the luxury, to taking way more than I needed back to taking almost nothing. Just because you have the money to buy big panniers and to fill them with all the latest gear doesn't mean that you should.
I have traveled to 55 countries in the last 30 or so years and still I take less and less crap. Fort the last 3 week trip, my complete luggage was less than 15kg.
Finally !!!! Someone has stated the obvious... something I've thought since the early 00's when I saw Ewan and Charlie leave on their Long Way Round trip (supposedly on their own) with the overloaded BM's which sparked over a decade of fan emulation, I've never liked hard cases and dislike intensely the top box concept always believing it keeps weight high and back and off the front wheel causing understeer. I've done some adventure touring with a tent and a bag with my old Yam XJ600N and Pirelli Scorpion STR tires, never failed and was light to pick up when grass gave way to a hidden culvert, too too many people invest in expensive, heavy bikes with all the gadgets, then have to go out in big groups in case they fall over, defies logic say no more, respect to ya bud👍
This is the only guy on RUclips who actually gets it.
Your explanation felt more authentic because you chose to demonstrate the adventure luggage in the wilderness like it's supposed to be. Your advice is going to help a lot of motorcycle campers better carry their cargo and reduce the risk of lost items.
Thanks for the great advice! Really good point about riding the"naked" machine first to get familiar with just how the bike should handle (as the engineers intended). I skip the tent and use only a plastic tube if rain threatens. Skip the cushion pad and scrape a small depression in the ground for your hip bone. Skip the sleeping bag and use a 0.5 mil space blanket instead. It really takes experience with one's machine to learn what sparse toolset to get by on.... Too bad it's more than just a Swiss army knife, but that's life. Thanks so much!
Strongly agree with your views on overpacking. I rode from Canada to Ecuador and have changed the way I pack. No more hard bags and top case., soft luggage is the way to go!
Simple and ready to go without the “what if’s”, that’s what is all about. Continue having fun and sharing 😎
So true! You need to be able to take care of yourself for sure but people, including myself at one time, get caught up in every possible "what if" scenario and end up packing way too much stuff. It's kinda like when I started fishing in streams. I had a rod and a few hooks. Went everywhere with runners and jeans up and down and through the rivers. Now I carry literally over $5000 worth of gear on me to be better prepared. And although I like that being prepared feeling I hardly ever need most of the things that I carry. Same thing.
I couldn't agree more. I started out wanting to pack my bike as if I was going camping with my truck. Lots of stuff that I didn't need and loss of confidence in riding because it became that much harder with all the weight. Getting to have the most minimalist setup is a constant project that requires a little investment, as light and compact stuff costs more, and lots of trips to know what works and what doesn't work for you. Great points!
Great video! 100% agree on your tips in this video. One thing I think you should make clear is that your setup is good for a weekend worrior. I travel with a top box and panniers plus a dry bag between myself and the top box. I go on 3 month trips with my laptop to continue working. I still travel offroad, obviously not pulling your crazy moves but still having the time of my life when I ride.
Started ADV riding at the start of this year. I try and make a target for myself to pack lighter and lighter every time I pack for a trip. Works a treat!
As a new rider I have been trying to decide between what type of luggage racks hard/soft etc to put on my cb500x and watching this definitely helped. Thanks for the video !
Great tips, mate! You're absolutely right on every point you made. Packing for an adventurous journey should be done meticulously, just as you've suggested. While embarking on an off-road adventure can be incredibly thrilling and unforgettable, it's essential to consider that approximately 90% of bike adventures will take place entirely on tarmac due to practical reasons.
The primary factor is time constraints. Many adventurers have limited days available, typically determined by their work or business commitments. Venturing off-road entails higher risks of unexpected obstacles or accidents that could potentially delay the journey. This could be detrimental, especially when adhering to a tight schedule.
Moreover, remote areas might lack proper accommodations or places to eat for days on end. Therefore, it becomes necessary to carry all the essentials for self-sustainability, adding extra weight to the journey. Even a spare bike tire is a must since finding one in the countries you cross might prove challenging.
Packing for an adventure always poses a challenge in finding the right balance between the items you genuinely need and preparing for potential risks. However, one thing is certain: the lighter your load, the better your experience will be.
Not only have I learned and incredible amount about adventure riding, and how to ride (yet to master), I literally bought the exact bike. Ton of knowledge from your channel..
Great video as usually. Noticed these same issues after few years of adventure riding. Now I have taken lightening to exteme and been riding with KTM 500 exc-f last three seasons. After two Tiger 800s it has been pure pleasure, even though some of my friends doesn’t understand me at all😊But it is really nice, when you can pick up your own bike even after long day and perhaps even when it is upside down at some ditch😅
I like to come back and re-watch some of these videos periodically. They're a good reminder of what's actually necessary vs the "nice to have's."
Fantastic .. just the kind that i wanted to share among my friends. They think i am depending on them on tours and hence i pack less. This is exactly what they need to see. Excellent scripting/impromptu
I've ridden through 14 countries and 32 states, When I started, I brought way too much stuff. Now, my entire kit including the soft luggage--tools, clothes, tent, sleeping bag, pad, cook kit-- weighs 18 pounds. Believe this man! He gets it!
Love this no BS approach. McGregor and Boorman have a lot to answer for. I've always used soft luggage and pack very little on top behind me. I've even had guys I ride with laugh at me for carrying my hydration pack with essential bits and pieces in (learnt from my days of all day mountain bike rides). Thanks for the vindication.
Yeah it’s a pity ktm didn’t back them. Their huge heavy bikes they used have a lot to answer for. A Tenere or desert x or any of the smaller bikes would be much better. Even a Honda Africa twin would probably have been a better bike for what they did.
Mcgregor and boorman took their bikes through some of the most isolated parts of the world before youtube and before social media where they could do their information gathering. They had minimal information for what to expect and so they packed accordingly
Wait, you ride without your grandmothers ashes??? - Jokes aside, your message is completely correct! I ride a Pan Am, and after my first 2 trips I tossed my passenger, removed rear handlebars (-2KG) , tossed the hard boxes and engineered a minimalistic mounting of soft bags. The Soft Bags (Kriga OS32 + 22) are whopping 8 KG lighter than the original Street luggage canisters. No heavy Spoke wheels (-6 KG), SE exhaust instead the original (-4 KG), no adaptive ride height system (-4KG). The fuel bladder is new to me and I will adopt it for my trips. Thank you very much, and keep on making these wonderful videos and keep twisting the right hand propperly. Tom
I am a backpacker that is getting into adventure riding and have been blown away at how much stuff I see being carried. I guess it’s the same for this as with backpacking….you pack your fears. With experience that 40 pound backpack gets down to 20 when you realize what items are really important. I guess this is the same.
Sure, but I'll never leave my super light camping chair at home on a multi-day moto-camping ride. I feel so much better in the morning after not sitting on the ground, or a log all night that I can ride better. At least that is what I'm telling myself 🙂
@@MarcSherwood my chair always goes with me too 😂
@@MarcSherwood what model chair do you have if I may ask?
@@leroyjenkins4123 I've got the Helinox Chair Zero. It is expensive, but the quality seems to make it worthwhile.
@@MarcSherwood I'll have to check it out. Tysm!
Absolutely spot on, get your skill set first, and minimalist and packed correct, you don't need half of the stuff they carry in the panniers, low weights better handling.
Your videos have helped me a lot and inspired me to ride and ride differently again. Thanks a lot for your work. May you and your family be well.
Probably the best, most informative, quick, easy explanation of helping yourself, help yourself, that someone other than me has given I’ve seen. I think this way and have utilized this for many years. I’m only just beginning to entertain the notion of ADV riding. I’ve been doing this for touring for years. I’m OCD and (over) think this way. When you explain it to someone else, they first look at you as if you’re OCD and over thinking things, then they praise you and hail everyone they can find to hear your ramblings. Awesome video. I’ve found another wacko who thinks like me!
Hi Adam,
GREAT JOB! A refresh course in basics is always needed.
You're absolutely right Adam. As a former bike packer I know what weight is doing. The less, the better you feel on the track. Take everything you need and leave half of it home.
Great advices man, to the point! 👏👏
One thing I'd add is a first aid kit, that should be in there somewhere at all times... and that's that! 👌
99% of first aid kits are never used. 😼 90% of riders don't know HOW to use the kit. 😆Just follow a first aid course and get a small bottle of disinfectant and a few small band aids on the bike.
its likely in his bookbag
@@PeterR0035 Neither are 99% of helmets...
@@lukeadv haha, true. But you would look very silly if you put on your helmet backward. My point is, that most people don't know how to use an extensive first aid kit.
@@PeterR0035 you’re right of course, I agree. Just playing devils advocate :-)
I was riding in India with a few other people once and one of them was a doctor. She came off her bike and cut a knee open. She pulled out her first aid kit and first thing she did was inject the wound with local anaesthetic, give it a thorough cleaning and then stitch it up and put a dressing on it. very impressive.
All good points here. Don't forget to set the sag for the load you have on there.
One thing I've been doing is carrying my tool/tire repair/emergency kit on the crash bars of my T7, as I was also doing with Multistrada Enduro. That keeps the weight forward, it is always on the bike, no matter if I go for a couple hours or couple weeks trip, and when packed properly it can add a layer of protection when things go south...
Another plus for me is that it props up the bike a little bit when it's laying on it's side, much easier for me to pick it up and being 167cm and 68kg, every bit helps! I also carry a 21" tube under the T7 seat, where the OEM tool kit used to be.
A link to the luggage bag would've been great. I can't find anything similar on the internet. Also I totally agree with having minimal luggage on yourself.
have you found anything?
Giant Loop if you have the BMW and grange taste... Rigg Gear soft panniers work alright on enduro style bikes.. and if your on the ol bush pig a 4wd inner tube cut in half, tie off one end, packed, sling over the back of the seat and tie of the other end can work out ok for a short term, late notice ride if your in a bind..
It's the Giant Loop Coyote, it took me a while to find it too, but the cost is unobtainable so I'm stuck with my kriega luggage for a while
Hard cases are out. Soft, close to the bike cases, and light traveling are in. Great video
Thanks for this video and well explained Adam. Fun too see that Your Biltema stove is a keeper 💪🔥, I pretty much pack a similar packing as base, very much how I pack on hikes in rougher terrain. There are a couple of differences, earlier I had a Motonaut pack system that simply is a strapping that works on enduros to large bikes and the bags just simple dry bags. This was really light weight but a tad fiddly to use but very much OK, around 8-10 Kgs in total. Then I went for the Mosko Reckless 80, just love it and packs tight and low. Very modular to your needs. BUT since it is robust as a tank and very engineered it weighs alot more than my good old packing system. The other stuff that differs is that I often bring a winter sleeping bag for the highlands or in spring /fall, does not weight much but requires volume. I also like to do hikes or other activities so I also bring a light pair of running shoes. I did an experiment his summer and wanted do carry beverages for the trip to last for 12 days (except the daily couple of beers). Dry meat like sausages and other dry ingredients. hat weighted in all more than I thought bu was an interesting experiment. Other wise I also buy what I cook for each day, except from a couple of dry meals tha is for the days you don't find anything fresh. Motovloggers tend to need alot of electronic as well, preferably kept in a tank bag, that easily could be carried. Where do you keep he electronics Adam?
How’s the reckless 80 in the long run? + Which brand’s luggage is Adam using?
@@Athe-Bathe I'm really happy with the very robust Reckless 80 after 2 years no wear at all. Seems like Adam use the Giant Loope? A syste i habe looked closely at. Seems great as well.
@@Braapncamp hey, thanks for sharing...I am thinking of upgrading to reckless 80 as I have heard so many good things about the products mosko makes. Giant Loop is not available in my country currently. Seems like a great brand though.
Hell yeah. Socal rider here that grew up in the desert. Currently riding MTS950 as we have so much highway and it has huge range. Top bag has tent and sleeping bag, 20l. 25l side bag from GL with food (can of ranch beans, can of corn, saved takeaway side dish containers, 60mm round 20mm deep ea for oatmeal and coffee grounds) things to cook it (one rocket stove, solo pot, and collapsible cup) one spork, two lighters, one can fuel stored in pot. Rest of bag is two change spare underwear/socks, small swimsuit and air mattress. Tools, tire stuff in waterproof container mounted on inside of rack opposite muffler, and in underseat storage. The other side of the bike is simply a rotopax for water with a hard mount to the bike and a rachet strap for extra support/emergency use. We have hot springs out in death valley that it's best to have a few days worth of water for (so you can chill for a day or more when youre out far enough). Meant primarily for self sufficiency for closer to a week in the desert, with extra food going in a backpack. Totally stealing the flask idea for drinks!!
Great content and wise advise, good to see you back home safely, long trip for the warhorse though, thanks again for a very interesting vid , cheers and safe riding , Mitch 👍🏴
Wish I had considered this before my solo BDR in New Mexico,USA. Traveling on my T7 with 100 lbs of camping gear the bike handled horribly. I had no room to shift body weight back to the rear and consequently went down hard in deep sand getting trapped under the bike for hours 22 miles from the nearest highway. Temperature was 90 degrees and could no reach water at the back of my soft luggage. Didn’t fill my Camel Back! The only thing I did right was to wear a In Reach on my body. Had to lay there and hope rescue would show up. I already knew before your video I wold go minimal next time. I always enjoy your videos and they inspire me at 72 to keep riding off road.
Thanks Adam for sharing, Completely agree with you on packing light to fully enjoy the ride! Would be awesome to see how you pack your camera gear and also film your adventures!
Amen and haléluyah. I've been telling other motorcyclists to learn from backpackers and cycle tourers for years. Mostly they don't want to hear it. There is a lot of comfort in camp at the end of the day in not being exhausted from fighting an unbalanced, overweight beast. Continue to preach.
Everything you film just amazing and interesting adam im really exciting to see the worhorse again.
Well said! I know a guy that packs 120 additional pounds on his very large adventure bike..60 lbs in each pannier....crazy! From my backpacking experience I learned to pack and travel light.
Again Adam...thank you for your straightforward approach.
Good info mate. I remember when I first started doing longer trips into Europe. Bought some aluminium panniers. Horrible things. Clashed with another riding leaving the ferry then took a load of cones out trying to filter through traffic on the M25. Got rid of them immediately. Used soft luggage ever since and pared down what I carry each trip. Just had a Week in Europe and still took things I never used or needed. That was with 1 30ltr kriega and 2 10ltr strapped to the sides. What the hell do these people carry in all those massive panniers and top boxes?
I travled for work quite a bit in the past. Maybe ~50 trips per year. I started to make note of what I packed (type of trip/mission) and what I did not use. What was not used on the last trip did not get packed for the next similar trip. I've done that with my moto-camping kit as well, and have gotten it down to pretty much only things that do get used and a few safety things that I hope never get used (bear spray and such).
That was great Adam. Appreciate it.
🏍💨
As an adventure riders who also goes backpacking, I'm simply blown away by all the stuff some bikes are carrying, its plain crazy! On multi day adventures my bike carries the same gear I would put on my back plus tools and tubes, no more, no less
Deciding what not to put in your tool kit is a tough decision. Mind sharing what you take in your kit and why in a separate video?
Agree 100%
Having travelled across Africa with 70 litres of hard pannier space and way too much “have to have” stuff … followed by a trip in Patagonia with only slightly less… I now only travel with no more than 40 litres of soft luggage
Mountaineering equipment translates perfectly to adventure travel and typically last forever
That said here is South Africa you can travel 400-800km a day linking gravel roads avoiding black top and end in a small town with a lekker pub meal and reasonably priced roof over your head..
Or a fantastic farm stay km’s from the nearest town..
Light is the way to go..
You'll go alright here mate, keep that philosophy 🇦🇺👍
Awesome video & great content. I’m a new T7 owner so I will be watching these videos closely. Would be great if you could link the bags in the description please. Cheers!
They're Giant Loop Coyote.
It's a giant loop coyote bag :)
Thank you!
Brilliant. A bike packed with common sense
Mate of mine ran the world (50.000 km - 4 years) with minimalist gear across all continents.
What brand are those bags. I need them for my Africa twin in the Vic high country
It’s a Giant Loop Coyote saddlebag by the looks.
I think you have picked up on an important distinction between an adventure for a few days to a couple of weeks versus what everyone sees in documentaries where people are traveling across continents for months. They pack a lot because they need more self sufficiency vs like you’re saying an adventure where you’re out and not necessarily having to “live on your own” for an extended period of time. It’s our visualization from the stories and movies that lead us into the trope of needing the same level of kit they have to make a successful adventure. Thanks for the refreshing insight!
P S the fuel bladder tip is gold. If you’ve planned the trip enough to know the fuel requirement to the next trail head and out that is a gem of a tip and the weight penalty on handling for cruising the highway is minimal. Genius idea!
Impossible to travel too light if camping on a 30 day adventure. Easier to check into hotels if you can afford it. It’s getting cold now and the reality of traveling light is next to impossible.
True. I'm looking at the forecast here on the west coast in upper California and Oregon, seeing overnight temps in the 20's (f). Not sure how much access there might be to get off road due to snow however, but I'll surely take Riemann's advice and see where I can improve.
I agree about packing light. I've been on several longer trips with my 690, just carrying two ~30 l saddle bags with clothes and camping gear and a backpack with my camera gear. Still handles fine.
Awesome! I am a newbie on motocamping and gradually completing my stuff. Watching your video confirmed that my idea getting a saddle bag than those bulky boxes is the way to go. Learned a good tips on how to pack my things. Thanks a lot!
Couldn’t agree with you more mate. Lightweight soft luggage with minimal gear with a lighter weight adventure bike makes for real fun off-road adventures. All the other really big and heavy ADV bikes we see with hard luggage and all, are really just comfortable sport tourers for the road. Absolutely nothing wrong with that but people need to be honest with themselves about what sort of riding they’re actually doing. Keep up the good content 🤙🏼
Never a perfect setup for every situation, but you nailed 99.875% of most people’s needs. I’m of the same mindset myself, keeping everything including my bike (CRF300Rally) lightweight and dependable. Makes it so easy to pull off a one nighter on a whim. If I decide to take on a BDR I really don’t think I’d add much other than a few extra “hidden pairs” of socks and undies. Maybe a bigger flask! Great video, love your approach!
I tend to agree with Mr Riemann and have soft luggage myself, but don’t kid myself that I’ve got his skill set. I don’t. I’m happy slowly making my way, seeing the sights, and taking few risks. I probably use 20% of the capability of my Africa Twin and I’m good with that. Love these videos!
this is 100 percent legit...been in mountaineering for a long time..same as basic mountaineering course..lightpacking is a must..
The most experienced adventure rider I ever met, Doug Sunderland, used to wear a warm, waterproof riding suit. When he got tired, he'd stop and lie down fully clothed. Helmet on as it sort of made a pillow. He got used to eating at a cafe or something every couple of days. He didn't carry a tent, or cooking gear. Just tools and spares, a couple of tee shirts, and that was it. Oh, and a log book. He logged every ride. Hit 2 million km in the Himalayas.
I've packed my road bike down like the Beverly Hillbilly's. Wanting to get into adv riding. Really opened my eyes as far as distribution of weight and the handling of the bike, thank you, subbed.
What a unique and fresh perspective on the RUclipss. Have to admit I’m guilty of overpacking the rear end of the bike. Will reassess after this.
I'm a backpacker myself. I did a long thru hike and I just started motorcycle adv. If you do this kind of packing, I think you'll need to resupply at some point, going to town, only bring the essentials when do moto adv at back country, and cant go more than a week in a single trip (I think).
Travelling light is making your adventure is less comfortable, but you can enjoy more the adventure itself.
Totally agree, same way I travel. Soft bags, minimalist stuff, keep the weight down!
In answer to your question about what's on somebody's heavy-laden bike, it depends on expected temps. Summer packing is pretty light, but for colder weather you need more clothing layers, my cold weather sleeping bag is very a bulky synthetic (bc of cost mainly, I got it for quite cheap on REI outlet and a packable down bag costs way more), and a few other considerations.
Additionally, sometimes people are on extended trips through multiple climates and/or seasons, or expect to be away from civilization (so grocery stores and gas stations) for several days at a time instead of one or two.
Sometimes, you're 2-up and have both the extra body and need more stuff in the bags to accomodate them.
Also I may not be out for a bike adventure. I use my bike for almost all transportation needs so I might just be loaded down with stuff I need at my destination or need to transport from point A to point B but don't want to use my truck for. That's the heaviest/bulkiest I ever load it. One time it was ~180 miles with soft panniers, top case, 75l bag in passenger seat, and 2 backpacks on top of the panniers bungeed against the 75l bag. I had just moved, but had stuff in the old area bc I went on a ski trip (by air) after moving most of my stuff to the new place with the truck/trailer and riding the bike back up to leave with family while I was gone. It handled the load perfectly fine, better than one fidgety passenger with no bags/cases.
I bought the bike I did because it handles just fine with a big load. But if I want to do more demanding terrain or really fast carving, I can always set up a base camp and leave stuff behind for the day, or plan/pack with that type of riding in mind. Not every trip is the same, people just have different goals in their riding.
Yaaay! Great advice. ADV attracts a lot of people without dirt and offroad capabilities and NO idea how to maintain the bike on a long ride. Up in Colorado, on a ride I was helping rider after rider, lift their 900lb bikes up. I drove for 3 days a lot of $ and my day started lifting noobies off the ground. After 5-6 - that was it.... you're on your own. Thanks for posting this, thanks for injecting sensible advice into people who participate in this sport who need to hear it. Also, some people for a few years could use riding a 250 and packing a van, ride like mad and trailer the bikes.
Great video finally some one who calls it correct. If people don't believe you about packing an balance., I pack my 1000lb Harley road glide in correctly .and only had basic camp gear an bit of food .I just about road it off the mountain comming down mountain into long flat in the rain. So on a light adventure bike it will make a massive difference. Yep silly move on my part ,but who would of thought a bit of gear in the wrong place would of made a massive difference in the wet an stormy rain. I getting a adventure bike ,this is why I watch you. Thanks for your help.
This is a refreshing video. A lot of my background is off road adventure cycling where weight, or lack there of, is paramount. In that case my base weight (non-consumables) is about 10 lbs. That's camping gear for days or weeks on the trail. It seems many ADV motorcycle riders bloat the bike with accessories and carry tons of gear. Even with your kit in this video I see many places where i would personally pair down the weight and storage space.
Hey Adam, love what your doing for us here.
I agree with the travel lite freeze at nite , but for me with a few broken bones and alot of years riding i just dont go as hard as you do , so i still go on MY adventures with a few more comforts than you on a less off road capable bike (BMW 1200 GSA) and still have a big smile on my face. Cheers from USA!!!
Hi, I'm riding motorcycle since i'm a kid, but I also travel a lot on bike ! And it's the perfect school to learn how to travel light ! I use exactly the same gear for both (except the tool kit) I never carry more than 15kg including food for 3 days !
One thing I noticed first time on ANY camping , adventure Bike and liked too is that you have avoided that Luggage brackets , panniers and those saddle stays.
Been looking at getting into adventure riding, this advice is game changing man. No offense taken at all, it is good to hear it straight..... no bullsh!t. Rather listen to a rider than a seller anyday. Thank you so much.
Great video. I’ve been there and back with luggage. First thing I bought was rear racks, saddle bags, and duffles. Probably 90-100 litres all up. Now I’ve stripped it all off and sold most of it. Running the Reckless 40 from Mosko. 2 man tent, mat, bag, kitchen like yours. Much better rig and it doesn’t impact riding position at all.
Great to have a beer on Safari as well.
I'd add a small foldable portable stove. It takes up no space whatsoever and allows you to make fire and cook if gas runs out. Great video, as always! Thanks
Love the bonus jocks. After a few days of getting up in the morning and putting on the still wet gear from the day before, and with the "smell of adventure" starting to permeate everything, the delight of finding the bonus jocks can't be overstated.
Absolutely.
good tips and subject matter- particularly about the entire point is to enjoy riding your bike. Many adventure bike channels seem to put themselves in rough conditions with their bike as it is so overloaded and things turn dramatic (maybe on purpose), I get frustrated watching as their skill level is not really there. It should be about the bike, enjoying it and pushing yourself a bit.
THe other argument is that you choose your trails to suit your abilities and needs. I ride light on my WR450. My mates have KLR's and they pack em like mules and being older foke we love our outdoors but no real need to be hard core riders of the outback. So many National Parks these days are so accesable and so much fun when you get out with your mates. I've loved being here from the UK where so much is closed. Thanks for a great vlog AR..
I have very similar setup. I do my overlanding trips on Beta 480 with 12l Tank upgrade. My trips are usually 3 weeks long. I am able to pack to two 15l waterproof bags strapped to the sides of the bike. I used to carry my tire levers strapped down to the front forks. Now i have one short lever and the other is done by cutting and forming one end of tire wrench to act as a lever. My kitchen is 700ml titanium cup with a mini gas stove same as yours. I do carry my tent poles outside of waterproof bags. A couple of times they poke a hole in my bags on falls.
WARRNING: Cans with opener lever can open themselves when pushed from top by other items in your bag. Ask me how I know that.
Herring in tomato sauce in your sleeping bag is not a good thing :D
Video of the year! Not just his channel, all of RUclips!
I came to motorcycling quite late in life from a background of cycle touring. When cycling every ounce counted but it was amazing how little you needed to carry even when camping for 2 weeks. It was a real cultural shock to see the huge GS's with massive square tin boxes on the back,very often with tents on top. Even for a weekend they take everything...chairs, tables, bbqs, and god knows what. I have 2 smallish plastic panniers and a top box on my CB500x and they are half empty and it's still more than I need. I think if you need to take that much stuff, just take a car.
I carry a little bit more on long trips but my setup is the same for a couple of days to weeks and even if i would be able to go for months it will not change.
I do use soft luggage and pack for balance, i'm able to ride the bike sliding the rear and jumping obstacles.
My total luggage incl. camera's, tools, spare tube etc. come in at 26,8kg in the Mosko Moto dry bags so the Reckless 80 harness needs to be added.
I did some modifications (actually a lot) like Touratech Wold Travel Extreme suspension, MIVV Dakar exhaust and some other things but kept the bike pretty close to the original weight. Have some upgrades coming and will weigh the bike when finished to see the real "damage" but all add-ons, upgrades and removals are to make the bike perfect for me and what i do with it.
It's a daily rider with as much offroad i can get in, even when i go home after a late shift in the dark winter and i can tell you i can ride the bike fully packed almost like on the daily rides.
Best test if you packed right is to take the hands of the bars and see if you go straight or if it veers left or right. if so the side it goes is too heavy and might bites you in the ass on the road.
Thanks for focusing on what adventure riding is all about and showing how it's down.
I absolutely wish I would have watched this before I spent 2000 on honda Hard Boxes for my africa twin.
It's absolutely crazy how much they totally ruin the ride.
Awesome video.