Motorcycle Touring? Here's what to take, and how to pack it.
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Motorcycle Touring? Here's what to take, and how to pack it.
Touring on a bike is intimidating because how can you possibly fit what you need in a few little bags? Well, I've done this quite a few times, and have learned the hard way on how and what to bring along for a long touring trip where you plan to camp most of the way.
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I’ve been motorcycle camping all my adult life, I’m 72 now. I’ve been on BMW 1200GSs for 12 years and just decided to start using my Husqvarna 701 as a lightweight ADV bike. I’m all packed and ready to depart for a 3,000 mile adventure with lots of off road. I’ll get a room occasionally when I need to regroup. I rely on supermarkets for food along the way and always have enough for when I get remote.
One suggestion I have is after your trip go over your gear and put everything you didn’t use to the side. Then take a hard look at it and decide if it was necessary.
Fair play, I'm 68 - and far less reserved than you are (maybe that's the American way) but this comment is worth far more than the whole video.
PS. As a suggestion - try a 125 for touring .....and Yes, I'm deadly serious. You'll find two things: A) you'll likely get a numb bum B) you'll discover a sense of FUN way in excess of a GS (Girls Scooter) or your 701... Happy travels x
Well I’m 74 now. I did that 3,000 mile trip on my Husqvarna 701 and it was great. I do have a Grom 125 also, I think it’d be fun to take it on a local camping trip but anything over 200 miles I’m using a bigger bike.
@@BlackdogADV
By bigger bike, do you mean bigger than the 701?
My first 1,804 mile trip I overdid it and brought way too much stuff. Everybody's first trip will teach you so much. I always bring a cable and lock, that way I can lock up my jacket and pants to the bike and explore in normal attire.
I keep my sleep system all together in one waterproof bag. Setup tent and stash the dry bag in the vestibule and transfer sleeping bag, sleep clothes etc into the tent out of the weather. I don’t typically store the sleep system in a pannier bag.
I backpack and canoe camp a lot and the wet tent thing is def a problem. I get around it by having a spare dry bag to stuff the wet tent in. Dry bags don't just keep water out; they keep it in too!
I didnt even know canoe camp was a thing... it sounds awesome !
I wonder if you just strapped the tent loose on top of a panier under a cargo net if the wind would dry the tent out?
When the tent is wet, I will bungee it on top of my other gear, and if I have chances to stop, you can kind of shuffle it around to let it dry and/or shake it out then when it’s dry, pack it away, sometimes I just carry a strong, industrial grade garbage bag…works well too!
Always interesting to see what/how others pack. I have a smaller bike and proportionately less stuff. I enjoy the minimalist ultralight approach. It all fits into a 55 liter waterproof backpack on the rack and pillion, or two 30 liter roll top bags. No panniers. Weight carried low is better, but 35 pounds (including a 7 pound tool roll) low on the rear rack carries well enough without the wind drag and added weight of pannier bags. It's also great not having panniers scraping on trees and rocks off road.
I use heavy duty roll top dry bags on the outside and lightweight roll top waterproof dry bags internally. They're not much heavier or bulkier than lightweight nylon stuff sacks. I have one dry bag for clean clothes and another for dirty clothes, which does a good job of keeping the clean clothes from smelling like the dirty clothes. The heavy duty outer dry bag is the camp washing machine on laundry day. Half fill with water and dirty clothes. Add a squirt of detergent, seal and shake well. Soak for 10-20 minutes, shake to agitate and dump well away from water sources. Rinse twice and line dry. Easy peasy.
your hand actuated washing machine tutorial is the best ever man
Brilliant 👏
Looks like your ready ! I used to do this a lot since about 1990. I have a big cabinet where I keep all my touring gear and it helps me add things between trips as I think of them. Sometimes it will just hit you, of something that you want to take while your still at home, better to think of it before you leave. I start laying our my gear 2 weeks before I go on the kitchen counter tops, so I see it every time I walk by it, that helps too. Good luck, ride safe, and above all else have fun.
Good idea! I've made a check/packing list with every item (very detailled). It's helpful and you can always change things, trying to be UL on the road...🙂 Less is more, that's my experience after a lot of bike tours (with tent).
I pack similar, use a 40 liter duffle for camping gear, panniers for the rest. Like the idea of a bag for the shower/hygiene items. Jeans and cotton items are a big no! Too heavy. Packing in cubes and such is the way to go. Washing clothes in creeks, sinks and an occasional washing machine is normal so must have the quick dry stuff, synthetics. Gym shorts underneath is good. Thought I invented it! Haha. Less is more. Sent stuff home twice on my first trip.
Great job - thanks for taking the time to do this video, always interresting to see how other people pack. I think the quality of your videos are really good,- and you get straight to the point which is great. Looking forward to your gear review, and hope you have a safe trip!
thanks
I've been binging on a lot of this kind of videos, but this has to be one of the best one. Appreciated!! Thanks
Thanks for this information Ian. I'm planning a 6 to 8 week trip in December this year consisting of motel and camping also. All the best on your journey, have a safe one and I look forward to your stories and videos.
I just use my clothes as a pillow. I also like to have different sets of items in a bag in my panniers. Stops things moving around and keeps them easy to find. Enjoy your trip! Can't wait for the next time I'm allowed out for an extended moto trip...
I do it the same way, much more organized...
I really enjoy the channel and your thoughtfulness and attention to detail. I have a 2022GSA on the way and am using your channel as one of my sources for kitting the bike for long trips.
You got that right Ian 😃. We just need to pack what we think we are gonna use in a long trip. The basics plus a couple of other things that are mandatory like the right tools for every nut and bolts in the bike, battery starter, air pump, lubes, and tow strap. Because we never know, doesn't matter if the bike is new. The camping and cooking stuff and to stay warm and dry. Godspeed.
Great video. A five litre fuel bag is also handy, not only for yourself but to bring fuel to a buddy or stranger. Its also helpful if you come across trails that are going to put you in reserve.
Thanks for the great tips! When we were wilderness backpacking (which uses the same camping gear!), we wiped our wet tent down with quick-dry camping towels. Works great out West where the air is nice and dry.
I know the tent can get a bit gross if it's packed wet or damp, but if you're camping every night it will dry out every day and will survive the couple weeks trip.
Best of luck on your trip
yet another helpful video - thanks Ian.
Nice video. Did my first ADV camping ride about a year ago, my GS1250 looked like the Clampetts truck when they moved to Beverly Hills!! I packed WAY too much!! I am definitely cutting my stuff in 1/2. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Bro, I hear exactly what you are saying!!!! Respect
It’s amazing how when I’m looking for specific motorcycle content, you’ve already got it covered. I just picked up my first BMW yesterday, a 2016 R1200RT. After riding 350 miles today without breaking a sweat, I’m now excited to start traveling with it and scheduling vacations around it.
Thanks for your in-sites and experience. I’ve done a few trip like this and enjoyed every second of the ride. Like you it about the ride not so much the destination. Keep up the good work and interesting vids
Awesome video. The way I get around having a wet tent is hammock camping. There are some drawbacks to a hammock system, but for me it works well. My entire sleep system never touches the ground. There are even options for a lightweight stand if you don’t have trees. Seems like people either love or hate hammocks for Moto camping, but I love them.
super nice beemer and set up looks like your ready. Have a safe adventure can't wait to see your travels.
In case you want a nice diversion off of Highway one before you get to Legget head out to Usal Beach on the dirt to Camp for the night then continue on the dirt to shelter Cove. You can get back out to the highway on the twisty road from shelter Cove. Epic!
Solid road trip prep video...super helpful.
Mr experience with wet tent is to have a net strap on the top or side bag. If it’s wet I put it in the net and it’s dry by the next fuel stop. Unless it’s still raining off course. I use the Mosko bags. Soft bags are the way to go.
The solution for keeping your tent dry is a tarp. A tarp it light,waterproof, and cheap plus when it really rains it will save your tent and everything in it. The tarp should just cover your tent for good water run off and in the morning the tarp may be a bit wet but your tent is dry. I then shake the tarp off and roll it up and bungie cord it on the outside so it doesn't get anything wet inside any of the bags.I always take a few extra light weight tent pegs for the tarp as well as a few feet of parachute cord. Hope this helps:) Keep up the good videos!
i also agree with Tony, been using a lightweight tarp AND footprint keeps my tent not only dry but clean!
Thanks for sharing! Looks like a well thought out load out!
Small first aid kit is handy, extra rok strap set too. Silicone luggage tags to label contents of tool kits also handy as I always forget which kit has the tool I need!
Great list, great equipment, great inspiration. I will certainly use this as a reference for when I go motocamping
Forgot about colour bags in various sizes and mesh see thru.
Great video, loving your channel from here in England.
Good overview. Try rolling your clothes and placing them packing cubes to save space. For camping trips I’ve found it best to put my tent, sleeping bag, pad and pillow into my large dry bag for quicker camp set up.
good idea
Nice job on the packing break down. Like you said, each trip is a learning experience and you keep refining your packing strategy and items. Your comment on the clothing made some good points. One of the best advice comments I read once was, when you get back home and unpack, ask yourself "did I use or need this item?". A few things are packed proactively and possibly not used, like rain gear, tools, or first aid items. But many other items you may find you really didn't need and could leave out next time. For me I'd swap the puffy jacket for a heated jacket liner that can also do duty as a street/camp jacket. They generally pack smaller and are invaluable if the weather changes to colder temps.
Drying out in the morning:
I look for a site with morning sun. As soon as I get up, I hang out my sleeping bag + liner on a line, then pull a couple of tent pegs, and tip the whole tent/footprint over on its side with the damp bottom at the best position for sunlight and/or windflow drying effect. The external tent frame keeps everything opened up. It usually averages an hour and a half to dry everything, weather and temperature dependant.
While that's progressing, I move on to breakfast, packing up, shower or swim and getting my riding gear on. The last thing is to pack up the tent and my sleeping gear (drybag) into a duffel bag across the back seat.
Whether you drive 1000 or 5000 miles, the equipment is the same. Thanks for the loadout. Just a few notes: The headlamp should be in the tank bag (for emergencies, also to be able to quickly set up the tent in the dark). The kitchen roll seems to me too much of a good thing, you can solve it more compactly. Don't need a tent hammer? He is always helpful on my tours. Very nice video, please more of it (what was superfluous?).
Camping gear in a 40L duffle bag on the back (tent, pad, pillow, sleeping bag and chair), kitchenware and food on one pannier, and clothing on the other. I carry tools and spares on other small bag in front of the 40L main bag. Great content, BTW!
Wow, awesome trip you have planned. A dream trip with your dream bike. ... I envy you my friend. Looking forward to your blogs and updates. Keep us posted, Cheers!
More to come!
Very informative! I liked how you break stuff down and how they're packed (especially for motocamping)! But as my bags of choice, it would be the Kriega US drybags and R30 backpack!
You are so thoughtful! Amazing !
Great video. Thanks.My set up is almost the same. I do pack a first aid kit, some extra straps, safety pins, carabiners and duct tape..these for me are must have items that I have used. How many times have I travelled where a zippers broke, a strap disappeared or you you pack in the rain or are in a hurry and things dont fit anymore for some reason. I also use a cargo net over everything for extra security and it's great to just hold random things in it if you need a free hand. I have a cover as well that has metal loops. So if I do leave the bike for whatever reason (sightseeing) I can cover it up and make it slightly more secure.
Nice video. I pack similarly to how I pack for backpacking, very small and as light as possible.
suggestion.....keep toiletries in your with your dry bag, it has your clothes and if your only taking that bag into the hotel rooms, you have it with you. snacks in the outside pouch? if it rains, your food is getting soaked. dont ask me how I know....lol....other than that, you pack light, its a good thing
Very useful information. Thank you 🍻
Great to see what others take on a road trip, top vid mate 🤠👍
Thank you for your hard work.
I set up the same and I'll also stress, keep the heavy stuff down low and as close to front of bag as possible. Helps weight distribution when standing on the pegs.
As for wet tent or clothes. or whatever. I bring motorcycle nets and drape the wet stuff on the top of any of the bags with the nets so the wet stuff will air dry while riding down the road.
Enjoy the trip. Safe travel brother.
The camelpack/hydration on the tank bag is pretty smart!
Thank you for this information.
Now I've better idea what I've to pack
I've got a Mosko Scout 25L duffel which comes with a beaver tail flap. That's a nice option for storing a wet tent instead of stuffing it back into your pannier with your dry stuff.
Nice video. I will be gearing up for my first long trip on my GSA1250 soon. I have watched several of these types of videos (what gear to bring) and I always learn a bit from each one because of the different perspective of different riders. I liked the water bladder in the tank bag idea from yours. Wish I could come along, I'm just not ready yet. I live in LA, Calif......maybe the next one.
Great video, you usually have a some great tips and tricks. I used a tank bag on an Alaska trip several years ago and haven’t used one since. I think they’re bulky and get in the way. I went to a Wunderlich handlebar bag for the few essentials I use while riding. I need to pair down my tools.
Very helpful and enjoyable. Thanks.
Looking forward for updates
good video brother. very good info, very relatable personality.
I enjoy this guys videos a lot. Ton of great info. Although when he was showing us the tank bag and the sheer number of items kept growing and growing, I thought that at any moment he was going to reach in and magically pull out Smokey the Bear by the ears. It would have prevented a lot of forest fires in the future and given a few of us a chuckle.😄
Excellent video thank you! Maybe you could put all the what to pack videos into a playlist?
I throw in a 6x8 tarp and mini shovel for a quick, no tent option camping off the beaten path, or more secluded campground. Plus a head net for sleeping.
Great job, great content, thanks!
Good stuff!
Really like this Idea! Thanks.
Fantastic set up, Great job. Love from India ❤
Nice to see what everyone else takes and how they pack a lot depends on the trip as to how far and how many days...I add and subtact every trip... FYI.. I could see the comments this time but not any replys
Another great and timely video. I'm doing a very similar trip late September. Starting in the SF Bay area, up the coast through Oregon into Washington, across to Idaho, down through Nevada and back home. Idaho and the return trip through Cali will depend on access due to fires. Hoping to hit some of the BDR routes in Idaho/Nevada on the return. Guessing 2-3 weeks but schedule isn't a factor as I'm retired.... Looking forward to seeing your vids on your trip.
Good info. Thx.
Great Video
1 - no bungees. ever. EVER. there is nothing you cant pack with a friction strap or two.
2 - you took too many clothes. I did the same trip in reverse starting in the PNW this year. I used three pairs of long riding socks (because knee high ADV boots) and same riding tights. one pair washed, one pair spare, one pair worn. non cotton and dry quickly. same for tshirts. I did do cotton t shirts - but I got cheap plain ones at the nearest store. wear em, toss em in the donation bin, buy a new pack of 3. already compressed nice and small. one hiking shirt for eating out. medical scrub pants for end of day. double duty warmer mid layers.
3- pack by order of retrieval during the ride and then heaviest lowest. Make sure your tail pack is compressible. order of retrieval is the stuff you will most likely need immediately during the day. water, flat fixings, etc. weight low keeps the CG low. compressing the tail pack keeps the crosswind profile as minimal as possible.
4 - stack up everything you want to take...then reduce it to what you need to take. then get rid of half that. you arent generally going into the back of beyond so most things can be gotten as needed.
All through my rides I see towers of junk stacked up on the rear seat held together with bungee cords and nets. even when its a harley road barge with panniers AND a trunk and a solo rider. I cant imagine all the junk they think is "necessary".
BTW a bare hydro pack in a tank bag will sweat. so every thing in there with it will get damp. You can put the pack in a sleeve or wrap it in a towel to kind of help that. Or, if you must, Mosko makes a tank bag with a hydration compartment. Not impressed with the company however. Pro-tip - put the hydro bladder in the freezer if you stay in a hotel. on the hot summer days like weve had, they do thaw pretty quickly and cold water is so nice.
Anyways..my two cents.
Useful video. Thumbs up
Congrats, I have been enjoying your videos. Solidly sensible opinions and content. Well done. Whats your opinion on the Bumot soft panniers. I have a 21 GSA and am considering them instead of hard panniers. Thanks again.
Good video!
If you come through Spokane Washington and want a place to sleep I have a couple of guest rooms and a garage for the bike? I’m 1.3 miles off of I90
Only items I carry that you did not mention:
Collapsible saw
Small hatchet
Heavy duty survival knife
Be safe and enjoy that beautiful bike!
The dreaded wet tent. I keep a shamois or microfiber with me and do my best to wipe down the condensation inside of the tent, zip it up and try to whip some of the water off of the outside, and then stuff it all into a compression sack whipping water off as I stuff. Works OK. I do recommend the compression sack though. You could make your camp dome into the size of a Nalgene bottle.
good stuff
Thanks for the video. Can you show you tire kit and the tools?
Video is nice information, thanks
Glad someone else liked it. You don’t have to carry everything the guy says … but if stranded somewhere you’d probably be glad you watched this and took notes.
Many years ago I used to do long distance commutes lasting a few days, I was sure glad I took the inordinate amount of luggage I took, including a shoulder bag full of amusements i.e. electronic but academic games 📱; decent radio 📻; portable chess set ♟; pack of cards 🃏; book 📕, note pad 📝 and writing material, etc. I never got bored.
Tack!
What a beautiful property
Hi Ian. Great content as usual. Which model barkbusters are on your GS?
Here's a great tip I learned years ago.
Make 2 lists. Clothes in 1 and money in the other.
Now half the clothes......and double the money 😂
Temps are pretty warm. Drop all your cold weather stuff. Msg from the PNW. You won't see anything below 50. Do you need a full pack of ear plugs?
Great video thanks.
I just wondered if you have any thoughts on the Bumot panniers as opposed to Lone Rider ones, or what made you choose the ones you have.
Many thanks. 😃👍
Very useful and informative, thank you. Minor suggestion, if I may, headlamp on the tank bag, much quicker to access if needed.
Good point!
I put my motorcycle key in the little zippered pocket on my left wrist on my Klim jacket. I see you have one also.
Hello Ian. Great video. Keeping inline with the title "Here's what I take..." What tires are you "taking" on this trip and what % of road versus off-road? I saw you decided to "take" soft panniers, so my guess is you plan to hit some dirt potentially on the 2nd half of the trip? Nice weather along the coast and no smoke. 2nd half of the trip will be pretty bad smoke.
Nice well done
Good video
I switched from a jetboil to a foldable wood stove. It packs small and I have a little low maintenence fire even during burn bans. Maybe not so good in the desert but in the northwest, you can usually find enough fuel within arms length.
I like the idea of a tiny wood stove with no fuel to pack so I bought a twig stove, but I don't like smoke in my clothes and on my skin. It makes camping much dirtier, and I'm far from a fastidious person. The woodsmoke is also not consistent with stealth camping when that's necessary. I made a 0.3 ounce pop can stove many years ago. It burns alcohol, which I buy as HEET (yellow bottle) fuel additive so it's easy to source on the road. Alcohol stoves aren't good in cold weather, but I don't motorcycle camp in cold weather.
5 star hotel with good restaurants . A good bike cover with a chain and lock for the bike . Clothes jeans, socks, shirts, underwear, our trip is to be safe ! No camping gear ! Did enough camping in the Marines !
Very Informative...
Good video. Would you be able to list the basic contents in your description. It would certainly save me from having to scroll left and right to revisit stuff where you've glossed over them?
Thnx for the helpful vid. I know you probably cook your own foods but in the event that you are tired of that & you want to eat at a restaurant, how do you secure all your bags on your bike?
Any person who has the backing gear for a few days already has the necessary gear for the motorcycling adventure.
Just secure your backpack on the bike and hit the road.
No need expensive panniers or bags, a couple of 30 lts backpacks for panniers and one over the tank, and you are ready to go.
The most expensive and irreplaceable thing is your time lost to hit the road waiting to have the "must have" gear pushed by the market.
Cheers from Tasmania
Boy am I glad to read this????! I've NEVER seen anyone travelling that packs wet shoes AND flip flops for the shower FFS. I'm guessing that the big difference is, both you and I don't live in the mind controlled US of A and have basic common sense. Enjoy your time travelling....and respect
@grahamhobbs5162 Ara you aware lof the weather in Australia specifically in Queensland and north of NSW. Have you experienced 70 mm of rain in 30 minutes?
The bagpacks are sprayed to make them waterproof and also we covered them with heavy disposable plastic bags,
What about tree hammock tent? For camping I bet that would pack alil smaller.
Couple of people told me that with bmw it is good to have the scanner for the comouter on the bike, if you are low on oil or anything goes wrong you can clear the cold, the bike could refuse to cooperate with you otherwise
I'm curious as to why you go with the hard copy maps, as well as the tablet gps system? I would have thought that google maps, as well as the various off road trail apps, would be sufficient? (Am enjoying your videos alot. Great detail and production values👍🏻)
Please record the journey and post daily. That would make great viewing
I see you take a solution and clean your visor or better yet shield what solution do you use to clean your shield on your helmet?
are those top duffel bags pretty secure do they tie down well thinking about getting one
Come to Phoenix when it cools off
A hammock and rain fly instead of the tent works great.
You forgot my number one most essential piece of gear, a heated vest!!! Just pop a 10,000 mah battery in the pocket and it will keep you toasty warm for five hours, get a second battery and charge it through USB and you'll never be cold. My vest was about $50 and its a thin lightweight fleece. My next purchase is going to be heated gloves LOL.
i use them in winter for sure!
Damn i went for 2 weeks had 5 pairs of socks/undies and waterproofs and wash shaving kit 2 tee-shirts, 2 pair of shorts and a pair of flip flops. But i stayed in Hotels all the time!!!!
What am I missing? How do you like to pack?
My setup is 98% similar. I like to bring a sleeping bag liner as it keeps the sleeping bag clean&fresh on longer trips. On hot nights you can just sleep in the liner.
I have a tarp underneath my tent which keeps the bottom of the tent dry. If the sidewalls of the tent are wet in the morning, I wipe them down with a cloth and put the tent over the windshield/handlebar during breakfast.
I do bring more water so I can always have a little shower before sleeping. Baby wipes and small, foldable shovel in case there are not restrooms…
Have you ever dried Smartwool socks. can wear for days, great in cold or warm climates, dont smell. Also on the wick a way base layer, i just wash and rinse in the shower ( while im showering ) , dry by morning.