ok I need everything and will be travelling in different climates. Im based in the uk so getting stuff from uk/europe markets. A simple list from people that have done RTW would be helpful

which leathers and boots i have been recommended leather trousers and material jacket is this the best combo?

thermals/base layers which ones.

how many pairs of gloves been told to get 3 lightweight/middle/heavy due to them getting wet.[ 1 of each that is]

armour and helmet- go flip up or not and if so which one been recommended a boxer[ bit expensive though]

tent and sleeping bag for any climate[ general all rounder]

We wore textile jacket and trousers - and even then found the trousers too hot so can't imagine leather trousers

Base layer we used Helly Hansen thermals which are ok but wouldn't buy again

Helmets were Arai tour x and these were excellent (we have 2 nearly new ones to get rid of but they do have chips on the top from lying them on the ground - if you are interested bmw.bec@virgin.net size M and XS)

Sleeping bag is mountain equitment dreamcatcher down bag and its been fantastic in all climates - use a silk liner as well.

I would recommend having a visit to a Hein Gericke store and buying aload of gear from there. I have just bought a jacket from there not for off roading but is brilliant, perfectly dry, wind proof, water proof etc etc. Glove i got a set of summer one and are fantastic used for 2 summers and still going. Also got a pair of those moo cow gloves (cant member name) and they are very good for cold riding as two finger are closer together therefore less surface area for heat loss. Water proof but after 2 and a bit winter are getting thin and more heat getting lost easier.

I have an Arai condor helmet but wouldnt mind a Tour X for the africa trip i plan to do. But heard mixed reports so you can decide on that.

Also i would like to just say bring a one piece water proof suit or some sort of water proofs. Because if you just bring textile stuff it may be water proof but when it has been raining for 5+ days and all your gear is 5 times its oe weight you will want something to stop you getting any wetter. Found this out when touring ireland this summer but lucky i had the waterproof suit first.

Just for peace of mind not just for me but for others reading this what bike are you going on? and just give us a round up of what you want to spend on this gear? cheap,mid,best???

I used EDZ base layer, available from Hiene Gerike, on a recent 3 week trip round southern Europe, loads of hot weather. It was brilliant, comfortable, easy to wash and would drip dry in 3 or 4 hours. So T shirts were reserved for evening wear ! Which cuts down on laundry and luggage.

My wife and I (2 up) are about 3,500 miles from finishing a RTW from NE China to Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico. Trip stats are: almost 50,000 miles, four continents, 31 countries, 14+ months and three bikes.

I know you are in the UK, BUT don't let that limit you in the vendors you will choose for gear. For riding gear we chose Darien jackets and pants form AEROstich in Duluth, MN. We had rain, sleet, snow and hail and NEVER got wet! Our feet stayed totally dry in their Combat Boots which were comfortable enough to walk in during the day. Yes, we had sport shoes but the boots were just fine. Can't reccommend AEROstich highly enough.

As a base layer, we use LDComfort. This is intelligent underwear that keeps us cool and dry in the summer (summer 2006 we were in the Gobi in Mongolia) and warm (while crossing the Alps in early winter). At least look at their website for a description.

I used a combination of the AEROstich, elk skin gloves with their "Dr. Spock" waterproof over gloves and didn't have any problem except on the very coldest sections of the ride (sub zero C days).

I use a System 5 BMW helmet but would not purchase again. Janet uses a Caberg that she really likes.

Here are some tips I have learned after making all the mistakes that can be made on a first RTW:

Volume and weight are your real enemies. I had to throw away some very good tools that I thought I needed because they were too heavy and I really didn't need them. I had to throw away a bike cover because it just occupied too much space.

Pack for survival not for comfort. And I mean SURVIVAL! If you you don't need it to survive in an emergency, you probably dont need it. This does not apply to a good First Aid kit.

Keep within the limits of what your bike will carry for weight. An overloaded bike is dangerous and an improperly loaded bike (too much weight, too high, only exacerbates the problem.

Keep in mind that virtually anything you need on the road (bike parts excepted) can be found in one form or another, virtually anywhere you go. You CAN use a stick to brush your teeth.

A final note, when I was planning for the trip, one guy suggested that I cut my tooth brush handle in half to save on weight and volume. I thought, "What a jerk." I have often thought about him as I continued to throw/give away unneeded stuff in virtually every country we visited.

Think before you buy. Think again before you pack. Think still again before you ride away.

Jack and Janet
Still on the road
'06 - 2007 Touring by Motorcycle, a Chang Jiang 750 cc & a 2003 BMW SR 850 R China, Europe & USA

I have the EDZ thermal vest - have worn it for a while and it works OK for me; it has "rolled" a bit at the collar and is showing a bit of excessive wear there IMO, and I would rate it as OK at the price.
Thing is not to wear cotton but some form of man-made material because it will wick perspiration when it is hot and help to keep you warm when the weather is cold. In contrast, cotton T shirts do not dry quickly when wet.
Nice thing is that it is black - you can wear it for days in a row, and I do!

Helmets: too much of a personal item IMO (shape of head for one thing) to follow what other people say or recommend - do your own thing in this regard, after trying on quite a few! But there are loads of threads already if you want to read more.

Gloves: I use motocross gloves for hot weather. Excellent stuff because you have great feel for the controls - I detest bulky gloves that de-sensitise the feel; in fact, I prefer cold hands! (you might consider heated grips).
I also have a pair of gortex lined gloves for really wet weather and they have some insulation - the downside is the thicker palm.
Consider having hand-guards for weather protection as well as protecting the levers.
Yep, after all that, I have collected quite a few different leather based gloves as well - sometimes I will wear these for shortish rides at this time of year - windblast is too cold now for the thin MX gloves but it's generally dry still and certainly warmish when stood still.

Oversuit: yes, I use waterproof over clothing - I prefer separate top and bottom with a big overlap. Just a personal preference for getting in and out of them and for wearing just one of them on occasions. They are not only waterproof, but they add an extra layer of still air as insulation + as mentioned before, they are invaluable for making you feel warmer by keeping the damp from soaking into your other clothing.
If you wear leathers, you will need a topsuit; leather takes an age to dry if it gets wet.

Hein Gericke are reputed to have "cool to the feel" leathers -never tried it but might be worth a look (you can report back!!). As it happens, I have leather clothing but I don't wear it much; I prefer textile stuff.

Head/Buff: thing that goes around your neck as a scarf - good kit.

Boots: loads of threads on this in here; worth a read, but a bit like helmets IMO - very personal choice.

Tents: there is already a load of reports and comments about tents in at least one other thread - worth taking a look.

ps A guy I know pretty well wears a one piece Aerostitch and he loves it! Another mate wears a two piece Rukka (at a cost of £100s and he swears by that!). Choices, choices!!

Cheers,

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Dave

Just looking over this thread i cant say enough about how good a buff is. As walkabout says the scarf thingy that goes around your neck, they try and keep all the we holes where air gets in from getting in. Brilliant also if you ever been in to a store that sells them with the TV ad on it can be used as many other things like hats, hand warmer, scarfs, hair bands, sun blockers, cloths etc Great piece of kit. I normally where 1 when its summer just keeps the worst of the chill off and 2 when it is cold. I've got a fleecey neck tube from edz for the really cold days but i have heard that the buff with the thermal piece on the bottom is great for those really cold days.

So go on get a buff or 2 just for the crack

Do not ride in cold wet places - go there when it is warmer and dryer .. schedual your trip to avoid the unplesant stuff..

I only ride with warm waterproof gloves (one pair) and cool vented gloves (one pair - for hot climates) .. oh and some waxed cooton over gloves for teh cool vented gloves (makes them water proof and get teh 'medium' type situation covered.

You will not be able to carry all the different types of gear needed for all the types of climates. I chose to ride with the hot weather gear - and waterproof outer/iner layer to provide both waterproof layer and some warmth. For cloder stuff use your thermals + flece jacket + electric vest ... You can always but more warm stuff to put under the motorcycle gear .. but you cannot buy hot weather motorcycle gear when you need it everywhere. True hot weather gear has not waterproofing - as that would reduce the air flow. A seperate water proof layer that can go over teh outside (if you are unlikely to fall off) or inside (if you are going to fall) is the way to go.

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

thx for all the tips there really is a huge amount of choice and so many methods.

the bike will be an africa twin 650. The amount ive got to spend well 1k pounds would be a low estimate considering prices of lids.

so far all ive got covered is the bike[still needs modded] and the first aid kit, full crash kit minus defib as its kinda hard to zap yourself.

still unsure which way to go with camping stuff cheap and cheerful and replace when needed or get a decent one.