What's your most/least useful piece of kit?
 

Just out of interest, thought this would make a good topic.

What's useful? what isn't?

Mine are as follows:-

Most useful= camel back water container.
(5 litres in a back pack, used every day since September).

Least useful= local phone plug adapters for laptop. (website updates can be done in internet cafes).

Goose
www.gooseontheloose.com

though I havent done much bike touring yet, I ahve traveled a bit in cars, kayaks, and on foot etc. I find that my Gerber tool is an essential, and a good knife is always handy as well. Some chord from a rock climbing store is very handy. either 3mm or 4mm. And for those winter trips, my down booties are essential, especialy for those sub zero trips from the tent to the woods and back.

Black vinyl tape (electricians tape).
Duct tape.
To save space re-roll them on to a short section of pencil.

Most useful woould have to be my Leatherman or our water filter, can't really decide which is more useful.
Least useful (I'm going to tempt fate here) would be our puncture repair kits - unused since leaving home, but I guess there's got to be a first time somewhere down the road.....

------------------
no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

Most used - Oxford Boss disk lock.
Most useful - Heated grips for when I haven't got the right gloves on.
Least used - Tyre weld repair kit (fingers X'ed).
Least useful - Any boots with thin/soft soles - the left one wears through in no time with the weight of the bike.

An old bicycle inner tube is also pretty damn handy, or at least slices of it are.

Touratechs twin spot headlamp is complete toilet though.

Goose.
www.gooseontheloose.com

Hegehog,

You have piqued my curiosity - how do you wear out the left sole with the weight... huh?

FWIW I used thin soled SIDI boots on my RTW and they were wonderful, light and cool, I'd do it again. In fact the same pair would probably do it again.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Most useful and loved, my Leatherman
( I'm in a complate flap if I can't find it )

My Camelback 2Litre ( Despite the ridicule of my former travel partner.... )

100 Mile-an-hour tape (Duct tape for others)
( Rescued me more than once )

My Sony Mavica CD Camera...

Least used
Touratech stool ( Threw it away )
My tent ( after having left Argentina / Chile
My Psion 5 Series, cause I cannot connect it without the driver software....

Why duct tape must be the most useful think, followed by bungie chords.

'Course I could make a case for money. Very little in this world can't be bought.

Kurt

Most useful - a reliable bike.

I'm currently waiting for the main bearings to be replaced after only 13,000 km. It also had a front wheel bearing changed at 8,000 km. Yes, it's a 2000 Adventure. But it sure is great fun when it works.

Least useful - second passport.

It's still in the UK waiting for a Sudan visa

Yeah the ductape & leatherman are indispensible & got a thorough work out on my trip. With Harvey on the water filter contraption too. Hours of pumping but paid for itself many times over.

Least used item - this will shock a few. My extremely expensive portable cooker. Never used in a year on the road. Food dirt cheap in all parts of Asia then Aussie/N.Z have stoves in camping grounds or BBQ's & wood in Nat'l parks to self cook. A cooker also takes up a fair bit of space.

MOST useful- MeshTex First Gear Jacket-I've worn it every day of our Americas trip for the past 6 months. TIP...Throw the Aerostich Darien over it for cold weather

LEAST useful- my backpack- it usually sits in my Ortlieb and rarely comes out.

I couldn't live without my Petzl LED head torch and of course, my Leatherman Wave. I've used a slightly bigger black leather pouch (from Victorinox of Swiss Army Knife fame)which also accommodates the additional tool adaptor plus room for a tiny torch. Bike wise, a good quality set of tools (and I don't have an adjustable spanner).

Tim
R100GSPD

Most useful: Camelbak water thingy, compass on top of tank bag, Katadyn water filter, good map

Least useful: GPS, Psion 5 Palm top PC, even less than that: travel-modem for Psion

ChrisB

Big Riderswearhouse cargo net and it's awesome.

Most useful: Altberg motorcycle/walking boots-great for everything. GPS- I get lost easily. Wife- numerous uses and great company. Duck tape and bungees secured everything that broke or fell off. Camping washing line.

Least useful: Multi tool thing. Torque wrench (but only 'cause I didn't need it!)

Top kit:
1) Button-sized LED light on the keyring
2) Fabric, drawstring backpack which folds up to nothing
3) Piece of plank to put under the centre-stand on soft ground while repairing punctures
4) Synthetic clothing (on & off the bike)
5) Tent etc. for planned and unplanned camping

Not so top kit:
1) GPS
2) Credit cards that can't be used in ATMs
3) Tools I can't use
4) ... um, can't think of anything else; all the rest is well-used, a spare, or there for good juju. Wouldn't want to be without my Leatherman.

James

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 17 November 2003).]

least used- camelback- too much of a pain to put it somewhere (even on my back, as it interferes with my luggage on back seat) and fill with clean water

most used- Bota of Boulder waterbottle with built in filter- fill from tap at hotel and put behind windscreen, iodine tablets good idea too

also good kit- a kidney belt used for off road- it saves my back

Just thought of a few more;
I have 2 identical cable locks. The male end of one fits into the female end of the other and vice versa. I can use them as 2 separate or one long cable- very versatile.

Craftsman ratchet wrenches. (Open end wrench on one end and closed ratcheting end on other) They were a christmas gift as I would consider them too much a luxury to spend the extra cash myself. But, man, do I use them a lot. I almost never use regular wrenches anymore. Dont get the cheap ones. Make sure they are as compact as standard and have a really fine pitch to the ratchet teeth.

Lots of good metric bolts, washers, nuts, including odd ones. Hard to find good stuff in 3rd world. My travel partner laughed at how many bolts I had on last trip but we used a LOT of them including Tshaped washers to fix his helmet visor after impact with a vultchur.

Least useful- travelers checks. Almost impossible to cash most places and you pay comission twice and get a bad exchange rate. Emergency only. On the subject of money- my PLUS system card did not work ANYWHERE in Brazil and my bank (Bank One- USA) could not fix it. Partners SIRRUS system card did work. I have one of each this time around.

------------------
Back on the road again.

sopgear.com

[This message has been edited by jim stanley (edited 25 November 2003).]

I always found that a mixture of US$, travellers cheques and a Visa card with an ATM pin number was the best combination. The only country we encountered whilst travelling through Africa, the Middle East and Asia where we couldn't use the ATM's was Mozambique.

I found something, Pocket Duct Tape.
A flat pack.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commer...rfnbr=30391989

John

Most useful items I have found for a RTW on a motorbike would have to be.

Full set of Golf Clubs.
Inflatable paddling pool. (for those hot days)
Microwave
Fax machine
Portable toilet (try to get the small one, saves on space)


Least useful

Exercise Bike (all that pedalling and not going anywhere)
An electric fan.
Food processor (never used it once)
Controversial I know, but I have to say Leatherman.

hi Biggles
Have you tried the George Forman grill bit lighter than a microwave
Regards
Gaz

Am NEVER taking the AGA again. Anthracite so difficult to get hold of en route.

------------------
Johnefyn

Multi-tool, petzl headtorch and swiss army knife all mentioned already I know but I ALWAYS carry a handfull of assorted cable ties, I find they are brilliant for a huge range of things and will contrive a repair for loads of problems and they cost pennies.

Good:
Yep, cable ties are great.
Another vote for duct tape.
Book.
Cask strength whisky. (weight and space conscious as always!)
Opinel knife.
Homemade velcro bags of light nylon for clothes/washkit etc.
Buff

Useless:
Too many pants.
Open face helmet.
Narrow road bars.
Itty bitty aftermarket indicators.
Itty bitty tyre levers made of old cheese.

Most usefull;

My wife when she's right.
Official I.D. at a border or police stop.

Least usefull;

My wife when I'm wrong.
Official I.D. at a border or police stop.

As always the circumstance dictates and nothing is useless when the need arises.

Internet reviews of products have been my savior and my curse. This site and reviews on camping magazine sites have allowed me to pare down my kit to the point that I can pack my tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, camp pillow, towel, quick dry shirts, toiletries, cook gear into my tank bag or even tank panniers if I also want to bring 6 litres of water in the panniers. I truly regret buying my panniers and top box. Almost no need for them.

Most used:

1) Pack of smokes and lighter
2) Can of beer in my emergency kit
3) A stack of cash

Least used:
1) Tools I never use
2) The rest of my emergency kit
3) Throttle rocker

To add something to this thread:

Most useful:

- I recently switched from motorcycle boots to regular hiking boots, also using it for driving. So I can go for a walk in the mountains or somewhere without having to take an additional pair of shoes with me.

Least useful:

- I carried a three-legged stool with me, which i fortunately lost after three months of travelling. Never missed it since then...

Marco
http://www.schnueriger.net

This frickin website-most. KTM North America-least.
Bill in Tomahawk.

Most useful in the early stages of Africa (ie half of it): anti-crapping pills.

Most useful generally: Leatherman (yawn) - what else can trim unwanted body hair, flush carburettor and spread butter?
Also Petzl head torch for countries where electricity is an unusual bonus (ie all of West Africa).

Least useful: Folding chair (didn't make it to Portsmouth.)
Water filter (never used. maybe some relationship to need for anti-poo pills)
Cooker. I'm on holiday! Why would I want to cook?

------------------
Simon

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick

Three absolute essintials plus a few hundred more:
Cable ties.
Leatherman, goes without saying although I just did.
And duct tape AKA "The Force Tape"
Think Star Wars. It has a dark side, a light side and it holds the universe together!

OK, I've only been riding since last October, but so far:-

Most Useful:
A mobile phone - so I can hear my dad say: "I don't know much about these modern Japanese bikes, but have you tried..."
Xena disc lock - alarmed disc lock that straps to the bike. it solves two problems at once and only cost £50 (needs work on waterproofing though)

Least Useful:
Thermal liner for Bering Jacket and Trousers - used on the way home from the shop and only once since
Rayven motorcycle boots - broke in three months. effing useless

Most useful.... 1/2 helmet. Might get frowned upon by some and I might take it on the chin one day, but I personally love the endless peripheral visibility and the feel of open wind on my face.

Least useful.... the factory BMW "tool kit". Proof positive BMW doesn't want (or trust) you to do anything on your bike yourself.

.

Or is it a marketing tool suggesting that you'll never need to do anything to your "bullet proof" BMW?

Is that why the tool kit in an Enfield is so comprehensive? ;)

Matt

Is it true that the BMW tool kit just contains a compact mirror and a tiny tub of Turtle-Wax?

That's correct but they also have a BMW beard trimmer fitted as standard equipment which is kept under the seat. Very handy.

Ah, but is it as good as the colour-coordinated Ducatti blow-wave and hair dryer?

John

p.s. The Kiwis tell me that the beard trimmer can also be used for shearing sheep, but being from Oz, I would not know anything about that......

Ah, but the KTM 950 has a bottle opener on the end of a 10mm spanner...
kept the thing when I sold the bike;-))

The Kawasaki comes with a small oven so you can always melt it back into shape.

On the subject of which, my standard toolkit has a bizarre tool that seems to bamboozle every one who sees it. It's a 4-5" tube with a circular opening at one end and a osrt of pinched, figure of eight shape at the other. If anyone has any ideas what the hell it's for, please let me know.

It's your spark plug socket. You poke your screwdriver through the holes in the side to turn it. Or are you kidding?!
Matt

in my kwaka toolkit I always assumed that was just an extension bar, so you could pretend the axle spanner would work..

"p.s. The Kiwis tell me that the beard trimmer can also be used for shearing sheep, but being from Oz, I would not know anything about that......"

So what you are saying is that the beard trimmer is used to make Beemer riders and sheep more presentable to one another .Hurmmm , that explains a lot !

Hey! Not fair! I resemble that remark! Oh bugger...where is the spell check?

John

Ha, ha, ha! Very funny. Don't be ridiculous.

My factory BMW "tool kit" is actually just a credit application form..... so one can afford the $500 oil change and head re-torquing. :clown:

Good things to have
 

A plug to wash your cloths in hotels and a bunggy clothsline which is sold in most good outdoor shops.

Ken
www.kenandtoni.com

That's what I thought, but it's not a snug fit and doesn't extend it very far. Well, you live and learn...

kwak toolkit
 

I always thought the squashed end was for inserting the screwdriver bits into. And the other end is the spark plug remover (as mentioned earlier).

what a classic! always good when you burst out laughing at work and everyone looks at you in wonderment....

most useful piece of kit: leatherman wave, (better than the early ones as it doesn't cut your fingers off when your trying to cut wire thicker than what you should be. The metal is rounded on the wave). and a shite load of wire and cable ties.

least useful: too many clothes...

I have that problem too.
Matt

are we still talking about the same thing?

I am seeing that Leatherman is a top tool for most people but I have a question: If we have a comprehensive toolkit with the tools that the Leatherman has in it, is the Leatherman still useful?

Of course it is. Beacuase you can put it in your pocket and have it with you at all times. So when a dartboard falls off the wall in a bar, you can put it back up and continue playing (this actually happened to me).

Only if you can hang your toolkit on your belt.

-that is what makes those multitools so practical, always only one reach away-

I am contemplating welding a hammer head on the end of a crescent wrench [adjustable spanner] .
It's neolithic properties appeal to the inner me .

Then if I can't fix the bike , I can always beat it to death .

Best bit of gear i take with me is my girlfreind ( she keeps me well fed ) worst bit, were to start, all the stuff i have to take out of my panners to find the thing i'm looking for. Skip

My most is my Trangia stove(for cooking Mate and coffe) my least so far........my first aid.(lucky enough)

Lotsa useful stuff but the thing I use the most is probably gaff tape. Reckon I could complete a valve job in the desert with a roll - it would have to be the silver one.

Most useless: those stupid little gas cyclinders that are supposed to fill a flat tyre.

Do you mean the ones with tyre weld in them? I agree, total rubbish. Used one a while back, got me about 10km before the tyre blew again. Far too bulky to be worth carrying with you.
Matt

useful - useless
 

Most useful: Thick, long cable ties. Although duct tape is very good too and definitely superior for sealing a leaked pannier box but it's also readily available from almost every petrol station and fellow travellers on the planet. Still a worthy runner up.

Most useless: Water filter. Have seen no place so far that did not either sell beer or coke or both. Runner up: Leatherman. Best recipe to hurt yourself. No serious mechanic would bother to fiddle with a leatherman. Get yourself some decent tools. A Swiss Army knife is fine as long as it has tin opener, corkscrew, saw, botle opener and pincers.

NOT Useful: Spare Patrick
:scooter:

Agreed, if talking about the original Leatherman tool. Even the knife part is dangerous, mostly when you're trying to get the thing unlocked so you can fold it back together. I managed to slice my finger more than once with the thing. I leave it at home now.

They have a newer one, the Leatherman "Juice" which is slightly more useful. It is smaller, for one thing, and has scissors and a cork screw. And the knife blade doesn't have that aweful locking feature that caused so much bloodshed, it's more like a normal pocket knife. I have used it to successfully open food containers, cut cord, open bottles (it has a bottle opener), and so forth without bloodshed. It is basically an updated version of the old "Swiss Army Knife", in other words, rather than being the enormous multi-tool that the original Leatherman is. It does have a tiny pair of pliars and a tiny screwdriver pair, neither of which are particularly useful, but they don't take up much space or weigh much so I tolerate them. The whole thing fits in one's pocket as an ordinary pocket knife, unlike the gigantic "multi-tool".

Also sold as "Kwik Steel", or "Instant Plumbing Repair", or what have you. If not found in an auto parts store, it can be found in a plumbing supply store. It is a two-part epoxy in "putty" form that is activated by kneading it to get the two parts together, at which point you place it upon the (very clean!) area you wish to repair.

We will have to simply agree to disagree here. I carried one of these on a trip and found it to be cumbersome and sweaty (caused my back to sweat) as well as take up much space if strapped to the bike rather than to my back (where it caused too much sweat once the temperature raised above a minimal leve. It stays home now. I now carry a small fanny pack in my luggage instead for all those things that I want to carry with me when I'm off of my motorcycle, and put the Camel Bak bladder into the front pocket of my First Gear Kilimanjaro (the pocket designed for it, apparently) and run the water up to my helmet from there. When I'm off my motorcycle I'm either camping out of my motorcycle paniers or staying at a hotel in a town, and in neither case is wearing a backpack very interesting, because food and beverages is always available in a town and is available out of my paniers if camping by my motorcycle.

There are shorts sold specifically for dirt bike riders ("motocross shorts" or some such) which are perhaps even better. I find that the bicycle shorts make my, err, personal parts, sweat too much. This is not a problem on a bicycle because on a bicycle they're out in the open where the sweat can evaporate, but on a motorcycle they're under pants and riding gear. The dirt bike shorts redistribute the padding somewhat to put more of it under one's bum rather than somewhat more forward and up as bicycle shorts do. "Monkey crotch" is even more annoying than "Monkey butt"....

Which brings up another thing to carry: Talcum powder ("baby powder"). Useful for poofting upon one's socks and bum and crotch in the morning in order to help keep them dry, as well as for powdering new inner tubes when you change them to increase their llife and improve wear and reduce tire temperature (it acts as tiny ball bearings to ease the friction of tube rubbing against tire).

Or at least common nuts and bolts that are often lost.

I carry one MotionPro 8 1/2 inch tire iron, one MotionPro 11.5 inch tire iron, and one MotionPro combination tire spoon/axle wrench (somewhat useful for breaking the bead -- insert spoon, put tire iron through loop, twist). I've practiced using these tools and only these tools to change out a tire in my garage. I've never had to use them on the road yet thankfully. I cannot even imagine attempting to change a tire with a six inch tire iron.

I-Cafes are worldwide *EXCEPT IN THE UNITED STATES*. For some reason they never caught on inside the United States. The only widely available public access Internet in the United States is in public libraries, and there are typically long waiting lists and limited times for those. Some hotels also have a "business center" with an Internet-connected computer within. However, WIFI is widely available at truck stops, hotels, coffee shops and elsewhere. So if you are travelling within the United States, you may wish to come up with some alternate means of Internet access for times when a public library or "business center" is not available, such as a GSM PDA phone which can do WIFI (mine is a T-Mobile MDA).

I've investigated carrying a small notebook computer for travel within the United States. But I've never found a way to make it make sense compared to the PDA phone given the vibration and temperature issues inherent in motorcycle travel. Anything with a spinning disc in it does not like wide temperature swings and absolutely abhors high humidity. So even on my all-paved-road tours within the United States, I've given up on the notion of carrying a notebook. My PDA phone simply has to suffice for those times when I cannot find a hotel or public library offering Internet access.

-E

Leatherman defence
 

I have to come to the defence of the poor old Leatherman .
It'll never take the place of a full set of tools and that was never the intention .
I use the largest model [ in my case a Supertool 200 ] every day at work and on the ranch .The smaller models don't hack it for the use I give them .
I've used other makes like Gerber and found them not so good - I haven't tried the Victorinox Swiss Tool yet but it looks very handy.
The Leatherman is made of good quality steel and the blades keep an edge for a long time .
It's on my belt every day and is convenient for quick fixes that don't require getting out the whole toolkit .
The blades lock and are safe even in very cold weather with numb fingers .

Spare ignition key, kept in jacket armour pocket with some cash.

Cheers, Richard.
:stupid:

Yeah, I use the Wave model every day, several times a day. I also have 20 pounds of tools on the bike. It would be a hard choice if I had to choose one over the other. I feel naked without the Leatherman.

Most useful: My key and a good map.

Least useful: The T.V remote.

I once took the remote on a camping weekend. How it got into my tank bag I will never know. Proved to be totally useless.

Peter

Don't forget your Cell Phone!
 

Gold Bond powder is the best Talc for Monkey Butt.

Hi Patrick, spare key in case you lose one in the mud or down a drain. Stolen bike would be a bummer!

Cheers, Richard.
:stupid:

may you never need your tools.

Useful stuff
 

A home made webbing camera lanyard that is long enough to comfortably take shots on the fly, but short enough that when needed the camera can be dropped without it hitting any vital bike parts

A clear pouch similar in size to the ones you get new riding gloves in. As a matter of fact that's probably where it came from. I use it to store a tyre gauge, tie wire, small rope, matches, ear plugs, cable ties, etc, and you can see in an instant where things are. The whole lot then goes into the tank bag for easy access.

Glen

This strategy can come in handy from time to time.

Aerostitch
 

Check out this site, (www.aerostich.com) I visited the shop recently in Duluth USA, and was amazed by the quality innovative gear that Andy has made. I walked out several hours later lighter in the pocket by around $500.00 USD. Very friendly knowledgeable staff who welcome travellers with open arms. Well worth a visit, keep an eye on the wallet though.

Glen

Enjoy your suit!

And another
 

Received my new Motoport Ultra 2 Air Mesh Jacket just before I left for Canada and US. Over the 18000km that we covered it proved it's worth in temps of -2 C to +44C, a very versatile jacket that I could recommend to all. Another pat on the back for a manufacturer that thinks outside the square.

Glen

Most useful - "point it" - people are fascinated by it and it breaks the ice... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Point-Travel...563821?ie=UTF8

Most useless - world band radio - mine is now for sale on ebay

mark
www.etribes.com/markstowe

Most useful thing?

Well comparing touring around now with touring around over a decade ago, by far the most useful thing is a credit card / debit card. In the old days (when I was a boy) you had to carry thousands of dollars in small bills stashed away in obscure parts of the bike whenever you wanted to cross a continent. Now $100 assorted change and the plastic is all you need.

Also much underestimated is a camera tripod.


Most overrated? Agree with Mr Stowe ... shortwave radio.

!
 

Yes -World service Shortwave radio - it's a book that never ends.

Also 1-2 metres of 5-10mm diameter plastic tubing to give and get petrol.

Use a sudsy ammonia and water mix instead. I used it to keep dogs out of the curbside trashbags for years. Now we have leash laws.

Well so far most usefull is MSR tire irons and spare tubes, least usefull tall windscreen.

most/least used
 

For me, my liquid filled compass, duct tape and my leather kept real sharp!!!!
Least used.......laptop....due to laziness.

An item that hasn't been mentioned so far is the Hose Grip (Jubilee Clip) - you can get them 2 or even 3 feet long, it is essential that you get the ones threaded full length so that they can be shortened all the way down if required. Carry the stainless ones not galvanised.
They take up zero space as you can clip them round (say) the static bit of a pannier / topbox until needed. If needed for serious use (say holding a detached top box lid) put the gaffer tape or old inner tube that you all carry under the hose grip to act as shock absorber :thumbup1: .
Exellent for securing 'bean can' repair onto a cracked exhaust. You split the bean can with your leatherman - mind your fingers on the leatherman and the can :biggrin3: .
Steve

Boot wear
 

My sole of my left boot always wears out quicker than the right, I think it's when all my weight is on the left boot when I pivot to get on the bike. Either that or I walk like a monkey!

Glen

wouldn't leave home without...
 

manners.

even more useful than those other essential assets, perspective, humour and patience.

cheers,
andy.

I actually have 3 sets of keys on me while traveling. My everyday riding set, which is on a neck lanyard that is ALWAYS around my neck unless I"m riding. My spare set that is tucked away well in my bag. And a third 'emergency' set that I have locked onto the bike. I use a real estate agents lock box, the kind that is hooked around a doorknob when your house is for sale. It has a combination lock on it and it locks itself nicely onto the frame. Never needed it and assume I never will. But love that it's there.

Everything else is just shite if you have a bike with no way of starting it.

Most USELESS: difficult to say as we use all our stuff at least once, but then we had a tight packing list. We never used out goggles but we never hit a sand storm...

Most useful: 5lt pink plastic bowl: drain oil, washing cloths & dishes, carry food, prepare food, look for hole in tube

respect to those of you who rough it on your travels, im up for a bit of camping but personally cant usually be bothered for more than a few days so i stay in cheap hotels if i can.

if you frequent these fleapits then one item that is very important to keep in your dobie bag- a 6" disc of soft silicon rubber sheet, 1 or 2 mm thick. for a sink/bath plug

Useless ... until you need it!

Most useful:

Leatherman Tool
Kikoi
Waterproof Mascara
Space Blanket

Useless:

Pro Digital SLR with 3 lenses - unless you tailor your route to include time to kit up, explore, take worthy shots.
Kitten heels

where are you going? oscar ceramony?? lol :)

Following the "every item has two uses credo", I did tens of thousands of miles in this and it's still giving good service.

Go on then, what use is my mate? The main purpose is ballast to keep the sidecar wheel down in left handers. The secondary purpose? Beer disposal? Production of odd smells that stop me meeting young women? Spending hours doing his hair so I've got less time for drinking and more for checking the chain/ repairing old tubes / rebuilding the gearbox ? I've tried encouraging him to bring money with him on these trips but that doesn't seem to work :rolleyes2:

Now Gooner the dog, there's a multipurpose sidecar filler. Eats rubbish, hardly touches the beer, encourages all sorts of people to talk to you, acts as security (well only against people who can't see he's soft), keeps the tent warmer, flaters my eating habits......:thumbup1:

Andy

Jetboil - I've actually used it handheld in the car. Packs into a rucksack pocket.
Water filter - looks like a bike bottle and packs into the other rucksack pocket.

Not sure what a Leatherman does - so have never found a reason to buy one.

Most useful: penknife, Ortleib folding bowl (genius kit), hair conditioner (yes, really!) and therm-a-rest chairs - used EVERY single night - sitting back, drinking a (max) 2Euro bottle of vino and watching the stars by the tent... hmmmmm!
Forgot - silk sleeping bag liner - bloomin marvellous, it dries within minutes and feels sooo nice!

Least useful: 10L water bag (ditched it fairly early on), trainers, worst techno top (both ditched in Turkey and given to some kids, who oddly seemed thrilled) - my partner had a black silk long sleeved top - cool in hot weather (well, ish) and warm in cold weather, and doesn't show the dirt - marvellous. Mini MP3 speakers

Very Useful........

• A piece of string on the end of my plastic thingy that goes under the footstand on soft ground. Think about it!
• Duct tape of course.
• A plunger thingy with a long tube that comes out of a handsoap bottle. Useful if you need to take petrol from the tank for cooking and for sucking engine oil out of you've put too much in.

Not So Useful......

• My grannies ashtray. Just can't seem to balance it right on the tank. Maybe that's a good challenge for the duct tape!

Most useful - and it seems they have surplus stock
 

I have two of these at home and never realised!

Garage door opener - Snotr

(But I don't have a BMW - I think it'll still work)

Mine doesn't work and the returns policy makes BMW's approach to warranty claims look like a charity event. Running costs are equivalent to a Brough Superior with a hole in the petrol tank. It's worse when you think of the safety implications, get it wrong and you are likely to end up sleeping in the garage you had to open yourself. Caveat Emptor!

Andy

Useful : Duct Tape, Cable Ties (tie wraps) and Leatherman/swiss army knife

Least Useful : cheap copy of a camel back that leaked 2 ltrs of cold squash all down my back (in future will just use water bottles available anywhere with 1.5 ltr evain etc with hose mouthpiece for long stints:scooter:

It actually pains me when I think of how much crap I took on my first trip and how little I need today. Who could've possibly imagined that a Cuban Coffee Maker (also frequently referred to as Mokka Express or Poor People Espresso Machine) might turn out to be completely useless and way too large compared to a small jar of instant coffee even for a coffee-junkie like me?

Most usefull:

• Compass! Never fails, never lies. Most important bit ever.
• A close second: toilet paper
• Swiss army knife
• Germany Army folding shovel (because you never know when you might need a moat around your tent)
• Gorilla Pod
• Cargo pants with removable trouser legs (see third pair of pants).
• Sheepskin (aka monkey butt postponer), also makes for a great pillow

Most useless:

• Abovementioned Cuban Coffee Maker
• A third pair of pants (see cargo pants).
• Rubber mallet

Btw, guess who got a flat in the middle of Poland after thinking "oh well, who needs a tire repair kit anyway?"

I'm no fan of hard panniers, but I suppose they do have their uses........