It is not just unloading into a hotel or something similar. stopping in a town and trying to explore on foot can also be difficult.

I am really beginning to think a small car such as a diesel C3 convertible might be a better way.

I have to admit. I really don't get people who stubbornly refuse to try other methods of travel/transport..

I think you actually enjoy bikes trips much more if you mix them up with other ways. I've done a long canoe trip which was so different to a bike trip.. Slow, quiet and very zen like. Back packing is fun too. Very foot lose and free. Almost like going for a stroll with a passport isn't it.

I'm not ready to buy a 4x4 just yet but I reckon I'll be pepping one within the next ten years...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I have taken quite a liking to trains. City centre to city centre, read or talk or listen to music. No getting felt up and herded like sheep on the grounds of "security". When you come home you can just have a different sort of bike waiting for you, classic, sports bike whatever.

Andy

Sorry if this is a little

Ted am just looking up the rack packs.. they now come in 31L and 49L sizes, Do you think a 31L would hold camping gear? Tent, bag and mat? I was thinking 1 for camping gear and 1 for everything else...I only have a 125cc and thinking the 49L might be too big.

Thanks in advance

Hi.

I used the 49L on my Africa trip. It fit a decent tent, sleeping bag, roll mat and quiet a bit more. It's pretty versatile. It will definitely fit all your camping gear in.

It's my favourite size rack pack, but if you're on a 125 you will probably want to pack accordingly. But just because you have the space, doesn't mean you have to fill it. You need grim determination for that though

If I were in your shoes I've buy the 31L and see how you get on. You can always sell it on or use it for something else.

Pack light, take only what you NEED and enjoy you trip a lot more.

Ted



Here's a couple if pictures to show it's size when full. I was on a DRZ400 and I was horribly overloaded in my opinion but I was carrying a lot of spare parts and tools.

I REALLY should of put a harder spring on the rear too.. It's used up all my travel with sag so it wasn't as good as it could of been off road. The corrugations on the Bandit Highway rattled my fillings out. It was awful.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Thanks for that Ted. The 49L doesnt look quite as big as I thought it would, But I'll give the 31L a go and see how I get on - Thank you

I really wouldn't go any bigger than a 49 for a single bag...

Good tip too.. Use ratchet straps with some Karabina style spring clips on them..

Put some Eye-hole bolts on your bike for them to clip onto.

I've tried everything under the sun and this is the best system yet...

You can see them if you zoon in on the rear view photo...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Based on Ted's picture I'd guess the (black) bag I used in the picture below of my 125 loaded up must be roughtly of similar capacity -




That contained most of my camping gear except the tent (that's the greenish thing on top). I had small panniers fitted on each side and while the bag was nominally on the seat the ends rested on the tops of the panniers. Without them the bag wouldn't have been so easy to keep in position as it was quite heavy.

In testing I'd tried it on the rack under the white box but it was too much weight too far back and even then the bag ends kind of flop around.

I used that bag because I had it but a smaller one might be better suited to a smaller bike.

Keep it light.
When bicycling I'll take my daypack on the back, my two Ortliebs on a strap over the left shoulder and the bicycle in my right hand.
In that way I can take everything at one time, so I don't have to leave anything unguarded in the street or in an unlocked room.

If you don't take a bicycle, you'll have two hands free, so should be able to carry 4 bags and a daypack at the same time. Ortlieb even sells a strap for this purpose. Its intended for one bag but it works as well when connected to the handles of two bags, so you can carry two bags over the shoulder.


Or you can attach two carabiners to the front of the shoulderstraps on the daypack and carry two panniers in the carabiners leaving your hands free.

__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Or a small MPV van ;-)

__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Maybe we should all buy campervans with a rack n scooter...

well tonight I made to my room in one but no camping gear..

We had 3 pelican cases & a tank bag. 1for camping gear, 2nd for tools, raingear and the 3rd for clothes, laptop, papers...we typically only removed the 3rd one and the tankbag but there were times we took all of em off. Being 2 up we could carry it all in one go, so 2x for one person. The cases lock to the bike though we did have periods where the locks were broken & we had to bring it all in (the locks break when you crash or even just fall over but the cases themselves are bombproof). Sometimes we would use a cable lock and leave them. When we had spare tires we'd usually use our big ass Amsterdam chain we had to get when some guys tried to steal the bike in that theft prone city. Stored the chain on the crash bars.

Our previous bike we used 2 givi cases & 2 big ortlieb dirtbags on the back which had waaay too much stuff in them, especially for just a few weeks. They are unwieldy to carry.

I like hard cases because you have the option to leave them if you feel comfortable. Not sure I would with any soft bag. If you are 1 up you have more leeway with the weight of the hard cases.

I can sling my soft bags over my shoulder. 2 bags of about 30 litres each, with a nice big Velcro strap and two other straps on to connect the bags. I can then carry the roll bag on the back in my other hand. Keep my helmet on my head.

__________________
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com

Those leather panniers look lovely. Waterproof ??

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I've traveled in a variety of ways too, including vans / campers and back packing. Started with Surf trips to Mexico in early 70's. Fun stuff and a good education on how to Car camp.

Folks traveling in Vans /campers end up having their own problems. Did two major trips through Mex./Cent. America in a big camper and then in a VW camper van. Vans and cars get broken into ... and many car people have trouble finding secure parking and trouble securing their things inside the vehicle.

LOTS of passing Gringos got broken into during my two years living in Guatemala and El Salvador. Since I lived there ... I avoided the risks tourists could not see as I knew the "ropes".

I built a "Strong Box" bolted to frame inside the VW. All windows had locks. But we never left the VW for long in cities, always in private compound or lot. (yes, you have to PAY)

I met Germans in Mexico with a UNI MOG who basically were prisoners to their rig. They never seemed comfortable getting too far away from their $100K plus USD investment. They rarely spoke to locals (beyond gas stations) almost never stopped to explore towns or eat in local markets.

They brought all their own food and ate most meals in the UNI MOG. They loved to explore but were fearful to go out off the grid too far ... for fear of a hi-jacking. (which can happen)

The good thing about Van/Camper travel is often times you can just PULL OVER AND GO TO SLEEP ... but sometimes you end up in a BAD place in the morning!

So no system is perfect.
You've got it right Ted regards traveling light. But paring things down is a fine art ... a talent most don't possess.

I would NEVER lug hard bags in and out ... I don't even haul my soft panniers. INNER BAGS are the way to go. Leave those bloody panniers on the bike! Inner bags: Light, fast, easy ... and keeps your stuff cleaner and dryer. (I use re-usable plastic grocery bags)

I've been following a Canadian riding a DR650 through S. America. He's packing a HUGE load ... camping stuff and lots more. 2 Hard Alu panniers, Hard Givi top box, plus 3 soft panniers on top of Alu boxes!!!

Photo by Dave Ranson

Dave is now in Chile after a few months. He finally used his camping gear ... for ONE NIGHT ... it was last used in Alaska!!!

I just don't carry it. If, on rare occasion, I have to beg shelter in native hut ... so be it! Requires better planning but saves carrying an extra 15 kgs. I would never use.