Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Paul Stewart, of Egle Gerulaityte - Must love Donkeys!

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Must love Donkeys!
Photo by Paul Stewart,
of Eglė Gerulaitytė with friends.



Like Tree13Likes
  • 1 Post By badou24
  • 1 Post By badou24
  • 2 Post By backofbeyond
  • 2 Post By sushi2831
  • 1 Post By AnTyx
  • 1 Post By Tomkat
  • 2 Post By backofbeyond
  • 2 Post By brclarke
  • 1 Post By Snakeboy

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 9 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 227
how much luggage do you take ??

I take as little as posable !
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 299
Depends how far I'm going, for a day trip on my trials bike I use a camelbak bag as a mini backpack with water, an energy bar, phone, and my house keys.

When I moved house on a motorbike I put as much on as I thought was safe, yet I've seen RTW photos here with more stuff packed on a smaller bike, lol
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: midlands uk
Posts: 227
I only take the minimum ,,
So many bikers take far too much "stuff " , that they never use !
You can allways buy things if needed !
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,112
Quote:
Originally Posted by badou24 View Post
I take as little as posable !
I guess most people have that principle in mind but your 'little as possible' may not be the same as mine. If you're camping you're going to need a lot more stuff than if you're depending on hotels, couches etc.

Here's what we loaded onto our two bikes for our recent Morocco trip -

Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
Posts: 264
Quote:
Originally Posted by badou24 View Post
I take as little as posable !
Just take what you wanna take and learn to ride with that.
It's your trip and only you know what you need to enjoy your ride.
__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere

Last edited by sushi2831; 10 Oct 2022 at 11:55.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,092
A vague question (for what length of trip? in what area of the world?), and mostly vague answers.

I'll try to be specific and helpful:

  • I ride with panniers and a top box. The topbox is mostly empty while I am riding: it is there to keep my helmet and gloves while I am off the bike. Anything that lives in the topbox must be small enough to either fit inside the helmet along with my gloves, or fit beside the helmet. So at a maximum, in my topbox I have a spare charging cable, my small electric air pump, and a folded canvas "emergency" backpack. Tested that all of these fit with my helmet in the topbox and it closes. Then, if I buy groceries for the evening etc., they can go in the topbox while my helmet is on my head, or in the emergency backpack
  • If I intend to camp, all of my camping stuff goes in a separate drybag that gets strapped to the passenger seat. This includes:
    [**] a) the tent;
    [**] b) the thermarest, inflatable pillow, and sleeping bag, all of which go into the thermarest's inflation bag;
    [**] c) a Primus Litrek kettle/pan combo, inside which is stored a gas canister, matches/a lighter, a tiny burner that screws on top of the canister, and a few teabags/instant coffee pouches. The kettle comes in a mesh bag, and a cutlery set (knife, fork and soup spoon, inside a small plastic sheath) fit into the bag as well. There is enough space left over for a few pouches of dry soup or oatmeal, or sundry useful items like a finger saw.
    [**] All of these items are cheap to medium, and I can afford to lose them. The thermarest is the most expensive of these (more than the tent!), but it's been around and I consider its cost to have amortized over many adventures.
    [**] On my old bike with Kappa K33/Givi V35 panniers, I could fit all of this into a single pannier instead of a drybag, which was convenient for a weekend camping trip.
  • The other pannier is for everything else: tools, electronics, clothes.
    [**] d) Tools include the factory toolset that used to live under the seat (now replaced by my dashcam's central unit), electric air pump and tire repair set, zipties, a tube of two-component epoxy putty rated for metal, zipties. Anything that needs more tools than that, is beyond my mechanical abilities anyway.
    [**] Chain lube obviously - but I can get it on the road at any gas station.
    [**] Electronics: power bank, chargers, an ipad and/or kindle. Used to travel with a full laptop, might still need to if I am on an extended trip and need to work in the meantime. Laptop would go inside a neoprene sleeve, and if I am unsure about the seals of my panniers - into a trashbag or cheap small drybag. I don't take my big camera along any more, phone and dashcam are enough.
  • Clothes:
    [**] One each of socks, underwear, and T-shirt for each night I am spending away from home, up to a max of maybe 5-6, which I can either stretch over several days each, do laundry on the road, or just buy cheap replacements. Synthetic T-shirts preferred especially for warm seasons, but one or two cotton ones are also nice to have.
    [**] At least a few tube scarves/buffs, which I use as a helmet sock, or as a scarf off the bike.
    [**] One universal pair of off-bike pants, these can be jeans or a nicer kind of hiking/cargo pant.
    [**] One softshell jacket, warm and wind/waterproof, ideally with a hood, can be worn around town in most weather where I would ride on two wheels, can serve as an extra warm layer under my gear.
    [**] One pair of off-bike shoes, can be simple canvas slip-ons, but my favourite model of many years is the Merrell Jungle Mocs. No laces or buckles. MAYBE also flipflops for beach/campsite wear.
    [**] One hat - could be a cap or baseball hat, sometimes I bring my folding kangaroo-leather Barmah hat. This can also live in the topbox if there is space.
    [**] One pair of merino wool thin gloves, that double as moto glove liners in cold weather. Alternatively I have a pair of very thin tech-fabric skiing gloves.
  • Multiple sets of earplugs, both for riding time and sleeping at a campsite or cheap hotel/hostel.
  • * Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel and sponge, microfiber towel (folds really small). Shaving kit if you need it. Pro tip: hotel toiletry bottles are highly convenient and "free", and that conditioner bottle that guys never use, is a great makeshift shaving gel!

What else... A water bottle, maybe a couple protein bars? Leatherman and off-bike earphones are in my jacket/pant pockets.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 823
Largely echo AnTyx. Kriega OS soft bags plus hard top box to lock away valuables and awkward shaped items like shoes. I tend to fill them all so no room for helmet or groceries. As a general rule all my clothes go in the larger side bag and tools, spares etc in the smaller one (asymmetric bags because the pannier racks are asymmetric). Dry bag strapped to back seat with camping and cooking gear.

That said, take half the gear you think you'll need and twice the money.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,112
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat View Post

That said, take half the gear you think you'll need and twice the money.
You'll need the extra money to replace the stuff you left behind thinking that lighter weight equals 'pro adventuring', but then realise you can't do without.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,112
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
[LIST][*] I ride with panniers and a top box. The topbox is mostly empty while I am riding: it is there to keep my helmet and gloves while I am off the bike. Anything that lives in the topbox must be small enough to either fit inside the helmet along with my gloves, or fit beside the helmet. So at a maximum, in my topbox I have a spare charging cable, my small electric air pump, and a folded canvas "emergency" backpack. Tested that all of these fit with my helmet in the topbox and it closes. Then, if I buy groceries for the evening etc., they can go in the topbox while my helmet is on my head, or in the emergency backpack

etc etc
All of that stuff (give or take some personal preference items) is what's packed onto my bike (the left hand one) in the picture above. We have a few more tools (as you'd expect with each of them being 52yrs old) and we're maybe a bit lighter on the electronics (the bikes have fairly rudimentary charging systems), but other than that it's much the same. Being a small bike it looks as though it's vastly overloaded but it would be hard to see how you could pare it down much if you intended to camp - unless you were intending to sleep in hedges and never cook. Load that lot onto my GoldWing and you'd hardly notice it (picture below) but it probably represents a current tech minimum.

I took the Yamaha on a 2 day trip down to Devon last weekend and by abandoning spare clothes and a few other bits managed to do it without the panniers (second picture), but that's hardly practical for a longer trip.






Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Oct 2022
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat View Post
That said, take half the gear you think you'll need and twice the money.
The rule I once heard:
- Put all the items you think you need on a bed, and spread them out.
- Put all the cash you think you'll need on the bed as well.
- Now, take half the items and twice the money.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Oct 2022
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bern, CH
Posts: 264
Quote:
Originally Posted by brclarke View Post
- Put all the cash you think you'll need on the bed as well.
Done
But might need more ...
Attached Thumbnails
how much luggage do you take ??-unbenannt.jpg  

__________________
My RTW:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MrXt660ztenere
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 13 Oct 2022
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 299
That's a lot of zeros - careful, I'm sure they all add weight!
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 14 Oct 2022
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,496
Probably waaaay too much…..
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 15 Oct 2022
MEZ MEZ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Gateshead N/E
Posts: 328
I'm with Snakeboy, probably way too much stuff but you should never underestimate what a good night's sleep does for you..!! Take what you think you need, we've been doing this for many years now, we should know the crack by now surely...!!! I like options so I take a tent and hammock, OS32's allow for this..

Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to set up suspension when riding with and without luggage every few days Loes Tech 4 6 Feb 2022 19:17
Hard vs Soft Luggage - Our Metal Mule and Enduristan Review and Solution Pheebs Equipment Reviews 0 9 Feb 2013 09:18
F800GS Jesse Luggage Panniers and Top Box - For sale, Newcastle UK todderz TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 8 Jan 2013 15:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

2025:

  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025!

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:36.