Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
Space saving tips and camping essentials Space saving tips and camping essentials
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Mar 2010
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
Army folding shovel. I got mine from an army supply store in Munich that sells original used Bundeswehr equipment. Great for so many things besides digging a trench and dune around your tent if it won't stop raining. The BW one can for example be also used as saw and axo for cutting wood, as hammer, as kickstand for the bike, etc.

I also always carry a small led light with a crank lever that charges small capacitors because we all know that batteries are going to die at the worst possible moment right when you need them most.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schwaigern
Posts: 91
thingys and wire!
can't believe nobody mentioned it so far.

Wire - I carry 2m of strong wire, rolled up it almost doesn't take any space and it's the life safer.

Rope - a strong but small textile rope. Together with wire and duck tape we attached a handlebar back to the bike till we reached a village.

Thingys - no idea what their real name is, but I love them:

I love the glue stick tip!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 May 2010
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
Quote:
Originally Posted by timae View Post

Thingys - no idea what their real name is, but I love them:
Jubilee Clips.

I have a few various sizes but also a strip of the band and a handful of ends to make up any size. The don't go very small so keep a few little ones.

You can get stainless steel zip ties; they are great for holding exhausts back on.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Jun 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: (back in) Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 47
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Yellow Tractor View Post
Jubilee Clips.
Another name for them:

hose clamps



...but that's not nearly as uplifting as "jubilee". In times requiring their use, the most uplifting term may be best suited...
__________________
motojeros.blogspot.com - 2 up on an ´89 Transalp through the Americas
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 140
I've said this before, but my best space saving tip is buy your luggage first! That way, you know (as you buy more stuff) how much room your kit takes up and how little space you have left. Focuses your mind on both size and weight for what you're gonna take on your trip.

Before my trip I regularly slung my panniers over a chair and eye'd up what I was planning on taking! Gross luggage weight was c30kgs in the end (suprisingly light compared to most!).
__________________
Chris
www.motocrossafrica.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Jun 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris of Motocross Africa View Post
I've said this before, but my best space saving tip is buy your luggage first! That way, you know (as you buy more stuff) how much room your kit takes up and how little space you have left. Focuses your mind on both size and weight for what you're gonna take on your trip.

Before my trip I regularly slung my panniers over a chair and eye'd up what I was planning on taking! Gross luggage weight was c30kgs in the end (suprisingly light compared to most!).
30kg of Tshirts?
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Jun 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post
30kg of Tshirts?
Thongs !
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Jul 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Earth
Posts: 4
Great tips and tricks. Thanks for the shares..

The ones I was going to submit have already been added.

Thanks for sharing.

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 17 Aug 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
fantastic advice chug
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 Aug 2010
Niklas's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denmark
Posts: 33
Freezing bags.



Kepp things dry no matter what bag you pack it in and a roll of that doesn't take much space.
Can keep a camera safe at a river crossing failure.
And you can get them all over the world.

Niklas
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Aug 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Boulder, CO, USA
Posts: 182
From many years of backpacking I learned that 90% of what you think you need is in fact mostly useless. Once on the road pay close attention to what you actually use every day. Anything you don't touch for a week is a prime candidate to be dropped unless it is part of (a) a first aid kit, (b) a survival kit, or (c) bike repair kit.

Also pay attention to luxuries which you don't actually need. Take a few of these, but be ruthless and limit the number to only your top favorites. For example I want a DSLR camera, but decided I would rather not worry about the size, weight, and fragility so I use a high-end compact camera instead.

Two-week shakedown trips are a great way to find out what these items are. Anything you didn't use needs to be reviewed. Any luxury item needs to be balanced against how much it improved the quality of your trip compared to the extra weight and space it takes up.
__________________
Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 Aug 2010
mj's Avatar
mj mj is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 303
We use a trick on our trips to limit ourselves to what we consider the bare essentials: a packing list of trips past that we adjust after every trip. Everything we didn't need or use (unless it belonged to othalan's (a), (b), or (c) list) goes home during the trip. Once back we open the package and cross out everything from our list that was in there, plus the stuff that we didn't send back because we still thought we might need it.

The packing list for my wife and me is now one sheet of paper that contains everything we really need, from underwear to tripod, from sleeping bag to cable ties. We still look ridiculously overloaded two-up on that bike but we're getting more efficient every time we travel. The only tricky bit that cannot be covered by a single list is clothing - you obviously need different clothes for Africa then for Norway.
__________________
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!"
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3 Dec 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Milwaukee
Posts: 16
Rice, now not just for dinner.
I second the Plastic Bags! Excellent for keeping clothes, papers & essentials dry. Also a few ounces of rice sprinkled in those plastic bags, will absorb any errant water that sneaks in.

Electronics that get soaked can be saved by removing batteries and submerging them in rice for day or so. I've save my cell more then once with the trick...
er, not space saving, but for me it's a camping essential.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 30 May 2010
Selous's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
Quote:
Originally Posted by timae View Post
Thingys - no idea what their real name is, but I love them:
Jubilee clips lol Aldi are selling them set of 20 £2 all sizes
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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
Route planning, saving in Google maps, TIPS pbekkerh Route Planning 0 9 Mar 2009 11:47
Money saving Ideas.. Xander Money Saving Ideas, making travel money 6 19 Aug 2008 11:03
Saving threads. Billy Bunter Website Feedback 1 23 Apr 2008 18:47
Essentials mattcbf600 Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 14 Aug 2007 22:12
Saving 5th gear bwframe Yamaha Tech 3 8 May 2007 18:43

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

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...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

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.

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 Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

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!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



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

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 08:53.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top