Are we taking too much stuff ?

[Gazz]

It is now only 1 month (and 1 day) until we go on our Eurotrip and last night decided to write down some stuff that we need (or at least thought we needed).

I have written it on A5 paper and it takes up the full page !!!

After a little mental calculation, I was wondering where on earth am I going to store all this shite.



(i) Is there anything on the list that you could suggest could be left out to conserve space ?

(ii) And in addition to this, is there anything - highly doubtful - that I have forgot to add to the list ?

The list is as follows:

Tent
Tank Bag
Soft Pannier Bags x2
Large Waterproof Tent Bag
Sleeping Bag x2
Roll Mats x2
Bike Security Chain
Side Stand Puck
Brake Disc Lock
Inflatable Pillows x2
Maps
Spare Bulbs
Licences x2
Insurance Documents and Copies
V5 Logbook and Copies
Breakdown Cover and Card
E111 Card x2
Passport x2
Money
Stove + Gas Canister
Bottled Water
Cutlery Set
Disposable BBQ
Contact Lenses
Glasses Case
First Aid Kit
Mobile Phone x2
Mobile Phone Chargers x2
Camera x2
Batteries + Spare Batteries
Battery Charger
Towel
Face Wipes
Deoderant
Boxer shorts
Socks
Wallet
Textile Suit x2
Suit Linings
Jumper
T-Shirts
Balaclava
Boots
Trainers
High Vis Vest
Tool Kit
Gloves
Waterproof Gloves
Tooth Brush
Tooth Paste
Duck Tape
Cable Ties
Lighter
Matches
Emergency Contact Details
Helmet
Shorts
Waterproof Rain Suit
Padlocks + Keys
Spare Bike Key
GB Sticker
Torch
Cup x2
Water Bottle
Mess Tin
Rubber Tie Wraps
Polish Phrase Book
Language Phrases
Pen
Paper
Notepad
European Adapter Plug
Chain Cleaner
Chain Lube
Rags


As you can see there is no logic in how I wrote all this down, it was basically the first thing that came into my head.

I basically only have a tank bag, 2 soft pannier bags and a bag on the back, which holds the tent.

Cheers in advance.

[BanditJeff]

I'm assuming your going to be carrying a pillion as well. Then there will be the pillions clothes, toiletries, and towel as well.
Good luck getting it all on.... although i cant see any way that it will.

In fact its beyond me how anyone tours two up on a bike and gets everything on.

[ms51ves3]

[Peirre oBollox]

[Gazz]

Yes, I am taking a passenger.

We did a little test tour up north to the Scottish Lochs the other day and everything went well.

On the tour we put the sleeping bags inside the pannier bags and there wasn't much room for anything else. Just about 2 litres of volume left. We never took any change of clothes either.

During the night I never used my roll mat at all. This didn't bother me too much.
Q - Would it be sensible to go without it one for 2 weeks, or will I get a sore back and be moaning if I didn't take one ?

*Advice taken for the the BBQ - we will leave it and maybe get one at a Lidl or something.

Q - How much clothes should we take for 2 weeks ?

I do not have a cig lighter on the bike.

We were hoping to get a hotel at some point (maybe just 1 or 2 nights) and charge the phones and batteries there.

Q - How much money should we take ?


Thats all for now, but i will probably have more questions coming soon.

[Grimnir]

A second helmet. You only listed one so unless you are planning on taking turns with it...

[BanditJeff]

You dont specify what sleeping mats you are taking.... but if they're the cheap foam ones then they take up a huge amount of space. Get 3/4 length Thermarests, they pack up far smaller.
Use down filled sleeping bags... these pack up far smaller than fibre filled ones, but dont get them wet or they become useless.
Why 2 camera's ? One will do.
Dont bother with a security chain, it will take up a lot of space and weight. Just use a disclock.
Use small microfibre towels.
Take boots or trainers to wear off off the bike.... but dont take both.
Forget the chain cleaner and just take chain lube.
And as Peirre oBollox said.... forget the BBQ and bottled water.

This should give you a lot less volume in gear, but i still think you will struggle.

[mistergixer]

Mistergixer's incredible packing advice:

Decide what is the barest minimum you need.

Lay it all out on the floor.

Take exactly one third of what you have laid out.



____________________
Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[doggone]

Everyone does it different, but I would lose all the cooking stuff, take cutlery though.
Or at least manage without a barbecue, that sounds big.
I'd also take very few additional clothes as it's easy to buy a new shirt etc out there.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Gazz]

[Gazz]

[Peirre oBollox]

[Gazz]

Will 1 Jumper, 1 T Shirt, 1 Pair of Boxers, 1 Pair of Socks, 1 pair of Jeans and 1 pair of shorts be enough ?

[Peirre oBollox]

[ms51ves3]

For the space they take up, I'd take a couple more changes of underwear, socks and another T-shirt too.

With regards to the lock, take a cable lock or two (one for you and your pillion) as they don't take up much room, don't weight much and it allows you to leave your jacket and helmet with your bike. There's nothing worse than carrying a helmet around and sweating in the European heat.

[stinkwheel]

Seems ok to me.

As it happens, I'm ready for camping this weekend.

On the attached picture you will see:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Thermarest
Stove (runs on unleaded from the bike)
Mess tins
Water bottle
Mug
Spork
Head torch
Insect repellant
Swiss army knife
Brew kit
Wet wipes
Deck shoes
Trousers
T-shirt
Underpants
Socks
Hoodie
Waterproof trousers
Waterproof top
Phone

All that fits in the panniers pictured. Unexpanded, with room for food and a bottle of wine.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[ms51ves3]

[Ben_m]

Don't bother taking bottled water and a BBQ just buy them when you need them. Also, why do you need to take a water bottle AND bottled water? Drink out of the bottle it comes in.
____________________
Yamaha Fazer FZS600 2003 ¦ Peugeot 206 GTI 180BHP 2003 ¦ BMW 323i SE

[yen_powell]

[stinkwheel]

[Grazoid]

In general the rule of thumb is to take half of what you list and twice the cash

But as regards space savers... lots of companies do lightweight cargo pants made from rip-stop material, usually with zip off bottoms. they take a third of the space of a pair of jeans and can be just as warm , but with the benefit they convert to a pair of shorts.

For travel in Europe in summer I tend to go for the long sleeved technical tops from Berghaus. They have a long zip at the neck for cooling , but wick sweat away and stop your skin rubbing on the inside. I coat my with Microban before I go and they last three days before getting wiffy, rinse through in a cold wash using the Lifesystems GP soap ( washes you, cooking gear,your clothes and fruit etc), and even in a tent the tops dry overnight if the weather is above 10C. They also act as a thermal base layer when it gets chilly so you can use them all year round. Helly Hansen Lifa lightweights work as well and they come in Kahki and Black now so look less "sporty" than the look at me I go running Blue

Another option is lightweight microfibre hiking shirts. Same as the pants pack small usually have venting and with a t-shirt can keep you warm.Also cold wash and dry overnight.

I am trying to find anywhere that still stocks Columbia Titanium range in the UK as I have several items from the range, all made from rip-stop or microfibre and all pack into one of their own pockets. I took three shirts a pair of trousers and 5 pairs of microfibre skiddies away with me last time I was on the road for two weeks. Packed in a small compression sack they took less space than a pair of jeans!

I know other people who swear by Sportwool products for the same reason, but prefer them as they are natural.

Some of the kit is expensive,BUT it lasts. A lot of my kit is four or five years old and gets used on a regular basis.... I ride all year round and spend a lot of time travelling. It has far outlasted everyday shirts and trousers. The weight and space saving is a luxury that makes the price worth it.

[Blunet600]

Do you guys take your spare bike key and spare alarm fob (if you have an alarm) with you when you go abroad on your bike holidays?
im going to italy on my hornet soon and dont want to take mine incase i lose the spare!
____________________
Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[c-m]

[stinkwheel]