Attention Riders that tour or get out for a weekend ride.

rocco · Post by **rocco** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:08 pm

Hi guys and gals,

just a thread for advice as usual.

Next month looking at getting away on a 1500km trip.

I have been reading sites based on touring and want an aussie perspective and ideas on what to take and prepare for.

Suppose I am asking about what tools eg: electric pump, tyre kit etc.

What clothes do you pack - the whole wardrobe or just the bare essentials

Leathers/textiles?
gps/maps?
nick knacks - cable ties etc

seems some guys in the usa take everything from bunnings with them.

good example: you live in sydney and rode to melb for the 2006 motogp.....what did you take to survive for the 3-4 days?

road tips....tips on handling odd traffic

i read this site and for anyone starting out its great, but as mentioned i wanna hear from you guys. I fyou were contemplating on hiking in nepal you would ask someone who has done it for their advice and tips.....thats what i am doing for bike touring.

http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/

Cheers

Roc - now on the GSX750F....the little GPX250R got sold 4 days ago..........sad to see it go but it went to a good home.

mike-s · Post by **mike-s** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:21 pm

i did a trip to p.i. 3-4 years ago, took with me (but didn't need all of:
* 2 man hiking tent, for me & the gear.
* inflatable matress (packed down really well)
* camping cooking kit, includes bowl and various bits to cook with.
* solid fuel stove (in case).
* clothes to get me through 4 days (used a laundromat halfway through)
* 2 jumpers
* mini sized tarp
* first aid kit
* toiletries
* camera
* lightweight towel
* basic foodstuffs, i.e. individually packed coffee packs, some dried fruit, and a waterbottle that had a pouch that would strap to the belt on my jacket
* backpack
* two soft strap-onable side panniers (go on neka, say something!)

Backpacks aren't the smartest thing to bring, but i only put some lightweight things in there i would need easy access to (wet weather pants, spare jumper, camera, etc).

a couple of the pics from my adventure:

Yes it was slight overkill, but i knew how dodgy the weather had been lately at p.i. and more is better than "not enough", and as it turned out by the end of the week it was pissing down as often as it was not.

Barrabob · Post by **Barrabob** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:47 pm

Did the GP from Brisbane the long way

credit card

punture kit
racq ultracare
Thermals in case it gets cold/wet/whatever
are you staying in a pub/motel every night??
Thermals/ necksocks are good too

spare undies
wet weather gear and a camera
bags to but your gear in inside a ventura bag whatever
Did i mention thermals
basically you want to stay warm and dry and so does your gear and if you need a tow your local auto club should have something to sort that out.

may want a green wig and sunscreen

check to see that your bike is in good nick and is going to make the voyage without needing major repair but 1500 kms is not a lot.

MiG · Post by **MiG** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:55 pm

mike-s wrote: * basic foodstuffs, i.e. individually packed coffee packs, some dried fruit, and a waterbottle that had a pouch that would strap to the belt on my jacket

LOL, coffee made the small list of basic food. I like your priorities.

mike-s · Post by **mike-s** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:57 pm

All you need is hot water and you've got something to help keep you warm & awake

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:58 pm

i ride to gp most years...i take

tent & sleeping bag
cash
credit card
clothes (not too many)
ride in leathers
wets in bag
sunnies
phone
mp3 player

member of RAA (nrma/racq equiv)

havent gone that far away from civilisation to need tools.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:59 pm

i dont take food...i buy it ...easier...

mike-s · Post by **mike-s** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:09 pm

A MP3 player is something i didnt get until long after i did that ride, and unfortunately something i haven't had much opportunity to use on very long rides since.

Neka79 · Post by **Neka79** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:58 pm

mike-s wrote:A MP3 player is something i didnt get until long after i did that ride, and unfortunately something i haven't had much opportunity to use on very long rides since.

i use to use (and this shows my age) 1stly a walkman (casette), then a discman!!

only got the mp3 player 18months ago as its built into my phone..otherwise id not have one...

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:19 am

re the GPS and MP3, a mate of mine from work does a fair bit of touring and he has a HP iPAQ rx5900 Travel Companion. It has the GPS built in (with Tom Tom mapping software) and will play MP3's all day. He sits it in the see thru part of his tank bag and runs headphones to his helmet (of course). The thing plays MP3's at the std volume and when a turn comes up and lowers the volume and tells him what direction to go next. He loves it.

I am thinking of getting one too and salary sacrficing it thru work.

Post by **Wattie** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:49 am

HTFU people....

when i do PI trip

-undies
-shit loads of plastic bags!!!!!
-2 jumpers, 2 jeans, 2 shorts, about 5 pair of socks
-few shirts
-1st aide kit, tubeless repair kit, bike pump,tape, cable ties. (all this is under my seat)
-wets
-ipod
-neck sock
-phone
-credit card
-ride in leathers
-camera

and a big imagination!!!!!

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:43 am

This is what I take- Puncture repair kit with CO2 bottles and adapter. Chain lube, Mr.Sheen,Rag,Factory tool kit,Some spare bolts,Spare chain joining link,Tyre pressure gauge(not a neccessity but I find it handy and more accurate),Spare Tint/Clear visor,Cable ties,Ockie straps.

Riding gear wise, it will depend on firstly what you own, then where you are going and the expected temps. If it was a cruise into country FNQ, in 40 degrees along straight roads, I'd be in my jeans and a T-shirt!

But if it's otherwise, then you'll need to dress accordingly. I vary what gear I ride in depending on the time of year.

The last tour I did, I used my leathers, and took a one piece bumbag rainsuit with me. Personally, me being such a safety crat, my fav summer wear is jeans and a vented jacket with my MX gloves on! But I'll prolly get berated for that suggestion

For the Snowies-Supers ride, I am wearing anything that has full body armour

. Not cause I'm worried about falling off, more just being hit by a 200kg+ out of control object!

But if I am touring by myself, or cruising long distances with some other like mided riders, then my JR textile suit gets put into service. It is waterproof with a removable thermal liner as well as ventilation for hot days, and the best thing about that is when you arrive anywhere, it's whip off the suit and walk around like a semi normal person in jeans and a T, rather than having racer bum!

photomike666 · Post by **photomike666** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:00 am

First bike rally I ever went to I took almost everything I could think of. There was food, beer, whiskey, cooking stuff, way too many clothes, cuttlery, mug, etc. The panniers were full, had a racksack and a roll tied on the front of the bike. It was Ok to ride, but parking/getting on and off was a nightmare.

The next year I took a change of undies for each day, jeans, a couple of t-shirts and money.

I always ride in full leathers; have both a summer and winter set. If I'm away a while, or it just looks possible I take my 1 piece waterproofs. Buy a tent that packs up as small as possible with light poles(or b&b it), use laundrette facilities to minimise clothes and buy food rather than carrying it. Small tool kit, puncture repair kit with gas canister and recovery membership. Do everything you can to the bike before leaving (or have it serviced), inc plugs/oil/filters etc.

And don't forget your tooth brush

Strika · Post by **Strika** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:33 am

Oh, and depending on where you are staying at night....a crushed up alluminium can to place under the side stand on soft ground!

Nanna10r · Post by **Nanna10r** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:09 am

It's all up there mate. Wear the armoured gear & a spine protector (if you have one) spare key, wet weather one piece, first aid kit, TYRE REPAIR kit n canisters.