What do you carry ?

[pistole]

I am trying to keep the weight down on the GS .... Any suggestions as to what you lot carry in the panniers to keep it light but have some sensible items just in case ?

biggest thing for weight loss ? Ditch the panniers. Run a topbox.

 

[Doc]

Wet wipes or toilet paper.Very important if you need to go in the middle of nowhere as a lump of grass doesn't cut it as i found to my cost ..Nothing worse than walking round with the mrs trying to find either smelling of shite.

 

[Mr Bean]

Yeah - sits in my top box, most reliable way of pumping up the tyres.

Fair enough.

Unless the wife is on the back I don't routinely take a top box. I have a small waterproof bag that sits in the space above the rear light - holds, puncture repair kit and 8 Co2 canisters - never needed to use the canisters as I use a double chamber foot pump at home and had no punctures since I stopped routinely using a top box.

 

[Engineer]

Fair enough.

Unless the wife is on the back I don't routinely take a top box. I have a small waterproof bag that sits in the space above the rear light - holds, puncture repair kit and 8 Co2 canisters - never needed to use the canisters as I use a double chamber foot pump at home and had no punctures since I stopped routinely using a top box.

However if I’m on a long trip with my paramour and all her stuff then I have to ditch the foot pump and take the canisters instead.

 

[Nutty]

Electric air pump
Dynaplug
Pressure gauge
Tyre weld
Gerber multi tool with torx bits(much better than leatherman)
Zip ties
Side stand puck
Duck tape
small medi kit
Large black bin liner
1" wide webbing strap with buckle
water
a couple of flap jacks
I am sure i have missed something.

All this is kept in a BMW tankbag that lives on the bike.
When I go touring with the boys my bike is the mothership and everything I carry has been used at some time.

I assume you’re joking?

 

[stick]

I assume you’re joking?

No hes not , only missed one thing , corner speed , apart from that is a very good list of bits and essentials you would miss when you have a problem.

 

[Nutty]

No hes not , only missed one thing , corner speed , apart from that is a very good list of bits and essentials you would miss when you have a problem.

Seems a bit OTT to me, unless every ride involves off-road in the middle of Mongolia.

 

[CPJS]

I assume you’re joking?

Why?
When you travel a lot with others there is always something going wrong somewhere. Luggage straps break, waterproof bags suddenly aren't, carpark topples, bee/wasp stings inside crash helmets, punctures in monsoon conditions on the ferry dash, the list goes on. Being prepared stops these becoming a 'mare and as said it's all in an un-expanded tankbag.

 

[Deleted account 240831001]

That depend on where you plan to drive. In the western world I would bring my phone and my credit card.

That’s all you need though a disc lock is probably a good idea in case recovery will be a while and you feel the need to abandon the bike in search of sustenance.

 

[CPJS]

No hes not , only missed one thing , corner speed , apart from that is a very good list of bits and essentials you would miss when you have a problem.

Corner speed is fine as the weight is central and I weight under 11 stone. It's a 1/4 ton ADV bike if it can't carry a tank bag without turning into a shopping trolly whats the point.
Don't forget the TT suspension, a click here or there and it's sorted.

 

[Mr Bean]

That’s all you need though a disc lock is probably a good idea in case recovery will be a while and you feel the need to abandon the bike in search of sustenance.

I'd rather fix a puncture in 10 minutes or so than wait around to be recovered and probably a new tyre fitted some hours later.

 

[Nutty]

Why?
When you travel a lot with others there is always something going wrong somewhere. Luggage straps break, waterproof bags suddenly aren't, carpark topples, bee/wasp stings inside crash helmets, punctures in monsoon conditions on the ferry dash, the list goes on. Being prepared stops these becoming a 'mare and as said it's all in an un-expanded tankbag.

So you’re the butler of the group?

 

[Doc]

So you’re the butler of the group?

Think he needs a trailer on the bike

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Reading this makes me realise I take too much, or just maybe enough

 

[stick]

So you’re the butler of the group?

Well its the old situation , your group is only as strong as the weakest link , so if you are prepared to cover all issues of your group is covered and the trip will be without those annoying incidents of " I never thought of that ", so now we are stuck on the roadside , late hotel and no food.
I was once in that situation on a trip and never again , I was new to the travelling and learn a lot from not being prepared.
Even on the green lanes i have all bits to fit and repair all bikes in our group as I feel if you lead a group they are your responsibilty and if you end up with double ups on kit , fine , you may find a traveller in a bad situation and will be able to help and get them back on their way.
I have fixed a few stranded bikes on the mountain passes as they have not pre paired , so yes Butler it is.

 

[Nutty]

Well its the old situation , your group is only as strong as the weakest link , so if you are prepared to cover all issues of your group is covered and the trip will be without those annoying incidents of " I never thought of that ", so now we are stuck on the roadside , late hotel and no food.
I was once in that situation on a trip and never again , I was new to the travelling and learn a lot from not being prepared.
Even on the green lanes i have all bits to fit and repair all bikes in our group as I feel if you lead a group they are your responsibilty and if you end up with double ups on kit , fine , you may find a traveller in a bad situation and will be able to help and get them back on their way.
I have fixed a few stranded bikes on the mountain passes as they have not pre paired , so yes Butler it is.

There's easier ways of doing it though.

The toolkit on my bike includes a tyre plugging kit, and CO2 canisters, so this lot isn't necessary:

Electric air pump
Dynaplug
Pressure gauge
Tyre weld

Again, there's a version of this under my seat:

Gerber multi tool with torx bits(much better than leatherman)

Also under the seat are Zip ties

I've fitted a Side stand puck

I've never needed Duck tape

small medi kit - I've got some plasters somewhere

Large black bin liner - why?

1" wide webbing strap with buckle - why?

water - I wear a Camelbak if it's hot

a couple of flap jacks - I'm never more than about half an hour away from food in the UK. In France, I make sure there's something also in the backpack to snack on

My point is, you don't need loads of luggage to carry all this stuff, which I'm sure is why some people like to have panniers fitted all the time. Plan properly, and most of this can go under the seat, or in a small tail bag, not effecting the weight/ handling of the bike.

 

[G&T]

Gerber multi tool with torx bits

Nutty, can you point me in the right direction for this. I’ve had a look around but those I have found contains only 2 torx bits. What did you go for?

Thanks
Glenn

 

[Nutty]

Nutty, can you point me in the right direction for this. I’ve had a look around but those I have found contains only 2 torx bits. What did you go for?

Thanks
Glenn

I've got the Ducati tool kit, which includes everything I'd need when on the road.

I've also got my Mum on speed dial, if the shit really hits the fan.

 

[Skudd]

I used to carry all sorts of stuff, but found it was other people who couldn't be bothered to carry anything who always used my gear. Now I carry nothing other than my RAC membership card and don't have a care in the world.

 

[Bounce]

In my top box I carry:

Halfords mini ratchet set
Additional tool pouch
Cable ties
Mini air compressor
Stop & Go puncture repair kit
Tyre pressure gauge
Bag of Haribo tang fastics
Breakdown & recovery number in my phone
Always wear a camelbak with 1.5 l of water

When I go away with his nibs, I'll also put waterproofs in as well.