Do you have recommendations for a packing list for Minimalist ADV/DS Touring?

[seavoyage]

Here's a link from the ADVrider: ADV Camping Gear "Comfortable Minimalist" Style thread:

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ELIMINATED:

Stove, fuel, cookware and related accessories. This saved about 7 pounds. I carried food that needed no cooking. See my AT No-Cook Menu below. This was a tough trade-off but paid off in big weight savings.

Water Filter. In place of a 2+ pound water filter I used the Polar Pure Iodine crystal system weighing in at 4 ounces. It worked just fine.

Lightweight Unsupported Motorcycle Travel for the Terminal Cases. Available from Aerostitch.

Another reliable resource on motorcycle camping is WetLeather

When people think of camping, the first thing they think of is a tent. Actually, a tent is probably one of the least important items.

Also take... a Leatherman, 12V air-pump, puncture repair kit, Motion pro combo tyre-lever, Motion Pro Trail tool, tow rope, army surplus bags for luggage lined with thin drybags, poncho, thermarest, bivi bag, sleeping bag - no need for a tent

Link to Austin Vince Top 10 Tips for trip prep and planning...

Once I discovered hammocks, I only pack a tent for alpine snow conditions. ADVrider hammock thread

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Dave's Packing Tips: Dualsport Adventure Motorcycle Touring
Yes, you can tour on your dirt bike! Key is to keep it minimal and pack only what you need. Of course, having Giant Loop Saddlebag helps, too, as this packing list is exactly what I've carried for year while developing the saddle bag. Ride while you can, Dave

Tools, lubricants and spare parts:

• stock KTM tool kit - most importantly, the correct axle tool
• at least one tube (front)
• tire irons
• pump and CO2
• patch kit
• tools - go over your entire bike with the stock tool kit and add to it anything you need - ie. small Vise Grips, etc.
• spare fasteners - gotta stay on all that plastic, 6mm 8mm 10mm bolts, plus any make/model specific fasteners
• bailing wire
• duct and electrical tape
• Locktite
• correct master link for your chain
• correct spoke tool
• Dumontech or TriFlow chain lubricant. Don't know if it really makes a difference with O or X ring chains but it can't hurt and my bike thinks I'm being 'nice' to it.
• 12 foot tow rope - Learn how to tow a bike before you employ this 'last resort' effort.
• Small (500ml) fuel bottle full of 20-50 motor oil. All 4-stroke motors are designed to burn a small amount of oil plus, ever had a countershaft seal start leaking in the middle of nowhere?

Dave's oil bottle motorcycle tool case:

Most of the above stuff (with the exception of the pump, tires irons, lubricants and vise grips) is easily fitted into 2 quart oil bottles that have the tops cut off right where they begin to taper to the pouring spout. One bottle 'nests' into the other one. This will keep your tools from rubbing or wearing holes in your kit, provides you with a container to transfer fuel from one machine to another and makes it really easy to extract the kit from inside the Giant Loop Saddlebag.

Dirt bike inner tube tire tool case:

My tire irons are slipped into a bicycle inner tube that is zip-tied closed on one end. Also to prevent the metal rubbing its way through the saddle bag and to give me some extra rubber to slice into any thing we might need - gaskets, mini 'bungies', rubber bands, etc.

Other essentials for dirt bike (dualsport) touring:

• spare clutch cable zip tied to your existing - in case of failure, the replacement is sitting there ready to install or in my case, a small amount of mineral oil for the hydraulic Brembo unit.
• Zip ties - a good variety of sizes
• lighter AND waterproof matches
• space blanket - unfortunately I know that they actually work and can totally save your butt
• compass - look at it often, just to keep your bearings in the forest or if you are up in the clouds on a mountain
• GPS - if you are so inclined
•maps - I really study these before we head out to familiarize myself with the major peaks amongst the ranges. Google earth is another resource that I study to try and memorize topography
• Water filtration device - we usually take 2 of these pumps as one might plug up or fail

Clothes and personal supplies for dual sport motorcycle touring:

• spare socks - 3 pair
• extra gloves
• spare goggles
• something to cover your face like a neoprene mask, unless you have an Arai-type DS helmet with face shield
• fully charged cell phone and a AAA card
• rubber gloves - for working on your machine and they also are very helpful keeping your hands warmer worn under regular moto gloves. Dishwashing gloves DO NOT work unless they're way too big for your hands. Even then, they cut the circulation - on my hands anyway.
• Sunglasses
• Small Nikon binoculars - those things have been more help than any GPS info
• Camera (Canon G-6 with a fully charged battery will last me a week or more)
• Sunscreen and lip balm (even though you have a helmet on, your lips are taking a beating and I've burnt the crap out of my neck in the past)
• Cash - some rural fuel stops do not take credit cards

Cold weather dirt bike riding:

• Thor waterproof ventilated jacket and pants
• FrogToggs rain gear - inexpensive, totally works (unfortunately I know too well) light weight and straps right on next to my tent on the outside of the saddlebag
• MSR 'elephant ears' hand guard shields - try-em out. You don't need heated grips and in a driving rain, they keep you hands very dry. When not in use, they lay flat in my small day pack.
• Silk long underwear - top and bottoms - squashes into nothing, really works, dries quickly
• Fleece vest
• If it gets really cold I put the FrogToggs on over everything and that is amazingly comforting. Try the stuff on before you buy it, I'm only 6' tall but bought the XL to comfortably fit over my riding gear
• A jersey and poly t-shirt - easy to wash, dries quick

Body protection for dual-sport touring:

• FLY (brand) articulated knee pads
• Ballistic jersey
• Bell Moto 8 (extremely well ventilated)
• Alpinstar Vector boots

Camping gear for touring light on an off-road motorcycle:

• Big Agnes™ insulated, inflatable sleeping pad. I've tried'em all and this is the best by far, fits inside the saddlebag
• The North Face™ down mummy sleeping bag. I've been rained on, snowed on and had that icy north wind ripping across the mountain tops at camp and a bag rated to 0 degrees can be a real solace after a long hard day of riding. When it's hot, I just lay on top of it like a feather bed. (You will NOT be able to stuff a big, synthetic sleeping bag into this saddlebag but you can get a lightweight, summer synthetic bag to squeeze in).
• Head lamp
• Gaz (brand) butane collapsable cook stove and a 4-cup Cup - I'm liking the Jetboil though and have used one which also fits nicely into the saddlebag.
• The North Face™ solo, one man tent. 2.5 pound single wall unit. Pretty small but I'm not hanging out in it and it's better than a bivouac sack IMHO.
• a cheap plastic spoon
• toothbrush
• toilet paper and baby wipes
• sharp multi-tool
• a couple decent quality trash bags. I put my helmet and boots in a bag and leave them outside the tent for a little more room inside and to prevent any vermin from moving into or chewing on my stinky gear. Also, it you are going to be riding for days on end through torrential rain (that isn't very fun IMHO) you can stuff your sleeping bag into the plastic bags as you fit into the saddlebag.

Food you can easily pack on a dirt bike:

• I actually like the mountain house freeze dried food offerings (with the exception of ANY of the Mexican 'flavored' meals, I don't like burping the seasoning all night). Since the freeze-dried stuff is kind of bulky yet very light weight, I put it in my day pack.
• Tortillas - flour, I like to extend the freeze-dried stuff by making little burritos, sometimes even a spare for lunch the next day
• Tapatio or your favorite hot sauce
• Oatmeal
• Tea
• Snacks - energy bars, etc.
• You will need to find fuel almost every day and I've grabbed a can of chili to fire cook and make burritos. Most of the little towns we visit (now more than ever) really need our support. Buying stuff, even as simple as candy is greatly appreciated and will hopefully help keep them in the gasoline business. We've already lost Wagontire and even Plush, OR was not pumping fuel for a period of time so we try to spend a little extra (OK, we always buy some beer at our last stop before camp or if it's gonna be another 75 miles to camp, a bottle of tequila or something like that).

How to pack your Giant Loop Saddlebag:

The key to this system is thoughtful packing. There are probably several tricks we haven't thought of yet but I start by pulling my sleeping bag through the saddlebag so that half of it is hanging out one side and the same on the opposite side. Next, I load the stove, oil, tube(s), tire irons on one side down low (where it should be!). My Sleeping pad is kind heavy so it goes down low on the opposite side. Follow with clothing, socks, hat, etc.. Stuff your sleeping bag starting with the center of the saddlebag (center of rear fender). You will see that a down bag will compress quite small and will leave you with space to slip your tool kit in last. If you need to make repairs in the field, you'll be glad that it's easily accessible. Snug down the compression straps to hold your tent, rain gear on the back behind your seat and the 2 one either side to hold your load right where you want it. NOTE - we intentionally left the straps a bit long. They can be trimmed to your tastes but no matter what - DO NOT LEAVE THEM FLAPPING AROUND LOOSE! When the bike is being ridden on a day loop from camp, simply stuff the extra length inside the bag and zip it closed.

If you have a tank bag, there's just that much more space to stash things like your camera, maps, etc.. We have a prototype bag that will be in production soon!

The go light, go fast approach to touring on a street-legal dirt motorcycle:

If it doesn't fit into this kit, you probably don't need it. We approach this whole concept as a moto inspired adventure that allows the bike to perform as close to optimum as possible and take us to out-of-the-way hot springs, mountain tops, desert mesas, alpine glades - the places you would never drive your truck to camp. Ever ridden over a ridge and said to yourself, "I'd really like to see the sun come here"? This approach enables you to the answer to that question - YES!

-Dave
Giant Loop™ Saddlebag

Lois Pryce Kit:

If there's one subject that keeps adventure motorcyclists arguing 'til sunup (in a friendly way of course) it's that old chestnut - the luggage system. I have never met a globetrotting biker yet who claims to be perfectly happy with their load-carrying set-up, and I'm no different. The system I used on my Americas trip was, if I'm perfectly honest, a bit rubbish, so for my African jaunt I am determined to learn from my mistakes. My previous arrangement (see pic) was too high and too heavy, or as Chris Scott so entertainingly described it in his latest edition of the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, 'about as stable as the Uraguayan peso'!

In summer 2005 I did a 3000 mile ride on my Serow around Western and Eastern Europe, using a plastic Givi top box and a couple of rucksacks slung over the seat. This basic DIY setup confirmed my suspicions that soft panniers were the way to go, plus one lockable compartment for valuables, such as cameras, passport etc. There's no way the Givi would cope with the rugged roads of Africa, so I found a lightweight aluminium box for just 60 quid from a company in Leicester called Potterton's Cases (founded in 1896!). It seemed perfect for the job, except for the fact that it wasn't watertight, so I slathered it with bathroom sealant in preparation for the tropical downpours of Central Africa The box is bolted to a steel rack, made by rally and overland expert, David Lambeth, who also fitted the bike with a 22 litre tank, a screen and an exhaust guard.

For the panniers I have bought a set of Andy Strapz Expedition Panniers (see pic). These 40 litre bags look like the answer to my luggage prayers - made from tough, truckside canvas with a waterproof coating, they're simple and rugged, and according to Andy Strapz, 'born from a life on the road'.

And of course, the finishing touch was to fit the all important sheepskin on the saddle!

What am I carrying?

Camping Equipment

Lightweight one-man tent
3 season sleeping bag
Thermarest Inflatable sleeping mat

Tools

Sockets: 8,10,12,13,14,17,19,22
Combination spanners: sizes as above
Mole grips
3/8" drive ratchet
¼" drive ratchet
Extension bars
Spark plug remover
Bit holder
Various bits - flat head, cross head, allen head
Tyre pressure gauge
Tyre levers
Multimeter

Leatherman tool

Bike Related Items

Puncture repair kit
Cable repair kit
12v pump
Luggage straps
Bungee straps
Cable ties
Gaffer tape
WD40
Oil
Grease
Rags
Manual

Spares

Spark plug
Front and rear brake pads
Front and rear wheel bearings
Head and tail light bulbs
Main fuses
Clutch lever
Front brake lever
Ignition key
Inner tubes
Complete gasket set

Clothing

Lightweight jacket
Leather gloves
Waterproof jacket and trousers
Helmet
Scarf
Lightweight trousers
T-shirt
Jumper
Undies
Socks
Leather boots
Flip-flops
Swimsuit
Sunglasses

Personal Kit

Camera, lenses, film and mini tripod
Head torch
Maps
Plastic map case
Small calculator
Notebook
Diary
Pens
Address book
Reading and guide/phrase books
Compass
Watch with alarm
String
Sewing kit
Earplugs
Rubber bands
Small padlock
Length of metal rope
Matches/lighter
Safety pins

Toiletries

Travel towel
Soap
Shampoo (and conditioner!)
Hairbrush
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Mirror
Universal sink plug
Lip salve
Sunblock
Moisturising lotion

First Aid Kit

Plasters
Various dressings
Various bandages
Micropore tape
Tweezers
Antiseptic cream
Painkillers
Re-hydration salts
Multivitamins
Insect repellant
Anti-malarial tablets
Antihistamine tablets
Rubber gloves (ooh doctor!)
Syringes

Documentation

Passport
Carnet de passage en douane
Driving licence
Vehicle registration document (V5)
International driving permit
International certificate of motor vehicles (ICMV)
Travel insurance
Multiple copies of all the above
Scanned copies of all the above emailed to myself and friends/family

The TTR250 - ready for Africa!​

Alcohol stoves are popular among those who wants to go backpacking with less load. Evernew Alcohol Stoves and Cook system
How to build a soda can stove

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[byke]

This is a kickass resource and should be stickied! Thanks for taking the time mate!

 

[slowpoke]

This is a kickass resource and should be stickied! Thanks for taking the time mate!

word...

 

[Nemo Brinker]

+1, great resource. I hate hammocks, though--getting into and out of one at night, I feel like two piglets fighting in a sugar sack--clueless, struggling and vulnerable. A little 2-person lightweight backpacking tent is my preferred way to go.


And Lois Pryce knows whereof she speaks: solo from Alaska to Ushuaia, and down the length of Africa, solo, on tiny bikes. After having my fork seals blow in the middle of the Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness, though, I'd add fork seals to her spares list.

 

[OldYam]

One forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days’ concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings.

 

[craig1200]

Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Here's my packing setup. Not totally minimalist, but I had a long ways to go.
This is the DR650, set up for a 3-month ride from Oaklamd to Deadhorse, AK and back.

On the shore of Lake Kluane, Yukon Territory



Running a bit heavier (with temporary gas can, it was 242 miles between gas stations up there) on the top of Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway, in light snow.



Tank bag contents (Giant Loop Fandango tank bag)



Dry bag contents (Bag is a large Seattle Sports dry bag with handy backpack straps that made it a hiking pack, tent is a Sierra Designs Vapor Lite)



Main bag contents (Giant Loop Great Basin bag, REI Polar Pod down mummy bag, MSR Whisperlite Internationale stove with gasoline for fuel)



Clothing, etc., including the stuff I was wearing while riding. There were many days I was wearing nearly all those shirts at once--cold!



I also had that fender bag with a spare front tube, and a large tool tube with tools and tire irons.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Here's my packing setup. Not totally minimalist, but I had a long ways to go.
This is the DR650, set up for a 3-month ride from Oaklamd to Deadhorse, AK and back.

On the shore of Lake Kluane, Yukon Territory

Hi Nemo Brinker,

Nice to see a pic of your DR in its natural environment (instead of a gas station in the Mission, ha!).

Very tidy ... did you post a trip report somewhere?

I've been by that lake twice (on an '88 BMW K75s and an '01 KLR), but missed getting a nice pic ...

These bikes were packed for a three week and a four week trip to Alaska ... minimalist in the sense that I didn't want to look like the Klampets, rolling down the road ... easier to stay tidy with a KLR, with its stock six gallon tank ... think I had to go 240 miles once, from Dawson City to Eagle Plains on the Dempster ... made it without hitting reserve by keeping it under 50 mph ...

I also planned on not having to change my tires (on the K75s) or changing my tires at a shop half-way near Anchorage (with the KLR), so I didn't have to pack tires ... I only get about 3000 miles out of a set of DOT knobbies (TKC80s on the KLR trip) ...

Anyway, love your 367 lb DR 650 ...

See you in the shop,
-- SFMCjohn

 

[Blue-8]

Do not forget the JB Weld. Could help you out of a jam or two

 

[Nemo Brinker]

A stick of quick-cure JB Weld is in my kit, for sure. Haven't had to use it yet...but want it in case I do.

John! Next time you come by the shop, talk to me about Inuvik and the Dempster! It's on my list. Better do my Alaska trip report in the meantime, though.

Yeah--as you mentioned, carrying tires is heavy and difficult. I'd rather get 'em on the road or ship them to a contact when I need more.

 

[Punter]

Not minimalist but I thought this might appeal to all you loony Iron Butters:

http://www.imz-ural.com/preparing-for-long-distance-adventures/

 

[slowpoke]

Why is this still not stickied?

 

[WFO]

All you really need is a credit card, smart phone and AAA premier membership.

I stay in motels when I'm on the road.

 

[jimboFosho]

Was just looking for this the other day. Great info!

All you really need is a credit card, smart phone and AAA premier membership.

I stay in motels when I'm on the road.

You've never been miles from the nearest house/services and didn't have cell service?

 

[WFO]

Yeah, but then I rode back into town.

 

[rodr]

One forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days’ concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings.

All you really need is a credit card, smart phone and AAA premier membership.

Otherwise, great thread.

 

[seavoyage]

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What's in your wallet? Drivers License, CapitalOne Credit Card, Triple-A and AMA membership cards + GPS enabled Smartphone?

I'm a minimalist but you need to be able to do the following tasks in the middle of nowhere:

1. Fix a flat tire: (3 tire irons, a small MotionPro T-6 trail bead buddy, valve core removal tool (caps on each valve + spare valve core), hand bicycle pump (I use a Mini Versair) , a few Co2 cartridges, small tire pressure gauge, talcum powder (optional), 21" tire tube which can also be used on the rear. Small patch kit ($2 at bicycle shop). Combination wrench to remove both axle nuts and spark plug. Tusk has this wrench for $11.

Small T-handle socket set for the front axle retaining bolts, and the brake caliper mounting bolts. A 12mm or 13mm spanner to loosen the rear axle adjustment block nuts.

2. Clear a drowned engine: Spark plug wrench (14mm), spare sparkplug(s) pre-gapped. The abilit to flip the bike over so the spark plug holes and exhaust can drain while your kicking over or turning the the crankshaft (E-start).
3. Get a tow: Tow strap (a single ratchet strap is more useful for me)

4. Siphon fuel: 6' Plastic tubing with I.D. that matches the fuel petcock bung. You plug into the other bikes' petcock, then blow into his gas cap vent hose into gas tank to start the flow into your tank, vacuum and gravity does the rest.
5. Seal a cracked side case or punctured radiator: JB weld, Quicksteel, or Metal putty.
6. Repair a broken chain: 520 chain links with master links, and small chain breaker tool.
7. Replace a broken clutch or throttle cable: Spare clutch cable. You can also use a bicycle brake cable which can be used for the throttle or clutch. (Taped parallel to the existing cables.)
8. Repair a punctured hose: Ductape (wrapped around wrenches), electric tape (wrapped around wrenches), , hose clamp (around hose).
9. Secure anything that may fall off. Loctite (blue/red) everything, carry cable ties (duct taped to front forks or swing arm), safety wire (wound around seat subframe tube). Safety wire your drain plug, steering nut, caliper retaining bolts, handgrips, and throttle housing adjustment nut.

A basic multi-tool: Leatherman Crunch (with a vice grip which can be used as a shift lever)

and a MotionPro Tool Metric The 8mm, 10mm and 12mm sockets (or whatever sizes) to get the sidepanels, fuel tank, and seats off to access everything .

Everything fits in a Moose Racing Fender bag which stays on the bike at all times. The moment you remove it from the bike, you'll forget it!


Survival kit: (Stays on your body at all times) The moment it isn't in your riding jacket/pants pockets, or fanny pack; you'll forget it!

• SPOT or EPIRB Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
• Emergency blanket
• Plastic (bright colored) poncho/emergency bivvy (SOL?)
• Magnesium fire starter
• Compass (on your watch) or handheld GPS.
• Whistle and signal mirror (Coghlan's 5-in-1 survival tool : $3)
• Condom (no lube, no flavor) - to carry or store water...

3L Water (Camelback "Hydrate or Die!")) + purification tablets or waterpurifier.


Leave a route map in your vehicle and with friends/family before each trip. USCG call this a 'float plan'. On that topic hope your 'estate' is in order: Will, Power of Attorney and 'Blood Chit'.

+1 on shoes! you may have to walk out

+1 on no hard objects on your body.

The little bandaid/neosporin/aspirin First Aid kits won't save you. You won't die from a splinter, paper cut or blister but, if you go into shock, bleed out, or have a major fracture...The only 'first aid' items that are critical are:

• A nasopharangeal airway to keep airway open (No.. it's for the other guy. Good luck keeping your own airway open)
• 2 windlass tourniquets and Quickclot to keep from bleeding out (read compound fracture, impaled object, or large laceration)
• Sam Splint to stabilize a fracture (can also use your tire irons and duct tape) or a C-collar. I place the Sam Splint for support in a fanny pack to make it a kidney belt.
• Emergency blanket (for shock, hypothermia, exposure)
• Bandanna/Cravat (bandage, sponge)

Display your blood type and any allergies in a location on your clothing where it can be clearly seen: Strip of ductape on chest/right upper arm; dogtags; helmet; tatoo (we call these meat tags).

I don't recommend traveling alone... use the buddy system, just like evey other professional organization (SCUBA: NAUI/PADI, Military, Outward Bound). Since you got a buddy, cross load... you only need one of the heavy stuff between the two or more of you.

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Bumping this excellent packing/camping thread.

 

[Saltwater]

This is a cool read and should be stickied. There's some good info for someone interested motorcycle travel and camping.

 

[Momo-san]

Yarrrr, good thread! I need to collect a few more bits and pieces.