Packing For Adventure with Robin Box

This entry is part 16 of 320 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #1

Where it all begins

I magine you’ve taken an extended holiday and are finally taking that long-awaited trip around Australia. Now imagine Casey Stoner. He’s a MotoGP World Champion – the best in the world – and probably capable of riding any bike, anywhere. But give him an adventure bike for a week or a month riding in Australia’s outback and he may not know what to pack, how to pack it, or what he needs to take to make the trip successful. It’s a scenario common not just to Casey Stoner or the ’round Australia traveller. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and while there are lots of books and magazines about adventure four-wheel driving and caravanning, it’s not so easy to find information on adventure motorcycling. Until now.

The way a bike is packed and the apparel chosen can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of a ride. It can even make the difference between finishing a ride or DNFing.

Stow to go

Over the coming issues of Adventure Rider Magazine, this ‘Packing for Adventure’ series will aim to assist you in your adventure travel planning and packing.

Hard or soft panniers? Either will suit best depending on the situation. We’ll talk more about that in future issues.

It’s true that we can always learn something new, so our articles will cover all levels of experience and expertise – from those new to adventure riding right through to the hardened traveller.

Not all types of adventures are the same. A lap around Australia on good roads, for example, is a totally different type of adventure to riding through the red centre on rough tracks and trails, and after years of adventure travel in Australia, the USA, Europe and South Africa, we’ve learnt from our mistakes. While we’re still learning, our planning and preparation has become easier.

Asking questions and seeking advice relevant to your particular type of adventure can save you time and money, and get you on the road faster and with more confidence.

In these articles Australia’s Touratech crew will share our tips and tricks on making your adventure travel smoother, safer, and most importantly, ensuring you pack the right gear for your needs.

Feed the need

The last thing you need to be doing is carrying stuff you don’t require. That takes up too much space and increases the weight of your bike on a long trip. Our hints in this column in future issues will help you make the right choices from the beginning.

The range of topics we’ll cover will include luggage types (for example, hard panniers and soft luggage), clothing, types of accommodation (tents, pubs, lodges), emergency requirements, tools and spare parts, cooking equipment, GPS and maps, camera equipment, communication, and bike protection. And that’s just the things we’ve thought of so far. As we head along the journey with Adventure Rider Magazine and you readers, we hope you’ll tell us what kinds of information you need.

It would be good to pack a basejumping parachute if you know you’re heading for situations like this one.

Get ready

Beginning next issue, we’ll start our series by looking at luggage options, and in particular, the much-discussed ‘hard luggage versus soft luggage’ debate.

Both have their place in adventure riding. Hard luggage offers you convenience, ease of packing, more security and is definitely easier to live out of, but can be a risk to the rider in a crash in harsh riding conditions.

Soft luggage, on the other hand, is smaller and certainly impedes rider movement a lot less. It’s easier to ride with if you’re going off-road and can put less stress on your bike’s sub-frame, but conversely, doesn’t offer security on long trips.

But more on that in the next issue. Until then, get on your bike and keep riding!

Packing the bare minimum is the go. Keep the weight and bulk as small as possible.

Touratech

Touratech was born out of the desire for adventure, researching, making and testing motorcycle accessories for the serious rider.Touratech Australia has helped thousands of adventure riders reach their travelling goals, and has also lent support to hardcore adventurers such as Phil Hodgens, and long-distance travellers like Simon and Lisa Thomas (www.2ridetheworld.com), and Sherri-Jo Wilkins (www.sherrijowilkins.com).Like you, our passion is adventure riding. We dream it, we plan it, we do it!

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