Quick dry synthetic garments. Then you only need one to wear and one spare. Of course you have to be able to afford high end compact camping gear if you want to stay light.
This is a confirmation of my philosophy of the last 30 years of the Sahara journey. With just 15 kg of equipment, I rode in the Sahara, countless single-track trails and desert piste never exceeded 170 kg of total equipment weight, motorcycle, fuel and water. I know exactly what you're saying, Three is always enough.
I listen and have reduced my luggage as per your recommendations. And the truth is that even with 3 sets, one is for a rainy day. 2 are enough. And if you do need something, you can find most things on the road.
Yeah. Your advice holds a lot of truth. But it is extremely difficult to go as light as you go. When you are spending every night in a hotel or hostel or anything like that. Yes you can go as light as you do. But a lot of us are traveling the way as i do. I do not go to hotels. Way to expensive for me. Even when going as minimal as i can i still am around 25 kg in total. I need the hammock, the sleepingbag, the tarp, the burner, one liter gasoline, three shirts, socks, underware, short pants, very light jacket, some tools, tire repair plug, mini compressor, 3 ltr hydro bag , small headlight, insta360 RS , some stuff for it , powerbank small and one a bit larger , the phone , ereader for the evening , a 3 ltr foldable waterbladder. When in a 40 degrees Celsius surrounding your drinkingwater goes very quickly. And you need something in the evening when preparing some food. I travel with softluggage because of safety while crashing. And that it can be tightened when carrying less. Also do not like the flopping around of all your stuff in a hard pannier when away from the tarmac. But really, for a lot of us it is not possible to spend around 50.00 Euro's per night. Most of the time that is way more. While traveling in Europe. It also forces you to go to bigger cities. Something i do not like. So now and then when you want to go there if you want to visit certain things. But indeed, every kg not carried is a plus when offroad.
I agree with your observation and same for me. Sure, I could reduce my kit to 1 change of clothes and a paperback book and just rely on hotels, restaurants and tow trucks. It will also be incredibly expensive and frankly pretty boring to me. My setup is 30 lbs each side and 20 lbs on top. Still far less than just having a passenger on a bike. I can camp infinitely with full power (60w solar, Sherpa battery), water filtration. Or I take a break now and then and have a couple nights in a hotel. Most importantly the Africa Twin handles very well on sketchy terrain with that much gear and in fact rides wonderfully touring. Finally, if I spend the day on difficult trails, just drop the bags at camp or hotel and now you have a naked bike. Lone Rider panniers unlock and drop off in about 60 seconds. Not hard. That said, I agree, only bring what you truly will use and enjoy but definitely there's an appropriate amount of reduction for each of us and for some it's way more gear than this video.
@@Winter-zv1dv Hi, You took the words out of my mind. That is also as i am doing that. Two or three nights camping. Wildcamping if that is possible. Not if it is legal. Do not care about that. This planet is from everyone of us. My wallet is sometimes empty because of shitty absurd taxes that you can not escape. The third or fourth day enjoying atleast 15 minutes hot shower. Sometimes indeed throwing the gear in the tent or i ask at a desk that they can look after my two bags. When somewhere that i think it will be stolen out of the tent. Or when i am with the hammock. I also expereince it as boring to constantly be sleeping in a hotel. Sometimes that even takes much more of my energy then to hang the hammock between two trees. Having the bike and gear right next to me. Making a tiny and sober meal. But i still enjoy that sober meal. Do a little research in the direct neighberhood. Going to the edge of the lake and so on. Ik have a big tent. That solo thing from Redverz. Sometimes i find it to be to do wildcamping. But when i stay somewhere for several days it is ideal. And i know, it is to much weight. And from time to time that weight is bothering me. But that amount of gear is essential to me. Could not do it with less. Something that i still am trying to learn is to compartimentlise the gear. It is so gruesome when you have to take several things out when one is in the left bag and one is in the right bag. At the bottom. 😪 Sometimes i think that it is best to give up with that. It is what it is. I also do carry a waterfilter. Msr Guardian. I find it the best filter out there. It only has no carbon filter so the taste is sometime a bit bad.😇 Maybe should buy a little Sawer filter strickly for drinking. After i used the Guardian first. Or maybe a seperate carbon filter. If that exist. As tiny as possible. When you taste the rotten leaves and so on that is not ok. I carry for ten years a filter so i do not have to scout for several liters of water and needing to carry it on the bike. 6 liter is heavy on top. Also the filter is big and bulky but i do not trust those tiny ones used when someone is hiking. Drinking bad water can be extremely dangerous. And i really do not like to carry such a hydra bag on my back. It restrics my movement. And after a while i am starting to feel it. Although such a bag is blessing when you are riding in a hot climate. No doubt about that. Thinking about making a longer hose so the hydra bag with 3 liters at the start. That the weight can be more on the bike then onto my back. Also tried it to put it in the tankbag. But that also does not work for me.
There is a youtube channel owned by hungarian guy, Bezsnei Andor. He travelled for like 2 years or so around the world on his bike. He had 3 hard cases, and other stuff as well on an old Africa Twin 750. When he dropped the bike offroad, it took him like 30 minutes to pick it up because he had to remove all the luggage first and then put it back on. Keep on mind he was in his mid 20s, really fit, ex military guy. Still couldn't pick up the bike with the luggage.
Hi Pavlin. After watching your videos about this topic several times i did order the same bag from 21 Brothers. Super happy with it, and packing lighter and lighter for every trip. Greetings from Norway👍
I know I could live out a 35L bag with space to spare (this would not inc. tent and sleeping bag). When I went on my first backpacking trip I took everything inc. the kitchen sink and bath tub but after 7 days it was all sent back home and new smaller backpack bought 35L
Pavlin, I absolutely agree with your philosophy. I am using also since 3 years the 21brothers u-shaped bag and am very happy with it. 3 sets of underwear and shirts is absolutely enough: wear one wash one dry one.
Absolutely, if you invest in proper functional clothing that also looks nice when you‘re strolling down a street, you‘ve reached peak joy with minimal luggage.
Now I have just retired, passed my test Jan 2023. Now heading to Spain and Morocco in January 2024 . My first trip on a motorbike ( Yamaha super Tenere ) I bought the bike with all the aluminium panniers. Now they are coming off!! So at least one new biker is listening. Your vids have been so helpful, real life experience past on. Cheers from the Scottish Highlands. Rod.
I use the Reckless 40 from Mosko (so you are limited from the beginning which is good!) now for 2 years and i also learnt after 3 Trips, that i can always reduce something. Priority was, that i can lift the Bike with the luggage on it (KTM 890 ADV). After this years trip to Poland, i again had one pair of socks, one shirt and a small towel that i never used. So its a constant process of getting better and lighter - the Trip becomes more comfortable and easier. And if you move around Europe, you can buy any stuff anywhere in case of emergency. Great Learning Curve from Pavlin as always 🙂
We're working on travelling lighter, but while watching this video I felt that you might be leaving a bit out. Could you do a video or post the actual full list of what you carry? Toiletries, rain gear, spares and parts, knife, saw (maybe), toilet paper, food?, water, first aid kit, engine oil, chain lube, travel towel, disc lock, maps, etc ... You have a tent, so do you also have a sleeping bag, ground sheet, sleeping pad, stove, etc? Cooking utensils? Actual weight of the luggage without contents? All of that stuff when added to a very similar clothing selection takes us well over 15kg.
Hello Pavlin, Many thanks for explaining again about weight. Just back from 15 days in (some of) the Balkans, with a 12kg QBag and 4kg tank bag. More than enough for my BMW F650GS. Cheers!
Hey! What model from QBag do you use? I also have an F650 GS and planning to switch to U Shape bag. Currently using Lomo soft side bags on metal rack mounts
Summarizes my feelings and attitude towards 1200/1250 GS riders with their ridiculus display of expensive hard luggage “cosplaying” as adventure riders.
My mind knows that people travel for months carrying everything on their back, (there are thousands of miles of hiking trails in the USA. Some have done the three longest trails that amount to around 7,700miles, (12,000 Km) The achievement is called the Triple Crown. (if you wish to search it on the internet). They stock up with local resources along their path. Their gear is expensive as it needs to be light. On a motorcycle it is not as important. If the tent weighs twice as much, it is still pretty light. The conflicting part of my mind says, but I might need this and that. Some things are necessary like tools, parts, protective clothing. When growing up I was in a camping club for boys. the motto was be prepared. I think I carry this to an extreme.
Thanx Pavlin!!! Weight matters, espacially at the end of the bike or piled in the height. I learned it the hard way: A BMW 1150 GS Adv. (I followed the advertising to need an adv bike for adv trips... stupid), Touratech hard panniers, a backpack role behind me. Alone the hard panniers were 11kg, empty! When I went down in southern France, 3 people were needed to get it upright. I sold my BMW, have a XT660Z Tenere now, soft luggage system and a tank bag. Done. Now I.m 70kg lighter than before. That's it, works funtastic! ✌
I travel with a heavy load. Its the price I pay for MY ride. Yes, light is good. But I made a clear decision. I will ride with a guitar.. I will have a recording system with me. I will film. And I'll have a computer with me. What REALLY counts is to get out there and ride. In the last 7 weeks I have been to three oceans. Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic. So advise away...but riders, ride your ride.
Agree, the trick is to wash your clothes every day. Once I got used to it, everything was better and so light, i was able to get rid of my side panniers plus rack, I removed about 20 kg from the bike and saved a lot of money too. Now for my new bikes, I don't need to buy side luggage. I travel with a mosko 40l duffel, tank bag and a hip pack for wallet and important things. Most of the weight I carry are tools and spare tubes when I go offroad.
So true what you say. Your saddlebag style also seems to be super easy and stable on the bike. I'm currently using a top roll bag and soft bags from Enduristan on T7 but it all flaps around and is a hassle to mount. Maybe sooner or later I will also get a U-bag like this to have it even more simple
This reminds me of many years back when I was in the Navy and had to leave ship with all my civilian clothes to do laundry. I took my trousers and tied the bottom legs into a knot. Then stuffed the laundry into this. I would put it on my shoulders like I was giving a child a ride with one leg going down each side of the front of my chest. I may go to a second hand store and get the largest pair of trousers that I can find, and sew the legs shut. Then figure on what loops I need to sew on to fasten it in place to the Motorcycle. This cheap fix would help me figure out what size bags I need to buy in the future.
I looked at the Enduristan stuff and learned, that it.s wobbling around, has no stability in its own and crazy to fit on the bike. I took Tourateck Discovery and I'm fine with it (2x25L volume), that's it. ✌
In our country, many of us will choose to install three oversized alloy storage boxes in the rear due to the false propaganda of motorcycle dealers, and often drive at 195KM/h. This has resulted in many fatal traffic accidents.
Actually this sounds realy good to me. Having less of everything... Yeah, engine cc included. I own 125cc Honda, and have no idea why someone needs 1000cc motorcycle.
The funny thing is with aftermarket hard boxes is that you cannot load them endlessly. If I use mine correctly as I exlusively use paved roads, it is 5 kgs per side box and 3 kgs in the top box. That's it. So it is also not adviseable to take the kitchen sink with you with this setup. You can transport more air, but net you also have to choose and leave the "just in case items" at home. Also, you do not need to take tons of clothes with you IMO. I think it is usually possible to wash clothes during a trip.
Liked the video, I will try and apply what you have said to my trips here. In Canada, the weather can change pretty dramatically so that is a consideration that can add weight. My full Klim gear, with boots and helmet is about 7 kg. Even though fully waterproof, if I know I will be in a downpour I throw on over gear (Frogg Toggs) to stay drier and try to ride into less rain to set up my tent. I do not like my riding gear to be wet inside my tent. I also try and minimize restaurants and hotels so rely on my camping gear, which I did not notice you mention food, water, or cook stove. So as I try and reduce weight, I also take the following into consideration for every trip: is this a riding trip where the camping is a necessity or is this a camping trip with the motorcycle and accessories (ex. lightweight chair,…) for comfort and enjoyment. I go on both types of trips that could be two to fourteen days. I bring an axe most of the time for camping which can also be used to remove deadfall and logs (but honestly, that has never happened).
I agree that weight plays a role. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. I use a top hard mainly plastic box (empty 6 kg) where I leave the maintenance parts in it and a small backpack + soft sport bag for my clothes behind me next to the top box. I just need a more secure bag when I move around the towns during my ride. I know it is not ideal but I haven’t found a better way. By the way, the top box can hold the temperature very well if you have some food 😋 A tip: people don’t need to listen all then time. They should follow what it fits them in optimal way.
You are completely right and this is why my T7 is going and I've ordered a Honda crf300 rally, in my opinion it will do everything the T7 will do but better on half the fuel and just as reliable 👍🏼
the CRF will go places the T7 cannot...and it will simply BLAST over stuff the T7 would be at a Crawl or slower speed....trust me, there's a BIG difference between those 2 bikes!....anyone that says otherwise is flat out full of shit! The CRF is going to feel like a Feather, like a proper dirt bike....zero fear of Dropping too....300lbs is nothing to pick up.
@@94SexyStang you are completely right, raced Enduro most of my life so not bad off road, had the T7 18 months and in my opinion it's a road bike, borrowed my mate's new 300 rally and it's fantastic 👍🏼
Having owned both I can say that the 300 with an upgraded suspension will do 90% of what the T7 can do...but it sucks on the highway. RPM = MPH. 7000 = 70 mph and do on. It'll do it, but it's fatiguing for the rider and the bike. My wife still has her 300 and our fuel consumption is very similar. I'm in the high 50 mpg range, she's mid 60s, probably due to the higher rpms.
@@LongPondNH yep totally understand, I'm happy at 65mph and don't like the highway much on any bike, it's always a compromise but I found the 300 so much easier everywhere.
Don't sell your T7 yet, you will regret it in my opinion if you do any amount of road riding. (unless you have another bike) The CRF is way too slow for highways and will be a huge pain in the ass if you have to cover long distances on the road. I rode the 250 briefly, on the road it's as exciting as watching grass grow. I agree it will be easier to handle offroad but that's it. T7 is so much more versatile as an all around bike including everyday road riding. Can ride mine 500KM on the highway and hit the dirt roads after. On the CRF I wouldn't even want to ride for more than 100KM...
Really enjoying your advice on the channel. I am planning my first road trip on my 2014 KTM Duke 390. People are saying its not a good bike to use, but this is the only bike I own. I am looking for some advice on what soft pannier bag options will work on my bike. Keeping the load light but capacity enough for a tent sleeping bag etc.
I have the Givi Trekker Outback 37L panniers and a lone rider 30L top bag on a 1250GS. Tour the US often and have been thinking about getting rid of the panniers. They are so convenient but so heavy. Maybe I'll look at the Mosko Reckless system.
Excellent recommendations as always... big fan of yours from Pakistan... I continue to share your experiences with other novice bikers like myself! keep it up dear
great advice - it's always been my mantra since touring on my (push)bike since the 70's when you have to pedal everything up hill and down dale. I once toured europe and north africa ending up in israel using just one saddlebag and did fine. i can't believe how much stuff people take on motorbike tours, i recently did 1500 miles in a week with just a qbag tailbag 4, and had i needed could have gone months easy. my rule is never to take anything 'just in case', i take stuff like thin shoes, usually shorts instead of jeans, wash clothes regularly, and use hostels, backpackers or pensions on a night instead of camping, it gives you satisfaction being minimalist lol. GL
Hi Pavlin, Thanks for your great work and the transmission of your knowledge to the riders with less experience ! May I ask you the type and the trade mark of your luggage? Thanks in advance for your reply. I wish you a safe journey in this great country!
This video came had a good time for me I'm two days I'm leaving for about it 3000 mile trip with a lot of camping. You did a great job of doing this in one take I couldn't even tell! No joke I take up to 130 lb have camping gear with me on my KTM 1190 Adventure r. I swear I look for ways to lighten the load and this trip I'm getting lighter I haven't weighed it yet though. But I swear I'm trying!
The reality is that experience will bring you where Pavlin is. You start with too much, and reduce step by step until you only have the absolut vital stuff you really need.
Yeah, you can get carried away easily with camping gear. In my experience, if you keep cooking stuff and things like chairs at home you can quite easily keep it under 5KG and not much space needed. Depends of course on how you like to do it...
It's easy to load lite when you're not camping or cooking, here in the USA meals cost around $15 per, hotels average around $100 a night, it pays to bring it with you.....
agreed, depending on the trip sometimes packing light cramps your style or limits your trip. I did a three month trip in the USA, Canada, Alaska and it was expensive for me, especially coming from New Zealand, so I camped a lot and cooked as much as I could. One of my best nights was at a remote beach on Vancouver Island. Watching hummingbirds as I cooked breakfast I wouldn't have traded for the world. I also found the temperature and altitude varied a lot so sometimes I was wearing four layers on my jacket and other times the layers were in my bags. it was so cold in Wyoming that I had to wear a hat and down jacket to bed. the bugs were unbelievable in the Arctic so I had a headnet, bug repellent and thermacell (as well as bear spray).
@advridertim. Gotta agree with you, mate. Western Europe hotel accommodation isn't cheap. Restaurants aren't either. And I don't much like hotels anyway. Means you have to get to that evenings booked hotel too which kinda takes freedom from you. Sure if you just want to blast from A to B, stay in a prebooked hotel, eat in a restaurant, then yes, you can get away with carrying bugger all. But for a lot of us that's something we can't afford to do and don't particularly want to either. I travel, I'm self sufficient, comfortable and that's how I like it😉
A fella could live on the bike with a rig like that. Too much stuff is an anchor; light and fast is freedom. All I add is a waterproof bivvy sack (and in some seasons and climates, a hammock and tarp) and a pony saddle blanket.
Even essential gear is too much. But one needs to be totally self sufficient on two wheels. It's marginal way of travel. I have one bag woth everything I need to do cross countries. And a tank bag for camera gear and meds. My clothes are on my back. Wool socks and wool shirts. All in one. A few tools and spares carried low. It's still too much but at some point necessary. Chao
I always try to travel light. My rides can be long but I always have a ending destination point that I will visit for a week to two weeks. I will box up and mail extra cloths to the destination point. What I can't do without is 2 - 1 gallon gas Rotopax. The gas tank on my Harley Davidson fat Bob FXFBS is only 3.6 gallons. Finally, I always have a rain suit.
Where I live it’s often 800 to 1000 km to the next town, and when you arrive you are tired and it’s often late. Washing clothes just seems too much. Early rise next day makes it difficult to get dry clothes, though maybe it’s just that my T-shirts are not synthetic enough (UnderArmour?). Underwear…3 just doesn’t seem enough, or maybe my days (in 41 Celsius btw) are too long.
You seem like an Aussie ... I am 4 months into an overland trip via Asia to Europe/ UK. I use UnderArmor tee shirts x 2 and 3 x Icebreaker merino underpants ... Kuhl light long.pants and shorts ... also UnderArmor fishing shirt ... basically all crinkle free , drys fast ... take 5mins to put dirty clothes into a light dry bag and soak with soap or similar then rinse, wring and hang.
@@sritter how many hours are you riding each day, as a matter of interest? I have some new underarmour shirts now, the vented kind, but previously I had their stretchy ones, which definitely don’t dry quickly. I need to get a dry bag though.
@RabidWombatz usually we are on bikes by 9am and finish late 5-6pm. At the moment I am doing shorter days. Those tee shirts I have are "Men's UA Streaker Run Short Sleeve" and dry fairly quickly
Clothes are not important for the weight as often mentioned here, but the tools in general and spare tubes to repair a flat tire for example. And I do not know where I could save much weight there.
Im using enduristan blizzard 24L bags 12+12 i have tools and spare tube and tire kit with 2L gas can and a bag of flashlight/straps and misc. stuff. Total 8kg with the bags.
Thanks brother from India, watching your video after a long time. In our india the stupid Motoblogger carry a very heavy load on motorcycle. I totally agree with you as I experienced it.
you can even go lighter if you take two sets of clothes, and buy along the way when you need them,, ,me I am struggling with sorting gear for a super long trip, thru multiple countries and climates, clothes and sleeping and cooking gear, plus tools,,I will have to have afew test runs
Lighter the better for sure. But I for one have to carry stuff. There's no way I can afford a hotel or hostel and restaurant meal every day on a trip. I've no idea about accommodation prices in the States but Western Europe accommodation prices are bloody expensive. And so are restaurants. Yes if you're only going to ride from A to B, eat in restaurants, sleep in hotels you can get away with carrying bugger all weight. Not too many of us can afford that though. But I'll say it again, yes travel as light as your pocket will allow
While traveling the old rule was one to wear, one to wash and one to dry. You can live on the road continuously following that.
I've done this on countless occasions
What a simple way to put it! 😎🥃
Perfect👌🏻 i fully agree and endorse this policy
I prefer lots of underware & socks. Takes no space at all ;)
Quick dry synthetic garments. Then you only need one to wear and one spare. Of course you have to be able to afford high end compact camping gear if you want to stay light.
This is a confirmation of my philosophy of the last 30 years of the Sahara journey. With just 15 kg of equipment, I rode in the Sahara, countless single-track trails and desert piste never exceeded 170 kg of total equipment weight, motorcycle, fuel and water. I know exactly what you're saying, Three is always enough.
I listen and have reduced my luggage as per your recommendations. And the truth is that even with 3 sets, one is for a rainy day. 2 are enough. And if you do need something, you can find most things on the road.
It is a metaphor for life. The Buddhists say this about possessions. Less is more. We can go further when we do with less!
Yes, but dont listen to it if a Leftist/Communist tells you this 🙂
🙏
Yeah. Your advice holds a lot of truth. But it is extremely difficult to go as light as you go.
When you are spending every night in a hotel or hostel or anything like that. Yes you can go as light as you do.
But a lot of us are traveling the way as i do. I do not go to hotels. Way to expensive for me. Even when going as minimal as i can i still am around 25 kg in total. I need the hammock, the sleepingbag, the tarp, the burner, one liter gasoline, three shirts, socks, underware, short pants, very light jacket, some tools, tire repair plug, mini compressor, 3 ltr hydro bag , small headlight, insta360 RS , some stuff for it , powerbank small and one a bit larger , the phone , ereader for the evening , a 3 ltr foldable waterbladder. When in a 40 degrees Celsius surrounding your drinkingwater goes very quickly. And you need something in the evening when preparing some food.
I travel with softluggage because of safety while crashing. And that it can be tightened when carrying less. Also do not like the flopping around of all your stuff in a hard pannier when away from the tarmac.
But really, for a lot of us it is not possible to spend around 50.00 Euro's per night. Most of the time that is way more. While traveling in Europe.
It also forces you to go to bigger cities. Something i do not like. So now and then when you want to go there if you want to visit certain things.
But indeed, every kg not carried is a plus when offroad.
I agree with your observation and same for me. Sure, I could reduce my kit to 1 change of clothes and a paperback book and just rely on hotels, restaurants and tow trucks. It will also be incredibly expensive and frankly pretty boring to me. My setup is 30 lbs each side and 20 lbs on top. Still far less than just having a passenger on a bike. I can camp infinitely with full power (60w solar, Sherpa battery), water filtration. Or I take a break now and then and have a couple nights in a hotel. Most importantly the Africa Twin handles very well on sketchy terrain with that much gear and in fact rides wonderfully touring. Finally, if I spend the day on difficult trails, just drop the bags at camp or hotel and now you have a naked bike. Lone Rider panniers unlock and drop off in about 60 seconds. Not hard. That said, I agree, only bring what you truly will use and enjoy but definitely there's an appropriate amount of reduction for each of us and for some it's way more gear than this video.
@@Winter-zv1dv
Hi,
You took the words out of my mind. That is also as i am doing that. Two or three nights camping. Wildcamping if that is possible. Not if it is legal. Do not care about that. This planet is from everyone of us. My wallet is sometimes empty because of shitty absurd taxes that you can not escape.
The third or fourth day enjoying atleast 15 minutes hot shower.
Sometimes indeed throwing the gear in the tent or i ask at a desk that they can look after my two bags. When somewhere that i think it will be stolen out of the tent. Or when i am with the hammock.
I also expereince it as boring to constantly be sleeping in a hotel. Sometimes that even takes much more of my energy then to hang the hammock between two trees. Having the bike and gear right next to me. Making a tiny and sober meal. But i still enjoy that sober meal.
Do a little research in the direct neighberhood. Going to the edge of the lake and so on.
Ik have a big tent. That solo thing from Redverz. Sometimes i find it to be to do wildcamping. But when i stay somewhere for several days it is ideal. And i know, it is to much weight. And from time to time that weight is bothering me. But that amount of gear is essential to me. Could not do it with less.
Something that i still am trying to learn is to compartimentlise the gear. It is so gruesome when you have to take several things out when one is in the left bag and one is in the right bag. At the bottom. 😪
Sometimes i think that it is best to give up with that. It is what it is.
I also do carry a waterfilter. Msr Guardian. I find it the best filter out there. It only has no carbon filter so the taste is sometime a bit bad.😇
Maybe should buy a little Sawer filter strickly for drinking. After i used the Guardian first. Or maybe a seperate carbon filter. If that exist. As tiny as possible.
When you taste the rotten leaves and so on that is not ok. I carry for ten years a filter so i do not have to scout for several liters of water and needing to carry it on the bike. 6 liter is heavy on top. Also the filter is big and bulky but i do not trust those tiny ones used when someone is hiking. Drinking bad water can be extremely dangerous.
And i really do not like to carry such a hydra bag on my back. It restrics my movement. And after a while i am starting to feel it. Although such a bag is blessing when you are riding in a hot climate. No doubt about that.
Thinking about making a longer hose so the hydra bag with 3 liters at the start. That the weight can be more on the bike then onto my back. Also tried it to put it in the tankbag. But that also does not work for me.
oh i loved when you say "if you on a short trip, like 10.000 km...."
hahahaha legend
love your videos
There is a youtube channel owned by hungarian guy, Bezsnei Andor. He travelled for like 2 years or so around the world on his bike. He had 3 hard cases, and other stuff as well on an old Africa Twin 750. When he dropped the bike offroad, it took him like 30 minutes to pick it up because he had to remove all the luggage first and then put it back on. Keep on mind he was in his mid 20s, really fit, ex military guy. Still couldn't pick up the bike with the luggage.
Hi Pavlin. After watching your videos about this topic several times i did order the same bag from 21 Brothers. Super happy with it, and packing lighter and lighter for every trip. Greetings from Norway👍
is it the Rogal 30L?
I know I could live out a 35L bag with space to spare (this would not inc. tent and sleeping bag). When I went on my first backpacking trip I took everything inc. the kitchen sink and bath tub but after 7 days it was all sent back home and new smaller backpack bought 35L
Pavlin, I absolutely agree with your philosophy. I am using also since 3 years the 21brothers u-shaped bag and am very happy with it. 3 sets of underwear and shirts is absolutely enough: wear one wash one dry one.
Absolutely, if you invest in proper functional clothing that also looks nice when you‘re strolling down a street, you‘ve reached peak joy with minimal luggage.
Браво за Видеото....Много ти благодаря за целият труд който хвърляш за Нас!
Now I have just retired, passed my test Jan 2023. Now heading to Spain and Morocco in January 2024 . My first trip on a motorbike ( Yamaha super Tenere ) I bought the bike with all the aluminium panniers. Now they are coming off!! So at least one new biker is listening. Your vids have been so helpful, real life experience past on. Cheers from the Scottish Highlands. Rod.
Have fun!
Great advice as usual Pavlin. Safe journey.
Yes.This so true & when we take stuff that is not used it can get in the way of finding what we want.
I use the Reckless 40 from Mosko (so you are limited from the beginning which is good!) now for 2 years and i also learnt after 3 Trips, that i can always reduce something. Priority was, that i can lift the Bike with the luggage on it (KTM 890 ADV). After this years trip to Poland, i again had one pair of socks, one shirt and a small towel that i never used. So its a constant process of getting better and lighter - the Trip becomes more comfortable and easier. And if you move around Europe, you can buy any stuff anywhere in case of emergency.
Great Learning Curve from Pavlin as always 🙂
Exactly...."you can buy stuff anywhere"...👍👌
We're working on travelling lighter, but while watching this video I felt that you might be leaving a bit out. Could you do a video or post the actual full list of what you carry?
Toiletries, rain gear, spares and parts, knife, saw (maybe), toilet paper, food?, water, first aid kit, engine oil, chain lube, travel towel, disc lock, maps, etc ...
You have a tent, so do you also have a sleeping bag, ground sheet, sleeping pad, stove, etc? Cooking utensils?
Actual weight of the luggage without contents?
All of that stuff when added to a very similar clothing selection takes us well over 15kg.
I have such a video already. Chech old videos.
I use 2 t shirts, socks, boxer briefs. Two words...merino wool. No stink after long use.
I agree, but a sleeping bag and emergency shelter are a must for the places I ride. Also, emergency food and water.
Hello Pavlin, Many thanks for explaining again about weight. Just back from 15 days in (some of) the Balkans, with a 12kg QBag and 4kg tank bag. More than enough for my BMW F650GS. Cheers!
Hey! What model from QBag do you use? I also have an F650 GS and planning to switch to U Shape bag. Currently using Lomo soft side bags on metal rack mounts
Thank you for the great information. Well done Pavlin.
Summarizes my feelings and attitude towards 1200/1250 GS riders with their ridiculus display of expensive hard luggage “cosplaying” as adventure riders.
My mind knows that people travel for months carrying everything on their back, (there are thousands of miles of hiking trails in the USA. Some have done the three longest trails that amount to around 7,700miles, (12,000 Km) The achievement is called the Triple Crown. (if you wish to search it on the internet). They stock up with local resources along their path. Their gear is expensive as it needs to be light. On a motorcycle it is not as important. If the tent weighs twice as much, it is still pretty light.
The conflicting part of my mind says, but I might need this and that. Some things are necessary like tools, parts, protective clothing. When growing up I was in a camping club for boys. the motto was be prepared. I think I carry this to an extreme.
Impressively light packing. I hope your trip is going well!
Thanx Pavlin!!! Weight matters, espacially at the end of the bike or piled in the height. I learned it the hard way: A BMW 1150 GS Adv. (I followed the advertising to need an adv bike for adv trips... stupid), Touratech hard panniers, a backpack role behind me. Alone the hard panniers were 11kg, empty! When I went down in southern France, 3 people were needed to get it upright. I sold my BMW, have a XT660Z Tenere now, soft luggage system and a tank bag. Done. Now I.m 70kg lighter than before. That's it, works funtastic! ✌
Thanks for sharing!
I am listening my friend I have now the same language like you 😊
Wise words, thank you. Fight light as we would say in the army...
Excellent,,keep traveling safe,thanks
So true! I hope you are having an amazing time on your trip!
I have always wondered about the clothing . Simple selution you gave us thanks.
I travel with a heavy load. Its the price I pay for MY ride. Yes, light is good. But I made a clear decision. I will ride with a guitar.. I will have a recording system with me. I will film. And I'll have a computer with me. What REALLY counts is to get out there and ride. In the last 7 weeks I have been to three oceans. Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic. So advise away...but riders, ride your ride.
Agree, the trick is to wash your clothes every day. Once I got used to it, everything was better and so light, i was able to get rid of my side panniers plus rack, I removed about 20 kg from the bike and saved a lot of money too. Now for my new bikes, I don't need to buy side luggage. I travel with a mosko 40l duffel, tank bag and a hip pack for wallet and important things. Most of the weight I carry are tools and spare tubes when I go offroad.
Thank you Pavlin, I am going to plan my very first motorcycle trip abroad.
Don't understand why you don't convert to tubeless sealing kit. THAT would save you a lot of weight; no tire levers, no inner tubes...
True said
So true what you say. Your saddlebag style also seems to be super easy and stable on the bike. I'm currently using a top roll bag and soft bags from Enduristan on T7 but it all flaps around and is a hassle to mount. Maybe sooner or later I will also get a U-bag like this to have it even more simple
This reminds me of many years back when I was in the Navy and had to leave ship with all my civilian clothes to do laundry. I took my trousers and tied the bottom legs into a knot. Then stuffed the laundry into this. I would put it on my shoulders like I was giving a child a ride with one leg going down each side of the front of my chest.
I may go to a second hand store and get the largest pair of trousers that I can find, and sew the legs shut. Then figure on what loops I need to sew on to fasten it in place to the Motorcycle. This cheap fix would help me figure out what size bags I need to buy in the future.
I looked at the Enduristan stuff and learned, that it.s wobbling around, has no stability in its own and crazy to fit on the bike. I took Tourateck Discovery and I'm fine with it (2x25L volume), that's it. ✌
In our country, many of us will choose to install three oversized alloy storage boxes in the rear due to the false propaganda of motorcycle dealers, and often drive at 195KM/h. This has resulted in many fatal traffic accidents.
Lighter is righter.
Safe, happy travels 👍
Excellent video ! As usual. Very very important to travel light
I use a similar amount of gear. I mostly camp so my "house and bed" add about 8 lbs. You are so correct on the need to watch the weight. Thanks
Actually this sounds realy good to me. Having less of everything... Yeah, engine cc included. I own 125cc Honda, and have no idea why someone needs 1000cc motorcycle.
The funny thing is with aftermarket hard boxes is that you cannot load them endlessly. If I use mine correctly as I exlusively use paved roads, it is 5 kgs per side box and 3 kgs in the top box. That's it. So it is also not adviseable to take the kitchen sink with you with this setup. You can transport more air, but net you also have to choose and leave the "just in case items" at home.
Also, you do not need to take tons of clothes with you IMO. I think it is usually possible to wash clothes during a trip.
Liked the video, I will try and apply what you have said to my trips here.
In Canada, the weather can change pretty dramatically so that is a consideration that can add weight. My full Klim gear, with boots and helmet is about 7 kg. Even though fully waterproof, if I know I will be in a downpour I throw on over gear (Frogg Toggs) to stay drier and try to ride into less rain to set up my tent. I do not like my riding gear to be wet inside my tent. I also try and minimize restaurants and hotels so rely on my camping gear, which I did not notice you mention food, water, or cook stove.
So as I try and reduce weight, I also take the following into consideration for every trip: is this a riding trip where the camping is a necessity or is this a camping trip with the motorcycle and accessories (ex. lightweight chair,…) for comfort and enjoyment. I go on both types of trips that could be two to fourteen days. I bring an axe most of the time for camping which can also be used to remove deadfall and logs (but honestly, that has never happened).
Glad to help!
I agree that weight plays a role. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
I use a top hard mainly plastic box (empty 6 kg) where I leave the maintenance parts in it and a small backpack + soft sport bag for my clothes behind me next to the top box. I just need a more secure bag when I move around the towns during my ride. I know it is not ideal but I haven’t found a better way. By the way, the top box can hold the temperature very well if you have some food 😋
A tip: people don’t need to listen all then time. They should follow what it fits them in optimal way.
You are right Pavlin Have a good trip👍
Great video. Nice rig. All true. Hope it’s a good trip, Pavel.
Part of the fun is the challenge of being as minimalist as possible.
Those are all great tips, unfortunately you have never been on a motorcycle trip with my wife 😂
You are completely right and this is why my T7 is going and I've ordered a Honda crf300 rally, in my opinion it will do everything the T7 will do but better on half the fuel and just as reliable 👍🏼
the CRF will go places the T7 cannot...and it will simply BLAST over stuff the T7 would be at a Crawl or slower speed....trust me, there's a BIG difference between those 2 bikes!....anyone that says otherwise is flat out full of shit! The CRF is going to feel like a Feather, like a proper dirt bike....zero fear of Dropping too....300lbs is nothing to pick up.
@@94SexyStang you are completely right, raced Enduro most of my life so not bad off road, had the T7 18 months and in my opinion it's a road bike, borrowed my mate's new 300 rally and it's fantastic 👍🏼
Having owned both I can say that the 300 with an upgraded suspension will do 90% of what the T7 can do...but it sucks on the highway. RPM = MPH. 7000 = 70 mph and do on. It'll do it, but it's fatiguing for the rider and the bike. My wife still has her 300 and our fuel consumption is very similar. I'm in the high 50 mpg range, she's mid 60s, probably due to the higher rpms.
@@LongPondNH yep totally understand, I'm happy at 65mph and don't like the highway much on any bike, it's always a compromise but I found the 300 so much easier everywhere.
Don't sell your T7 yet, you will regret it in my opinion if you do any amount of road riding. (unless you have another bike)
The CRF is way too slow for highways and will be a huge pain in the ass if you have to cover long distances on the road. I rode the 250 briefly, on the road it's as exciting as watching grass grow.
I agree it will be easier to handle offroad but that's it. T7 is so much more versatile as an all around bike including everyday road riding. Can ride mine 500KM on the highway and hit the dirt roads after. On the CRF I wouldn't even want to ride for more than 100KM...
I was listening 🤙. Thank you
Спасибо. Очень Разумные мысли. Удачи!
Very true… as always !
Thank you 😊
Really enjoying your advice on the channel. I am planning my first road trip on my 2014 KTM Duke 390. People are saying its not a good bike to use, but this is the only bike I own. I am looking for some advice on what soft pannier bag options will work on my bike. Keeping the load light but capacity enough for a tent sleeping bag etc.
I have the Givi Trekker Outback 37L panniers and a lone rider 30L top bag on a 1250GS.
Tour the US often and have been thinking about getting rid of the panniers.
They are so convenient but so heavy.
Maybe I'll look at the Mosko Reckless system.
Best video of my week.
You explained it well. I agree
Super great advice :)
Excellent recommendations as always... big fan of yours from Pakistan... I continue to share your experiences with other novice bikers like myself! keep it up dear
thank you
Absolutely true - the secret is in optimizing our luggage. We always carry a bunch of extra things...
great advice - it's always been my mantra since touring on my (push)bike since the 70's when you have to pedal everything up hill and down dale. I once toured europe and north africa ending up in israel using just one saddlebag and did fine. i can't believe how much stuff people take on motorbike tours, i recently did 1500 miles in a week with just a qbag tailbag 4, and had i needed could have gone months easy. my rule is never to take anything 'just in case', i take stuff like thin shoes, usually shorts instead of jeans, wash clothes regularly, and use hostels, backpackers or pensions on a night instead of camping, it gives you satisfaction being minimalist lol. GL
Superb and informative video. Perfect advice. Travel Light Luggage wise and Stomach wise. Best wishes.
Thankyou.
How much is the saddlebag and the tankbag without any gear inside !?
Hi Pavlin, Thanks for your great work and the transmission of your knowledge to the riders with less experience !
May I ask you the type and the trade mark of your luggage?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
I wish you a safe journey in this great country!
It is a Polish brand named 21 Brothers. I have banner on my website. Link in the description.
Its definitely me I am short and my bike is heavy the only option I have is to go to Lith but it is nothing new for me.
This video came had a good time for me I'm two days I'm leaving for about it 3000 mile trip with a lot of camping. You did a great job of doing this in one take I couldn't even tell! No joke I take up to 130 lb have camping gear with me on my KTM 1190 Adventure r. I swear I look for ways to lighten the load and this trip I'm getting lighter I haven't weighed it yet though. But I swear I'm trying!
The reality is that experience will bring you where Pavlin is. You start with too much, and reduce step by step until you only have the absolut vital stuff you really need.
Yeah, you can get carried away easily with camping gear. In my experience, if you keep cooking stuff and things like chairs at home you can quite easily keep it under 5KG and not much space needed. Depends of course on how you like to do it...
Do you care to balance the weight on seperate sides? Doesn't it affect the ride, if the bags are not balanced?
It's easy to load lite when you're not camping or cooking, here in the USA meals cost around $15 per, hotels average around $100 a night, it pays to bring it with you.....
There are much cheaper options, if you only take time to find it.
agreed, depending on the trip sometimes packing light cramps your style or limits your trip. I did a three month trip in the USA, Canada, Alaska and it was expensive for me, especially coming from New Zealand, so I camped a lot and cooked as much as I could. One of my best nights was at a remote beach on Vancouver Island. Watching hummingbirds as I cooked breakfast I wouldn't have traded for the world. I also found the temperature and altitude varied a lot so sometimes I was wearing four layers on my jacket and other times the layers were in my bags. it was so cold in Wyoming that I had to wear a hat and down jacket to bed. the bugs were unbelievable in the Arctic so I had a headnet, bug repellent and thermacell (as well as bear spray).
@advridertim. Gotta agree with you, mate. Western Europe hotel accommodation isn't cheap. Restaurants aren't either. And I don't much like hotels anyway. Means you have to get to that evenings booked hotel too which kinda takes freedom from you. Sure if you just want to blast from A to B, stay in a prebooked hotel, eat in a restaurant, then yes, you can get away with carrying bugger all. But for a lot of us that's something we can't afford to do and don't particularly want to either. I travel, I'm self sufficient, comfortable and that's how I like it😉
Pavlin, you push so hard on the light weight that I will probably start the next trip with no luggage. Just bike and my wallet.
If your wallet is fat enough, you don't even need to own bike 😉
@@lyubengeorgiev1751 Ha ha, right!
A fella could live on the bike with a rig like that. Too much stuff is an anchor; light and fast is freedom. All I add is a waterproof bivvy sack (and in some seasons and climates, a hammock and tarp) and a pony saddle blanket.
Even essential gear is too much. But one needs to be totally self sufficient on two wheels. It's marginal way of travel. I have one bag woth everything I need to do cross countries. And a tank bag for camera gear and meds. My clothes are on my back. Wool socks and wool shirts. All in one. A few tools and spares carried low. It's still too much but at some point necessary. Chao
I always try to travel light. My rides can be long but I always have a ending destination point that I will visit for a week to two weeks. I will box up and mail extra cloths to the destination point.
What I can't do without is 2 - 1 gallon gas Rotopax. The gas tank on my Harley Davidson fat Bob FXFBS is only 3.6 gallons.
Finally, I always have a rain suit.
Whats the tank bag u use ?
Don't worry be happy...just do it your way...😊
Thank you for the video. Can I ask, why do you carry a tent and no mat and sleeping bag?
I have mat. If necessary I will sleep in my clothes
Where I live it’s often 800 to 1000 km to the next town, and when you arrive you are tired and it’s often late. Washing clothes just seems too much. Early rise next day makes it difficult to get dry clothes, though maybe it’s just that my T-shirts are not synthetic enough (UnderArmour?). Underwear…3 just doesn’t seem enough, or maybe my days (in 41 Celsius btw) are too long.
You seem like an Aussie ... I am 4 months into an overland trip via Asia to Europe/ UK. I use UnderArmor tee shirts x 2 and 3 x Icebreaker merino underpants ... Kuhl light long.pants and shorts ... also UnderArmor fishing shirt ... basically all crinkle free , drys fast ... take 5mins to put dirty clothes into a light dry bag and soak with soap or similar then rinse, wring and hang.
@@sritter how many hours are you riding each day, as a matter of interest? I have some new underarmour shirts now, the vented kind, but previously I had their stretchy ones, which definitely don’t dry quickly.
I need to get a dry bag though.
@RabidWombatz usually we are on bikes by 9am and finish late 5-6pm. At the moment I am doing shorter days. Those tee shirts I have are "Men's UA Streaker Run Short Sleeve" and dry fairly quickly
@@sritter cheers! I’d better get some.
hello, I can't find the exact same pants you are wearing in video about revit offtrack2. The domiator 2 gtx looks different. Can you link the product?
Great video. What brand and model is your saddlebag?
21 Brothers
@@motorcycleadventures Thank you so much
Clothes are not important for the weight as often mentioned here, but the tools in general and spare tubes to repair a flat tire for example. And I do not know where I could save much weight there.
Im using enduristan blizzard 24L bags 12+12 i have tools and spare tube and tire kit with 2L gas can and a bag of flashlight/straps and misc. stuff. Total 8kg with the bags.
Thanks brother from India, watching your video after a long time.
In our india the stupid Motoblogger carry a very heavy load on motorcycle.
I totally agree with you as I experienced it.
Pavlin, question: you carry a tent but no sleeping bag and mattress?
To actually enjoy and to be able to embrace the ride 😢
Yeah true true
agreed!
you can even go lighter if you take two sets of clothes, and buy along the way when you need them,, ,me I am struggling with sorting gear for a super long trip, thru multiple countries and climates, clothes and sleeping and cooking gear, plus tools,,I will have to have afew test runs
Correct
Weight is a Big deal off-road...you will notice the suspension difference. Not a stupid dirt road, but REAL off-roading.
Light is right!!!
Are you satisfied with the Offtrack 2 jacket and is it better than the Sand 4?
It is great option
Did you take off the crash protection bars only as a weight saving or was there another reason?
I never liked them and they were heavy
Fair enough. Plus security: less to carry into hotel/ motel/van park room whilst leaving bike unattended. Travel light and breath!
Lighter the better for sure. But I for one have to carry stuff. There's no way I can afford a hotel or hostel and restaurant meal every day on a trip. I've no idea about accommodation prices in the States but Western Europe accommodation prices are bloody expensive. And so are restaurants. Yes if you're only going to ride from A to B, eat in restaurants, sleep in hotels you can get away with carrying bugger all weight. Not too many of us can afford that though. But I'll say it again, yes travel as light as your pocket will allow
😊 where is the link to your bag that you're using
In my website. In the description
Hi brother. Need help with the modification of the seat you have. Any tips for more comfort seat to a t7 rally owner?
3D mesh
Thanks for the good advice. I wanna do my first motorbiketrip soon. I wanna travel very light. How much liters is your bag. I wanna order from 21.
50l
@@motorcycleadventures Thanks
Hy Pavlin, where you put your raining gear?
I have only jacket that stays in my jacket rear pocket. The pants are goretex
U r right.. ❤❤❤❤
Where your crash bars? As I understood from your previous video you installed then to protect radiator if you crash. Why you removed them?
I never like them
Keeep up the good work. Поздрави:)
Exactly. May as well buy a car! All that stuff quite simply throws off my proprioception. It gets between me becoming one with the bike.
il f….ing dis the mistake and went to the hospital as I was not able psysucaly to put back up my gs ! never again heavy !