It's amazing how much you can actually fit on a bike. But it is also amazing how quickly you can overload your bike.
We have all seen the pictures of heavyweight class adventure bikes that are the equivalents to the buggy in the opening credits of Beverly Hill Billies. For us, it was about the essentials and weeding out the unnecessary items (Marisa's hair curling iron, my 7" wireless bluetooth speaker).
We have all seen the pictures of heavyweight class adventure bikes that are the equivalents to the buggy in the opening credits of Beverly Hill Billies. For us, it was about the essentials and weeding out the unnecessary items (Marisa's hair curling iron, my 7" wireless bluetooth speaker).
We had refined the list of luggage down to what we believed to be only essential items, but now seven months into the trip, we have reduced our gear dramatically. Still, I am sure that the professionals will shake their heads in disbelief, but sometimes it takes firsthand experience to learn the lessons that have been preached by the Elders of Adventure.
The following is a list of the things we brought with us and why. We will continue to update this list periodically to explain what worked and what didn’t. We have not received any discounts or free merchandise for promotional purposes, nor are we paid by or affiliated with any company. We purchased these items with our own money, and due to that fact, better-quality and more expensive items may exist out there. These are simply our honest, unfiltered opinions on what we decided to bring on our trip.
The following is a list of the things we brought with us and why. We will continue to update this list periodically to explain what worked and what didn’t. We have not received any discounts or free merchandise for promotional purposes, nor are we paid by or affiliated with any company. We purchased these items with our own money, and due to that fact, better-quality and more expensive items may exist out there. These are simply our honest, unfiltered opinions on what we decided to bring on our trip.
The KTM and Enhancements
- Rumbux crash bars and skid plate (A+) I love this set up, and admire the abuse it can take.
- Barkbuster hand guards (A+) Haven't snapped off yet. I purchased the model that has the aluminum bar.
- Homemade Sissy bar and rear rack (A+) The combination of a garage hose hanger, and a BBQ grill thingamajigger morphed into an awesome custom rack.
- Powercell pod air intakes (A+) Critical upgrade. They work amazingly!
- Auxbeam 4" auxiliary lights with lens covers (A+) - a cheap ($20) set from Amazon, have not failed me yet over 7 months through rain and hail.
- Double Take Collapsable mirrors (A+) When the bike goes down, the mirrors just fold in on themselves as they mount to RAM mounts.
- Puig tall windshield (B-) the tall windshield makes me think I may decapitate myself if I fall forward while riding off-road. Hopefully it will be a nice clean cut under the chin of my helmet, severing my head without pain or discomfort. But, it is nice on the highways.
- KTM heated grips (D) If its 65 degrees, and you want it to be 67 degrees, they work awesome... for any real cold weather, they do absolutely nothing, even when cranked on high.
- TKC70 Rear, TKC80 Front tire (A+) Everyone has their favorite set up, this by far is the set up I will continue to run (when given the option). I rode from Utah to Costa Rica on the TKC80 in the front, over ten thousand miles. Just under that on the rear TKC70.
- AirHawk cushions for both seats (B-) I'm in a never ending quest to make my ass more comfortable... I have slightly customized the cover to allow me to stuff a scarf in the front to better support my... area that needs support...
- PDM power distribution module. (A+) I upgraded our electrical system with outlets all around the bike to plug in our heated gear (that we have since sent back home), charge our phones and GPS, etc.
- For more detailed information, see our page The Motorcycle and our About the Bike blog.
Troubleshooting and Tools
- An air compressor and patch kit for flat tires (tubeless).
- An extra battery pack to jump the bike.
- 2) 30 oz MSR gasoline canisters and a one Gallon Rotopax canister.
- Tons of tools placed all around the bike
- Again, if you're interested in our fixes, farkles, and upgrades, check out our page The Motorcycle and our blog section: About the Bike.
Storage
- Right, left, and top soft luggage cases by Mosko Moto (A+) I love these bags! When the bike falls, they act like airbags and are able to survive the fall relatively unharmed.
- We also purchased several Mosko Moto smaller MOLLE pouches. You can fit more tools, and an MSR water bladder in them.
- The Pelican hard case was left at home, but did make for a nice set-up for shorter trips.
- KTM tank bag. (C) We obviously love KTM, but the zipper on this broke so we would not recommend this particular bag. I fixed it with my amazing seamstress abilities!
- Random other storage bags placed around the bike to hold our tools, extra gasoline, water bottles, and other odds and ends.
Camping
- Nemo Losi 2P tent with the added garage and it has been amazing in combination with 2) Nemo Cosmo insulated 25L air pads. (A+)
- Enlightened Equipment Accomplice quilt. (A+) Definitely keeps us warm on cold nights. Marisa often states she loves this quilt more than me.
- MSR WhisperLite gasoline-fueled camping stove. (A) fuel is interchangeable between the stove and the bike. I brought two of the pumps for the MSR bottles, when one clogs, I have the spare and can clean the other one.
- Camping pots and pans, just one cup for our essential coffee and tea consumption, and some forks and knives
- Survivor Filter Pro water filter. (A+) We have used this a lot for questionable water sources while camping.
- Eno two-person hammock. (A+) This is a luxury item I know, but is it nice and has served us well on lazy days with beautiful surroundings.
- Two G4Free foldable camping chairs. (A+) Another luxury item, but you will never be able to convince me to leave them behind.
- Two Hydroflask water bottles along with an additional bladder and Camelback.
Personal Gear - Tim
- Fulmer modular helmet. (B) It is old, and it may be a half a size too big. But, it is comfortable even though I have had to make some on the road repairs to the mechanism that releases the modular portion. (I can hear you all screaming to get a new helmet)
- Sena bluetooth system. (A+) This is a big upgrade from our directly wired intercom system we used to have. A must have.
- Spidi H2Out motorcycle jacket (C) It does its job taking the brunt of the dirt, dust, grim, and rain. But, the original waterproof liner was not 100%, and the thermal layer attached weird. It does have nice basic shoulder and elbow protection but, we did scrap the thermal and waterproof layers for a down jacket and rain jacket with a hood that could be worn separately from the touring jacket. Both the down jacket and rain jacket are able to be worn under the touring jacket.
- Sedici motorcycle pants (C) Same as above... the waterproof zip in liner was a joke. It had a wide "V" where the material separated at the crotch, right in the spot where most of the water funnels while riding through a rain storm. We purchased heavy duty rain pants that we put on underneath when we see storms brewing.
- Ascend rain jacket and pants. (A+) Great replacements for the not-so-funtional waterproof sections of the touring jacket and pants.
- Mountain Hardwear down jacket. (A+) This is another part of our gear that Marisa may love more than me.
- Alpinestar Toucon motorcycle boots. (A+) Great protection, and can still hike around in them for short periods of time. We climbed some Mayan ruins in them, I don't suggest that. The soles lasted me around 3 years before I had them replaced in Nicaragua by a local... the new sole will most likely not last as long, but they do sell replacement soles online for dirt cheap.
- Every type of glove that was ever made I have bought, none of them are waterproof. I may have a problem.
Personal Gear - Marisa
|
|
- Ascend rain jacket and pants (A+)
- Mountain Hardwear down jacket (A+)
- BMW Allround waterproof boots (A+) Marisa was not really a fan of her old boots, so she purchased a pair of very expensive, but very comfortable boots that she has been able to hike in and wear daily in cold and wet weather.
Technology
- Kyocera waterproof phone (A+) A very detailed blog inspired us to make this incredible purchase. Check it out here. I use it as a GPS with downloaded Google Maps and OSM&. The combination of these two apps have gotten me wherever we have needed to go.
- Laptop, camera, chords, etc. etc. etc.
- 2000 Watt Universal World Travel Adapter and Converter
We will be updating this list and giving our feedback on these products. Any recommendations on what has worked for you, please leave your comments on our blog page or drop us a line.
