Well if you've only got roll bags, take a large plastic lunchbox. It's firm enough not to crush your food and soft enough not to do any damage to your bags.

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I came here to say this, learned it in primary school

"Well if you've only got roll bags". The whole point of the thread was for some ideas about getting away from them!
Anyway thanks for the input chaps, why didn't I think of that.

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Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:

Here's a couple of things I've tried...



This small coolbox has been great, it's only 9"x7"x7" and fits perfectly inside my topbox. The only problem is it's not waterproof so has to be sitting upright.



This food thermos is pretty good too and is fully sealled so doesn't have to be upright. It comes with 3 stainless dishes with sealable lids designed to carry hot or cold food around. It works, to a point. I don't like the taste of stuff that's been in it for hours though. It's great at keeping ice creams cold though and I like to use it on day trips. Pick an ice cream up at the petrol station and then ride out into the middle of no-where before stopping to eat it. People passing then spend the next 10 minutes looking for the shop!

The problem with both of these is the space they take up. On my last big trip I just used a plastic click-top container for my food. However, I ended up with food poisoning for 5 days after eating some dodgy salami I had in there for a couple of days. Not a nice thing to experience. I'll be a bit more careful next time. The coolbox does a good job of keeping your stuff cool even in hot temps if it's inside your topbox. That's without freezer blocks. With them it's as good as having an onboard fridge. It's relatively easy to freeze them overnight on a campsite but I don't usually bother with them. Maybe, after my latest experience I'll start using them!

If you're looking for extra room to stow your daily food consider tank panniers. The ones on my Serow are gasmask bags!



Or you could splash out on one of these...

mm I think taking the toaster its a bit much!
any fool can be uncomfey Hehe

no serious as Ted says keep food buy en-route already cooked yes chance of trotts but it will clear a few days, I take T Coffee (lidal do them in sachets already with milk & sugar or just sugar.

If like ted camping or can see i am goingto be coving a distance with out any shops I take things that can be cooked on my stove (coleman) & not use too much water,
I know some use Army Rations, but not for me tins of beans, that type of thing is ideal.
any frut purchased i get some under ripe others ready to eat just have them in my panner wrapped up in jumper!
hay apple a day and all that

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We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

The Champagne and Fois Gras goes in the fridge which goes in the dry compartment of the sidecar, as does the chicken. The chillies and onions go inside the dutch over which goes in there too. The wood/charcoal/gas for the stove goes in the locker with the stove. The Chateaux Neuf du Pape is best kept in the wet compartment as the tent etc. stops it getting too shook up. I do have tupperware boxes for the cous cous , salt, pepper, tea, green tea, hot chocoate.......

Hope all you solo riders enjoy your pot noodle and cafe a la NATO



Andy

It would help if you told us your current luggage set up :confused1:

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Cheap plastic food containers with sealable lids .Put them inside a flexible plastic six pack cooler with a small bag of ice .All of this goes inside the top box and wrapped in a towel or clothing for added insulation .

If one was running a sidecar outfit ,one would probably have a fridge too .
[and one would have take along a servant to prepare the meals,polish one's boots , maintain the motorcycle,ask directions etc etc . ]

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Yes, unique ideas, Dod, and worth thinking about for a bit; but are you absolutely sure that a topbox is the right idea for an overlanding bike? Can I suggest that all that weight up high, and to the rear - many would find that so very clumsy, with all the weight in exactly the wrong place. And where would you put your rollbag if your topbox was there? To say nothing of the unusual look, and the rattling, shaking and banging of all the contents. And, I must say, what about this ice supply, which would not be easy to find in Africa or the 'Stans or anywhere, for example. Maybe a cocktail shaker rather than a topbox might be the thing, but I remain to be convinced. Please come back on this one? I'm open to persuasion.

Maybe it's just me, and your idea is actually OK.

Don't forget the gramophone!

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

If it wasnt for the black and white, I'd of sworn that was taken at Ripley !!

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted, our current set up
So we have room for a small shallow topbox type affair or something for the pannier lids but both bikes will have 25 ltr boxes next time. (the XCH has 31 ltr at the mo)

Cheers
Pete

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Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:

I just place stuff in small empty spaces around the bike. Two things which I have found help a lot:

1) Buy tortillas instead of bread. Not damaged by being crushed or folded. Any other "dense" bread works almost as well.

2) Carry a small container just barely big enough to carry a piece of fruit. I use my cup for this purpose as it is just big enough for a large apple, peach, pear, etc. A short-term alternative on the road is a small paper cup from a fast food restaurant. Prevents the worst of the damage.

Everything else can normally be placed anywhere and I don't care much if it gets crushed a bit.

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)