Thanks for your replies and tips. I have now ordered a 12v pump and am on the lookout for a tyre repair kit (any recommendations for something suitable for a BMW, I assume tubeless, with tyre pressure monitors please).

Will probably stay in hotels. I'm more of a tourer than an adventurer (i.e. I'm soft and keen for a hot shower and confortable bed at the end of the day).

I have a GPS, iPod (with plenty of music loaded) and HTC Desire (with UK Vodafone sim) but will also take my laptop so I can plan/download routes from Mapsource as I go. I usually travel with this and it also lets me save video files from my GoPro HD - much cheaper than keeping on SD cards.

Roaming charges on the mobile are way expensive to I plan to turn data off and rely on free wireless in hotels, bars, cafes as I go to stay connected. Can always connect and pay thru the nose if nothing else is available I suppose.

Finding accomodation can sometimes be a challenge as I will probably not book anything in advance. The Trip Advisor app I have found to be ok for finding places to stay but you cannot tell if motorcycle friendly and secure parking.

Any there any other iPhone or Android apps that are essential kit for motorcyclists?

You will have your Hi-tech stuff as momentos of your trip.

If you can divert your eyes and ears from all the gadgets, what about scenery, places and people?

A camera perhaps?

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Thanks for the tip Tony. I might try to look around also. The GoPro camera can also take stills - but I'm sure I will have plenty of hours of high quality video as a momento of the trip. My aim is to kit up so I can spend more time riding and doing those things you suggest. Good thing I just learned how to walk and chew gum at the same time!

I agree with Tony, the focus should be on the trip itself and your experiences, not 'stuff'. Bringing more gadgets with you is just increasing the hassle factor in that you have more things to worry about when you leave your bike unattended somewhere. Phones aren't essential as almost every town will have internet cafes with Skype etc.

Don't worry too much about researching all your accommodation in advance, part of the fun of travelling is not knowing where you are going to stay that night

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www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
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My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
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I would like to offer up a differing opinion.....I think a phone is essential and some type of computer, or combination of both.
I've tried the internet cafe thing and frankly, if your butt is in a crack, you need access now. Not when the cafe is open, or they can convert your currency , or they can understand wtf you're saying.
I've tried it both ways.....the self reliant part of having your own electronics gear is a real plus. I can think of MANY occasions that I WISH I had a mini-netbook or such. I carry a smartphone and a roll-up keyboard. (Think I want a mini netbook instead). The phone can even be a pay as you go job, but the netbook is just a necessary item in these modern times. Believe me, I am NOT a tech kind of guy either.

As long as the gear doesn't dominate your focus it's a blessing.

I don't agree that it is an unnecessary extravagance. I think you could be just as over the top about tubes and wrenches. ( I say this based upon the style of travel you say you enjoy.)

Just my .02 pennies...

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My gut feeling as Tmotten suggests is just to take a smart phone (or maybe an ipad) which can perform most of the functions of a netbook.
Having done it yourself Im wondering why you feel you need a netbook rather than or in addition to a smartphone. Im guessing people with lots of video etc and websites to maintain may need the netbook?
Any advice appreciated.

Cheers,

James

I've been on the road a month now traveling through Canada and Alaska. Here is my experience with technology I brought:

GPS: Very useful gadget, but I could just as easily live without it. The only time it has been at all important is navigating big cities, but I don't spend much time there.

Phone (not a smart phone): I have not turned it on since I left. If I continue to not use it through Central America I will probably give it away.

Netbook (Asus EEE 901): Used once a week (or so) for photo editing and writing blog entries. If a tablet could handle photo editing I would use that instead with a roll-up keyboard, but they cannot do this yet. The photo editing is important enough to me to keep the netbook around because I shoot all pictures in "RAW" mode on my camera. If not for the photo editing I would probably not bring a netbook at all and instead use internet cafes for blog writing and/or a tablet with roll-up keyboard.

Internet Tablet (Archos A43 using Android OS), pocket sized: It has wifi so I can check email when I have an internet connection. Copies of my photos to share with people. MP3 files for music and language lessons. Currency and unit conversion. Voice recorder for recording music I want to learn (I travel with a fiddle as well). But not capable of photo editing or writing blog entries. Better than a smart-phone because of battery life: 35 hours playing music, 12 browsing the web. If it were to fail, I would miss only the MP3 player, and that not much.

Amazon Kindle. I brought this along because I already owned it when I left. In addition to entertainment when sitting around, I have medical references, my bike manual, guide books and I can forward emails to it with reservations, travel information, etc. I'm not entirely certain I would bring it again (or replace it), but it has been useful.

Camera (Canon S95): Best bit of technology I brought along. I would find a way to go without any of the above, but a good camera I would miss a lot as I enjoy sharing photos of my travels and plan to make prints when I get back.

I have no regrets on the above choices so far. I am happy to not use any/all of the above as my mood suits so it does not get in the way of traveling (I have plenty of people annoyed that I have been up to two weeks behind on my blog). It does take up space, but the only one that gets annoying this way is the netbook, everything else fills in cracks in my packing.

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

Now we're getting somewhere. This is great.

Thanks for the camera recommendations. Was going to use the camera on my mobile and mostly rely on HD video from the GoPro camera (I take a few hours every day and download from the SD to disk every night using my laptop - quality is superb but very large files). Will think some more about getting a stills camera.

Apart from HU and Google Maps, what other websites are good resources when planning a trip or on the road?

The only upside of a netbook is the screen with keyboard, and the USB host capability to upload stuff to the GPS. But apparently with the new Montana this is sort of solved, and in reality you should have all the maps already uploaded as mentioned. An ipad is just a 10" phone with USB host, but no computer type software. No mapsource. There are sub 10" netbooks but you need all the charging equipment as well and it just adds up.

Personally I don't plan a trip in mapsource but just tap it in. In reality you can't really replace paper maps. Even on the road. But everyone is different.

Less is more.

I've never had any electronics completely fail on me but I look after it quite well.

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Hi,

>> for a BMW

First thing: get a travel bike wich can be repaired in less developed countrys as well. Even the team of charley borman could not repair there computer GS on there long way round...

>> ordered a 12v pump

Rather take a smaller bicycle pump and a adapter. You will not need it much and the electric ones are to big.

>> and am on the lookout for a tyre repair kit


If you dont own one and dont know how to use it its not worth taking it. If you need to pay someone to to the job for you anyway he will have his own stuff...


>> Will probably stay in hotels. I'm more of a tourer than an adventurer (i.e. I'm soft and keen for a hot shower and confortable bed at the end of the day).

So why dont take the plain and book a all inclusive hotel trip?


>> I have a GPS, iPod (with plenty of music loaded) and HTC Desire (with UK Vodafone sim) but will also take my laptop so I can plan/download routes from Mapsource as I go.


Get the maps ready before you start. I used tracs4africa & Garmin worlmap all around africa Transafrika - Riding on a motorbike through africa part 1

>> I usually travel with this and it also lets me save video files from my GoPro HD - much cheaper than keeping on SD cards.


And what about some gravel roads with strong vibrations that will destroy your hard disk? Rather save everything on sd cards that you can switch to read onely if you are in a internet cafe with lots of viruses.

>> Finding accomodation can sometimes be a challenge as I will probably not book anything in advance.

No not at all you will find people who are interesdet in your money and offer you acomerdation everywhere in the world.


>> Any there any other iPhone or Android apps that are essential kit for motorcyclists?

No there isnt any need to take expensive nonsense stuff like that anywhere in the world. Leafe them at home and enjoy not to have to worry about them.

Enjoy the experience, Tobi

Edit: Whater bottles you will get 4 free with every coca cola...yes you can even get them in congo

Thanks to those who have contributed. I have invested in a pump, tyre repair kit and water bottle - all as a result of the feedback and I am most grateful - but not exactly hi-tech here. The rest of the stuff I have had for some time and found it suits my style of high mileage but 'soft' sport touring (about 30,000 miles in Western Europe over the last 3 years including several organised tours).

It is always good to canvass opinion and it may even be worth opening up a new thread about the merits of technology in the context of biking. Each to their own I say and good luck to the adventure junkies who want to light a fire by rubbing two sticks together and fix their bike with chewing gum. It's not my thing and I am envious of those that have the time, skills and confidence.

My interest, although poorly worded, was more to get a feel for what types of technology rather than kit that others had found useful. I do appreciate that none of this is needed and much of depends on personal and travel preferences and interests. My experience is that technology can achieve greater levels of safety and efficiency. I have a new bike, with roadside assist, and little knowledge on how to fix it if something goes wrong (and it is way too complex anyway). If I'm in a pinch I want all that is available to get me out of it in as little time as possible and get back to the major focus which is to visit new/different countries and ride some of the best and most scenic roads I can - provided they are good, sealed surfaces. An app on my phone adds no extra weight on my bike nor takes up space in my luggage but can save precious hours in certain circumstances.

I also like to keep in touch with what is going on and don't like to line up but hey that's just me. Nothing wrong with not being able to be contacted for a few weeks.

This is a great community and I very much appreciate being part if it. It is even stronger for the depth of experience of the members and their breadth of views. I'll keep my eyes and ears open and let you know of any new gadets/tech I find that make life easier just in case anyone is interested. I'll be sure to have researched them even if I don't have them!

Hi,

How come you first talk about high milage and then onely about 10.000 per jear in the same sentence? But what i realy would like to know is in wich certain circumstances a app on a iPhone (which will probably not even surwife strong vibrations, dust and moisture while realy traveling) can bring you out of trouble while there is no reception? Doesnt people use motorbikes insted of cars because they want to go back to the roots with not more then one engine and two wheels?

All the way from the UK to turkey will be tarmac and no problem at all so the onely thing special you will have to take is a first aid kid and spare bulbs if you legaly want to cross austria. Onely remember to tell your GPS not to use the highways but rather travel slow, winding roads through little villages to enjoy the beautifull side of europa. The insurance for turkey you will get at the border for about 5 Euros per week.

Have fun even with all your high tech Tobi

Thanks Tobi - there are plenty in the UK who have not put on 10k over the last 10 years but I accept this is not record breaking mileage but perhaps not bad for someone who works full time and does not use the bike for commuting.

I'm not off to Africa so horses for courses though I agree with your point.

I hate the highways but they do get you out of Western Europe quicker and into the parts I really want to see ie east of Germany. Plus I can really put this great German bike I own to the limits on the superb Autobahn's in Germany - its the only part of the world where you can really appreciate the qualities of my bike.

Will buy you a when I pass through.

Cheers

PS. Was in the Black Forest a couple on months back. Why aren't all roads like the B500?

Hi,

>> there are plenty in the UK who have not put on 10k over the last 10 years


But not here at the HUBB


>> Autobahn's in Germany - its the only part of the world where you can really appreciate the qualities of my bike.

Hihi well then have fun there but dont get cought...a lot of Autobahn parts are limited by now even in germany

>> Will buy you a when I pass through.


Will you come to one of my diashows about africa on the 22.07 in Stuttgart and the 28.07 in Überlingen?

>> PS. Was in the Black Forest a couple on months back. Why aren't all roads like the B500?

Dont know but have you been in switzerland riding the Grimsel, Furka and Susten passes? They are great as well

Travel save Tobi

I didn't realise there was a minimum annual mileage requirement to join the HUBB! What is it? I'll be more than happy to comply. Making a start on this trip on the 28th ex London and will not be far from Stuttgart on my way east. Any other dates for your shows? Would love to attend - I'm good for that - but my German comprehension is limited to junior high school (can only now remember how to recite Die Affen! eg Der Bauer sprach zu seinem Jungen etc). Spent the last half of 2010 working in Africa (only sub-Saharan) - I can understand the appeal and great people but not for me on a bike (I'm way too soft) but can always be convinced otherwise. Might do those passes in Switzerland on the way back to the UK if not too late in the year. Thanks for the tip - I'll put them in my GPS now!