First travel
 

Hey everyone !

I'm not sure if there is a any big activity on this forum , but here it comes.

I'm a youngster you see , I like adventure :) , so I decided to go on a motorcycle trip this august. But I'm having one of the usual problems : unsificiant space.

I drive a ninja 250R. me and my girlfriend sit on it so besides being a rather small bike it is also limited in space. I got a backpack that fits my small tent so that isn't the problem. But I also need to take 2 sleeping bags with us ! :s. I have a tank bag at my disposal, But besides 2 sleeping bags and 1 tent what else do I need to start? Some drinks , small medicin bag , ?

I'm goin for X amount . Somewhere between 3 days and 1 month , As far as my money takes me. ( any tips to save money while on a trip ) ?

Cheers to anyone that might be able to give me a good answer =).

Yes, there is.

There are plenty of stories on this Forum about people riding around on small bikes like: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...d-europe-61328
Just check out the posts on this forum
I myself have been from the Netherlands to Switzerland on a small 125cc bike when I was much younger. I used saddlebags over the seat, a tankbag and a luggage rack on the back of the bike.

Sections of this forum that may have answers to your questions are:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ints-and-tips/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/get...-stories-blogs
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-all-clothing/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...pment-reviews/

Basic info
 

If you could give us a wee bit more info.
This is a world wide club so your posts are seen by people on all continents.
If you tell us where you are and where you hope to go, we The Hubb comunity, can give you specific advise.
Travelers have been useing smaller bikes than yours for overland trips so don't let that put you off.
Good luck on your travels.:thumbup1:

:welcome: to the Hubb.
Rory

No Backpack.
 

Just one point: I don't think a backpack of any size or weight at all is a good idea when travelling on a bike. In no time at all it'll be painful. Lindsay.

And with a backpack, the weight of your lugage is way to high. Saddlebags will put the center of gravity lower and that is much better for the handling of your bike.

Thanks a lot :) I'll certainly will read the blogs from goldhaze ! and check the other links too !

So I live in belgium , And where I'm going too I haven't decided yet.
Probably not too far, driving a bit in germany maybe? I gotta find some specific points I want to see and use as checkpoints :)

And I'll be using mainly my tankbag , backpack , that's it xD
I'm not gonna buy any fancy storing rack's for my bike to put on ( not that much money as a student ), and I'm not hoping I need that much space.

1 Disadvantage : LAck of space behind my back/. Normally I can store some goodies with straps on my second saddle ( for a passanger ) But I'm actually gonna take my GF with me :s ..

I'm not going to spend money on buying that now => I dropped my motorcycle in january with the freezing weather in belgium , need to work to get some money to actually fully fix the bike ( some fenders still dmg'd ) .. so no fancy buying stuff.

I've got a good motorcycle backpack ( not big at all ) On there I can fit my tent .. and besides that, I got a tank bag which is very spacious ..

Luggage.
 

Hi, for what it's worth I'd expect you to give up on the backpack idea out on the road pretty quickly. If so, bear in mind this. Throw-overs on the back of a small bike work their way backwards as would any lump put there, so strap it down and strap it so it won't roll back over the rear lights. I'd suggest taking straps for this incase you decide to try strapping it onto the bike.

Go for a trial ride of 5 km to see if it works as you intend it to. Have fun, Lindsay.

I'm really enjoying the fast responds ( Didn't expect the responds ot be so active ) .

Euh , I can't quite follow you?
You advice to not take a backpack but rather then using a back pack strap it on my rear saddle? My girlfriend is coming along . So I cannot strap it on my saddle? IF you ment it otherwise please clarify it a bit more .. I don't really understand fully what you ment to say... Thanks ! :)

On the backpack point, you have a small bike with a pillion. Unless the pillion is wearing the back pack then that is a no-goer.

Please listen to the advice you are getting here, backpacks are not good.

However, if you do insist on taking a backpack, have a cheap rack put on the bike (you can always find someone to cut down and fit a "scrap" one for very little cost. You can then put your tent on the rack, and then the pillion can wear the back pack and rest the weight on the rack.

But saddle bags are better option than a back pack.. Something like this ?
Leather Motorcycle Throw over Saddle Bags Saddlebags Panniers Pair | eBay

Cheap items *can* be found.

But also think about pillion comfort, they do not want to sit on straps.

And pack light. You do not need a lot of clothes, just wash often. (Max underwear IMO is 4 pairs).

My wife and I went across the USA with just a tank bag and a ventura rack/bag. (Ok, no tent for the 1st 5 weeks).

Back in '96 we went round France for 2 weeks on a GS550 with *far* more stuff (tent (back rack), tank bag, saddle bags *and* back pack).

Backpack.
 

Hi, I think your modern small bike must be smaller at the rear than the '79 Kawasaki 400 twin that I referred to. OK, if you have to use your bike with the two of you I guess you can only: Use a tank bag, girlfriend use a small bum bag and sit on a pair of soft throw-overs.

To cut down on luggage to the max you need only spare socks, undies and T shirts, washing kit and tiny towel plus money. Tents etc are out if you travel really light, then it's backpackers, youth hostels, Formula 1 hotels and CouchSurfing – The world’s largest travel community or a HU community to find help.

I suspect a small, temporary rack really would be a good idea as making a mess of loading a bike can kill. Ciao, Lindsay.

The backpack is a very light one. It will contain some small goodies like underwear a gps some socks a camera etc .. ( small capacity ). the tent will be fitted on the backpack ( 3kgs total for tent weight ) Since my Girlfriend is also riding on my bike I do not have the option of a free pillion. However , now that I know what these saddlebags are ( done some research ) I might get one of those.

Can anyone help me in what brand is good at this ? Are these saddlebags also universial on most motorcycles? Thanks by advance :)

Wow this couchsurfing seems very interesting if you ask me ! :D

Thanks for the advice I already figured I could not take a lot .. as you mentioned :)

One other thing. PLEASE tell me how to wash your clothes with on the road stuff. I read it so many times but I'm a young guy from 21 and I never done the wash at my house .. How to do it ? and does it take long ?
Or how did you do it on your journey? ( like at evening before going to sleep .. ? )

Cheers ! :)

I take quick drying travel t-shirts and a tube of travel wash like this
Travel Wash: Amazon.co.uk: Health & Beauty

hope this helps

Dave