I just found this website, it has excellent information on how to minimize your gear:

Leisure / Business Travel Packing List - Travel Light (One Bag)!

Although based around backpacking, much of this can be applied to motorcycle travel. Check out this page especially: Clothes & Laundry :: One Bag

Great site! As a firefighter I liked the smoke alarm/torch/audible alarm combo.
Not a lot of hotels/hostels in developing countries have working smoke alarms.

Hi,

Dont forget that minimizing your gear can make your trip more expensive. If you dont want to carry a 50 $ tent you more often end up using hotels. Same if you dont carry your own 12 volt battery charger for the camera etc. and if you dont carry your own tools you have to go to a mechanic more often or have to pay for a truck to bring you there.

I realized that you onely should take clothes which you can wear all above each other in winter (or high altitude). If its warmer you can swith and start washing...while you are drying your pullover you wear your t-shirt with jacket etc. Then you onely need a paper map (can be used as a diary as well), a camera (to finance your trip. Computers to keep your blog updated can be found in every big city) and some medication in case of malaria etc.

Rather take long lasting tires such as Mitas E-07 and no spare ons (i crossed Africa with onely one pair) insted of two pair cool looking knobly tires like TKC80 or Scorpions. As long as you dont have a team carrying your luggage you will not have traction problems

Travel light, Tobi
http://www.adventure-travel-experien...rt=ausruestung

Use grass instead of toilet paper lol

Ah, the advantages of a novel over e-readers! Take a speed reading course for India though

I've always found real travel wash as against powder/liquids meant for washing at home is a great advantage. Something in it reduces creases and lets it wash out easier.

As for the "no disposable underwear" idea, I'd half disagree. I tend to set off with a collection of the sort of T-shirts you can buy in packs of five at the supermarket. They don't last well, but buying ones in places you visit is also a souvenir.

Andy

I think Volumes 1-20 of the Encyclopaedia Britannia would be necessary for India.

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

Nah mate
shed loads of books in India .................. besides there s too much to do and see to be reading , sensory overload

Marry an Indian.... I did and we are still together 22 years on!

The Indian family network is priceless......

How I couldn't think it before !

__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "

I remember reading that Ted Simon was very aware of the paper trail he left in Africa. This led me to some thinking.
In France they sell little square flannel mittens, probably intended for use with a bidet. They are easily washed so reusable and dry quickly when fixed to a bike. Any clean water source such as a stream or lay by tap will do. Take a couple and they will last you for your journey. Maybe take three as they were last seen in the local supermarket at three for a euro.

Imagine deciding right now to; put on your riding gear, grab your wallet with whatever money is in it and your passport, walk out of the office (give the boss the finger if you feel inclined), jump on the bike, and just go, go, go, RTW... no panniers, no tools, no tooth brush, no plan, no nothing. Only what's in your pockets! The rest you sort out en-route!

Not only can it be done, but it could be the adventure of a life time.

If i was only so brave and liberated...


Examples that preparedness may not be so critical:

The Guiness World Record for the longest ride (735.000 kms), the unexperienced Emilio Scotto, was robbed of absolutely everything but his bike his first day (including his helmet and all his money), rode around the world for ten years straight, on a Honda Goldwing GL 1100. He sorted everything as he went. He rode places where I wouldn't even consider walking.

The inexperienced rider, Giorigio Betinelli, with just a Classic Vespa Scooter and a Guitar, rode more than 250.000 kms all over the world... He sorted everything as he went.

__________________
Blog: www.bamakobyvespa.no
My Youtube Channel

Hi,

I guess this is only fun if your bank accound is full and your credit card is in your pockets. With money you can sort everything on the road true but if you want to travel cheap its importend to bring your old tent otherwise you bay new for twice the price or end up using expensive hotels and mechanics if you dont have your tools...

Travel save, Tobi

Hey PocketHead,

Thanks for posting on "Learning to Lighten your Load" and I read information on website about "Why Travel Light?" that is nice but I think traveler need more stress free travel experiences. Please read Wheelie post and I agree his post.

Hey Wheelie,

Like your way of writing it, it sounds so simple and wish to read some of your blog. Unfortunately I get a error if I try to reach your blog.

I started 20 months ago with lots of stuff I didn't use, but in the end my boxes are still full. I have to say I added dive stuff like a wetsuit, googles, snorkel and boots since I became a dive instructor during the trip. It use space yeah, but I hope to earn money on the way by teaching.

I also had to replace my tent, found out that the one I had was to small. Yeah you read it right it was to small, I'm a tall guy and it had only one entrance.

Key point is that things changing during the ride and I said goodbye to lots of my stuff I carried when I left.

Cheers

Good advice on the light weight travel pants, but surely not for riding? Same goes for "running shoes/tennis shoes". Ah ..not for riding, thanks!

For riding I'm wearing light duty MX style ADV boot, yes, even in 40C. They are OK for walking but offer good protection riding.

Once settled, out come my Keen sandals and "light weight travel pants". (no shorts as they offend in many countries) Travel pants pack to nil, Kwik wash, dry in a couple hours.

ALSO: High tech synthetic blend undies, T shirts and socks: same deal. Mine have anti bacterial, dry in an hour. I try to wash every night when possible.

PS: I found that link on Post One fairly USELESS. Motoqueros are NOT business travelers. Most of us could care less about a few wrinkles ... which seemed to be Job One of the advice offered. Also, they insist on Never checking your luggage.
IMO, that is just plain stupid. I've traveled for decades, often carrying over $250,000 worth of Video production equipment. Checking luggage is the only way to fly. We did carry the cameras on board, but less the better so you can SLEEP and relax on the plane. Important, as we had to hit the ground running.

But once again, Moto folks don't fly ... we ride. We don't need to arrive at days end in pristine, perfectly quaffed condition. But WE DO need to travel light. I still see riders traveling with UNBELIEVABLE HUGE LOADS. Funny thing is, most rarely camp and rarely use about half what they carry. Many carry parts when if they had started their ride with NEW parts, would not need to carry those spares. I could go ON and ON!

The other thing some forget is that it's easy to give away stuff we don't need, and also easy to add what we do need.
You are not riding around the Antarctic. Most good sized towns have shops. I know some travelers who rather than do washing, bin underwear, T shirts, socks as they go ... and buy new. Less load, no washing, always NEW garments.
(I don't do this, but some do)