How to pack an adventure bike

Are you overloading your bike and ruining it's handling? In this video I'll break down the basic handling elements of a motorcycle and how you should pack weight to the bike to optimise it's performance.

For this feature we're using the standard 2022 Yamaha Tenere 700, which represents the modern mid-size adventure motorcycle.

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[Driftuner]

Ive been motocrossing and riding adv bikes for the past 20+ years and personally ive done both sides of the coin. The thing is, the style of packing you are doing in the video is the best for ppl that will be going off road and that kind of adventure. But, specially here in europe, there are a lot of riders that do more of a cross country, town-to-town type of riding where they will be 99% of the time on highways. Thats the type of traveler that will use the aluminium paniers for multiple reasons. The main reason being able to park your bike in Madrid, Paris ir Rome and not having your soft-attached soft-luggage stolen on the first night. The key is to know what type of luggage to use in what situation. Dont go parking in madrid with your soft bags attached to your bike...as a matter of fact, dont go parking in madrid at all...

[sierrasurvivaladventures]

Awesome. I'm a survival instructor, and you are so right on lightweight camping. I have just been watching BDR riders in America, its ridiculous how much gear they have on their bikes. 4 riders to lift one bike. Unbelievable. I hope millions see this video. Thanks. Carl

[Falin]

A good way to learn to pack light - hiking. When its only your back, you"ll think muuuuch more about what do you really need.

[armourbl]

Switched my load out to soft luggage and lightweight backpacking, minimalist gear. Made an enormous difference. Then started riding the big 990 like a small dirt bike, standing, just like you described. He speaks the truth.

[RozalynVeersma]

Perfect pack for 2-3 days on the remote trails but I spent 450 days on the trails hence I carried more ‘stuff’! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂 You’re 100% correct about learning how your bike rides & handles with & without the luggage. It’s a different animal and completely different skill set. I had to carry 30kgs of luggage but it gave me the freedom to go to the remote magical places off the beaten trails on my CRF250L with a 725km fuel range, 10 days supply of water, food, essential tools & supplies plus some creature comforts. Yes, my bike was like a caravan but I didn’t ride it like a Dakar racer. I rode it like a curious explorer and when I pulled up camp in a remote spot, I’d offload my gear and then explore the remote area like a Dakar rider! 🤞😂🏍💨 It’s a freedom like no other. The trick is to go on adventure often and you’ll eventually work out which items are essential, which items have multiple uses, which items you can upgrade to the latest lightest technology to replace your older heavier stuff and which items you’ll sacrifice the bikes handling for a little bit of luxury. You also work out what mods you’ll need to do to your bike to lighten the bike itself (replace 5kg exhaust for a 1kg performance exhaust, light weight soft panniers, etc) and to set up your suspension to allow for the extra load. Its a science and the more you ride, the more you’ll work out what works best for the places you want to ride in. If you’re on a remote trail in Tasmania, you can guarantee there’ll be a town with supplies 100kms down the track but if you’re in far north WA or QLD, it could be days without fuel, water or supplies. Experience is critical to a great & safe adventure…so ride often! It’s always an adventure…carry on! 😁👍🏁🏍💨⛺️

[muddysidedown]

🙌🏼 Mate! Thank you so much! Spot on!

I've only been an adventure rider for two years after a lifetime of cruisers. I've only used soft luggage and each time I attempt to reduce the weight. I'm at the point now where I imagine myself hiking with the gear and the simplicity of removal because let's all be real, sometimes you HAVE to remove and walk gear over difficult terrain (Fast flowing river).😂 right?! It's not if I might have to carry my gear, it's WHEN I carry my gear traversing a wicked terrain that I'm unable to ride a loaded bike... And I might be new, but as a solo rider going off into unknown territory and down some trails beyond my comfort, I praise the forgiveness of soft light luggage!

Remember, it's an adventure, not a convoy cookout. Less is more. If you have to bring all the fancy glamping stuff, perhaps a bike is the wrong choice. But that is your judgment.

Be safe, go light, have fun on two wheels. 😊

[mattsmith]

I couldn't agree more. I was a backpacker before an adventure bike rider so I had already learned the value of packing light as possible. I appreciate the tips about keeping the weight low and forward.

[Bavenbushcraft]

As a mountain climber with a bad back, I've learned to pack super light. Did three months in NZ, wild camping mostly with a 25lb back pack. I carry the same philosophy to my bike. Clothes, sleeping bag and roll mat up high in the top box that came with the bike. Food tools in the small nearside soft luggage. Tent and boots and first aid kit in the other side. Awesome video.

[defylifeadventure]

Some great points as always. IMO it all depends what the person is doing. A pure riding tour (e.g. a two week trip to Morocco, some TET or whatever), or a more multifaceted tour especially if the trip includes hot and cold climates (+39c/-10c), stays in big cities (visiting cocktail bars, restaurants etc).. Long stays in nature, hiking etc... (for example 6 month in South America). One shouldn't confuse adventure touring with enduro riding and rallying as people seem to do on some forums. The joke on ADV rider now is it's not adventure touring unless you jump a log ;)

[aaditya]

Hello Adam, This is all you need to travel on a motorcycle, I am so happy that your making it easy for people to understand the true fun of travelling on a motorcycle.👏

[danmoore]

This is really good information! I was a beginner ADV rider at 61 (all street riding previous). Even with no experience, I concentrated on weight reduction. A lightly modified XR650L and less than 50lbs of gear, lets me go anywhere I want (my riding skill being the limiting factor).

[mccabemichael]

Thanks for bringing this up! Leave all the unnecessary crap at home and ride the bike! I always try to keep things trim and light when traveling, but every time I still find that I bring too much. It super easy to get sucked into the trap of bringing every gadget, and companies are brilliant at making you feel like you gotta buy a ton of stuff just to camp off your motorcycle. Keep it simple.

[lmiles]

Love your attitude! I feel the same! I learned the hard way but I learned!! I did 2 small(2-3) day trips to test. Figured out what I truly needed and what was just extra weight! When I finally spent 6 weeks on the bike I had it figured out!

[danmihai]

one of the best and most correct bikepacking videos on youtube, thanks man... got an africa twin 2018 a year ago and i absolutely love it... but after a trip to greece with full metal boxes, i just sold them all and now I just use soft bags, WAAAY better.

[louispogoreltz]

Probably the best, most informative, quick, easy explanation of helping yourself, help yourself, that someone other than me has given I’ve seen. I think this way and have utilized this for many years. I’m only just beginning to entertain the notion of ADV riding. I’ve been doing this for touring for years. I’m OCD and (over) think this way. When you explain it to someone else, they first look at you as if you’re OCD and over thinking things, then they praise you and hail everyone they can find to hear your ramblings. Awesome video. I’ve found another wacko who thinks like me!

[ATRocker]

Great info. As someone living in a country where temperatures can swing a lot, more gear is absolutely required. But centralization and packing low is totally valid.

[Joshua-gmhm]

Hi Adam,
GREAT JOB! A refresh course in basics is always needed.

[armored-clown]

Some very valid points, and great explanation of a particular style of adventure riding. Minimalist adventure rider going for the ride as top priority and only stopping to eat and sleep. But of course it does depend on what style you’re going for many many people ride to camp and don’t camp to ride like you do. However, you have greatly inspired me to cut down a lot of my weight and cut out luxury things if they don’t bring that much value. Great video man

[drecigliola]

I couldn't agree more. I started out wanting to pack my bike as if I was going camping with my truck. Lots of stuff that I didn't need and loss of confidence in riding because it became that much harder with all the weight. Getting to have the most minimalist setup is a constant project that requires a little investment, as light and compact stuff costs more, and lots of trips to know what works and what doesn't work for you. Great points!

[gerokron]

Adam, I found your channel - and some others - some month ago. Having done road travelling a lot, I´m now dead keen on this new world of off-road-touring. An old R80 g/s sits now in my garage and I´m gonna prepare her just according to what you say in your videos. And then I´m gonna look for bad weather and wild terrain and I´m gonna have a ton of fun on it! Thx for infecting me with that virus 😁