Lightweight Adventure Motorcycle Camping Gear

[JohannesDalen]

The Mosko Moto Hood tank bag did not fit very well on the 701, so I’m returning it. I think I’ll just stick with my Giant Loop Zigzag (handlebar bag).

And the foam pad got too bulky when I also mounted the Giant Loop fuel bladder. Back to an inflatable one I guess 😬

[mtscott]

“As long as you are two wheels - I am happy” 👏🏻 Well said sir. We tend to forget that we are a community and wheels turning is the most important thing, regardless of what you ride. 👍🏻😁

[TerribleTodd]

As a long term ultralight backpacker... I can say... Everybody Needs to listen to your clothing lesson! Great Job! People Pack their fears and most folks way over pack. Great video.

[kymcopyriot]

Really interesting! I pack much lighter than you…but then I have to make far less concessions for cold and wet. I love Kriega stuff but I don’t wear a backpack on the bike. I carry a Sea to Summit backpack that packs down to palm size…it’s ready any time I need to pick up something like food if I visit a town. Love my Jetboil! It weighs too much but it’s SO convenient. I don’t carry a lot of comfort stuff because my thinking is that I spend far more time on the bike…that’s when I want to be agile and comfortable. At the end of the day, if I’m doing things right, I should be so tired I could almost sleep on broken glass! I eat like a pig but I’m not fussy…instant noodles, anything, it’s just fuel for the body. And clothes? To my wife’s horror I pack even less than you, and always come home smelling disgusting, with an enormous smile on my face. ‘Forget the smell, it’s the ride you’ll remember!’ 😎

[kuhndj]

Great list... your load is very similar to what I'd user for a sub 7 day ride... but I'd have to add items for longer trips:
-Fully capable hot & cold weather gear: My last long tour (4 weeks/11, 000'ish miles) covered a temperature range from about -3c (Oregon or Idaho) to 42c (Anza Borrego Desert in California). I'd have frozen solid at altitude and then cooked in the desert if I'd carried "one temp fits all" gear. A lot of my clothes bulk was to handle those extremes.
-Rain gear: I carried rain gear on that long trip, but after that (to save space) I spent the money on waterproof Goretex ADV gear (yea it's a LOT more money but worth it for me).
-Food: Because I'm generally riding in a developed nation (Continental US, Canada, EU) I don't carry food or food prep gear, the two reasons: 1) food is very easy to find at stops, and 2) In the US & Canada at least Bears are a real thing - and can smell food on your bike from miles away (and we have a LOT of bears). Food never touches my bike when I'm touring in the US (and I still carry bear spray -but that sometimes just pisses them off).
-Camp Pad: REI Klymit - I've had and used it regularly for 6 years and have not had one puncture! They're comfortable and very durable (and pack down VERY small).
-Sleeping Bag: My bag is very similar to yours... on the -3c night I had to wear a few layers of clothes to stay warm but I did manage to stay comfortable.
-Clothes: I carry underwear for 5 days and a couple shirts/pants... on laundry day I often will stay at a hotel or paid campsite with laundry available so I don't need to hand-wash (but I do if necessary). Again something I can do if I'm riding in a developed area... probably harder to do in more remote locations.
-Water: I always carry extra water... AND a filtering pump to refill from streams, a liter is fine most of the time... but more in dry locations.
-For my primarily dirt TransAmerica Trail ride this year I'm using my Mosko Moto Reckless 80, I suspect it will be fairly full.
-Fuel: I'll be carrying at least 50 miles worth of extra fuel (a gallon on the 701) on the TAT... on that trip above I didn't (Multistrada routinely got 200-220miles per tank which was plenty for a tarmac based tour).
-Electronics: I took my D800 dslr on the last trip as well as a laptop and gopro's... this trip probably just the macbook and gopro's (D800 and lenses are big and heavy).
-Tools: I'd definitely like to see what tools you bring, I do tend to bring too many tools and every time I try to cut down I end up adding something else.

Tip for wet rain fly - carry a stretchy motorcycle cargo net that you can strap wet gear under... the wind will dry it as you ride (assuming you're not riding in the rain).
Edit - Also a compact camp chair! I left min mid trip last time and REALLY missed it the rest of the time.

[tshansen]

Haha, I'm not sure how old you are mate, but that sleeping pad is a back killer after 35 🤣 Always nice to see how other go by their luggage and equipment. It is a constant learning and perfection game. I have learn a few things about my own needs the last couple of years. And there is just one thing I don't mess around with. Comfort when sleeping. I have spent some nights freezing my ass off because the weather changed early and late season 🙈 Well, a couple of nights like that and you learn to appreciate a heat bottle or better equipment 🤣 Great video, and keep up the great work mate 🙏🏻

[esengersma]

I wear 2 swimming pants for years instead of underwear, thanks Johannes, good and informative video, Erwin from Holland, going to Spitsbergen - on march 2025 by MP3scooter - including ski's.

[whitedrguy]

Great set up, but being the hard core young ex military type, you can get away with very little. 😂😂😂

As an much older non military type I much prefer a little more comfort, even at the expense of a few extra kilos.

A Helinox chair is a god send, a trangia stove comes in handy for heating up some pasta or rice and just boiling water in general.

I have Aussie made Andy Strapz panniers, soft bags with my camping gear, including my tent in one side with all other bits and pieces in the other, but I have my clothes and thing in a bag on top so I can just take that bag off if I use a hotel room for the night and leave the panniers on the bike secured with steel core straps.

My tools are carried in a tool tube made of plastic 80 mm drainage pipe, sealed at one end and a screw cap at the other end, it has a tool roll, tyre levers and mini compressor and sits perfectly on the opposite side to the exhaust, tubes are carried in a tube bag on the fender, that way all puncture repair gear stays on the bike.

I try to set up the bike for easier access and ease of use, trying to be practical, but it is just my preference and it works for me.

I should add that I have a Motion Pro trail tool, which is the greatest tool ever invented, that sits in my tank bag along with my leather man, that way they are near at hand, with the trail tool I can strip down most of the bike if need be in next to no time with a tool that fits in the palm of your hand.

[Franz_Schmid]

Thanks for the tip with the orange little, mobile washing machine! I've done so many kilometers on TET and so on and never knew about it. ❤

[wheeliewillieusa]

Nice video. I ride and camp on rocky uneven ground in the desert and mountains. My luxury items are a small chair, ultra-lite cot, insulated inflatable sleeping pad and pillow. At camp I place the cot on a ground cloth and sleeping pad on the cot. The setup addresses the rocky uneven ground while keeping me warm and comfy sleeping under the stars. I use the same setup in my MSR tent. On 30+ day adventure/camping rides the sleeping setup has been a game changer.

[stormfalcon]

Love Giant Loop gear. I run a few combinations depending on whether I'm camping or staying in accommodation. Short or long trip. Great Basin, Tillamook Dry Bag, Rogue, Fandango Tank Bag, Zig Zag Handle Bar Bag, Klamath Tail Pack

[standoutbizpeter]

I agree...light is best when things get tough. I found having any sort of load behind the rear axle set off a big wobble in sand or soft ground that became uncontrollable on an outback Australian trip. More important to make it through the gnarly bits

[LRLRG]

Have you ever thought about putting that pole bag in the middle of the mattress, just noticed the hole there and it looked about the right size. Liked the ideas thanks

[cubgsan]

Good day to you!
I am a HONDA Cross Cub senior rider from Japan.
Enjoying camping and touring and upload video.
This is so nice video!
Awesome!
Have a nice day my friend!

[jasonadler]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Im going to check out the rain gear you have. I love the side zid.

[brianirey]

Although at 66 I plan my Moto trips around hotels that is one of the lightest most efficient sensible Moto camp set up I have seen. Good job.

[symcardnel]

Great vid... thank you!!! I'd like to see everything muddy and soaking wet some day.
"Smell like a Viking" cracked me up.
I remember having a pretty sturdy mesh bag that Id strap on top of everything to dry stuff out along the way (add hour of sun and 40 mph / 64.3738 kph :)).

[mariantotelecan]

One of the very best way to travel. I travel same in Balkans. We everytime choose Hotels. I fit everything I need in only one 30liter bag who came fixed on motorcycle.

[LuckyTown]

I use a folding foam pad. Makes a good seat when folded.

[ajinkyachavan]

what a great bike. I wish here in India we could get these