Preparing & planning for adventure – where it all begins
Imagine that you’ve taken an extended holiday and are finally taking that long-awaited trip around Australia.
Now imagine Casey Stoner. He’s a Moto GP World Champion – the best in the world – and probably capable of riding any bike, anywhere.
VIEW-TO-THRINGBut give him an adventure bike for a week or a month riding in Australia’s outback, and he may not know what to pack, how to pack it, or what he needs to take to make the trip successful.
It’s a scenario that’s certainly not common just to Casey Stoner or to the round Australia traveller. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and while there are lots of books and magazines about adventure four-wheel driving and caravanning, it’s not so easy to find information on adventure motorcycling. Until now.
STOW TO GO
Touratech Australia’s Robin Box has been writing a series of articles in Adventure Rider Magazine, titled “Packing for Adventure”, with the aim to assist you in your adventure travel planning and packing.
It’s true that we can always learn something new, so our articles will cover all levels of experience and expertise – from those new to adventure riding, right through to the hardened traveller.
Not all types of adventures are the same. A lap around Australia on good roads, for example, is a totally different type of adventure to riding through the red centre on rough tracks and trails.
South-Africa-638After years of adventure travel in Australia, the United States of America, Europe and South Africa, we’ve learnt from our mistakes, and while we’re still learning, our planning and preparation has become easier.
Asking questions and seeking advice that is relevant to your particular type of adventure can save your time and money, and get you on the road faster, and with more confidence.
In these articles we’ll share our tips and tricks on making your adventure travel smoother, safer, and most importantly, ensuring you pack the right gear for your needs.
FEED THE NEED
The last thing you need to be doing is carrying stuff that you don’t require, that takes up too much space, or increases the weight of your bike on a long trip. Our hints will help you make the right choices from the beginning.
The range of topics we’ll cover will include luggage types (eg: panniers, soft luggage), clothing, types of accommodation (eg: tents, pubs, lodges), emergency requirements, tools and spare parts, cooking equipment, GPS and maps, camera equipment, communication, and bike protection.
We’ll start our series by looking at luggage options, and in particular, the much-discussed “hard luggage vs soft luggage” debate.
Both have their place in adventure riding,
Hard luggage offers you convenience, ease of packing, more security and is definitely easier to live out of, but can be a risk to the rider in a crash in harsh riding conditions.
Soft luggage, on the other hand, is smaller and certainly impedes the rider a lot less. It is easier to ride with if you’re going ‘off road’, can put less stress on your bike’s sub-frame, but conversely, doesn’t offer security on long trips.
Until then, get on your bike and keep riding!
