Packing List .... What you need to take with you ...

[Rusty]

Boys and Girls......
I know this is NOT a definitive list and some of you may not take "this" or "that" but as I prepare for France in a couple of weeks I just thought I would share my "old" list with you ... take from it what you will but for me it has worked over the last few years with an alteration here and there .... so here we go .....

Paperwork.

Passport, Tickets, Insurance, V5, Bike Manual, E111 ( European Blue Card for their version of NHS treatment ) ICE sheet for everyone. ICE... In Case of Emergency ... a sheet with YOUR details on....Full name, date of birth, blood group, home address and postcode, Bike details and Ins details ... wifes' mobile/work number , her full name etc etc ...give a copy of this to everyone in your group !

Spending.

Any cash left over from last year, coins etc for toll roads at the very start of your journey ... cash, charged up cash card, credit card ( let them know you are going abroad )

Clothes and Toiletries.

That really is up to you ... we are all grown ups. Don't even try to think for your other half ..... just give her a pannier and say " fill that " !

Bike Stuff.

Helmet cleaner/cloth, Earplugs, Sat Nav, Map of country you are going to,( just in case the Sat Nav goes tits up ) sunglasses, neck tube/headscarf tool kit, camera and NEW batteries, mobile with charger and European adaptor plug, pen and paper.

Tent Stuff.

Tent, pegs, sleeping bag, Therma Rest mattress, head torch. 1st Aid Bag ... again it's all very personal, but I add surgical gloves, plasters, Nurofen, anything to stop the shits, and a couple of sharp blades.

Cooking Stuff.

Gas Stove, ( don't think The Chunnel like you taking extra gas canisters on board ), lighter, matches, pans, cutlery, T bags and bottle of water for that late stop/early morning where there are no taps !

That is really about it ... not a huge list, I think you can easily go overboard, but just a few pointers !
It matters not wether you are going abroad or staying at home .... have a lovely time and share it with us all on your return !  ;D ;D

[routemaster]

Hi

I have attached a couple of documents that people might find useful:

1) Touring - The Essentials - covering the paperwork aspects
2) Touring - Hints and Tips - what it says on the tin

I originally produced these documents for the Knights Templar MTC

Steve

[Kwikasfuki]

There is some very useful info in this thread so I'll make it into a sticky

[Lonewolf]

Some very good ideas there, I'll print them off and adapt them for my trip next week.

[Rusty]

They are both great lists and properly typed out too !! When I can get my printer to work ( ! ) I shall print them off ... thanks a lot, that should be the " Basic Standard " for this Forum. Good effort !

[Hans]

Hmmm.... your bike (Yeah, really!), passport/creditcard, mobile... that's it....  8)

[mecki]

Well, a few more things perhaps, but quite a few things on the list above are better (and cheaper) purchased abroad when you need them unless you travel to Mongolia perhaps. They do have supermarkets and drug stores in mainland Europe too, you know.

[Mosschops]

As a note and something I learned earlier in the year, the E111 scheme is now called an EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card).

You can apply for it on-line and through my own experience was delivered within 7 days: http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcareabroad/pages/Healthcareabroad.aspx

Beware that some websites are legally allowed to charge for this service but by using that NHS link it is completely free, just as it should be.

[2kwacks]

its a good idea to include a punture repair kit and a mini compressor, or buy a kit with those disposable mini air canisters! its only temporary but its better than waiting at the side of the road for god knows how long for a breakdown truck to arrive. better to have the tyre replaced when at your convenience, it would most likely be a lot cheaper and you dont take the risk of some ham fisted monkey loading your bike on the back of a vehicle and removing chunks of paint or worse when changing the tyre.

[Mogster]

its a good idea to include a punture repair kit and a mini compressor, or buy a kit with those disposable mini air canisters! its only temporary but its better than waiting at the side of the road for god knows how long for a breakdown truck to arrive. better to have the tyre replaced when at your convenience, it would most likely be a lot cheaper and you dont take the risk of some ham fisted monkey loading your bike on the back of a vehicle and removing chunks of paint or worse when changing the trye.

2nd ed, I've had puntures on the last 2 european trips and the temp repair kits have gotten me out of trouble. I use the Dynaplug tyre kits. as they dont require 'reaming' which means there is no problemo putting a 'mushroom' patch in later  ;)

[2kwacks]

have used this type before, its very effective and dose the job. and for the price why wouldn't you pack one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Scooter-Quad-Co2-Tyre-Punture-Repair-Kit-/320762915263?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4aaef5a9bf

[Foody]

Can anyone help with a definite legal answer for this.  Does the GTR need headlight defelectors fitted to tour in France.  I am in the UK but can't find a definite answer.

I havent fitted them previously but want to know what the legal situation is for the GTR.

Any help please.

[2kwacks]

Can anyone help with a definite legal answer for this.  Does the GTR need headlight defelectors fitted to tour in France.  I am in the UK but can't find a definite answer.

I havent fitted them previously but want to know what the legal situation is for the GTR.

Any help please.

maybe this link will help you it covers everthing and also the headlamp question.
http://www.adventurebiketours.co.uk/motorcycle_touring_guide.htm

[mecki]

Just looking at the head lamps I can't see anything in the glass that would deflect light like you see on single lamp bikes or cars.
This area is usually triangular in shape and needs to be covered up.
  On the GTR the lenses seem to be just plain and look the same on both sides so no obvious place to stick a triangle on.
My best guess is that Kawasaki never made different lamps for left and right hand traffic.
Most likely in the UK and other countries with left hand driving the left lamp is just adjusted slightly higher than the right.
And that can be easily changed without tools.
As suggested in the article just drive up to a wall in the dark and have a look at the light pattern.

[viper]

warning triangle , I thought that it was not compulsory for bikes ? the adventure site suggests it is,