Motopacking - a suggested kit list for the TET
Thanks to the exploits of Charlie and Euan, Austin and Lyndon and projects such the TET and ACT, lightweight adventure motorcycling or "motopacking" has seen a phenomenal growth in popularity.
Alongside this growth has come a bewildering range of products aimed at the would-be adventure rider.
Such is the choice that the newcomer can end up totally overwhelmed.
What is essential and what is just overpriced snake oil?
Baffled and confused, enthusiasm and excitement is all too often replaced by exasperation and frustration. The rider either succumbs to every slick salesman, catalogue or magazine review, ending up with an empty wallet and a cupboard full of kit they never use, or they just throw up their hands and retreat to what they know, missing out on the fun that could have been had exploring new horizons from the seat of a trailbike.
Not everyone has a friend to ask for their advice on what they might take, so we asked John Ross, founder of the TET, what he packs on his bike for a motopacking trip.
He doesn't make any claims to be a guru of lightweight adventure riding but he has motopacked across Europe and Africa for three decades.
He's wild-camped, navigated and fixed pucturees in the bush, learning through trial and error what kit works best for him - while meeting that delicate balance of cost vs value.
We've asked him to share that motopacking equipment and packing list here. (John rides a CRF250 Rally so his tool list may vary from yours)
You'll find links to the products where we can find them - a few of which generate us a small commission if you follow through with a purchase, while not costing you a bean more to buy.
Even better, we've also managed to wangle some discounts for riders and pass these on to you.
If you have a better alternative to something in the motopacking kit listed here, we'd love to hear from you. Afterall, there's no right answer, just what works best for us here and now.
CLOTHING |
Adventure Spec Linesman Jacket |
Adventure Spec Supershirt |
Nolan N70-2X Helmet |
Adventure Spec Dirt Gloves |
Klim Waterproof jacket |
Adventure Spec Baltic Hybrid Jacket |
TET Tech T |
Klim Dakar Pants |
Sidi Crossfire 3 SRS Boots |
Hemy Waterpoof Socks (Knee Length) x2 pairs |
Waterproof overtrousers |
Waterproof gloves |
TET Tube |
Casual socks x1 pair |
Sandal shoes |
Zip off trousers |
TET T T-shirt |
SPARE RIDING SHIRT |
TET Cap |
Xcountry Enduro Rally Panniers |
Giant Loop Rogue Dry Bag |
Enduristan 4X Tank Bag |
Enduristan Fender Bags - Small x2 |
CAMPING |
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Updated Tent |
Zenbivy Flex Air Mattress (exclusive 5% discount offered via link) |
Zenbivy Light Sleep System (exclusive 5% discount offered via link) |
TET Spork |
Flint and Steel lighter |
Cup |
Emergency meal x2 |
Knife |
Camping Towel |
Wash kit |
Toilet paper |
Smidge Insect Repellent |
Resealable plastic pouch for coffee |
Gas for Jetboil |
3m x 3m tarp |
Laplander saw |
Laplander sheath |
Frying pan |
Aeropress Go |
Reusable Aeropress Filter |
Silicon Spoon |
Lightweight camping chair |
British Army Individual Hydration System (3 litre) |
Sea to Summit Ultrasil Dry Bags for tent inner and outer |
Sea to Summit Evac Compression Dry Bags for clothing and Zenbivy |
PAPERWORK |
EHIC card |
Credit card |
Driving licence |
Passport |
Travel Health/Repatriation Insurance (Electronic copy) |
Vehicle Registration Document |
SPARES AND TOOLS |
Front tube |
Rear tube |
Front brake lever |
Clutch lever |
Gear lever |
Chain link |
Motion Pro Chain Breaker |
Motion Pro Trail Tool |
Spark plug |
Rear brake pads |
Front brake pads |
Spare repair kit |
Zip Ties |
Duct tape |
Spare tyre valve |
Tyre valve key (may be part of tyre valve cap) |
Tyre pump |
Motion Pro 24mm combi lever |
Motion Pro any lever |
Motion Pro 17mm combi lever |
8mm socket |
10mm socket (part of Motion Pro Trail Tool) |
10mm spanner |
12mm spanner |
14mm Hex Bit |
19mm spanner or lever |
6mm Allen key bit (part of Motion Pro Trail Tool) |
5mm Allen key bit (part of Motion Pro Trail Tool) |
12mm socket (part of Motion Pro Trail Tool) |
Small bottle of gear oil for chain |
Leatherman |
Tow rope (Dyneema) |
Disc lock |
Blue Loctite stick |
Puncture Repair Kit |
Rolling Mavericks Ultralight Trail Stand |
Short length of insulated electrical wire |
Variety of electrical connectors |
Rear wheel bearings |
Rear wheel bearing seals |
Clutch Friction Plate x1 |
Fork seals |
Liquid metal |
Instant gasket |
Spark plug socket |
ELECTRICAL |
Phone |
Phone charger wall plug (3-4x usb outputs) |
Phone charger cable x2 |
Phone mount (Quadlock with dampener) |
Power bank |
Sena Spider RT1 Intercom |
Headtorch |
Garmin Montana 610 with microSD card |