Greetings! I've been looking at motorcycle touring videos for some time and have just found this one. It's a great resource as I am planning a trip across part of the US (San Francisco to Kansas City) for my wife and I and this will be instrumental in helping us pack. The advance we have is that we don't have a lot of tech that we are taking so that will afford us a bit more space. We are on a 2021 BMW R1250RT so I have a lot of storage. Thanks again for the great video.
Hi Sue, no lady here, but must say this was a great and useful tips video, the plastic bags from Tesco was a great suggestion, specially when a lot of people look for more costly alternatives such as packing cubes, for example. Well done, thank you for sharing!! 👍👍
The freezer bags work really well, Nelio. It means I can take more stuff (although I never wear everything that I take 😄) but it also means if you only need a t shirt, you don’t have to unpack the jeans, shorts and socks as well 👍😀
Very useful thanks. We are two up on one bike so we have to be super minimalist. Of course we wear protective gear but for layering and evening wear we find good quality adventure clothing helpful, such as Rohan. That way my partner can take an attractive Rohan summer dress that doesn’t take up too much space. We would rely on being able to wash and dry adventure style clothing overnight. Even if travelling by rail we would keep it minimal, maybe one day sack each.
Thank you a Pete! If you’re two up it does limit your options- Rohan is good quality 👍. Packing certainly gets easier when you realise you don’t actually need as much as you think 😀!
Brilliant as ever. I never considered using plastic bags before! ! What a great idea! Will do that for our next trip in June.xx Sue thanks for sharing with us.
Hi Sue. Love your idea of putting stuff in zip bags! Brilliant! I have learnt to pack a lot lighter now though. It amazing what you don’t wear in the end. However I MUST still have my hair straighteners!!👍🏻😝😬
5coaly Hi. Thank you for your note. The zip bags make life so much easier for us, particularly as we tend to move on to a new location each day. Re-packing entire panniers and keeping washing separate would be a nightmare! I’m completely with you on the straighteners! 😀👍 The mini ones I talk about on the video, take up much less space and work really well. Happy biking! 🏍
Apart from the tech, toiletries and biking gear, I take 7 prs socks, 7 prs boxers, 7 T shirts, 2 prs jeans, 1 pr Trainers, 1 light jacket, 1 light sweater, 1 towel. I dont need any more, and I'm always clean and presentable, I'm sure some would say even this is too much. Ha ha Good informative video, Sue. 👍
Thanks, Bri is quite controlled too but I always take a little too much. You’re clearly far more organised than me 😄👍 Thank you for watching the vids. Wishing you miles of smiles 🏍☺️
Would it be possible to request a bit of a tech walk round with cameras and mounts and things,your video quality is brilliant and wondering on your set up. Thank you and keep up the brilliant work
Thanks very much Jono 🙏 we really appreciate your comments and maybe after our next tour series it might be an opportunity to do a video of our set up and the particular kit we use 👍 thanks for watching! 😀
Always interesting to see how people pack and how much they take. I was advised it doesn’t matter if your on the road for 5 days or 5 months you take the same stuff. If it doesn’t have two purposes it doesn’t get packed 😂. I suppose the majour difference is if you travelling alone or as a pair. Why does Sue never take panniers when touring? Surely better to spread the load.
Thanks! Most people take far too much when touring (including us sometimes 😂) Sue doesn’t really need panniers as we have plenty of room in the luggage we have - plus, if she did we’d end up taking more than we need! 😀👍
Thanks guys; a useful review. I would add that in packing the pannier insert bags it helps to keep the weight even as best you can and I always pack heavier items such as the wife's shoes/boots (mine too) to lower the centre of gravity. I roll up socks and insert into the shoes/trainers too. One question: in the video, you didn't mention which pannier the teddy bear fits into :-)
Hi Des, thanks for this. You’ve made some really good suggestions here. We’re always looking to refine our packing as there is never enough space for what I’d like to take 😉 Sadly, Ted’s inappropriate language prevents us from being able to take him along with us. 😄
That’s a coincidence, I’ve just got back from veligandu and I’m planning a my first tour on the bike on the nc500. Searching for packing tips and I see the veligandu mouse mat.
TheMilkybarkid69 Hi. We often used the same items for a few days so found it easier to have specific bags with t shirts, evening tops, shorts etc. rather than try to plan each day and evening. Anything that needs a wash went into the communal ‘washing’ bag so we knew anything else was ok to wear. Hope that helps. Happy biking 🏍👍
Thank you! Glad you found it useful 👍 unfortunately, I can’t remember the exact brand of the tech bag and I think the last time I tried to find it on Amazon it was discontinued 🙁 btw you’ll love the NC 500! 👍😀
Hi Paul, I’ve had him so long I can’t remember where I got him from. We do have to hide him when the grandkids arrive though - his speech is rather X rated! 😂
Hi, I use the XL Tesco click seal bags. I can typically get 4-5 t shirts or 2-3 pairs of jeans in a bag. I use the medium size bags for underwear and toiletries. 👍Hope that helps. Thank you for watching our videos 🙂
How have you managed with insurance whilst the bikes are on a trailer ? I have not been able to find a company that will insure them for a reasonable sum whilst in transit.
Thanks John, our friend who trailered them up for us had his own insurance - his busy is transporting all kinds of vehicles around the UK and Europe 👍😀
How long do you recommend to ride before taking a break, just getting back into biking at the age of 64. I have a BMW r1150rt from 2004, just had it fully serviced, and a complete brake system fitted, including servo.
Hi Frank, thanks for your question! I used to have a 1200 RT - great bikes 👍 as far as taking breaks is concerned it all depends on how you feel. My back and bum determine when we take breaks and these days it’s normally after about an hour! Great to see you back into biking and hope you have as much fun as we do! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Thank you for quick response, really appreciate it, l thought that might be the case, think it will be trial and error for a bit. Thank you, love watching your most informative and interesting tours. Keep up the good work 👍🏍️
Hi Andrew, if you mean the tank bag - it was a Suntime magnetic tank bag from Amazon - in the description under the video there is a link to the bag on Amazon ! 😀👍
Lots of us ladies do. I'm 5'4" so restricted in terms of the bikes I can ride. Currently have a 1200 Harley Sportster Low. Many years ago I had a Honda Superdream and my husband took some padding out of the seat so my feet could touch the floor !!! When we have taken our bikes to the South of France to coincide with the annual Brescoudos rally, we see lots of ladies riding Harleys and other bikes.
So after discovering your channel about a week ago, I find I've watched all of your posted videos, with no new content added in that time. 😲 This is not good enough, pull your finger out and get filming. Seriously though, I hope you can get out and about soon !
Thank you! Yes, you’re absolutely right - bang out of order not to have new content 🤬! Lockdown has hampered us a bit but we’re currently on a tour right now 👍 vids coming as soon as we get back and edit it! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries I love riding in Wales, im lucky enough to be only half an hour away, through the Merseyside tunnel. Virtually all the roads are tremendous, especially through mid Wales and the brecon beacons. I have a torn rotator cuff at the moment, but hope to be riding again by the end of July. I do envy you both. Good luck on your trip, be safe.
Great tips sue . My missus also rolls up socks and fills our trainers to save space lol
Thanks Dale! Stuffed trainers also a great idea! 😀👍
Greetings! I've been looking at motorcycle touring videos for some time and have just found this one. It's a great resource as I am planning a trip across part of the US (San Francisco to Kansas City) for my wife and I and this will be instrumental in helping us pack. The advance we have is that we don't have a lot of tech that we are taking so that will afford us a bit more space. We are on a 2021 BMW R1250RT so I have a lot of storage. Thanks again for the great video.
Thanks very much Ken, we’re glad you found it useful 👍 hope you have a great trip! 😀👍
Never thought of the bags for my clothes, but already use them for other things for extra rain protection! Thanks for idea, ride safe!
Thanks very much - glad you found it useful! 😀👍
Hi Sue, no lady here, but must say this was a great and useful tips video, the plastic bags from Tesco was a great suggestion, specially when a lot of people look for more costly alternatives such as packing cubes, for example. Well done, thank you for sharing!! 👍👍
The freezer bags work really well, Nelio. It means I can take more stuff (although I never wear everything that I take 😄) but it also means if you only need a
t shirt, you don’t have to unpack the jeans, shorts and socks as well 👍😀
Love the Ziplock idea. Will definitely use that one
Thanks Del! Sue’s full of good ideas! 😀👍
Very useful thanks. We are two up on one bike so we have to be super minimalist. Of course we wear protective gear but for layering and evening wear we find good quality adventure clothing helpful, such as Rohan. That way my partner can take an attractive Rohan summer dress that doesn’t take up too much space. We would rely on being able to wash and dry adventure style clothing overnight. Even if travelling by rail we would keep it minimal, maybe one day sack each.
Thank you a Pete! If you’re two up it does limit your options- Rohan is good quality 👍. Packing certainly gets easier when you realise you don’t actually need as much as you think 😀!
Brilliant as ever. I never considered using plastic bags before! ! What a great idea! Will do that for our next trip in June.xx Sue thanks for sharing with us.
Sue Taylor thanks for the comments- glad it was useful! Look forward to sharing our NC 500 trip with you! X
Great vid. We use the hoover to pull out all the air from the bags.
Great idea! 😀👍
Just discovered MMD😊 You guys are awesome 👍very good and informative vlogs👍thankyou
Thanks very much 🙏 we’re glad you’re enjoying our adventures and thanks for watching! 😀👍
Hi Sue. Love your idea of putting stuff in zip bags! Brilliant! I have learnt to pack a lot lighter now though. It amazing what you don’t wear in the end. However I MUST still have my hair straighteners!!👍🏻😝😬
5coaly Hi. Thank you for your note. The zip bags make life so much easier for us, particularly as we tend to move on to a new location each day. Re-packing entire panniers and keeping washing separate would be a nightmare! I’m completely with you on the straighteners! 😀👍 The mini ones I talk about on the video, take up much less space and work really well. Happy biking! 🏍
Apart from the tech, toiletries and biking gear, I take 7 prs socks, 7 prs boxers, 7 T shirts, 2 prs jeans, 1 pr Trainers, 1 light jacket, 1 light sweater, 1 towel.
I dont need any more, and I'm always clean and presentable, I'm sure some would say even this is too much.
Ha ha
Good informative video, Sue. 👍
Thanks, Bri is quite controlled too but I always take a little too much. You’re clearly far more organised than me 😄👍 Thank you for watching the vids. Wishing you miles of smiles 🏍☺️
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries You need the same for 4 days or 4 months.
True! 😂😂😂
Sound ideas and worthwhile watching!!
Thanks very much! Sue’s packing makes a big difference! 😀👍
I laughed out loud at "vaguely human." Relatable. Several days on the bike leaves me "mostly motored."
Exactly! 😂😂😂
Sue needs here own channel 😉
😀😀😀
Some really good ideas thanks
Thanks very much John! 😀😳
Would it be possible to request a bit of a tech walk round with cameras and mounts and things,your video quality is brilliant and wondering on your set up. Thank you and keep up the brilliant work
Thanks very much Jono 🙏 we really appreciate your comments and maybe after our next tour series it might be an opportunity to do a video of our set up and the particular kit we use 👍 thanks for watching! 😀
Some really great tips, thanks.
Thanks very much- we’re glad you found it useful! 😀👍
Brilliant video. Might show my better half later..
Thanks very much Phillip! Sue’s really got it down to a fine art now! Thanks for watching!😀👍
Always interesting to see how people pack and how much they take. I was advised it doesn’t matter if your on the road for 5 days or 5 months you take the same stuff. If it doesn’t have two purposes it doesn’t get packed 😂. I suppose the majour difference is if you travelling alone or as a pair. Why does Sue never take panniers when touring? Surely better to spread the load.
Thanks! Most people take far too much when touring (including us sometimes 😂) Sue doesn’t really need panniers as we have plenty of room in the luggage we have - plus, if she did we’d end up taking more than we need! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries agreed. Makes sense, if you have the space you’ll always fill it.
Thanks guys; a useful review.
I would add that in packing the pannier insert bags it helps to keep the weight even as best you can and I always pack heavier items such as the wife's shoes/boots (mine too) to lower the centre of gravity. I roll up socks and insert into the shoes/trainers too.
One question: in the video, you didn't mention which pannier the teddy bear fits into :-)
Hi Des, thanks for this. You’ve made some really good suggestions here. We’re always looking to refine our packing as there is never enough space for what I’d like to take 😉 Sadly, Ted’s inappropriate language prevents us from being able to take him along with us. 😄
That’s a coincidence, I’ve just got back from veligandu and I’m planning a my first tour on the bike on the nc500. Searching for packing tips and I see the veligandu mouse mat.
What a coincidence! 😀 we absolutely loved Veligandu! And we’re sure you’re going to love the NC 500 - thanks for watching! 😀👍
Great video, we are torn between packing things per day as apposed to packing certain items together, if that makes sense.
TheMilkybarkid69 Hi. We often used the same items for a few days so found it easier to have specific bags with t shirts, evening tops, shorts etc. rather than try to plan each day and evening. Anything that needs a wash went into the communal ‘washing’ bag so we knew anything else was ok to wear. Hope that helps. Happy biking 🏍👍
A brilliant video. Lots of helpful tips.
I'm hoping to achieve the NC500 either this year or next year.
Can I ask what brand the 'tech' bag was?.
Thank you! Glad you found it useful 👍 unfortunately, I can’t remember the exact brand of the tech bag and I think the last time I tried to find it on Amazon it was discontinued 🙁 btw you’ll love the NC 500! 👍😀
Please tell me where you bought "TED".
Hi Paul, I’ve had him so long I can’t remember where I got him from. We do have to hide him when the grandkids arrive though - his speech is rather X rated! 😂
Hi. Any particular size and make of zip lock bag you've found best?
Hi, I use the XL Tesco click seal bags. I can typically get 4-5 t shirts or 2-3 pairs of jeans in a bag. I use the medium size bags for underwear and toiletries. 👍Hope that helps. Thank you for watching our videos 🙂
Bought some today. Really makes life easy 👍🏻👍🏻
How have you managed with insurance whilst the bikes are on a trailer ? I have not been able to find a company that will insure them for a reasonable sum whilst in transit.
Thanks John, our friend who trailered them up for us had his own insurance - his busy is transporting all kinds of vehicles around the UK and Europe 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Yes we discovered that you can get commercial insurance but not private insurance. Thanks for your quick reply.
😀😀😀👍👍👍
How long do you recommend to ride before taking a break, just getting back into biking at the age of 64. I have a BMW r1150rt from 2004, just had it fully serviced, and a complete brake system fitted, including servo.
Hi Frank, thanks for your question! I used to have a 1200 RT - great bikes 👍 as far as taking breaks is concerned it all depends on how you feel. My back and bum determine when we take breaks and these days it’s normally after about an hour! Great to see you back into biking and hope you have as much fun as we do! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Thank you for quick response, really appreciate it, l thought that might be the case, think it will be trial and error for a bit. Thank you, love watching your most informative and interesting tours. Keep up the good work 👍🏍️
I would think footwear is a bit of a space hog compared to the clothing
It certainly is that’s why I only take a pair of trainers! But I think some women might disagree! 😉😀👍
Hi what size is the tank bag please
Thanks Di - it’s a Suntime 4 litre tank bag from Amazon! 😀👍 Just checked and it looks like it’s not available anymore 🙁
No worries thanks for replying
Where did you purchase the top box bag from?
Hi Andrew, if you mean the tank bag - it was a Suntime magnetic tank bag from Amazon - in the description under the video there is a link to the bag on Amazon ! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries No I mean the topbox bag for all your electrical goods
Sorry Andrew! My mistake! I got it from Amazon - just checked and it seems to be unavailable 😩 I just searched for electronics carrying case! 😀👍
Imagine having a wife that rides a motorcycle ha ha. Dream on.
Living the dream! 😂😂
My wife would not sit on a bike for any money, i love that, bikes are me time.
Lots of us ladies do. I'm 5'4" so restricted in terms of the bikes I can ride. Currently have a 1200 Harley Sportster Low. Many years ago I had a Honda Superdream and my husband took some padding out of the seat so my feet could touch the floor !!! When we have taken our bikes to the South of France to coincide with the annual Brescoudos rally, we see lots of ladies riding Harleys and other bikes.
So after discovering your channel about a week ago, I find I've watched all of your posted videos, with no new content added in that time. 😲
This is not good enough, pull your finger out and get filming.
Seriously though, I hope you can get out and about soon !
Thank you! Yes, you’re absolutely right - bang out of order not to have new content 🤬! Lockdown has hampered us a bit but we’re currently on a tour right now 👍 vids coming as soon as we get back and edit it! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries
Sneak preview, just for me !
Where are you ?
Wales 🏴 🤫😀!
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries I love riding in Wales, im lucky enough to be only half an hour away, through the Merseyside tunnel. Virtually all the roads are tremendous, especially through mid Wales and the brecon beacons. I have a torn rotator cuff at the moment, but hope to be riding again by the end of July. I do envy you both.
Good luck on your trip, be safe.
@@Terry-S-7 I know about rotator cuff problems 🙁 hope you recover soon 🤞