G'day Nick, thanks for making these and putting out content which is so relatable. I'm a new rider dreaming of doing what you are and your honest videos are a godsend! I have a cb500x on order and really wanted to see this bike in lots of different situations, what you're doing is absolutely perfect! I'm usually a solo traveler too so can totally relate to the mixture of joy and frustration that you are going through, just wanted you to know that you are not alone and there are people across the world who are with you for every km or mile!
Hi Ryan. Many thanks for your encouraging comments. I must say the CB500X is perfect for what I'm doing. I didn't want to race from point A to Point B and it takes everything in its stride (I'm avoiding the motorways where possible). Hope you enjoy the bike when it arrives. Nick
Hi there Nick, just watched all your videos and enjoying seeing your journey. Pack light, pack light, pack light everyone will tell you but it's not until you do a trip yourself will you actually figure it out. You can be pretty brutal cutting out a lot of unnecessary items. Good luck going forward.
Absolutely loved that comic effect mate 👌 cracking trip so far.. apart from places being closed.. Not half looking forward to getting the cbr500r now too.. I’ll almost certainly get the X in winter too..
I have been on trips with my wife in Canada on a 1981 CBX with saddle bags. She has one and I have, well okay, she has one and a half and I get to take some stuff with. We pack light, and a tent was strapped behind her on the tail skirt. Can be done, and yes we had beers after the ride.
Hi Fred, thanks for all the comments, really appreciated. I think it comes down to experience, I've not camped since I was a child, and trying to prepare for the types of climates, terrains and altitudes meant going over the top. It really is a learning experience so I know what not to take on the next one Nick
that looks a bit precarious....lol, getting luggage sorted out is a pain at first.... I have the same Lomo bags, but i have side luggage rails/rack for soft bags, then they dont move around and kept off the exhaust, these are supplemented by a 40 litre top box, which has stuff that i need often (waterproofs, chain lube, disc lock, fleece etc) then i have a 50 litre roll bag on the seat for personal stuff, the top box stops the bag sliding off the back and makes it easier to secure the roll bag, a top box is very handy for stashing all kinds of stuff....travel light, i find a 50 lt bag will hold enough stuff for me for 3 weeks, shoes, jeans, fleece, wash bag/chargers , tablet, etc, i take 5 t shirts, 5 boxers, 5 socks so i can last a week without finding laundry (maybe longer lol) good trip report, enjoyable
Many thanks for the very informative detail above. Yep, when I got home I replaced the rails with luggage rails, exhaust shield and a rack and use Rokstraps to keep it all in place. I replaced the Lomo bags with the same as I thought they worked well (not their fault the got burned) and as well as the 60 litre bag, I bought a 30 litre purely for my tent, poles and groundsheet protector. I travelled 2 weeks in Scotland with this set up, no issues, so did the same for my most recent 7 week trip. Laundry? I take 4 sets of wicking T-shirts and boxers. Washing them in rotation, as they dry overnight in my tent in warmer climes. Part of me thinks a top box would be a good addition but I'm happy with my set up now. Thanks again for the info, we're not that far apart coming to the same conclusion... travel light... now, if only I adhered to that mantra 😉 Nick
Luggage solution is difficult, but it’s not until you do these trips do you really find out the best solution, think it’s a shame you can’t get full usage out of your panniers, can you not get a heat shield for the exhaust side? That hotel room was awful, definitely not touched since the last occupant
Hi Nick! I think you should buy a device that you put on top of the exhaust and protect your bags from the heat. It's like a fin that you hook onto the passenger footrest. Try to look for ir on internet, good luck!
Totally agree, problem is that I'm touring and never quite know where I'll be and when to get it delivered. I'm keeping.my eye open for a fabrication shop that might be able to make one up Otherwise, I ordet it for once I get home Nick
Had a worse set-up for my trip to Spain last year. Top heavy and try swing a 20 kg top box up and down a 100 step stairs on a ferry with an out of service escalator! Using Lomo 20 l bags strapped to a Kriega Os base this year mated to a 48l Lonerider Overlander. Shakedown done so roll on September
You should get pannier racks for soft luggage.. Honda, I believe sells these at their dealerships or you could also buy them straight from GIVI who manufacture them for Honda and other motorcycle manufacturers..
Many thanks for the suggestion, I am now back in the UK after my trip and have since fitted Outback Motortek pannier racks and rear rack which do a great job. Nick
Oooh, nice suggestion Allen, there is a another upload scheduled tomorrow which is a discussion about the stuff I packed and what I could discard. Nick
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment and yep, but I used it all during the trip except for the tarp that had the hole burned in it, which I didn't really need to take anyway Nick
Take off the silencer... Hide it and pick it up on the way back... Bike will just sound mean.. Those large Aldi tins with jubilee clips would quiten it down if your fussed.. Lol
Yep, U-Haul trailer has also been suggested. What I haven't shown are the number of straps and mounting points holding it all together, so once strapped it didn't move. Its a bit like having a light passenger behind you. Nick
G'day Nick, thanks for making these and putting out content which is so relatable. I'm a new rider dreaming of doing what you are and your honest videos are a godsend! I have a cb500x on order and really wanted to see this bike in lots of different situations, what you're doing is absolutely perfect! I'm usually a solo traveler too so can totally relate to the mixture of joy and frustration that you are going through, just wanted you to know that you are not alone and there are people across the world who are with you for every km or mile!
Hi Ryan. Many thanks for your encouraging comments. I must say the CB500X is perfect for what I'm doing. I didn't want to race from point A to Point B and it takes everything in its stride (I'm avoiding the motorways where possible). Hope you enjoy the bike when it arrives.
Nick
Hi there Nick, just watched all your videos and enjoying seeing your journey. Pack light, pack light, pack light everyone will tell you but it's not until you do a trip yourself will you actually figure it out. You can be pretty brutal cutting out a lot of unnecessary items. Good luck going forward.
Thanks GP Rider, yep all a learning process!
Nick
Absolutely loved that comic effect mate 👌 cracking trip so far.. apart from places being closed.. Not half looking forward to getting the cbr500r now too.. I’ll almost certainly get the X in winter too..
Many thanks! Good luck with the bikes when they arrive!
Nick
I have been on trips with my wife in Canada on a 1981 CBX with saddle bags. She has one and I have, well okay, she has one and a half and I get to take some stuff with. We pack light, and a tent was strapped behind her on the tail skirt. Can be done, and yes we had beers after the ride.
Hi Fred, thanks for all the comments, really appreciated. I think it comes down to experience, I've not camped since I was a child, and trying to prepare for the types of climates, terrains and altitudes meant going over the top. It really is a learning experience so I know what not to take on the next one
Nick
that looks a bit precarious....lol, getting luggage sorted out is a pain at first.... I have the same Lomo bags, but i have side luggage rails/rack for soft bags, then they dont move around and kept off the exhaust, these are supplemented by a 40 litre top box, which has stuff that i need often (waterproofs, chain lube, disc lock, fleece etc) then i have a 50 litre roll bag on the seat for personal stuff, the top box stops the bag sliding off the back and makes it easier to secure the roll bag, a top box is very handy for stashing all kinds of stuff....travel light, i find a 50 lt bag will hold enough stuff for me for 3 weeks, shoes, jeans, fleece, wash bag/chargers , tablet, etc, i take 5 t shirts, 5 boxers, 5 socks so i can last a week without finding laundry (maybe longer lol) good trip report, enjoyable
Many thanks for the very informative detail above. Yep, when I got home I replaced the rails with luggage rails, exhaust shield and a rack and use Rokstraps to keep it all in place. I replaced the Lomo bags with the same as I thought they worked well (not their fault the got burned) and as well as the 60 litre bag, I bought a 30 litre purely for my tent, poles and groundsheet protector. I travelled 2 weeks in Scotland with this set up, no issues, so did the same for my most recent 7 week trip. Laundry? I take 4 sets of wicking T-shirts and boxers. Washing them in rotation, as they dry overnight in my tent in warmer climes. Part of me thinks a top box would be a good addition but I'm happy with my set up now. Thanks again for the info, we're not that far apart coming to the same conclusion... travel light... now, if only I adhered to that mantra 😉
Nick
Luggage solution is difficult, but it’s not until you do these trips do you really find out the best solution, think it’s a shame you can’t get full usage out of your panniers, can you not get a heat shield for the exhaust side? That hotel room was awful, definitely not touched since the last occupant
Hi @Gurman01 I adapting as I go and slowly putting more in, but still more top heavy than I'd like at the moment
Nick
Hi Nick!
I think you should buy a device that you put on top of the exhaust and protect your bags from the heat. It's like a fin that you hook onto the passenger footrest. Try to look for ir on internet, good luck!
Totally agree, problem is that I'm touring and never quite know where I'll be and when to get it delivered. I'm keeping.my eye open for a fabrication shop that might be able to make one up
Otherwise, I ordet it for once I get home
Nick
Had a worse set-up for my trip to Spain last year. Top heavy and try swing a 20 kg top box up and down a 100 step stairs on a ferry with an out of service escalator!
Using Lomo 20 l bags strapped to a Kriega Os base this year mated to a 48l Lonerider Overlander. Shakedown done so roll on September
Hey @Nordkapp, that sounds painful. Full shakedown is essential so I'm sure it will work well for you!
Nick
Nice travels
Thanks Nacho!
Nick
Nick find a skip for the camping gear and get a hotel ,liking your blog
Bit of a spoiler alert, but the further south east I've travelled the cheaper a hotel is! But I'll probably use it more on the way back home.
Nick
You should get pannier racks for soft luggage.. Honda, I believe sells these at their dealerships or you could also buy them straight from GIVI who manufacture them for Honda and other motorcycle manufacturers..
Many thanks for the suggestion, I am now back in the UK after my trip and have since fitted Outback Motortek pannier racks and rear rack which do a great job.
Nick
@@bikingtravels hahhah yes, I saw one of your newer vlogs and discovered you've been ther & done that! Safe travels Nick !
Good
Thanks
Hi mate wot tyre have you got they are noise that hotel is shut you would be better in your tent yet some money back lol ride safe 👌
Hi Stan, they are Bridgestone Battlax AX41 tyres, and yes if it hadn't been a storm I could have camped in the carpark for free!
Nick
Last video… 😮😮😮
I hope you enjoyed them
Nick
find a charity shop and unload some stuff
Oooh, nice suggestion Allen, there is a another upload scheduled tomorrow which is a discussion about the stuff I packed and what I could discard.
Nick
Maybe post some gear home. You seem to have a lot of gear.
Hi Paul, thanks for the comment and yep, but I used it all during the trip except for the tarp that had the hole burned in it, which I didn't really need to take anyway
Nick
Take off the silencer... Hide it and pick it up on the way back... Bike will just sound mean.. Those large Aldi tins with jubilee clips would quiten it down if your fussed.. Lol
I like your thinking Tony!!!!
Nick
A rear rack might have made things easier
Yes, I have added one since I returned home (better late than never)
Some people ride in the rain ,others just get wet.
As ever Arlo a relevant quote... I think I did both
Nick
That’s awful you can’t sleep in a used bed ,, I would complain
I did and ended up not paying for the night (I slept in my sleeping bag liner)
you need a campervan m8. that looks rediculous... and not the safest looking either
Yep, U-Haul trailer has also been suggested. What I haven't shown are the number of straps and mounting points holding it all together, so once strapped it didn't move. Its a bit like having a light passenger behind you.
Nick
Okay for one person sorry but you have way way too much stuff. Sorry IMO
But I needed that hair conditioner and spare air bed pump and...
Nick