I don't know if I missed it when going through everyones list ideas but could I suggest

BOG ROLL in your bike jacket pocket

Sounds so obvious, and yet it's surprising how often it's overlooked � after that one time you pull into a services and the stalls are empty, you'll never forget it again.

Hope you have a fantastic trip � it won't be your last!

For me...small packet of baby wipes instead of bog roll....won't disintegrate if rained on...

:)

Had a laugh reading this,my wife and I sat down the other day trying work out how many trips we'd done to Europe on a bike and we reckon it's between 120/30,just wish I knew at the start what I/we know now,but it sure is a steep learning curve!! and never stops.

Well done for the number of trips you have done. However pointing that out does not really help anyone. With all your accumulated experience it would have been more helpful to add to, or offer more/different advice. Everyone is different and does things in different ways. It is a sad day when we stop thinking we can learn from others, no matter how 'green' they may be, and assume we are superior. I am sure that was not your intention at all, but your cooment did read that way a little. I would love to hear advice from anyone and would be grateful to anyone who takes the time to offer it in response to a thread/question or offers an account of their own experience from which I/we can all learn.

Blimey your dammed if you do and dammed if you don't,did you read the part that says you never stop learning!!!.

Here's a photo.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ing2008004.jpg

Thats as much as we take be it for a long weekend or two weeks on the road,the changes being size of tank bag and at the risk of the oh so superior we have the luxury of a different bike.

The blue bag on the topbox that looks a pigs ear!!! took years to perfect,zip on the side and in it is 2 pairs of unlined jacket and trousers which go over our so called water proof other kit for long days in the rain,also includes a tin of chain spray and anything else along the way gets stuffed in there including out inner fleeces when it gets warm.

Untill last year I'd have gone into a long ramble on gloves,sports gloves for normal riding,when it got wet trials gloves with XXXL Marigolds over the top and they would stay dry even on a 600 mile wet day,the trials gloves were used when it got hot,all that changed when Alpinestar brought out their 365 which does everything bar the trials gloves in southern Europe.

Clothing is 3/4 armoured jacket(with loads of pockets) and leather jeans different boots depending on north/south Europe.

Old clothes collected during the winter,tee shirts/undies,socks with holes in e'm are keeped and used for the holiday on a total loss basis,god knows how many hotel rooms bins we've left full to the brim!!,one pair of jeans/shorts and decent pair of Gortex walking shoes,either buy stuff if you need it or wash e'm in the sink.

I'll do another.

The unlined water proofs should have velcro cuffs,the elasticated is crap,rides up you arm at 100mph and the rain runs into your gloves.

Pack everything in vacum bags,they cost peanuts and you can shrink everything down to nothing and keep it dry,but be carefull you can end up with a top box weighing 40+ kilos!!

Put an insert in your helmet you'll need neither a dark visor or sunglasses

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h1...Bologna021.jpg

While I/we use a GPS at home wouldn't dream of using one on the continent(or have a hand held in your pockest),another item to get stolen and if you get lost it's what the tongue in your head is for,we could write a book on the aforementioned!!

If your going a distance go with new tyres,riding in the Uk do 200 miles in a weekend in UK doesn't compare to southern europe 35c+ doing anything between 300 and a 1000 miles in a day they vanish before your eyes.

If your hoteling it carry an Ibis book with you,no not for the Ibis but you always get others close by,if you do use ie an Ibis use e'm to book inadvance,I've know the time when I couldn't get an advanced booking for the next day but the hotel did in 2minutes flat.

We did camp for 5 years and then thought 'Why are carry all this lot with us'

We've tried just about every option going out,Dover/Calais cross over 9pm,prebook a hotel,loose the hour in your sleep and be up and out(with a decent breakfast) by 8am,we have been the other side of switzeland the same day,longer ferry,prefer Portsmouth/StMalo leaves at 8pm arrives at 8am,non of this getting chucked off at 6 in the morning(only took 30 years to work that out!!),longer still!! Santander easier to get out of,Bilbao!! it isn't Bilbao it's Santurzi on the other side of the river and it's not ideal for a fast get away.

For when it raining have always used a Bob Heath V wipe they come in various sizes hence the different colours.

For the bugs use a tennis ball with the top cut off and a sponge stuffed inside,when in a hot climate even have a small bottle of water(hotel shampoo size) so I can wet it on the move.

If the trip is in Northern Europe I'll us gortex boots but not down south things get hot enough as it is.

The reason why we use a 2 piece unlined rain suite,the water lies in the crease of the jacket not your trousers so you've a double layer,and spare jacket to wear if you going out on the lash!!!

Again if going down south,take the lining out of out jackets and wear a fleece instead it's another piece of usable clothing.

Never ride in anything with a collar it goes black within half a day,only round or just tee shirts/sweet shirts.

3/4 armoured jacket,if were north use a bulky/warmer Alpinestars jacket,but down south use a half leather half material it can handle the heat better.

Golden rule when travelling,never let your arse go off cuz if you do you've had it,the moment it does get up out of the seat,my wife normally pummels mine back into life,usually doing 90mph!!!

OH!!!! choose your travelling companions well.

If my wife sees this she'll be along with another 10 pages!!.

Great tip about the marigolds....as stated..you never stop learning!!

:)