So in about September ish I’m looking at taking off for about 8weeks or so on my bike. I’ll start in Adelaide and head up north through the center to Darwin. Got a good mate up there so will stay for a week or so then head east over to cairns way then down the east coast. No real plans at this stage might go coast all the way or might come inland and go snowy mountains and vic high country. So my question is what essential gear would you take? I have a list going but interested to hear your ideas.
Good (waterproof) wet weather gear, puncture repair kit (tubeless type plugs), tools to do basic repairs and maintenance (adjust chain, remove wheel, change spark plug, etc), spare chain master link, pencil type tyre pressure gauge, chain lube, a couple of litres of fuel (make sure you can do at least 300Km between servo's), spare gloves (suit hot or cold), a wide brim hat, 1lt of water, camera/phone, membership card of a breakdown service, cash (as some smaller out back places don't have card machines). I also carry a 12" shifter (undo axel nut, straighten bent bits, bang tent pegs in, kill snakes, etc), large pliers and some 2.4mm fencing wire, 8mm plastic hose (emergency fuel line, syphon hose) x 2.5me, electrical wire and snap lock connectors, large fold up pocket knife, spare ear plugs, box of matches or lighter, small LED torch, small roll of duct tape, a couple of 6 and 8mm full thread bolts, washers and nuts, few metres of light rope, some large plastic garbage bags, spare medications. The most important thing to have on any long trip is a good attitude. I find that if I am nice to people I meet, 99% are nice to me in return and are helpful if I need help. Take the time to stop and look at stuff and take a photo so years into the future you can look back to the wonderful trip you had around our great country.
Thanks for reply’s guys. Very comprehensive list @Murdo Had most things mentioned but their are a couple I will add like plastic hose and a selection of nuts/bolts/washers. Looking forward to this trip and hopefully find the fine balance between packing enough and not being overloaded.
That is a basic list of what I have in my tankbag. Try to make all the tools/things you carry have at least two uses, that cuts what you take/think you need in half (eg grind end of 12" shifter so it can be used as a tyre lever, big garbage bags can be used to keep clothes/you dry and keep tools/bits your working on clean on the ground). It is easy to get into trouble, but to get yourself out of trouble and back on the road with what you have is the real accomplishment.