What bike am I using?
A 2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XRT – I bought this bike mainly for commuting, before I even started thinking about doing a big trip. When I decided to do the trip I read lots about choosing the right bike but in the end I figured that as the bike I already had was more than capable I’d stick with it. It is a decision I’m still very happy with.
Of course I made a few changes. I had already had it lowered, and as the XRT is the top of the range of the more road oriented version of the Tiger 800 it already had a lot as standard (such as uprated alternator, aluminium radiator guard, tyre pressure monitoring, auxiliary lights, pannier frames, centre stand, heated seat as well as grips) but I felt it would be a good idea to fit some of the more off-road oriented accessories – just in case :
- aluminium sump guard (Triumph)
- engine and fuel tank protection bars (Heed)
And for practicality and comfort :
- side stand big foot plate (Adventure-Spec)
- gps mount (SW-Motech)
- machined footrests from the XC (Triumph)
- adjustable screen (MRA) – best feature is being able to remove the top half to get more air flow
And purely for aesthetics :
- front beak (Triumph)
- machined brake and clutch lever (Triumph)
- machined clutch bracket (Triumph)
- silencer (Arrow)
What am I wearing ?
- Klim Artemis jacket
- Klim Artemis pants – I set off in Dainese Drake Super Air pants but sent them home from Malaysia
- Forma Adventure Low boots
- Triumph Route Gloves (good 3 season gloves)
- Harley Davidson (mesh) gloves (good tropical gloves)
- Schuberth E1 helmet with Bluetooth
- Keis V501 Premium Heated Vest
What gear did I have ?
- Vango Zenith Pro 200 tent – swapped for a Lone Rider ADV tent (for better ventilation)
- Thermarest NeoAir Venture mattress
- Silk sleeping bag liner (easier to clean than sleeping bag)
- Vango Venom 300 (summer) sleeping bag – swapped for Alpkit PipeDream 600 (for colder weather)
- Inflatable Pillow (noisy, stopped using it – just put a bag under end of mattress now)
- Outrak compact and lightweight camp chair
- Primus Omnifuel stove and 0.6l fuel bottle
- Flask (recent addition)
- Aluminium water bottle (recent addition)
- Small pan set
- Tin mug
- Fork, spoon, knife, spork
- Lighter
- Multi tool w sharp knife
- Sandwich bags
- Food basics (spices, oil, rice, pasta)
- Clothes – too many, and collected t-shirts
- Givi XS307 tank bag (ditched in Malaysia, zip breaking and too heavy)
- Full set of brake pads
- Oil filter and sump washer (2 used between dealer services)
- Headlight bulb, indicator bulb, indicator lens
- Battery jump starter / powerbank
- Chain oil (tutoro)
- 12V air compressor
- Slime tyre pressure gauge
- Dynaplugs
- Visor cleaner spray and cloth
- Disk lock (hardly ever used)
- Helmet lock (used a lot)
- Toolkit (everything needed for oil change, pad change, front and rear wheel removal, tightening stuff)
- Gorilla tape
- Cable ties
- Gorilla glue
- Torch/magnet
- iPhone 6s (main camera)
- Garmin Sat-Nav – Zumo 595LM – free OSM worldwide maps
- SJCAM video camera (bought in Kazakhstan)
- Olympus Tough TG5 camera (screen cracked when left in top box for flight to Australia- ooops)
- Powerbank
- Laptop (mainly for connecting to Zumo and doing videos)
- Kindle
- Power adaptors (1 cube, 1 Aus/USA, 1 Europe)
- Too many USB cables
- Hella/USB adaptor
- Spot tracker
- Passport / Carnet / IDP / V5 / bike insurance/ travel insurance / passport photos
- Currency in waterproof pouch
- Medicine tin
- Journal notebook
- Sketch pad
- Kriega US-30 DryBag
- Various dry bags
- Net laundry bag (for drying washing on back of bike while riding)
- Clothes pegs – small bag of washing powder (or just use shower gel/ shampoo/ soap if don’t have any)
- Straps (latch and rok straps)
- Boot laces
- Ear plugs
- Union flags
- First aid kit
- Toilet roll
- Spare keys
- Toiletries
- Mosquito repellent
- Poncho
- Maps
- Hat
- Fly net (added in the Outback)
- Trainers (Sketchers – comfy and lightweight)
- Camelbak
- Spf50 suncream
- Large travel towel