Moto Diaries

Posted by Derek Mansfield on 13 June 2011 | 3 Comments

What to take on a long distance motorcycle journey.

When I plan my journeys I spend a lot of time on Google maps. Finally I print maybe one or two views which show a route of 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Good overview, not much detail.

Google maps are fantastic tools: unfortunately they require web access and the internet is not always available or free when you’re out in the boonies.

So to supplement Google maps it’s likely that 20% of the space and weight in my bags is taken up by electronics.

There’s a laptop - essential for up to the moment reports on the road, the laptop charging kit - also comprising an inverter to convert DC (motorcycle battery) power to AC - and several different cables for phones and cameras to be charged whilst moving, (Sat Navs eat power).

Last year I experienced a lot of pain when using ear bud headsets connected directly to the phone – using the buds up to 14 hours a day I should have expected it; so the Bluetooth helmet upgrade is designed to obviate the ear buds and take care of GPS and sound.

Thus even my helmet needs charging kit as the Bluetooth GPS system uses the headphones built in to the helmet itself.

So what works?

Well, over 50mph I cannot hear opera. Over 70mph I cannot hear rock n’roll. This setup gives me automatic speed data.

GPS? My Ndrive system sulks in silence most of the time because I refuse to follow absurd instructions.

My advice on what to pack? A map.

And one of these for making coffee http://aerobie.com/products/aeropress.htm

When I plan my journeys I spend a lot of time on Google maps. Finally I print maybe one or two views which show a route of 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Good overview, not much detail.

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What to take on a motorcycle journey

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