Fanny Pack / Leg Bag

One of the things I’ve learnt whilst riding is that I don’t particularly like wearing a rucksack whilst riding.  It wasn't to bad on the CB500 as it was a fairly upright sitting position but on the VFR its a pain. 

I've got a Givi Maxia 3 top box but for ‘lively’ days out it does tend to alter the rideability and look.  I’ve also got an Oxford tank bank and this was really my go to item to hold my junk as precious little fits inside my jacket.  Being magnetic and expandable and able to convert into a rucksack its very versatile and I do enjoy using it.

But on a whim after seeing a similar item being worn by someone else I’ve spend some pennies and bought a hip/leg/waist bag.  Its pick enough to hold my phone, powerpack, wallet and shades.  What more do I need ?  It also means its not left on the bike by accident and frees the tank bag up for more items when on longer trips. 

Its an Ebay special from China so I wont be to heart broken if it only lasts a season but what do you expect for £20 squid.  I just hope it arrives in time for my trip.

 

 

Camping Straps

After doing a bit of research into how to strap stuff onto the bike I decided that bungie cords and old skool rope were definitely out.  That left me with a choice of straps.  I was torn between velco straps as used by Saffy Sprocket called Andy Strapz  and cargo straps.  I’ve decided to go with Rok straps in the end.  This are fairly cheap for what looks like reasonable bits of kit.

I've gone for 2 packs of  60” in length on the premise that to long is better than to short.  A result at £13 a pack.  I probably only need one set to hold the tent on the rear of the seat but a spare set never hurts to have.

Camping Stove

As this will be my first trip out on the bike camping, I'm not going to splash out on the latest and most expensive gear until I decide if its for me.  I’ve bought this little thing primarily to do brew ups rather than to do meal cooking on. Its cheap and cheerful but hopefully will survive the week. For 20 quid I cant really  complain if it only lasts this year can I.  The nice thing is that it all fits inside itself so its small enough to go in the panniers.  I was looking at the Jetboil range and I suspect that's what will replace it next year.

 

 

New Tent

So summers here and I’ve decided to try and open up some options regarding touring on the bike.  Since I passed my test I’ve been doing just daily rides out and whilst you can cover some serious miles on the bike in a day I started to wonder if I was missing out on some of the trip highlights by pushing so much to get the miles in. 

Whilst I might be in my 50’s now I used to enjoy camping when a kid and since the new VFR came with a full set of panniers and currently not having to worry about a pillion, camping seemed to be a sensible way to go.  The money I save on B&B / hotels I can spend on eating in the pub each night if I don't fancy cooking !!!

After doing some research I I narrowed down my choices to a Galaxy Vamgo 300, Coastline Plus 3 or a Lonerider MotoTent.  Being the first year of trying this I knew the investment in gear was going to be be steep ie £300+ but then I saw someone offering a tent on marketplace for just £30 inc p+p that seemed to fit my requirements.  I think its Colemans previous version of the Coastline Plus so decided what the hell and bought it.

Its the Coleman Bi Space 300….

Yes I know its discontinued but for the first year I think it will do fine.  Now its time to research and source a chair, travel cot and jet stove.  I cant be without my coffee in the morning.