Gear Closet Trans-Asia Endeavour

40.5 Pounds (18.4 kg) All In

A lightweight philosophy is mandatory when riding solo for months in the most remote regions on earth. Whether you’re all alone and calf-deep in the mud of Russia, by yourself in the Polygon in Kazakhstan, stuck in a river in Mongolia, you must have the ability to fix, maneuver, lift, or drag your motorcycle and its load, all by yourself.

Here’s a breakdown of what I packed on my Suzuki DR-Z400 “Sibex Edition”.

TOTAL WEIGHT: 40 lbs 9 oz / 18.4 kilos (incl. 3 days food, 1.5 liters water)

Tail Bag: Kriega US-20 Drypack (Total weight: 7 lbs 11 oz)

Comments: I chose this bag for its simplicity. I don’t need luggage with dedicated tent pole sacks or cheese cutting boards. I need a single compartment, lightweight, durable, waterproof bag. The Kriega has been perfect. There was no need for a tail rack.

Here’s the breakdown including the weight of the bag itself:

  • Tail Bag (2 lbs 0 oz)
  • Clothing, Toiletries, Electronics (5 lbs 11 oz) – Arc’Teryx Ether Short Sleeve shirt (2), Patagonia Lightweight Capilene Long Sleeve shirt (1), Miskatonic University Antarctic Expedition cotton shirt (1), Arc’Teryx Phase AR baselayer (1), Kuhl long pants (1), Shorts (1), Beanie (1), Socks (riding) (2), Socks (casual) (2), Underwear (2), pack towel, Toiletries bag (Razor, tooth brush, toothpaste, saline, contacts, glass case, ibuprofen, scissors, 3 oz body wash), Electronics (Samsung tablet w/charging cable, phone charging cable, extra micro SD cards), Lightweight Skecher shoes

Panniers: X-Country Enduro Rally rackless bags (18 liters ea.)

Comments: Similar to the tail bag, I just don’t get some of the over-engineered, over-thought pannier bags (particularly in North America) that are huge, heavy, and usually require side racks. I searched for 18 months before finding these gems. Not only do they position your load as far forward as possible, they are hand-made to your specs in both size and color by Polish rider Mirek Antoniewicz. Bombproof, waterproof, simple, and at 2 pounds each, almost ethereal. If there’s a tougher, lighter, rackless pannier option out there, I’d like to see it. (Learn more at xcountry.pl)

Here’s the breakdown including the weight of the bags themselves:

Pannier Starboard (Total weight: 10 lbs 2 oz)

  • Pannier (2 lbs 0 oz)
  • Camping (5 lbs 3 oz) – Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32, TarpTent Protrail, Neo Air All Season, MSR solo stove, fuel, water filtration
  • Cold Weather Clothes (2 lbs 1 oz) – Arc’Teryx Cerium Down Jacket**, Patagonia Capilene 4 baselayer, Patagonia Capilene 3 bottoms, balaclava, cold weather gloves, Sealskinz Gore-Tex socks ((**cue the Panic Button))
  • First Aid Kit (14 oz)

Pannier Port (Total weight: 16 lbs 14 oz)

  • Pannier (2 lbs 1 oz)
  • Backpacking Food/3 days (1 lb 9 oz)
  • Tools (4 lbs 6 oz) – Leatherman Rebar, ¼” ratchet, 4″ extender, 3/8″ extender, 1/4″ pivot head, 3/8” pivot head, 1/4″ socket for hex bits, screwdriver hex bits, allen hex bits, (long) 8 mm socket, 10 mm socket, 12 mm socket, 14 mm socket, spark plug socket, spoke wrench, MP 24mm – 3/8 combo lever adapter, MP tire iron/wrenches 24mm and 22mm, socket adapters 3/8 – 1/4, 1/4 – 3/8, pressure gauge, Topeak Pocket Rocket air pump, MP Bead Buddy II, exhaust plug, electrical wire nuts, chain breaker tool, Trail Jack, duct tape, electrical tape, cable ties, tube repair, metal putty, blue Loctite
  • Spares (8 lbs 14 oz) – OEM front sprocket, Front/Rear caliper rebuild kits, counter shaft seal kit, carb spares, Front/Rear brake pads, chain links, spare master clip, rear axle nut, Front/Rear wheel bearings + seals, spark plug, fuses, electrical wire, carb needle/jets, carb critical spares, misc spare nuts and bolts, Front and Rear spare tubes (damnable heavy things)

((If you’re wondering about the weight discrepancy between each pannier, once the lithium battery (port) and LeoVince exhaust (starboard) are factored in, there is less than a pound of difference from left to right.))

Tank Bag: Wolfman Enduro (Total weight 5 lbs 14 oz)

Comments: I didn’t want a tank bag. I hate ‘em. They get in my way when standing and riding aggressively. I bit the bullet because they are functional, though most tank bags are too big for my purposes, and this Wolfman was no exception. Still, very durable and a reliable piece of kit.

Here’s the breakdown including the weight of the bag itself:

  • Tank bag (1 lb 4 oz)
  • 1.5 liter water bladder, filled (3 lbs 9 oz)
  • Sony DSC-RX100 III camera + extra battery (13 oz)
  • Headlamp (4 oz)

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