So I wanted to pick the brains of all you experienced guys out there. If you could post a reply with your top 2 touring essentials please. Then maybe I can start to get a decent list together of what I do and don't need. Cheers gents.

Maybe posting up some details of your planned tour and what you already feel is essential would make this more effective.

Tall Screen , Heated grips , Lambswool Seat Cover , Kriega R3 bum bag for camera wallet Sunglasses etc , Puncture Repair Kit. Epoxy Radiator Repair ,Earplugs , Neurofen
Can keep going if you like.

Credit card and.... er...... hmmm....

Whats the route you had in mind? I did 6states in 6 weeks solo, packed like this:


I used about 90% of it but it helps to put some stuff back, you don't need as much as you think you might.
Just off the top of my head:
Powerlet run from the switched accessory port: iPhone/GPS in Ram mount
Gerbings run directly from the battery.
Hennessy Hammock, -15 bag:

Jet Boil
Atlas
Bring an extra F'ing KEY! Don't ask me why>>>>
Gas bottles/cans
Upgraded roadside assist or a Spot device.
Ultralight camp chair
Fire starter
Glasses/contacts stuff
Earwax removal drops(I wore my ear phones the whole time, started to get an infection, staved it off by treating with OTC drops)
Wet Wipes
A big ass Knife

I'll remember a bunch more stuff.....

1.) KTM tool kit including tyre puncture kit.

2.) Credit Card

The less crap you haul around, the better your bike will handle. And that's really what it's all about. Turn and burn.

I guess we have to ask if you are planing to camp out or just tour. I just did a two night 888 mile rip in eastern Oregon, camping both nights off my KTM Aventure 950. Where you going and for how long? I have a 6 state ride planed for September and have been thinking about it for some time. I have lots of miles built up camping off sport bikes, Ninjas and GSXRs, tells us more of what your plans are.
But I will tell you again flat out, a good tool kit and a credit card is the way to go if you can swing it. You will be wishing you did not have all crap hanging off your bike so you can rip it up.

Turn and Burn

I will have to say when I go bike camping, the most enjoyable time of the trips are when I set up camp, unload the bike and rip it up before all the land yachts wake up and block traffic.

I will have to say when I go bike camping, the most enjoyable time of the trips are when I set up camp, unload the bike and rip it up before all the land yachts wake up and block traffic.

Sorry gents will be going to 2 places in Germany. Somewhere near the nurburg ring and somewhere in the Black Forest where I will be staying in b&b's. got thing like Power from battery etc sorted, just bout to get and autocom logic with radio. Taking prob a kreiga us 30 and a tank bag and that's it. Was thinking Kevlar jeans and textile jacket then bring a set a over waterproofs. Got gore tex boots and gloves. 160gb iPod, phone, GPS.......

Has anyone tried that kappa bike gear? Dry packs etc?

Just about any quality luggage system will work for you. In case of rain carry trash bags and place your items inside the bags and place everything in the luggage system. Zip lock bags work for tank bag items.

Just don't take too much stuff and you will be fine with less stuff to worry about.

Every time I travel I have items that I never use, even last weekend.

It's really strange how we think we need all the extra stuff, when we can really adapt when needed on the fly.

We have in the states what is know as rafting dry bags which are water proof which I have used, but I think it's over kill in your use.

Air hawk seat pad and a pacsafe

For me to ride any distance on a motorcycle these days the touring essential I need is guaranteed eastern european prostitutes that look like Claudia Schiffer and charge the equivalent of 30 quid sterling. Otherwise I will stay at home.