Loading the bike. There are several principles to follow when loading a bike for a lengthy tour, especially if carrying a lot of gear (that is, camping rather than motelling).

It is important that gear which needs to be kept dry can be kept completely dry in even the worst weather. So in my case, I have the underseat storage (about 30 litres), the Givi top box behind the pillion seat (50 litres) and a waterproof stuff sack on the pillion (it is two-ended, in other words can be opened at either end for easy access). These 3 storage facilities are the water proof ones. Everything else is strapped onto the pillion seat - that is, wet weather riding gear (must be right there when needed, ready to put on in a hurry); the tent; and some of the cooking gear and groundsheet, not necessary to keep it dry in fact it will often be wet when packing up in the morning anyway.

Some things need to be available quickly and easily. These include a first aid kit; money; phone; water; and a quick change of clothes. These things travel either in pockets of the riding jacket or in the top box. (Most bikes can have a tank bag fitted to the top of the fuel tank - but not the T Max, because of its scootery configuration).

The photo above shows the fully loaded T Max ready for departure. The grey thing is the two-ended waterproof bag; the white bag contains cooking stuff and a groundsheet (could get wet, won't matter) and the yellow bag contains raingear and a spare pair of gloves. The tent is under all this, rolled up in its own bag.