~ Gear reviews ~
Yamaha Tenere 660 XTZ adventure motorbike review
The Yamaha Tenere 660 XTZ is my first adventure motorbike after several years riding super bikes, café racers, and others – and I really love it, it’s robust, rugged, doesn’t need much maintenance, and starts every time (so far!). In 2022, I rode it over 1000 miles from the UK to Estonia, via the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia, on my first transcontinental expedition, and it’s given me loads of confidence to go further, and more remote.
Fix Plus straps
I’ve been using Fixplus straps since I started bikepacking in 2022 and now swear by them!
They come in many sizes and can be used to secure all kinds of items to the bike, or for holding heavy things together.
They work by having a small amount of stretch in the belt (but nowhere near enough to make it snap), which then pulls back against what you’re holding once you’ve found the correct hole for the belt.
Aeropress Portable Travel Coffee Press
It’s not easy making coffee when you’re out on an adventure, but the other team members will be your best friends if you do so, or it’ll enhance your enjoyment of a solo endeavour.
JBL tune 115BT wireless headphones
They’re not waterproof and don’t claim to be, however they handle my sweaty heads for many months without complaint.
They’re highly affordable, coming in at under £40 (especially when compared to big brand name wireless in-ear headphones) and the sound quality is superb. I particularly like listening to podcasts and audio books when I head out on the gravel bike after a long day on the computer.
Whether you're a seasoned climber seeking new mountains to conquer, an endurance runner craving the rush of Marathon des Sables, or a bikepacker in search of the perfect mult-day route, we've got you covered.
Check out our curated collection of articles, categorised to ensure you find the gear that speaks to the adventure you’re seeking to complete: