OK

Sorry I can't think in non-metric anymore:

- pair of panniers about 2kg (add 1.6kgs for front panniers)
- tent 1.5kg
- sleeping bag 1kg
- sleeping mat 400g
- stove and gas 1kg

Are your basics. You probably can go lighter on all of these but I'd ay these are reasonable weights to aim for for 'normal' kit.

Spare sets of clothes really add to the weight. As do bits and bobs and gadgets. Take travelwash and use merino layers. Decant shampoo etc into small travel size bottles. Send extra supplies to post offices (General delivery/poste restante) to collect en route. Riding with someone else obviously means you can keep the weight down (you only need one tent and one set of cooking equipment, one first aid kit, one tool kit and set of spares etc)

I'd say try to keep the weight of your panniers and contents (excluding food and water) below 15kgs.

Oh and take with a pinch of salt the claims from super weight weenies: if you follow one of the links from the post above the guy manages to carry phenomenally little kit - but among other things (IIRC) he has no spare clothes, eats raw food, doesn't carry soap and only 20g of suncream even when travelling over the Himalayas. Hmm there's a point when maybe less isn't more.