I would definitely bring a tire plug kit and a means to inflate the tire. I had a flat in El Reno, OK last summer and with my plug kit I was back on the road in about 15 mins. Without it, who knows?

Bring some cold weather gear, just don't go crazy with it, to save room. Full leather, lined gloves, leather jacket with a lining and jeans and you should be okay. Your rain gear can work wonders in a pinch for an extra layer on a cold morning and it keeps the wind off you. So you can probably do without your leather chaps if you need the room. It will be cold up on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, esp on the higher elevations in the mornings, but if need be you can wear a couple of t shirts for an extra layer instead of bringing a sweatshirt if you're short on room. A long sleeve t shirt is nice to have along for the ride too.

Oh, and don't forget your clear eye protection in case you're caught out at night unexpectedly. They're easy to forget and sunglasses won't cut it after dark.

Otherwise you can go as light as you want on packing clothes and you'll probably be just fine. 3 T shirts will probably be plenty. Underwear...well you decide. You can always wash things out in the motel sink if need be. A couple pairs of socks. Remember to save room for T shirts that you'll definitely want to buy along the way, esp Deals Gap.

Hopefully you have a cup holder somewhere on your bike, I wouldn't be without one, esp on a roadtrip. So an insulated cup for a cold drink during the day and a coffee travel mug for those early mornings can't be beat and in my opinion are worth whatever room they take. Oh, and if your like me a zip loc bag of instant coffee is worth it's weight in gold for those cheap hotels that don't have coffee pots. (And also if your like me a 5th of Jack or Bacardi tucked away low in one of the saddlebags)..

Hope you guys have a ball, North Carolina definitely has some of the best riding anywhere, esp as far as the eastern US is concerned.

 

Don't waste the space on an extra pair of underware. If you end up more than 5 days, finish the trip off going commando. Man, that's some good riding….500 mile days. I always keep some chap stick in my windshield bag. Sun screen, unless you don't mind a farmer tan and a burnt face. Pack of ear plugs. And if your travel bag is as big as TD's, maybe your favorite recliner for when you stop to rest……forget any cleaning products until you get home. Enjoy, sounds like an awesome trip with the buds.

 

Ride safe, have fun!

 

well, quick update from the road (hotel)

560miles the first day

today, not so much (just over 100). we're in Geddysburg PA at the moment....one HELL of a rainstorm blew in and even with raingear we're still soaked.

got a bit sidetracked...hit the first harley dealer we saw, and perused around.



then, passing through York, PA....we saw a sign for the Harley plant...and said OOH that looks interesting

well, come to find out, they're doing plant tours and a huge event this weekend...and we ended up spending 4 hours there

then, we see ANOTHER dealer a few miles down the road....that happened to have a dyno set up. well, its been a bit of a "duel" with my and my buddy (nearly identical builds) as to who has more HP/TQ....so we ran our bikes (killed another hour)


and then the skies opened. we rode through it for about 2 hours, then gave up (traffic and visibility were awful), so we're in for the night. just gonna have to be more diligent tomorrow


few pics, for posterity



*im not stoned, i swear...just not photogenic


*joe


*mike




dyno run

 

Who won the dyno run between you and your mate.

 

Look at that facial photo again, I think he forgot who won and got a hotdog

 

Heh...no hot dogs yet....although I had a jackass turkey dinner last night



I won ..... HP and TQ

 

That a boy, I'm afraid to ask what you ate or was it liquid?

 

It looks like you’re having fun & I’m jealous.

What you didn’t pack, you’ll pick up on the way. After balancing a 6 pack on the gas tank, I carry a cheap, lightweight, empty, nylon bag & cord to expand my luggage during the trip.

The electrical tape is no longer buried in my luggage. It’s accessible.

A small bottle of laundry detergent takes less space than clothes. Wash in the sink, rinse in the tub.

Oh yea! I don’t go without Folgers coffee singles in that zip lock.

 

A bottle of Tequila always helps too. It can make aches and pains go away, can reduce the volume of bad engine noises and makes chicks prettier....