road trippin'
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 675
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
road trippin'
changed the oil yesterday, primary oil is <500miles, tranny is <1k, tightened up the neck bearings, and tire pressures are good.
me and a couple buddies are leaving Boston friday morning, 6am, and heading towards Hershey PA (first stop), then heading south. I'm not the guide, so have NO idea on the actual route....just know we arent gonna touch a highway once we hit PA, and until we get back. should end up somewhere around Savannah, GA before we start heading back north. 5 or so days, around 2500 miles (exact route isnt planned, so only a ballpark). I do know we're riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, and doing a few runs on Deals Gap (tail of the dragon), with GoPro's set up for a few different angles.
now, to my point.
for you touring folks, what's essential as far as packing? Ive got saddlebags (duh), and a saddleman tail bag that'll strap over the passenger seat. ive got the basics planned, and between the 3 of us, enough tools/spare parts to damned near do a top end on the side of the road. Ive made a list, gone over it, removed what wasnt absolutely essential, then went through it again. I should be good to go with room to spare, but I hate forgetting and having to buy something I dont already own (sometimes in triplicate). ive done a bunch of weekend / 3day weekend rides, but 5-6 days starts adding stuff I hadn't contemplated, especially where i'll be 1000 miles from anyone I can call for a favor
me and a couple buddies are leaving Boston friday morning, 6am, and heading towards Hershey PA (first stop), then heading south. I'm not the guide, so have NO idea on the actual route....just know we arent gonna touch a highway once we hit PA, and until we get back. should end up somewhere around Savannah, GA before we start heading back north. 5 or so days, around 2500 miles (exact route isnt planned, so only a ballpark). I do know we're riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, and doing a few runs on Deals Gap (tail of the dragon), with GoPro's set up for a few different angles.
now, to my point.
for you touring folks, what's essential as far as packing? Ive got saddlebags (duh), and a saddleman tail bag that'll strap over the passenger seat. ive got the basics planned, and between the 3 of us, enough tools/spare parts to damned near do a top end on the side of the road. Ive made a list, gone over it, removed what wasnt absolutely essential, then went through it again. I should be good to go with room to spare, but I hate forgetting and having to buy something I dont already own (sometimes in triplicate). ive done a bunch of weekend / 3day weekend rides, but 5-6 days starts adding stuff I hadn't contemplated, especially where i'll be 1000 miles from anyone I can call for a favor
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Puncture repair kit and a can of air or a tiny 12v compressor....spare underwear and a credit card plus Harley Assist Roadside Recovery and a cellphone is all I carry...oh, and a toothbrush and deodorant.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
I've dramatically reduced the amount of 'stuff' I pack.
Leathers (or other riding gear).
Pack for cold, it's easy to take things off, not so easy to add things ya don't have.
Rain gear (that's a whole 'nuther post).
Overnight bag with clean socks/underwear/toiletries. I take a pair of sweat pants to wear in the motel room.
You can live in one pair of jeans for a week, depending on the weather. If they gets trashed, they do sell them in just about every store in America...
Credit card(s), ATM card, and at least a couple hundred in cash.
HOG card for towing.
Cell phone AND charger. Nuff said....
Small tool kit with just the necessities. I'm no Dr. Hess, so I won't be doing a top end in a motel parking lot.... I have a separate kit I've assembled over the past 20 years with the tools I routinely use for common maintenance. It all fits in a small Craftsman plastic box, that fits snug in the bottom of the low side saddle bag. Electrical tape and hose clamps. Surprising what ya can fix with that. I carry an extra set of spark plugs, pre-gapped.
Small towel for wiping off the seat and a couple of shop rags that fit in the tool box (kills the rattles) for the dirty stuff.
I don't carry a tire kit. Probably should carry some inflate-a-flat (I've got cast wheels). Just in 20 years, have never had a flat on the road.
Have fun, and in Savanna, be sure to go to River Street and out to Tybee Island.
Leathers (or other riding gear).
Pack for cold, it's easy to take things off, not so easy to add things ya don't have.
Rain gear (that's a whole 'nuther post).
Overnight bag with clean socks/underwear/toiletries. I take a pair of sweat pants to wear in the motel room.
You can live in one pair of jeans for a week, depending on the weather. If they gets trashed, they do sell them in just about every store in America...
Credit card(s), ATM card, and at least a couple hundred in cash.
HOG card for towing.
Cell phone AND charger. Nuff said....
Small tool kit with just the necessities. I'm no Dr. Hess, so I won't be doing a top end in a motel parking lot.... I have a separate kit I've assembled over the past 20 years with the tools I routinely use for common maintenance. It all fits in a small Craftsman plastic box, that fits snug in the bottom of the low side saddle bag. Electrical tape and hose clamps. Surprising what ya can fix with that. I carry an extra set of spark plugs, pre-gapped.
Small towel for wiping off the seat and a couple of shop rags that fit in the tool box (kills the rattles) for the dirty stuff.
I don't carry a tire kit. Probably should carry some inflate-a-flat (I've got cast wheels). Just in 20 years, have never had a flat on the road.
Have fun, and in Savanna, be sure to go to River Street and out to Tybee Island.
Last edited by Hackd; Sep 18, 2013 at 05:39 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,237
Likes: 799
From: Indiana
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
I have done a top end rebuild in a car park, and a clutch/primary in a pub car park whilst so drunk I had to lay down to do it.....ah, those were the days ;-)