How do you pack for a long rip?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
Tire plug kit, CO2 cylinders, small tool kit, documents (registration and membership cards),road service, cell phone and credit card. To these items I add my shaving kit and whatever clothes I can pack.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
Same as for a short one. Most motels have a laundry for jeans, and you can buy cheap socks & underwear at walmart and throw them away at the end of the day. When you're packing the bike there's nothing more worthless to carry than dirty clothes. UPS'ing stuff home is convenient, but it can get expensive if you do it often.
Just be careful and don't go overboard. Just because you can bungee it on doesn't mean you should. You don't want your bike any top-heavier than necessary, especially with a passenger.
And like some others I was wondering about all the gear, too--heated stuff, mesh stuff, wet stuff, dry stuff...? Where are you going that you might encounter these extremes? Last July my wife and I went from Four Corners (hot) over Beartooth Pass (snow/sleet/cold) and all we packed was rain pants and leather jackets and it worked out fine, even when we got caught in the rain in Nebraska. And I tend to burn, so I wore a white long sleeve "dress" shirt riding through the desert and was fine.
Just be careful and don't go overboard. Just because you can bungee it on doesn't mean you should. You don't want your bike any top-heavier than necessary, especially with a passenger.
And like some others I was wondering about all the gear, too--heated stuff, mesh stuff, wet stuff, dry stuff...? Where are you going that you might encounter these extremes? Last July my wife and I went from Four Corners (hot) over Beartooth Pass (snow/sleet/cold) and all we packed was rain pants and leather jackets and it worked out fine, even when we got caught in the rain in Nebraska. And I tend to burn, so I wore a white long sleeve "dress" shirt riding through the desert and was fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 13
From: Texas Hill Country
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
A true bikers delema. What to pack for a long trip.
When we go we plan on wearing jeans for 2 days, maybe 3. Clean shirts and undies for every day, the smaller the better, so if she can do thongs, they take up a lot less space. Commando can work too if your into it. No hair dryers, curlers, all that extra stuff, your biking, not going to the theater. Just essentials. Smaller is better. The way we go we can go 6-7 days before we have to do laundry.
We carry rain gear, cold gear, and hot weather gear. I think that is a must when traveling acrost country.
But if you really want to save space, just ride naked under a rain suit.
When we go we plan on wearing jeans for 2 days, maybe 3. Clean shirts and undies for every day, the smaller the better, so if she can do thongs, they take up a lot less space. Commando can work too if your into it. No hair dryers, curlers, all that extra stuff, your biking, not going to the theater. Just essentials. Smaller is better. The way we go we can go 6-7 days before we have to do laundry.
We carry rain gear, cold gear, and hot weather gear. I think that is a must when traveling acrost country.
But if you really want to save space, just ride naked under a rain suit.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
I pack about 5 days of clothes, couple of books, laptop computer, camera, into a small "carry on" type bag, which will fit longways on the rack with two bungie cords. End makes perfect backrest. Nothing hanging out in the wind. Saddlebags have tools, rags, wax, shoes, water, Tide. Hit a laundrymat once a week, or wash some socks and drawers in the sink if I havent made it to a laundrymat yet.
Phone in the pocket, can pay bills and do business with the computer. Can stay on the road indefinitely....or at least a month or so.Eventually have to go home and mow the yard.
Phone in the pocket, can pay bills and do business with the computer. Can stay on the road indefinitely....or at least a month or so.Eventually have to go home and mow the yard.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
Well, I ride an Ultra so I have more space than an RK. But if you sub my tourpak for your backpack bag, we probably have the same available space. Here is what I do:
Left saddlebag; rain gear, cold jacket, mesh jacket, maybe gaiters. Right saddlebag; tool kit, bungees, and stuff you need all the time like cleaning gear, purses, stuff like that. Tourpak carries clothing and documents. I pack two pairs of jeans, five t-shirts, and five sets of underwear and socks, shaving kit, and wife brings her necessaries in there too. I have a luggage rack on the tourpak which I use for temporary storage, like a purchase, maybe a jacket when it gets too warm. windshield pouch for cell phone, flash player, park passes, night glasses. Lowers carry first aid kit and sunscreen, maybe some microfiber towels.
When I go solo, I strap a cooler on the passenger seat for keeping water cool and maybe a energy bar or two. I plan on motels every night, and a laundry every five days. I try to eat healthy foods where I can find them 'cause constipation can sure set in when you travel.
Making me want to plan a trip this year.[8D]
Left saddlebag; rain gear, cold jacket, mesh jacket, maybe gaiters. Right saddlebag; tool kit, bungees, and stuff you need all the time like cleaning gear, purses, stuff like that. Tourpak carries clothing and documents. I pack two pairs of jeans, five t-shirts, and five sets of underwear and socks, shaving kit, and wife brings her necessaries in there too. I have a luggage rack on the tourpak which I use for temporary storage, like a purchase, maybe a jacket when it gets too warm. windshield pouch for cell phone, flash player, park passes, night glasses. Lowers carry first aid kit and sunscreen, maybe some microfiber towels.
When I go solo, I strap a cooler on the passenger seat for keeping water cool and maybe a energy bar or two. I plan on motels every night, and a laundry every five days. I try to eat healthy foods where I can find them 'cause constipation can sure set in when you travel.
Making me want to plan a trip this year.[8D]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,138
Likes: 1
From:
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
My mom always told me to wear clean underwear in case I get in an accident.
I think she was wrong though. After my accident yesterday I realized it doesn't matter if you are wearing clean underwear. What does it matter if I $hit my pants in clean underwear or dirty underwear?! So, I'm not going to pack underwear any more.[&:]
I think she was wrong though. After my accident yesterday I realized it doesn't matter if you are wearing clean underwear. What does it matter if I $hit my pants in clean underwear or dirty underwear?! So, I'm not going to pack underwear any more.[&:]
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Linden Tenn
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
Packing as we speak. 4 days 2 pair of jeans. undys[ optional], socks , 4 tees, 2 long sleeves to keep the sun off. Sunblock a must. shaving kit also in the kit cell phone charger, meds. Heading to the Smokies!! JimmyZ
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
Here's a thought for you . Pack half a trip of your oldest socks and drawers. Then at the end of the day, pitch em. When you run out go buy more. You are actually clearing out your old stuff and replacing it with new.
Also, by the plastic packing bags that havea zip top and a vlave. You load up the bag and then squeeze the air out of it and voila, less space. I also carry less tees than I need because we usually will pick some up along the way
Good luck
Bubba
Also, by the plastic packing bags that havea zip top and a vlave. You load up the bag and then squeeze the air out of it and voila, less space. I also carry less tees than I need because we usually will pick some up along the way
Good luck
Bubba
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
RE: How do you pack for a long rip?
We were 21 days on the road last year and we (wife and I) basically packed 2 jeans and 3 t-shirts each. We (she) washed mostly every third day at the hotels. We stayed at hotels with the free breakfast. Generally Hampton Inns and Super 8s. With the breakfast, grab a take out sub and stop somewhere to eat at lunchtime and get a decent meal for supper got us by. I had my tool kit in the saddlebag and I figured if we had a flat, we would just deal with it. 7024 miles and no problem with the bike - Heritage Softail Classic. Yes, it's a cruiser. We did accumulate t-shirts and stuff on the trip and sent a 14 pound box home before we left Deadwood.
Tnicean
Tnicean