First Long Roadtrip
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
The wife and I have been doing month long rides twice a year for many years now...we had a Fatboy but have an Ultra now. We carry a small roll bag on the tour pac to carry in to hotels along with our hard bag inserts......we still have lots of room but then again my wife doesn't pack make up, a hairdryer or anything like that.
-take laundry detergent...small jug or buy at hotel...most have laundry facilities.
-under armor like others have suggested can be hand washed, hung up for the night and ready to wear in the morning
-Underarmor cold wear is light(packs small) but warm and you won't have to carry a sweater.
-1 extra pair of jeans, 3 or 4 shirts, couple pair of socks, underwear and a small shaving kit.
-rain gear, extra pair of gloves and a small tool kit..........if you need anything else buy it....but you will find the more you travel, the less you take.
We keep it simple. My clothes in the right hard bag, the wifes in the left, rain gear and tool in the tour pack and electronics in the roll bag.
-take laundry detergent...small jug or buy at hotel...most have laundry facilities.
-under armor like others have suggested can be hand washed, hung up for the night and ready to wear in the morning
-Underarmor cold wear is light(packs small) but warm and you won't have to carry a sweater.
-1 extra pair of jeans, 3 or 4 shirts, couple pair of socks, underwear and a small shaving kit.
-rain gear, extra pair of gloves and a small tool kit..........if you need anything else buy it....but you will find the more you travel, the less you take.
We keep it simple. My clothes in the right hard bag, the wifes in the left, rain gear and tool in the tour pack and electronics in the roll bag.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
Glad to see you've got the Sundowner seat. On a long trip you'll find few of the things you pack matter nearly as much as what you do to ensure the bike is comfortable while you're riding. I echo what's been said about rain gear. Also, I've been glad to have gaiters that cover my whole boot and keep my feet dry. They also keep the rain from running up your pant leg.
Another thing you'll want to be sure of in case of rain is that you've got adequate eye protection. If you're wearing sunglasses, even behind a windshield that rain will sneak in and pelt your eyes. I prefer a half helmet and usually just wear sunglasses, but for the rain you need either a full face shield or goggles that will keep the rain out and not fog up.
If you're dry and can see, riding in the rain can actually be quite enjoyable (as long as you SLOW DOWN).
I can't tell from your picture whether you've got highway pegs on your bike, but I would recommend them. Also, for your wife I would strongly consider getting passenger footboards in place of the pegs. I don't see where you've said whether you're going with a tour pak or a luggage rack and T-bag. If you're going with the luggage rack, get a wide comfortable backrest.
+1 on suggestion to try a 100 miler with your wife first. If your butts are burning even with the under armour and sundowner seat, consider trying out a bead rider seat cover. I've heard very good things about them. I haven't tried mine yet, partly because the combination of lycra underwear and a sundowner seat enables me to ride long days without butt discomfort.
+1 on the tools, assuming somebody in the group knows how to use them.
Warm gloves. Rode through Yellowstone in July, it got later than we expected. My hands were freezing. Everything else was bearable but freezing hands are not only uncomfortable, they're dangerous.
Have fun!
Another thing you'll want to be sure of in case of rain is that you've got adequate eye protection. If you're wearing sunglasses, even behind a windshield that rain will sneak in and pelt your eyes. I prefer a half helmet and usually just wear sunglasses, but for the rain you need either a full face shield or goggles that will keep the rain out and not fog up.
If you're dry and can see, riding in the rain can actually be quite enjoyable (as long as you SLOW DOWN).
I can't tell from your picture whether you've got highway pegs on your bike, but I would recommend them. Also, for your wife I would strongly consider getting passenger footboards in place of the pegs. I don't see where you've said whether you're going with a tour pak or a luggage rack and T-bag. If you're going with the luggage rack, get a wide comfortable backrest.
+1 on suggestion to try a 100 miler with your wife first. If your butts are burning even with the under armour and sundowner seat, consider trying out a bead rider seat cover. I've heard very good things about them. I haven't tried mine yet, partly because the combination of lycra underwear and a sundowner seat enables me to ride long days without butt discomfort.
+1 on the tools, assuming somebody in the group knows how to use them.
Warm gloves. Rode through Yellowstone in July, it got later than we expected. My hands were freezing. Everything else was bearable but freezing hands are not only uncomfortable, they're dangerous.
Have fun!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
ok my setup on my bike will be a 2009 street glide... i have added a wide backrest and sissy bar... a 10 inch windshield... a sun downer seat... highway pegs for me.... a luggage rack... and i have a kuryakyn gran tailgater bag to but on the rack.... i have looked into foot boards for her just havent gotten them on yet
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Your getting a lot of excellent advice for sure. I just want to suggest that you look at the IBA guidelines for long distance riders. I've done some LDR in my day and have found this guideline very helpful. Granted your not going out to do 5k miles in 5 days but this guide is helpful when I just go flower sniffing as well.
http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm
http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 894
Likes: 3
From: Wyalusing, PA
I'll have to look...nothing special...just something you can pick up at an Auto Zone or any NAPA...I get a new one every year!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 606
From:
pack your rain gear on top. never pack anything on top of it. you have spokes, i don't know the best plan if you get a flat, just make sure your spokes are adjusted. loose rear spokes will cause a front end wobble.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
i hear a lot about rain gear... so does anyone have any input on the rain gear to get... be specific... also the ones not to get... and im still looking for some info for the laced wheels that require a tube... what to do about a flat....
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
http://www.froggtoggs.com/
Cheap, light, they will keep you dry and not sweating like rubber rain suits do.