What do you pack?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 0
From: Germantown, MD
+1 I never pack extra tees anymore
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Battle Ground WA
This point can not be stressed enough! lol. We've all done it... and I'll probably do it again. When I'm packin, I always pack more that a few favorite shirts that I want along the ride... most of which stay folded the entire trip!! lol.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
Buy a good set of riding boots that you can walk in...no need to pack a second pair of lighter, walking shoes.
Roll your pants rather than fold them...saves a lot of room.
Raingear...good stuff, not the cheap.
Don't let the wife walk out the door with her hairblower
Find out and save the phone numbers of the HD shops you'll be traveling near...just in case you break down and need help.
Check that your insurance is up to date and that it covers tows.
Couple extra bungee's...a dozen nylon ties of various sizes.
Ship everything home you don't need to carry (there's no room on a bike for flower pots ... don't has how I know).
Buy t-shirts on the road...and plan ahead because you'll be carrying more home than you left with.
A good map with routes highlighted.
A small digital camera that you can keep in your shirt pocket for easy access...buy 2-16 gig cards...I had 3 with me on my Alaska trip last summer (17 days) and never filled out one of them...no need to take a laptop.
Concealed carry permit. It may be good insurance if a cop searches the bike...you can demonstrate you tried to comply with carry laws.
The important part in packing is asking yourself "what can I live without"?
Roll your pants rather than fold them...saves a lot of room.
Raingear...good stuff, not the cheap.
Don't let the wife walk out the door with her hairblower
Find out and save the phone numbers of the HD shops you'll be traveling near...just in case you break down and need help.
Check that your insurance is up to date and that it covers tows.
Couple extra bungee's...a dozen nylon ties of various sizes.
Ship everything home you don't need to carry (there's no room on a bike for flower pots ... don't has how I know).
Buy t-shirts on the road...and plan ahead because you'll be carrying more home than you left with.
A good map with routes highlighted.
A small digital camera that you can keep in your shirt pocket for easy access...buy 2-16 gig cards...I had 3 with me on my Alaska trip last summer (17 days) and never filled out one of them...no need to take a laptop.
Concealed carry permit. It may be good insurance if a cop searches the bike...you can demonstrate you tried to comply with carry laws.
The important part in packing is asking yourself "what can I live without"?
Some great info here....
I have also taken to putting all my rolled up clothing into one of those plastic bags that are like vacuum bags-Space Bags iirc- that after you fill them you roll them up tight and push the air out. Creates enough space so my bag isn't stuffed when I embark on my trip as well as protects them from getting wet if you can't stop and get the raincovers on the bags before a deluge of rain hits ya. In the mountains that is a distinct possibility.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
a routine i have used to help me make up lists is to mentally go thru a day. kinda like:
- wake up
- get out of bed
- hit the can - need tp
- brush teeth - need toothbrush and toothpast, would i need a glass for water?
- get dressed - t-shirt, sox, boots, shorts, jeans, jacket
- get on bike - glasses, helmet, gloves
- start bike - keys
you get the idea. but if i go step by step it works pretty well
then you can ask questions like. what about rain, hot, cold, windy
and then, sun burn, bugs, first aid stuff, etc
and then bike break down stuff, flat tire etc.
does work for me
- wake up
- get out of bed
- hit the can - need tp
- brush teeth - need toothbrush and toothpast, would i need a glass for water?
- get dressed - t-shirt, sox, boots, shorts, jeans, jacket
- get on bike - glasses, helmet, gloves
- start bike - keys
you get the idea. but if i go step by step it works pretty well
then you can ask questions like. what about rain, hot, cold, windy
and then, sun burn, bugs, first aid stuff, etc
and then bike break down stuff, flat tire etc.
does work for me
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lakeside, CA
Wow. I'm amazed at what some people pack. Not that it's bad. I just like to travel light. I have a set of soft saddle bags on my bike most the time. Also have a small pouch up front. Rain gear, bungies, small assortment of tools(have needed them for others more than for me), flash light, TP in ziplock bag(the good soft stuff), few rags(for dirt,rain,blood), extra pair of shades, and extra pair of heavy gloves. Have these items with me all the time. I've learned from experience that most of the time you will always pack too much. Last ride from NC to CA I wore three shirts and two jeans. Always bring extra socks. If you don't wear underwear you don't have to worry bout packing them. Free's up room. Of course, I am a dirty biker on the road without my wife. Keep in mind like a few people have said there are stores almost everywhere if you really need something. By the way, there's nothing like the great feeling of putting on nice wet leathers in the morning and hoping they dry in the wind soon. Oh yeah, I keep a small bottle of sun screen and bug spray in the bag. And if you plan right you won't need it but I have had a friend who kept a small container of gas in his bag on trips through the NM/NV/AZ areas just in case. Bottom line, just enjoy the ride and worry bout the rest later.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
My top priority is to stay warm and dry. I bring full leathers and my Harley high vis rainsuit. I wear Cruiserwork boots because they are completely waterproof and comfortable to walk around in for hours. I also bring two sets of extra gloves. Every long trip that I have been on, I have used these items. If you do enough riding, you are going to get rained on.
I also bring cell phone with charger, and digital camera with charger. I bring a small air compressor and slime and plug kit incase I get stranded in an area without cell phone service. I carry plastic zip ties and duct tape along with basic tools.
I always carry cleaner and microfiber cloth for my windshield. I bring one extra pair of sunglasses, and one pair for night riding.
I always have Ibuprofen and take 200mg at the start of each day. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and water or hydration beverage.
I carry mostly long sleeve shirts and one extra pair of jeans. I bring my old socks and underwear, and throw them out each day. This saves room and they are very cheap to replace at Walmart.
Lastly, I carry a good Road Atlas.
I also bring cell phone with charger, and digital camera with charger. I bring a small air compressor and slime and plug kit incase I get stranded in an area without cell phone service. I carry plastic zip ties and duct tape along with basic tools.
I always carry cleaner and microfiber cloth for my windshield. I bring one extra pair of sunglasses, and one pair for night riding.
I always have Ibuprofen and take 200mg at the start of each day. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and water or hydration beverage.
I carry mostly long sleeve shirts and one extra pair of jeans. I bring my old socks and underwear, and throw them out each day. This saves room and they are very cheap to replace at Walmart.
Lastly, I carry a good Road Atlas.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, Oregon
There has been lots of great thoughts and views on this posting.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I us a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I us a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,750
Likes: 261
From: back home in Michigan
There has been lots of great thoughts and views on this posting.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I us a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I us a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
There has been lots of great thoughts and views on this posting.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I use a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.
I haven't seen much talk about hydration. I use a camelback and put it on the top of the load when riding single or in a large fanny pack in my lap when riding double. Water is very important to enjoy a long trip. I also put a few snacks in my pockets, so that I can nibble when I want.