Loading the bike for a long trip????
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
I wear my outer layer all the time, just because it is too hard to pack it. Extra and removable layers go in the saddle bags.
Also, I only pack 1 week's worth of clothes, and everything can be washed in a single load. Most hotels/motels will have a laundry room and a vending machine for soap. Doing a load of laundry after a day of riding is no big deal. I just ask the front desk person to put me close so I don't have to walk too far.
Never have been able to understand the lengths people will go to avoid doing laundry.
Also, I only pack 1 week's worth of clothes, and everything can be washed in a single load. Most hotels/motels will have a laundry room and a vending machine for soap. Doing a load of laundry after a day of riding is no big deal. I just ask the front desk person to put me close so I don't have to walk too far.
Never have been able to understand the lengths people will go to avoid doing laundry.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
#1, rain gear goes in a nylon bag strapped on top if the tourpack rack, #2 lose the leather jacket and purchase a quality mesh jacket with armor and water proof liner these jackets are light, more compact and versatile most have sleeve adjustments to allow long sleeve shirts or tee's. Also a mesh jacket can be worn in warm weather with liner removed and no need to pack it, just wear it. #3, invest in a good 3/4 helmet with a pull down internal shaded visor and/or a clear pull down face shield. Now go to this website and read all you can, www.touringdepot.com Wind and cold will be your biggest trial. Plan your trip to average about 300 miles per day, allowing for weather and seeing what you want to see. If you overdo the miles, many passengers are harder to talk into another 3 week run when it's time to do another a 2nd time.
Last edited by checkers; Sep 16, 2013 at 09:15 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
We just used a bungee net to secure all our leathers on top of our camping gear. Luckily our camping gear is light weight and the T-bag loaded only weighed 10lbs. When we knew it might rain or had a chance of rain we did the same but put the leathers in a large garbage bag. Three weeks, zero issues!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I added the bag lid rails to my Ultra, place the Tour bag on top of the Tour pak, load her stuff in the soft bag for 1 saddlebag, mine in the other, place rain gear, camera, and misc stuff i need inside the tourpack soft luggage, and strap any leathers rolled up on top of the saddlebag lid rails. Attached is my old 2012 but did the same for the 2013
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Wow, thanks for all the great advice!! I'm not at all afraid of laundry, and wilol only ship dirty stuff back because I want to buy new T's along the way and will need the room. HD rolling, I KNOW I can packwith less than your pics and really appreciate you showing me those. I was scared to death my jackets and leathers on top would make me too top heavy. Never having been out more than a week, I've never even needed a bag on top of the tour pack. 3 weeks and west coast weather will call for a little more, but I'm convinced now it won't be that bad. Thanks again!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
The wife and I did an 8 day trip out west last year. My clothes, w/rain gear on top in one side bag and same with hers in the other side bag. The tour pack held a sweat shirt for each of us and an extra pair of gloves each. Plus I had my laptop in the tpack.
We did some laundry one night on the road but had plenty of clothing for the trip. I'm fortunate as my wife can pack minimalist and still look good.
We did some laundry one night on the road but had plenty of clothing for the trip. I'm fortunate as my wife can pack minimalist and still look good.
Last edited by Deucedog; Sep 17, 2013 at 10:36 PM.
I have the HD collapsible rack bag and try to keep it empty when traveling two up to stuff at least one jacket in or other items that are being worn.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...sible-rack-bag
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...sible-rack-bag
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Good thermals (not cotton crap), rainsuit, leathers, enough clothes for 2-3 days. Rainproof bag for anything you'll strap on the bike. Keep the stuff you might need quick handy, not in the bottom of the bags.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
I love my T Bag Boot case:
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=95&SelectedCat=3
It fits perfectly in Tour Pak and comes with a rain cover.
http://www.tbags.com/detail.aspx?ID=95&SelectedCat=3
It fits perfectly in Tour Pak and comes with a rain cover.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 5
From: Brownsburg, IN
I have the HD collapsible rack bag and try to keep it empty when traveling two up to stuff at least one jacket in or other items that are being worn.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...sible-rack-bag
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...sible-rack-bag
In August we did a 15 day, 10 state, 4021 miles trip (American Legion Legacy Run) from Indy to Houston and wondered our way home thru San Antonio, Galveston, New Orleans, Natchez Trace, KY Bourbon Trail, etc and did laundry twice. We did ship a few things home when we left San Antonio.