Loading the bike for a long trip????
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Loading the bike for a long trip????
Next June, my wife and I are going on a 3 week trip across to CA, up hwy 1, back to Tahoe, then wandering back home. We've done many week long trips, even on the Heritage. This one will be on the Ultra Limited. The wife packs well so we will be fine for clothes room, and every night will be at a motel, and we will send dirty clothes home to the kids USPS. Here's the trouble.....Even in June I'm told we will need the leather coats for hwy 1 and each will need a hoodie for hanging out in towns. My wife will have to take chaps while I will save the room. At 6'3" my coat takes LOTS of packing room and I won't wear it anywhere but the coast I don't imagine. Would you put coats in the bags, killing both bags with coats and chaps? Pack as normal and bungee the coats and chaps to the top of the rack bag, or is there an alternative I haven't thought of?
I've found many good tips on different topics here, but my searches don't help me much with thoughts on this. Your thoughts are appreciated!!
I've found many good tips on different topics here, but my searches don't help me much with thoughts on this. Your thoughts are appreciated!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
I put a t-bag on top of the Tour pak with her jacket underneath and mine on top. It can be a little top heavy but not bad. I get the right saddlebag for tools, chaps, gloves, raingear, and liquor. She gets the left saddlebag and the T-bag. I experiment with weight distribution a little. Have a safe trip!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,525
Likes: 57,083
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
A Rack added to the Tour Pack with the proper bag makes for more room and it's easy to load with the "motel essentials" and take into the room ... and most motels will have a washer /dryer so no need to send them home either
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,984
Likes: 5,221
From: Michigan
Riding two-up on a long trip can be a real PIA in regards to packing.
Ever thought about a trailer?
I WILL NOT leave home without my leather(s).
Leathers, gloves (3 pair), leather dickey, rain gear, extra glasses and tools are on my bike always. Adding the same for a passenger pretty well maxes out all available storage space..
You say that you've done week long trips before so my suggestion would be to do laundry more often and if you don't have a cargo net you should get one or two (plastic hooks) and place your leathers on top of your rack bag and tie them down, and the top them with your rain and another cargo net.
Ever thought about a trailer?
I WILL NOT leave home without my leather(s).
Leathers, gloves (3 pair), leather dickey, rain gear, extra glasses and tools are on my bike always. Adding the same for a passenger pretty well maxes out all available storage space..
You say that you've done week long trips before so my suggestion would be to do laundry more often and if you don't have a cargo net you should get one or two (plastic hooks) and place your leathers on top of your rack bag and tie them down, and the top them with your rain and another cargo net.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Do laundry and buy underwear, tshirts and socks as you go. I took a 14 day, 4,200 mile ride through
some of the major western parks in June and I found that buying a couple day's worth of
replacements at a time from Wallyworld, or Target made a really big difference in the level of stuff
I had to pack. Multiply that by two and it's a real big help..
FWIW
some of the major western parks in June and I found that buying a couple day's worth of
replacements at a time from Wallyworld, or Target made a really big difference in the level of stuff
I had to pack. Multiply that by two and it's a real big help..
FWIW
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
I have to agree I wouldn't go anywhere away from the house with out my leathers. they not only can keep you warmer if needed but can reduce fatigue because your not being beat by the wind as much even on a touring bike. plus leathers are good rain gear if you have it on when unexpected weather hits. id just take them.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I think you will wear your leathers more often than you think. If the jackets are the only thing you need to store and keep handy checkout lid haulers from ridetek. http://www.ridetek.com
Last edited by doc ock; Sep 16, 2013 at 07:21 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Sounds odd to hear of a rider going on a long ride wondering about taking a leather jacket 
Take the jackets, or 'coats', and leave the chaps at home. You don't need chaps on a Limited....if you hit some cold weather put the pants on to your rain gear. Maybe not as Harleyesque, but they work better and take far less space to pack.
Take the jackets, or 'coats', and leave the chaps at home. You don't need chaps on a Limited....if you hit some cold weather put the pants on to your rain gear. Maybe not as Harleyesque, but they work better and take far less space to pack.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
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.