Tips and tricks on packing for the road

How do you pack for four days on the road to Sturgis or any other destination for that matter when you're traveling by motorcycle?
Can you really fit enough clothing, supplies, accessories, all the things you need and still get some of the comforts in there as well?

Yes you really can.

It takes some time, planning and a bit of effort but it can be done. It doesn't matter if you are riding solo or two-up you still need to be prepared and as packed as efficiently as possible while being prepared for most everything the open road can throw at you. The first step you need to take is plan what you need to take. I suggest making a list of what you think you want to pack. Maybe even take the time right then to lay it out - see what it looks like - then revise your list. Ask yourself - do I really need that or do I just want it? I've tried to incorporate some of the tricks and tips from my travels over the years. Some were, or at least should have been, common sense. Others were learned the hard way. Before you start packing take some time and plan your route. Figure out how many miles you can or want to ride in a day. What kind of country are you riding in? How many days are you on the road before you get to your destination? What can you comfortably wear and keep your pack to a minimum? Some travelers (ummm... the one to the right) prefer to have a lot of bags (the bike that is) but very little luggage!

Things to Think About

1. Weather
2. Weather
3. and, ummm, Weather
4. What's it like when you leave?
5. What's it going to be like during the day (no you don't have to be a meteorologist but a little research won't kill you.
6. What's your route and where's it take you?
7. Your personal comfort level?
8. Sun protection - no vacation, road-trip, run, ride, or whatever you want to call it... isn't fun if you're blistering from a sunburn!

you need to consider what you realistically can carry without compromising the safety of you, your passenger & your bike in all conditions; rain, wind, and rider fatigue. A bike that's loaded down will run, ride and handle differently than riding solo without a pack.

Some Tips To Consider

1. Don't over pack. If your luggage rack says max weight 10 pounds - don't put 20. Common sense right? You see it all the time. Not only does it jeopardize your safety but it can also make your bike harder to handle and your trip ultimately less enjoyable as a result of the effort and energy wasted on fighting what your bike wants to do.

2. Use your saddlebags. I would recommend that if you don't currently have saddlebags on your bike your go buy some. This is especially true if your going for multiple days and even more so if you're riding two-up. Putting saddlebags on now will save you miles of heartache.

There are a lot of different styles and price points to choose from; over the fender: both sides are connected with a leather strap (usually 4 or 5 inches wide; Rigid mount, you can get these either in leather or fiberglass resign. In the links section I've provided a couple of suppliers that have a wide variety (style and price).

3. Pack Efficiently. Try to pick clothing that is all weather. Instead of rain gear and a cold weather jacket try a leather jacket with a zip-out liner and chaps. I've put mine through some torrential down-pours and they've kept me dry and have held up just fine.

4. Pack ahead of time. Pack your clothes a week ahead - lay it all out: see what's going to fit and what can you (or have to) sacrifice, use some extra socks to take up space that your personal items will take up when they're packed.

5. Familiarize yourself. When your luggage is packed, go put it on your bike. I suggest doing this a couple of times just to get used to how it all loads and secures. This holds true for luggage you've never used before and the set that you've owned for a while. It may have been a long cold winter and you haven't thought about packing or loading your bike for months. A few minutes of re-familiarizing yourself will make arrival and departure from the day's stop smoother. If you've never road-tripped by motorcycle before, you will, or should be, taking your luggage off your bike at the end of every day and putting it back on the next morning.

It's easier to do all of this in the comfort of your own home, garage or driveway. It sure as heck is better than trying to figure it out after 10 hours on the road with fatigue nipping at you at the end of the day.
"Ride Safe"

Motorcycle traveling