TOURING SMART:Tips to save space, time, and your sanity

Some examples of what not to do:Pack up the morning of a trip without

doing a trial run of your bags and gear◦On turns and highway speeds, things

might fall off and straps might fail◦If your bike is packed without the weight

being evenly distributed, you could be surprised by the way it handles in corners or at low speeds

Forget a copy of current bike registration, insurance, Driver’s License or passport

Don’t forget to tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back

Emergency information and contact information

Have your bike checked out mechanically, tuned up and good tires on

Make sure your motorcycle gear is in good shape◦Clean it, waterproof it, and protect it

Don’t panic if you forget something◦You can most likely pick up a

replacement

General Packing considerations:Keep the weight and bulk of what you

are packing low and close to the center of gravity of your bike

Think about “drag” – making your bike wider and taller will lower your gas mileage and range of your bike.

Don’t make your bike into a wind sail – 40+ mph gusts of wind pushing you out of your lane is no fun!

Pack from the least used and heaviest items at the bottom to the most used/most accessible items at the top

Put your multifunction tool/pocketknife, motorcycle tool kit, air compressor/tire repair kit and First aid/Trauma kit in a very easy to get at place – you don’t want to be unpacking all your bags to find these things in an actual emergency.

Going on a long, complex trip? Keep yourself organized with the envelope system. Before you leave, prepare one envelope for each day on the road. Mark the dates and locations on the outside, then stuff things like hotel reservation info and lists of things to see inside.

On a long tour, plan for at least one day every week of doing nothing. Time is the ultimate luxury, and can mean the difference between a vacation and an endurance run.

Be realistic with your daily mileage. In really scenic areas, 150 miles may make a very full day. Don’t assume you can achieve freeway mileage on good back roads.

Use guide books and the internet to find interesting places on the road

Eating considerations: ◦Eat at odd times, not at 8 am, noon or

6 pm.Lodging considerations:

◦Call ahead to make reservations at hotel or campsite in advance, you usually get better rates!

◦Stay on the far side of town, so you can bug out in the morning without having to deal with commuter traffic

DAILY COMFORT

Water: either water bottle or hydration pack like a Camelback, Platypus, or GEIGERRIG with drinking tube that you can sip from while you are riding (when it is safe to do so, of course)

Lip balm, sun screen, eye drops, spare contacts or eye glasses (and copies of prescription), sunglasses or tinted helmet face shield, face shield cleaner, face shield defogger/rain repellant (NikWax, Raincoat), spare ear plugs, OTC medications, prescription medications and copies of prescription

Hand sanitizer/citrus cleaner, snacks, hat, small camera, pen and paper or journal, Ziplock bags or Jersey Bins

Weather: NOAA weather radio or phone app, other weather apps

Maps/GPS ◦There is an app called CamScanner that

will make pdf’s of paper maps so you can refer to the photo of the map rather than losing or ruining a paper map. You can also use this to copy receipts as you travel.

Accurate tire gaugePack of tissues in your pocket in

case there is no available toilet paper

Small synthetic (or real) chamois or towel

Kickstand puckSeat cushion: Chamois, gel, or Air

HawkTCLOCKS check of your bike at

least once a day

SECURITY/SAFETY

Park where you or the front desk has a clear view of your bike all night

Spare key(s) for your bike. Small loop system cable to lock

your jacket/helmet etc. to your bike during lunch.

Small padlocks to lock the zippers together on your bike

Pepper spray or personal alarm

Bike locks: Front brake disk lock with alarm, cable or chain lock with alarm and/or pager system to let you know if your bike is being tampered with

Low-tech: glass ashtray on your back tire

Motorcycle cover – generic, no motorcycle specific brand visible, plus or minus locking cable

Spare list on paper of emergency contacts in case your phone dies, or you are in an area of no cell service

SPOT Device – It can leave “breadcrumbs” for your friends/family to track, as well as send out pre-programmed emails/messages to family if no cell service. Also is invaluable in an emergency situation. Subscribe to the service plan

ICE Information on helmet (www.meds.org), bracelet or necklace

TOOLS

Pack more than just the small pack of tools that the manufacturer placed in that tiny space under the seat of your bike.

Your AMA, BMW MOA, Better World Club or other towing/repair service card, and your credit card. Also, stash some cash!

Some good tool kits: Road Gear, Cruztools,

Spare fuses, bulbs, electrical wire, bailing wire

Head lamp, strobe safety light for side of the road stops

Bungees, roc straps, bungee nets, zip ties, duct tape or similar, electrical tape

Tire/air compressor kits: Stop and Go, SlimeChain cleaner/lube if you are going to go

long distances, or off roadEngine oil if your bike uses a specific kind

or burns oil on a long tripJumper cables – Bike Master, etc.Spare gas cans or siphon hose – Don’t rely

on the “idiot light” of your gas gauge - reset your trip meter and pay attention to your mileage.

Tie down straps if you have to trailer

BAGS

Always attach all of your bags to a solid point on your bike, never just one bag to another if you can avoid it. Use bodywork protective film to prevent rubbing from straps and hooks

Waterproof and compressible – even in your panniers that claim to be waterproof, things can leak in from outside, or from bag to bag

Pannier liner bags – easy in and out to your hotel room

Sissy bar bags are very tall and will catch wind, but are a good way to carry stuff, especially two-up

Tank bags, especially with map pocketsCommon sense tip – put things you use

together in the same bag. Camp stove, fuel and cookware? – same bag!

AND WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS – TRAILERS!

CAMPING

Thermarest or other sleeping pad, good very compressible sleeping bag – err on the side of warmer

Buy a backpacking tent at least one person larger than the number of people that will be using it.

Shower shoes and toiletries bag, synthetic

CLOTHING

LD Comfort, EX Officio, Under Armor, nylon underwear that you can wash in the sink at night

Under layers of Marino wool, silk or polyester thermal underwear, also quick drying that you can wash in the sink

Socks: knee high compression socks, wool, synthetic, washable in the sink

Only as many t-shirts, button-up or polo shirts as it takes to keep you looking presentable in public if you go out to dinner after getting off the bike at the send of the day

Layer up – wear long sleeve shirts under or over t-shirts for extra warmth, balaclavas or neck gaiters to keep the cold wind off your neck

Walking around shoes – light, able to be packed small

Swimsuit if you plan on swimming or resting your bones in the hot tub

MOTORCYCLE GEAR

Jacket, pants, and gloves that can be multi-function – mesh, leather, textile. You can layer over or under those for any weather.

Pack your motorcycle jacket and pants thermal and water proof layers for warmth

Pack a rain suit – either one or two piece. You will be amazed at how warm and comfortable you feel in a downpour wearing that OVER your supposedly already waterproof gear. Then, when is stops raining your gear isn’t making you cold with evaporation.

It’s not worth it in a “sprinkle” of rain to be constantly pulling over to take off or put on rain gear, if you are already wearing waterproof gear or under layers. Use your best judgment.

Gloves – one or two pairs that give you optimal combinations of warmth, waterproofing and cool air flow ◦Held “air and dry” and “warm and dry”

are two examples of a combo glove

ENJOY!