A couple of other items that I forgot:

Visine
Topical anestetic for bee and wasp stings
Small note pad and pencil.
Reservation confirmation numbers and motel phone numbers



H-D makes a good spray on water repellent. Spray your boots and saddle bags the day before you leave.

 

Not only should heavy stuff go low it should go forward as well.

Aim to keep the load within the "load triangle" formed by the front axle, rear axle, and your head.

 

The list above is excellent...

I get one saddlebag, and the girlfriend gets one saddlebag. Tool pouch goes in the bottom of the left bag, then the liner bag with all my clothes on top of that. The top of the lid usually gets the nightime bike cover (Exigent) stuffed in. Pack the bags with the heaviest clothing items on bottom. If you get some of the undies and socks that wick moisture, you can wash out and they will dry overnight without any problem. Ex-Officio are the best boxer briefs I've found, and dry quickly. I use lightweight ski socks for the boots...just let 'em air out overnight and you can wear them more than once, unless you've got a foot odor problem. One pair of jeans to ride in, and one for night time. Kevlar jeans from Diamond Gusset Jeans are great for riding in, and their regular jeans are equally good. They have a crotch that gives the "boys" more room...makes a huge difference in comfort while riding. T-shirts, long johns (polypro), fleece layers, cap, a doo-rag, chaps, etc all depend on the anticipated weather. Flip flops or houseshoes for kicking around the motel, etc. Try to combine some of your toiletry needs like toothpaste, etc. Get the better half to get travel sized stuff or put things in smaller containers, available at most any backpacking store (empty).

I sometimes carry a pair of mesh Merrill shoes too, but stuff the insides with underwear or socks. Use every cubic inch of space effectively. Roll clothing to keep wrinkles to a minimum. Get you and the bride a lightweight, windstopper Fleece zip up jacket for layering under your riding jacket in cooler weather, and it can also double as a jacket for night wear to bars, restaurants, etc if you're not riding. Polypro garments are the best thing ever invented, and the ONLY thing to have for a base layer, regardless of weather. Underarmor, Patagonia, Ex-Officio and some good brands...they are not cheap, but will last 20 years or more. Backpacking stores are an excellent resource for quick drying, lightweight clothing and other things.

The tourpak gets things I need quickly...camera, Windex NON AMONIA wipes for removing bugs, travel size of some kind of gloss or touch up bike cleaner, two microfiber rags, Road Atlas, glasses cleaner, purse, wallet, sunscreen....you get the idea. Rainsuits are stuffed in an OR backpacking type stuff sack and bungied to the luggage rack for quick access. Get some WATERPROOF BOOTS and forget about booties, gators, etc.

Try not to put a lot of really heavy stuff in the TP, and expecially not on the luggage rack.

 

Why my man purse of course[:-]
Just kidding....saddlebags in ziplock bags.

 

Man, thanks everyone. Some good ideas and tips on how to load. I really appreciate it.

....and thanks, Bob, for the link to the lid liners.

 

Geesh Bob, we have almost the exact same stuff on our RK's. The windshield pouch is great and I use the saddlebag lid organizers for things I don't need that often.

 

The lid organizer is handy for small stuff that you don't want to hunt for. Insurance, hearing protection, cell phone charger, visine, glasses cleaner, tire pressure gauge, medicines, towelets , fuses etc.

 

If the wife is going I just hook up the trailer.

 

Something about pulling a trailer behind a bike just doesn't seem right (or safe) to me. To each their own. Ride safe.

 

It depends in part on where you are riding. Temperature is a big factor. For instance, riding in the mountains can bring a lot of temperature extremes. It can be 85 degrees and 15 minutes later, 35 degrees.

For long distance I always take a full set of riding gear. That includes leather coat and chaps. A mesh jacket is good for warm weather and it doubles as a good liner under your leather jacket when it gets cold. I always wear gloves; I keep a lightweight pair, a waterproof pair and an electric heated pair. If you are expecting mostly cold weather, an electric vest or jacket can replace the mesh jacket. I keep a couple of bandanas (Dorags), the gloves and perhaps few other small items in a small stuff sack (or old helmet bag). Add a good quality rain suit to the above. Include a set of gaiters unless you wear gortex/waterproof boots. Then of course a helmet and full face shield. Some may argue but in my book, rain hitting you square in the face at much speed at all is no fun.

Have several layers of clothing for temperature changes and don’t hesitate to stop as often as necessary to add/remove them as conditions change.

One thing that helps for “Monkey Butt” is a pair of bicycle shorts, the stretch nylon type with the extra padding in the rear. They wear well over your underwear and under you jeans. That way, they stay reasonably clean for a few days wear.

I ride long trips with my wife, 2-up. The saddlebags are primarily for riding gear or most of the stuff mentioned above. I get one saddlebag and she gets the other.

A windshield pouch is good for sunglasses, gloves, billfold (so you don’t sit on it for 8 hours) and maybe granola bars, gum, hard candy, Chap Stick and small tube of sunscreen etc. I doubt it would hold all this but you get the idea.

A fork bag is a good spot for a few hand tools.

If you have bag guards, HD makes a combination water bottle holder and pouch that will fit on the front of it. I give it mixed reviews. The snaps don’t hold that well (hole punch it and substitute tie wraps) and it can interfere with passenger floorboards folding up, it takes two, one for each side and they are pricy. The plus side is it gives you a great spot for a water bottle (or wine bottle) and an extra pouch big enough to hold sunglasses, bungee cords, trash bags, snacks etc.

Bike luggage typically has a pocket made to slip over the top of the sissy bar and either rest on the passenger seat or luggage rack over the rear fender. In addition they have straps to fasten to the frame, shocks or passenger handgrips. A tour pack simplifies things somewhat. Regardless, however your luggage is packed, it needs to be secure. There should be no dangling straps or straps that can come loose to drop into moving parts like chains and wheels. Bags need to be packed snuggly and securely. You do not want weight shifting while cornering.

In addition to riding gear, clothing is mostly T Shirts, a couple pair of jeans (1 or 2 in the bag, 1 on your body), underwear, some appropriate, lightweight shoes to wear around the hotel/camp site and toiletries. A towel if you are not going to be in a hotel, otherwise I’d leave the towel at home (sorry Hitchhikers’ Guide) because they take up a lot of space. Generally for clothing, I would at least have enough for 4 days. That’s 1 pair of jeans on my body, 1 in the bag and 6-8 T-shirts. If I sweat during the day, I like a clean shirt at night if I am going out to eat. I may look like a tramp but at least I don’t have to smell like one. If all you are going to do is camp and ride and generally stay away from civilized places, I’d consider what I needed incase I got wet and be done with it.

I would consider full coverage for extended riding. That means long pants, boots, long sleeve shirt or mesh jacket and gloves, even if it is hot. It helps prevent wind and sunburn and helps lessen dehydration. Every gas stop should include water, little or