Motorcycle Travelling ~ Packing for the Road

Let's start with the bag itself. This is key to a successful and enjoyable journey.

As you can see from the picture on the left side of your screen it doesn't look that bad. In fact, my wife rather enjoyed her padded back rest while we were on the road. The additional weight hanging off the back of the bike can throw off the geometry of the bike (your balance) so you have to use some caution and make sure that the packs are secured tightly and the weight is balanced (saddle bags & T-Bag).

I use T-Bags; the model I like most is the "Sturgis bag". The "Sturgis bag" has 4 external storage pockets and a couple of map pockets that face the rear of the motorcycle. The outer pockets come in handy for those items you need to get to during the day: camera, sunblock, maps, cell phone and Gummi Bears or other snacks. It's internal capacity of 2.5 cu.ft. with the roll-top duffle gives us ample, ok not ample we still use the saddle bags for overflow, but enough room we can feel like we're ready for about anything Mother Nature can throw at us. The "Sturgis bag" is one of the larger bags available. T-Bag and other companies make a wide variety to chose from so I'm sure there's one to fit just about any type of travel that you may be planning.

Take a look at the same picture, enlarged a bit, lightened up so the darks are easier to distinguish and finally cropped so that it's just the pack over the rear wheel. I use the strapping system that designed in to each T-bag and then I will secure it with Bungee cords and a cargo net. I use the cargo net to hold our jackets or vest. This creates additional space in the saddlebags for other items that may add too much bulk or weight over the backend of the motorcycle.

What's in there?

The answers to that are in my Packing for a Road Trip Lens, but before you jump on over keep a couple of things in mind. Weather, Weather, Weather - what's it like when you leave, during the day, where's your route take you - High & Low temps and your personal comfort level - For us, well we leave from the Arizona Desert at the end of July / beginning of August. It's 90 - 100 degrees with 70 - 80% humidity at 6:00 a.m. By nightfall we will have changed elevation several times and will be riding in 70 degree weather, probably in the rain.

We'll be in boots, jeans, chaps, a long sleeve T-shirt, I like the ones by WhiteLine :), fingerless riding gloves and that day's bandana. So this takes care of one set of ride clothing - but that's not even in the bag yet... better work on that lens so we can get on with the packing!

Chaps, leather pants, jacket, vest everybody needs some level of protection even if it's just from the elements. Here
are a couple of styles/mfg's that are popular.

Power Trip Powerglide Chaps

Tour Master Vintage Leather Chaps