NolaRiders

Motorcycle Travel Check list

by Ed Patterson

 

Wear:

o      Helmet (clear & tinted face-shields)

o      Jacket/riding suit

o      Boots (waterproof preferable)

o      Gloves: (normal & cold weather)

o      Earplugs (opt.  spares in pocket)

 

Tank-bag, seat-pack or trunk

o      Maps (GPS opt.)

o      Spare keys (mc & lock)& MC papers

o      Hat/cap

o      Glasses or sunglasses

o      Scarf/bandanna/neck-warmer/balaclava

o      Rain suit

o      Flashlight (w/ extra batteries)

o      Cell-phone

o      Pen / address book

o      Knife or Multi-tool

o      Lock/cable/chain

o      Spray cleaner w/ cloth rag

o      Matches or lighter

o      Camera (film or digital)

o      First aid kit

o      Walkman/mp3 (opt)

o      Radar detector (opt)

o      Camelback or water bottle (opt)

 

Saddlebags: #1

o      Windbreaker

o      Jacket liner or heated vest

o      Long sleeve shirt (2)

o      Short sleeve shirt (2)

o      Long pants/ shorts & belt

o      Socks 3/2 (reg. & cold weather)

o      Underwear (reg. & long)

o      Sandals or spare sneakers (flat or compact)

o      Personal kit (comb/toothbrush/soap etc.)

#2

o      *Tent & ground pad (lt. nylon footprint)

o      *Sleeping bag & pad

o      Candle or sm. lantern/flashlight

o      *Stove & cook kit (Opt.)

o      Tarp (Opt. light-weight to cover bike)

 

Toolkit:

o      *Standard tools (replace w/ real ones)

o      Spare bulbs & fuses (Hd/tail lites)

o      *Tire plug kit

o      Fix a flat (small can opt)

o      Bungee net

o      Spare web straps (compression straps)

o      Folding stool (Opt.)

It’s all in the Details

1. Helmets: proper fit w/ good venting and quiet really help make the ride more comfortable and reduce fatigue.
2. Tinted face-shields reduce eye-strain thereby also reducing fatigue.  Make a spare shield bag from a sweatshirt sleeve or commercial ones are available.
3. GPS (Global positioning system) mapping devices are great fun and can help you finding some back-roads not on state maps. Keep maps though and be familiar w/ the device operation.
4. Multi-tool: Gerber, Leatherman etc. a good multi-tool can supplement your tool kit and be all that is needed for quick fixes.
5. Spray cleaner: Ex Saeng Can-Do, Honda Spray cleaner & polish, Plexus or others in small cans etc. Use to clean face-shields, windshields, clean bikes etc. Use w/ soft cotton/terry cloth. Paper towel scratches.

 

Clothing:

A.      Versatile riding apparel reduces amount of clothing needed and increases comfort.

B.       Think layers for cold weather as temps/conditions can change on the road quickly.

C.       Avoid bulky items such as sweaters/sweatshirts to save space and use more efficient clothing.

D.      A light-weight windbreaker can keep the chill off around the camp site and stores pocket size and is easy to add layers under.

E.       Use the riding gear most of the time and keep those clean items for eating out or whatever once set up at the camp site. Sandals or similar light shoes to walk around in w/ not on the bike. Tevas and such are comfortable durable and you can even shower w/ um’ & require less space to pack.

 

Camping gear:

1. Tents: invest in a good quality tent, they are worth the money. I prefer self-supporting styles. Eureka, Sierra Design, Kelty, North Face etc. See the backpacking stores or catalogs for these.

 

2. Sleeping bags; Good 3 season bags usually the best. Polargard/ Hollofill etc or Down filled. Down is generally warmer w/ less weight and smaller pack size but Keep um’ dry.

 

3. Duffle bags and “Dry bags” such as Seal Line bags can be used as stuff sacks for gear. Look for durable materials and preferably water resistance.

Misc Stuf’

1. Bungie nets can hold irregular sized items.
2. Use web type compression straps to compress items down & secure, they generally resist loosening and stretching, as bungee cords will.

 

Tools:

1. Screwdriver: reversible or multi tip
2. Pliers or Vice-grip (small to med size)
3. Small adjustable wrench
4. Combo wrenches 8-17mm (Whatever size is commonly used on your bike)
5. Tire pressure gauge
6. Mini multi tester (radio shack etc) Use it the check to make sure the MC system is charging properly
7. Tubeless tire repair kit
8. Inflation device (CO2 cartridges or some means of adding air.)
9. Consider a 1/4” drive ratchet and a couple of sockets
10. Allen or Torx wrenches
11. Fuses
12. Bulbs (spare head light and tail/brake bulbs)
13. Spare length of wire and crimp connectors
14. Electrical tape
15. Small amount of duct tape

 

First aid kit

Include pain relievers, anti-hay fever, anti-diarrhea medications.

 

MC Preparation

1. Check over the motorcycle completely before the trip!
2. Tires (Mileage? Condition? Inflate to higher end of the recommended range)
3. Avoid traveling w/ a repaired/plugged tire. Overestimate the wear as traveling w/ a load can reduce mileage remaining.
4. Adjust suspension for the added weight
5. Battery (fluids, age? fully charged)
6. Oil, coolant etc.
7. Supplemental lighting is valuable when traveling in the country after dark.

 

Physical Preparation

Unless you are into the “FeButt” get rest & do some exercise prior to the trip and try to take time to walk or something during the trip to aid the body for long saddle days.

Avoid eating large meals prior to long rides, as it will make you sleepy.

Avoid excess caffeine intake.

 

Riding w/ a Group

1. Have a riders meeting,
2. Group rides invariably involve some compromising.
3. Set the traveling ground rules!
4. Riders w/ similar riding styles together.
5. Ride in a staggered formation where applicaple.
6. Maintain & manage space!
7. Keep your distance and ride at your own pace!
8. Work out hand signals if communication devices are not used.

·         Need gas

·         Rest room

·         Da’ man’ ahead etc,

·         Speed up

·         Slow down

·         Road hazard

·         Ticked off