Packing the motorcycle for a camping roadtrip

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR FOR A LONG TRIP ON A MOTORCYCLE…

… requires knowing that bike inside and out.

There are only a few places to store gear on a motorcycle. None of them extraordinarily large. Smaller bikes have less, larger bikes may have more.

I use a motorcycle backpack and duffle top that sits right behind me on the back fender rack. They do double work as a back rest as well.

The challenge is to keep the motorcycle balanced, so we try to keep as much as possible inline with the frame.

I have two saddlebags that hold a fair amount of stuff, more than I expected, but must be packed with a lot of forethought. What is going to be needed the most goes in last, and what we only need occasionally goes in first.

These bags have doors that open out instead of from the top down as most do. That means things can, and will, fall out as you open the side door. Making sure that event is not catastrophic is very important.

And it also matters which side you pack the gear on. If you are on the side of a narrow road, for instance, you want the gear you are accessing to be on the outside of the lane, not the inside where traffic is whizzing by.

Ya know.

My bike: 2008 Kawasaki Nomad 1600CC V-twin.

As you can see, it is a big motorcycle. And notice the trunk on the back.?

That is where I put my cameras. It is lined with two layers of bubble wrap to keep the vibrations at bay, and the camera bodies and lenses are also dampened with bubble wrap.?The bubble wrap keeps the vibrations from destroying the cameras and lenses.

I have removed the passenger seat and replaced it with a luggage rack so my overnight bag sits there.

The clothing I am taking reflects the possible highly diverse weather I may face.?

Warm weather:

Two long-sleeved tee-shirts.

One short sleeve tee-shirt.

One button-down western shirt.

Motorcycle jeans (with Kevlar sewn in).

One pair of regular jeans for when I am washing the other pair.

One pair of swim trunks in case I need to wash both pair.

Two pairs of warm-weather socks.

Sneakers for wearing off bike.

Crushable cowboy hat.

Cold weather:

One long sleeve wool sweater.

Long Underwear.

One pair of cold-weather socks.

One very warm jacket.

One cold weather face mask.

One Ascot for keeping the neck warm.

I use packing cubes to keep all of the stuff organized.

Riding gear:

One pair of riding gloves for warm weather.

One pair of riding gloves for cold/wet weather.

One warm weather riding jacket with Kevlar.

Wolverine boots.

Rain gear and boot covers.

Neckerchief.

Full-face helmet with a full visor to keep out the cold air and rain.

Three pairs of sunglasses: one pair very dark.

Camera Gear:

Nikon Df?DSLR

24-120mm Zoom, 180MM prime.

Nikon F4 film camera

Ten rolls Kodak Gold ISO 200

Small tripod.

iPhone

Rode mic and windguard for iPhone.

LUMIX DCS80 for video/stills

Miscellaneous

GPS Tracker for real-time tracking.

Battery jumper and USB charging battery unit.

2 very bright flashlights.

Assorted chargers and cords and such.

Pocket knife.

Waist knife.

Hatchet.

Mini camp chair.

Umbrella.

First Aid kit.

Mini road flares (2).

Two USB chargers for iPhones

Toiletries bag.

Bike cover.

Communications:

iPad with keyboard.

I also have a couple of waterproof bags in case it rains torrents. Fits all cameras and electronics.

That may seem like a lot, but I do indeed have space in both of my saddle bags for something I may need to purchase along the way. I also have to have room for water bottles and a small bottle of single malt.?

Don’t judge.

All the gear goes into saddlebags, the trunk, and the travel pack I have on the seat behind me. It is covered with a waterproof cover and is bungee corded from both sides to hold it stable.

This configuration changes from ride to ride. The longer I am going to be out, the more little things I am going to need. Also, if I am not camping but staying in hotels, the gear is less and a bit easier to pack.

More to come.