it ’ s weight in gold is the bungee cord . Bungee cords take
Folding is NOT your friend up little room and can hold an enormous amount of gear if
When packing clothes you can lose valuable space if you done right . At one point ( before I really knew how and what to crumple them up into a ball and throw them in your bag and pack ) I looked like the Beverly Hillbillies travelling to Sturgis , even more so if you fold your clothes ! I have never been great using just three bungee cords to hold the equivalent of four ( or even relatively good ) at science so I guess that is why I saddlebags on the back of my bike . They work , are cheap , still cannot understand WHY folding is worse than rolling and and exist to help you …. use them . takes up more space , but it does , and I will leave the science nerds to figure out why it is that way . Nevertheless , here is
Much more than a tool kit an example of how to pack pants . When packing pants fold Tool kits are great ; take one , seriously ... you can purchase them over once so they go from two pant legs to one . Start at a tool kit for your specific bike or put one together yourself . the waist and tightly roll them all the way to the bottom , kind Granted , you can get carried away with it and try to pack an of like a burrito . The military uses this technique to conserve entire tool box in your bags which is unadvisable , but going space and keep clothes relatively wrinkle free . You can use with some bare essentials never hurt anyone . Pack items this same method on pretty much every article of clothing you like allen wrenches , screwdrivers- Philips and flat head , own and it will save you valuable space in your saddlebags . a crescent wrench , pliers , knife , wire cutters , a couple of pertinent standard wrenches for your specific bike model ,
Dumb Stuff electrical tape , duct tape , zip ties , fuses , an extra spark plug ,
Sometimes the best road trips can be paused , or even tire pump or CO2 tire inflator , four foot hose ( to siphon gas ), halted if you forget to pack the inane and seemingly dumb etc . Like I said , you can go crazy with things to pack here , stuff . You know , the things that would generally fly under but some bare essentials just might help you stay on the the radar UNTIL you need them , then their worth becomes road longer . The most important thing to pack in your tool priceless because they are hard to find , and so important . kit however is a cell phone . It is the single greatest tool in
Today ’ s bikes are not your grandpa ’ s bikes . They actually any “ on the road ” tool kit . Period . Remember to pack battery have more technology than the NASA space shuttle that landed pack / charger for your cell phone as well . Keep a way to juice on the moon ( really , look it up )! I have always found that while up your phone if you find the need to call the wrecker . technology is nice ... it is also the bane of human existence when it decides not to work . Every time I start to worry about
Safety feels good computers taking over the world , my Microsoft computer One item I have found that many Riders need , but few pack crashes from its 32.000 updates a week and I breathe a sigh of or even think about until it is too late is a first aid kit . Now you relief . Bikes are no different . They have computers in them that do not have to be an ambulance on two wheels but packing get cranky if all systems are not go and can leave you stranded . some health items just may make your trip more enjoyable . You
A great example of this is your key fob . It is an innocuous little can purchase a preassembled first aid kit for a fairly reasonable thing that sits in your pocket and does relatively nothing right ? price or make your own . If you do go the “ build a bear ” route
Not really , if you lose it or the battery runs out , you are stranded . there are a few necessary items you will definitely want with
Yeah I know , the factory has a master override setup that is you at all times . Band aids- all different shapes and sizes but supposed to help you out of a jam . The problem with that is , the preferably the ones that are made of that mesh type material . only person I have seen who was able to actually COMPLETE You know , the ones that once placed on your skin can only be the steps without some serious hair pulling was the engineer removed by blowtorch or a hot shower ... those band aids work who designed it and made the how to video for it . So , if you the best in all-weather conditions that riders face on a daily want to stay free from these types of hassles bring an extra basis . Pack some sterile cotton pads and medical tape to help key fob . Stick it in your luggage so if you lose the one on your stop a bigger cut than a band aide could . Iodine and alcohol ( no , person , you have a backup . It is also a good idea to take an not Jack Daniels ) are a necessity to hinder any infections and extra battery for your key FOB ... you never know when the one should be plentiful in your pack at all times . Bug sting ointment , in your keys will give out . They are cheap , and take up no room sun burn cream , sunblock , burn and bug spray should all be in whatsoever . Get one and pack it , you will thank me later . your medical pack somewhere as well . Dollars to doughnuts
While we are on the topic of technology I would like to you or one of your friends will get stung or burned at least once mention that good old-fashioned maps are a great addition on a long road trip , so be prepared . Ibuprofen for swelling and to any saddlebag . A phone can run out of power or lose headaches is also a good and cheap addition that can really service , a GPS can get dropped or unplugged and when you make the difference on the road . need to know where to go , the tried and true method is to use maps . I mean , Lewis and friggin ’ Clark sacrificed a ton to get some lines on a paper , the least you could do is glance at it Moral of the story from time to time . Find some good quality , water resistant I am certain you can think of a thousand other things to maps of the U . S . and stick them where they ’ ll be easy to grab pack and your list is probably a little different than mine ... in a pinch . It is much more dignifying looking at a map on the that is to be expected . Every rider has different needs and side of the road rather than going into a convenience store priorities but if you plan in advance and consider what you like a helpless idiot . Find some good maps , and pack them . NEED verses what you WANT to take , you will have less
Another item that may slip under the radar but is worth clutter and weight which will make any road trip easier and more enjoyable and really , that what It is all about ! October 2016 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado 11 www . thunderroadscolorado . com