XS Rally Long Distance Ride-Packing

[jwhughes3]

Last year for my trip to Brockville, Ontario I bought a 42 liter SealSkin dry bag. I stuffed all my gear in it and carried the bag on pillion. This worked very well as I did not camp this time. Through some hard rains everything in the bag stayed dry.

Trip went for 5,100 mile (on the '06 Concours) and I would recommend a dry bag for anyone who is going to carry stuff for a long trip. Not cheap but well worth the investment.

I second this. Did same and stuff always stayed dry.

John

[BA80]

I always over pack. I have everything I or someone else MIGHT need except...........a rear wheel drive hub. And, I actually started out on the first leg with one in my backpack.

[trbig]

On a 500 mile weekend trip, I'd take a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, and that's about it. lol.

If you're unsure about the bike or it has some mothballs, I'd take it on a 100 mile trip out and 100 back. If it does that no problem, then 500 each way will be a cakewalk. If it has troubles in the 100 mile trip, you're close to home.

[IanDMacDonald]

Ian, you will be riding in UP, it's not like mountains of Colorado or Utah

Not sure sbout you Mike, but breaking down five miles from home sucks, let-alone almost 500 miles to Houghton.

[mikubuilder]

Ian, you will be riding in UP, it's not like mountains of Colorado or Utah

[Jerry]

...and all this time I thought you had the kitchen sink in that tow-behind trailer.

Last year for my trip to Brockville, Ontario I bought a 42 liter SealSkin dry bag. I stuffed all my gear in it and carried the bag on pillion. This worked very well as I did not camp this time. Through some hard rains everything in the bag stayed dry.

Trip went for 5,100 mile (on the '06 Concours) and I would recommend a dry bag for anyone who is going to carry stuff for a long trip. Not cheap but well worth the investment.

[motoman]

I figured carrying a package of extra pins and several new packaged star washers in the fairing after fixing tranny is why I've never needed them. Least that logic has worked so far.

[trbig]

What? No transmission?

Naw, just the shift forks and extra pins for the end of the shift drum.

[motoman]

Just rope for the bike to bike towing!

Yikes!

John

Not a bad idea at all John.........hey, that option got you all down to the Conoco at the intersection at Silverton as a group......froze, but safe!

[jwhughes3]

Just rope for the bike to bike towing!

Yikes!

John

[jetmechmarty]

An extra piston or two with rings, rear wheel bearing, crank seals, drain plugs for oil pan and middle/final drives, extra washer-headed bolt that screws into the gear shaft behind the clutch basket, extra u-joint, liquid gasket, extra clutch handle, clutch/throttle cables, fuses...

Oh wait. Maybe that's just me on my trips out east.


P.S. A wheel hub may now make the cut as well.. lol.

What? No transmission?

[trbig]

An extra piston or two with rings, rear wheel bearing, crank seals, drain plugs for oil pan and middle/final drives, extra washer-headed bolt that screws into the gear shaft behind the clutch basket, extra u-joint, liquid gasket, extra clutch handle, clutch/throttle cables, fuses...

Oh wait. Maybe that's just me on my trips out east.


P.S. A wheel hub may now make the cut as well.. lol.

[motoman]

A few additional itemsI have found usefull over the years:
Extra 1156 and 1157 bulbs
Windshield cleaner and blue shop towels
Purell or other hand cleaner
Hard candy, helps me stay alert when I get tired
Small flashlight (Mini-Mag Lite, 2 "AA")
Side stand "foot plate"
Light and heavy gloves
Extra visor for helmet
Registration paperwork, laminated to help survive abuse
Roll (or part roll) of TP
Cargo net and bungee cords
Aspirin
Monkey Butt or baby powder
Compass
I wear glasses so carry an extra pair.

I used to carry more, such as a 12v inflator and tire plug kit, never used so no longer carry them.

This is not a comprehensive list of everything I carry, just a few more things to add to IanDMacDonald's list.

...and all this time I thought you had the kitchen sink in that tow-behind trailer.

[Jerry]

A few additional itemsI have found usefull over the years:
Extra 1156 and 1157 bulbs
Windshield cleaner and blue shop towels
Purell or other hand cleaner
Hard candy, helps me stay alert when I get tired
Small flashlight (Mini-Mag Lite, 2 "AA")
Side stand "foot plate"
Light and heavy gloves
Extra visor for helmet
Registration paperwork, laminated to help survive abuse
Roll (or part roll) of TP
Cargo net and bungee cords
Aspirin
Monkey Butt or baby powder
Compass
I wear glasses so carry an extra pair.

I used to carry more, such as a 12v inflator and tire plug kit, never used so no longer carry them.

This is not a comprehensive list of everything I carry, just a few more things to add to IanDMacDonald's list.

[ViperRon]

Not to diminish a comrade but a riding buddy is about the best tool you can carry along. If you go with a group its all the better. Especially if you all communicate and carry different parts and tools. If one tool box can be good 2 or 3 can be much better. And there is no tool that goes in the box to help you get that bike off you in a mishap or misstep parking it. Plus who will take pictures we can laugh at ?