XS Rally Long Distance Ride-Packing

[trbig]

What? No transmission?

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

[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.

[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.

[mikubuilder]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[trbig]

I've got a bag that I line with a heavy duty 3mil trash bag. Cheap and everything always stays nice and dry.

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol

[DiverRay]

Hey, the small white trash bags work GREAT to keep your boots dry in a heavy rain. Replace them almost anyplace for next to nothing. Just don't get the used ones!

[Jerry]

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol

I used to always go the most inexpensive route, but as I get older I find I value convenience more than price than I did when I was younger. The dry bag is more expensive than other options but works very well, is very convenient, and I use it on ATV trips as well as motorcycle trips so it gets a lot of use. Having done the lined bag / lined duffel bag / garbage bag tricks in the past I finally opted for a real dry bag and am not sad I did.

BTW, for lining other bags, try using trash compactor bags. They are heavier weight and work well as liners...I know from past experience!

[jwhughes3]

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol

I know Tod is poking fun at my typical "If there is a problem, keep throwing money at it till it goes away" attitude. These days time is more valuable to me and that includes time spent in the motel room with a hair dryer trying to try wet clothes

John

[BA80]

These days time is more valuable to me and that includes time spent in the motel room with a hair dryer trying to try wet clothes

John

Ride 'em dry!!!!

[Jerry]

Ride 'em dry!!!!

Not so easy to do if you are on a long trip and packing several day's worth of clothing plus carrying some electronics and possibly a sleeping bag and/or other gear.

I don't recall a long trip I've ever taken when I did not get rained on a few times and keeping yourself and your gear dry is of some importance. On day rides I "ride 'em dry" (and have done countless times over the years) but for long-hauls it is more than just 'nice' to have dry gear at the end of the day. And when you ride at high elevations it gets cold; even in summer Colorado's passes are generally 15 - 20 degrees cooler than the valleys, and riding wet can get uncomfortable quite quickly. DAMHIK.

If you are going to take an extended trip pay attention to packing your stuff so it stays dry during the inevitable rain storms you will ride through. Does not matter if you use garbage bags as liners or a dry bag which is more convenient, attention to this aspect of traveling will make the trip a lot more enjoyable.

Having said that, I would not now give up my dry bag and go back to my previous packing methods. For around $40.00 (depending on the size you get) these are a really nice addition to your touring kit.

[BA80]

Not so easy to do if you are on a long trip and packing several day's worth of clothing plus carrying some electronics and possibly a sleeping bag and/or other gear.

Exactly, but if you get rained on what are you going to do, stop and change clothes? I've done my share of long trips too and have encountered rain on many of them. Yes, there is dry stuff to change into in your pack but blow drying in the motel room is foolish. Either they will dry in the room overnight, they will dry on the road the next day ( if you chose to wear the same clothes) but gloves and boots will, or it'll still be raining and it'll just get wet again.

Colorado this last trip was the only time I had to ride across a mountain pass in a blizzard in the dark but with the gear I had, even wet, I didn't really get cold. I gotta get my windshield wipers fixed though. The snow caked up on the windshield and I had to look over the top and keep wiping my visor so I could see.