Having just returned from an incredible 2-year, 60,000-mile adventure riding trip throughout South America, I’ve learned a thing or two about properly preparing your motorcycle for the open road.
While the allure of adventure awaits, undertaking such an epic journey requires diligent planning and preparation to ensure your safety.
In this post, I’ll share eight key tips to ready your bike for the ride of a lifetime.
Securing Luggage to Your Motorcycle
Perhaps the most important consideration is determining the best way to fasten your luggage to your motorcycle securely. This decision can literally make or break your trip. Here are some factors to consider:
Hard Top Cases vs. Soft Luggage
When I first set out, I opted for hard-top cases strapped to the top of my bike. However, I soon realized this wasn’t the best solution for me for a few reasons:
- The cases weren’t efficient at maximizing space and made accessing my gear more difficult.
- Riding off-road loosened the cases over time. Given their elevated positioning, I worried they could detach completely.
- Aesthetically, the cases looked bulky and cumbersome.
So I made the switch to a large 89-liter soft waterproof bag strapped horizontally across the rear. This lower positioning created a much lower center of gravity, allowing me to take tight turns easily. And I could easily compress it to fit everything I needed.
Reinforce Your Motorcycle’s Rear Section
Most motorcycles come equipped with a narrow metal plate on the rear intended for strapping luggage. However, this slim surface area isn’t sufficient for a bulky bag. The bag will droop over the edges, compromising its waterproofing integrity.
So I bolted a cutting board I bought at the store to the factory metal plate. Duct tape created grip. This DIY flat surface gave me the ample space I needed to fasten my bag in place tightly.
High-Quality Straps are a Must
While packing straps may seem insignificant, they play an integral role in securing your belongings safely. I highly recommend avoiding basic bungee cords in favor of heavy-duty clamping or ratcheting straps. The compressive force will snugly anchor the bag to your bike’s frame.
I always carry at least two straps as a backup in case one fails. Their durability also proves useful should you need to strap your disabled bike into a hired truck to reach a repair shop.
Extra Precautions for Security & Safety
You not only want to safeguard your belongings from slipping off your motorcycle but also deter potential thieves looking for easy targets. Here are additional safeguards I learned to take:
Lock Your Luggage
When parking your loaded bike to enjoy sightseeing or cross borders, consider using a cable lock to prevent tampering with your luggage. While it won’t stop a determined criminal, it adds an extra layer of security and may persuade opportunistic thieves to move on.
Adjust Straps Regularly
I painfully learned what can happen when straps loosen over time after my bag slipped off at 70mph near Machu Picchu.
Fortunately, I didn’t crash, but hitting the rear tire could have caused a devastating accident. Double and triple-check straps before each ride, tightening as needed.
Eight tips for optimally packing your bike’s luggage
Use Waterproof Bags Strategically
Your waterproof luggage bag keeps your belongings dry, but using it wisely is key.
Pack Clothes in Duffels
I recommend packing clothes and toiletries inside the waterproof outer bag in two separate duffel bags. One bag houses your daily clothes, while the other stores your riding gear like helmet, boots, and jacket.
Duffels make accessing items effortless versus one jumbled mess. Tossing in dirty clothes is simple too. Their soft sides mold to the bag’s shape, maximizing capacity.
Line the Bottom with Padding
Prevent sharp edges from rubbing against the waterproof fabric by lining the bottom with one duffel. Arrange it flat to cushion your belongings. Consider it a protective base layer.
Organize with Pouches
Further, organize clothes and supplies in individual zippered pouches inside each duffel: sort socks and undergarments in one pouch, shirts in another, etc. Pouches keep things tidy so you can swiftly grab what you need.
Bonus: A synthetic folding travel pillow pouch doubles as laundry storage. Compact yet comfy!
Strategically Pack Your Side Cases
While duffels hold your personal items, use your bike’s side cases for ride essentials. Some key pointers:
Separate Supplies
Designate one case for oils, fuels, lubricants, and tools. Place snacks and clothing in the other. Segregating industrial supplies prevents food from absorbing odd odors and tastes.
Customize Your Tool Kit
Each journey and bike requires a unique assortment of tools and spare parts. Tailor your toolkit to your trip length, route remoteness, and bike model. Space is limited, so choose wisely.
Get Creative with Spare Tires
If your bike has plastic wheel bearings, you can conserve precious space by securing spare tires behind them with a cloth. This handy hack leaves room for other essentials.
Distribute Weight Evenly
Take weight distribution into account as you pack each case. Try to apportion bulk evenly so your bike doesn’t lean left or right while riding. Proper balance bolsters handling.
8 packing tips will streamline your luggage while optimizing comfort.
Multi-Purpose Clothing
Minimize clothing quantity without sacrificing utility by picking versatile pieces.
Ultralight Camp Towel
Swap bulky terry towels for a thin, quick-drying microfiber camp towel. Compact yet ultra-absorbent, they take up little space while keeping you clean on the road.
Convertible Pants
Rather than packing separate shorts and pants, opt for pants with zip-off legs that transform into shorts. One garment serves both purposes, maximizing space.
Swim Trunks Double as Shorts
Skip packing standalone shorts and wear your swim trunks for casual wear too. Fewer items with shared functions lighten your load.
Rugged, Barefoot-Style Sandals
Don’t be stuck with flimsy flip-flops. Sturdy sandals with toe and heel straps transition seamlessly from beach to trails while protecting feet. Wear them rafting or in camp to give feet a break from boots.
Ditch Cotton Clothing
Cotton absorbs sweat and takes forever to dry. Instead, pack moisture-wicking synthetic or wool shirts, underwear, and socks. They’ll keep you cooler and cleaner on sweltering rides.
Wool long underwear pulls double duty – providing extra insulation at night, then worn as a riding base layer. More versatility, less luggage weight!
Multi-Tool
A compact multi-tool like a Leatherman Waves packs numerous functions – pliers, screwdrivers, knife, bottle opener – into one. Small yet mighty, it can bail you out of countless jams, from minor repairs to cracking open an evening beer.
Fuel Transfer Hose
Toting bulky extra gas tanks is unnecessary with a lightweight rubber fuel hose. Just siphon from helpful strangers if you run dry in remote areas. Kindness abounds between riders.
Spare Key
Nothing is worse than losing your only key on the lonely highway. Strap a spare ignition key to your wrist on a velcro band. You’ll forget it’s even there until an emergency strikes.
Zip Ties
These sturdy plastic straps have a million uses from securing broken bolts to mending ripped gear. Toss in a handful – their tiny size belies their strength.
Baby Wipes
Keep travel-size baby wipes handy for sponge baths by the roadside. Far more sanitary than toilet paper if nature calls in the wilderness.
Microfiber Cloth
Foggy visors and grimy goggles are no match for lens cleaning spray and a scratch-free microfiber cloth. See crystal clearly, smudge-free.
Ear Plugs
High-quality ear plugs block damaging wind noise through your helmet. Prevent tinnitus and muffled hearing down the road by using them early on. Better safe than sorry.
Hydration Pack
Stay energized and sharp by sipping water from a hands-free hydration pack all day. Don’t risk dehydration, which impairs riding ability. Convenient hydration is key.
Conclusion
Equipping your bike with this arsenal of compact accessories prepares you to handle any scenario. They offer an abundance of problem-solving potential while adding negligible weight. Expect smooth travels and quick fixes so you can focus on the journey.
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