Bags & Luggage

It may seem like a no-brainer, but in order to pack more than just your saddlebags, you need somewhere to put everything! We've run a lot of different luggage over the years, and finding bags that are durable, ergonomic, and organized are essential. Knowing exactly where to find something when you're out on the road while fitting all your essentials is one of the most important aspects  when looking for the right bag to fit your needs.

Our Luggage Picks

From duffle bags to luggage, everything has its purpose. For short weekend trips with no passengers, we like to stick with duffle-style bags like the Saddlemen TR3300DE Tactical Rack Bag, or the Thrashin Supply Mission Duffle as they fit everything you'd need and securely strap to a rack or sissy bar. For longer trips or trips where we're carrying passengers, we opt for something larger such as the Saddlemen BR3400 Tactical Sissy Bar Bag (pictured). These allow you to stow all of your essentials and stay organized with all of the different pockets and compartments. The best thing about all of this bike-specific luggage is that when you arrive at your destination, you can simply unstrap the bag and take everything with you. No need to get items from the saddlebags and wonder if you grabbed everything. 

What's in the bags?

Before we get into where we put things and why we bring them, here is a list of essential items for the road ahead:

• Clothing for Each Day + 1
• Toiletries & Sunscreen
• Arm Sleeves and Neck Coverings for the Sun
• Rain Gear (Jacket, Pants, Booties, and Bike Cover)
• Rain Sock (for Air Cleaner)
• Gloves for different weather + oversized latex gloves to put over your riding gloves in the rain
• Tool Kit & Extra Hardware
• Extra Oil (We carry a quart)
• Flashlight 
• Extra Bungee Cords & Straps
• Cash, Portable Charger, and anything else you might need

Where Does it all Go?

An important thing to keep in mind is whether or not you'll need certain items frequently or at a moments notice while on the road. For items such as clothes for the rest of the trip, toiletries, or other items you won't need while riding, those can be put in your luggage closer to the bottom. For items like tools, rain gear, gloves, sunscreen, or other essentials, you'll want to keep those close and accessible. Since we run saddlebags, we like to keep most of those items in there as you can quickly pull off to a safe spot and grab any items you might need. You don't want to be going through all of your stuff trying to find rain gear when the rain starts coming down!

Gloves

Just as you would pack clothes for different weather scenarios, the same goes for gloves. We like to bring 3-4 pairs for longer trips, especially when we're expecting weather on all ends of the spectrum. To start, we'll pack a pair or two of comfortable moto-style gloves for warmer weather such as the Covert Gloves. For colder weather, we usually opt for a pair of Siege or Gauntlet Gloves as they are made with insulated leather. Regardless of your glove choice, it is important to always have a few pairs of latex shop gloves to throw over your riding gloves when expecting rain. For best results, bring latex gloves that are a size bigger than you would normally wear so that they can fit over your riding gloves comfortably and keep them dry.

Rain-Related Essentials

Along with the latex gloves, you'll want to keep a rain suit accessible. We like to get jackets and pants that are baggy enough to fit over our clothes, without being restricting or tight. Rain booties to cover your shoes are also a great addition to the suit, especially if you're not rocking lower fairings on your bike. You'll also want to make sure you have rain covers for your luggage. Most luggage, like the bags listed above, come with rain covers. You'll be glad you brought it! We also highly recommend carrying a rain sock for your air cleaner to keep your bike running strong, even in wet conditions. Last but not least, it's always nice to come out to a dry bike in the morning, so make sure to pack a rain cover for your bike. No need for something huge, just a compact water-repellent cover should do the trick.

Essentials for Hot Sunny Days

As much as we love catchin' a little tan, a 700+ mile day in the sun can be a little much. We always like to have sunscreen on hand, but lately we've been rocking arm sleeves and neck gaiters/bandanas. Not only do they protect you from the sun, but they also keep you cool. As you sweat, they soak up the moisture, and as the wind blows by, you cool down quite a bit. Some of the guys even wear evaporative cooling vests under their shirts, which you can soak beforehand and get 5-10 hours of cooling relief on the road.

Bike Essentials

Especially for Sturgis, you're likely to be a long way from home, and possibly a long way from the nearest shop. We always like to carry tools and an extra quart of oil. The open road is full of possibilities and you never know when these items will come in handy! Just make sure you have the right tools and oil and you'll be good to go! We like to keep our tools organized in the Thrashin' Tool Roll.

Now Get on the Road!

Thanks for checking out the video and the blog! We hope you guys found it informative, and maybe picked up a trick or two. Just like anything else, with packing you get better at it over time and find your way of doing things. This is what works for us, but there is no one size fits all solution. Do what works for you, and you'll be ready for miles to come! Thanks for all of the support, catch you on the next one!