How we Pack our Motorcyclesfor Sturgis

How we Pack our Motorcyclesfor Sturgis

Packing for the Road Ahead

2LaneLife

Two moto-vloggers passionate about traveling and the open road.

When it comes to long trips, staying prepared is always a priority. It's better to have something and not need it then...yea, you know where we're going with that. That being said, packing can get a little complicated sometimes, so we're here to help, and show you guys how we like to pack for both long and short trips. Packing the right way means you can focus on the journey ahead, and be confident knowing you have everything you need, and know where to find something when the time comes. 

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!


Down to the Details...

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!


Stay safe...stay inspired!

-2LaneLife


We stand behind all of the products on our site, and want to help you find whats right for you!

Check out our catalog of our favorite products, and feel free to reach out with any questions!

43 comments

  • Steve Johnson: March 18, 2023

    Hi guys, I’m taking my first trip to Sturgis and your videos have been a huge help. I hope I run into you guys while I’m there. I noticed you have your cell phones mounted to your handlebars. What benefit does that have? I’m thinking I should buy a mount for mine too.
    Thanks and keep up the good work!

  • richard Maure: February 15, 2022

    Hello to both of you guys,
    I Am a fellow neighbor from up north in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

    I really love your YouTube Channel and I am a subscriber.
    I have just seen your YouTube post on packing for a long trip. I own a similar to the Saddlemen BR3400 Sissy Bar Bag.
    My main concern is the weight that is put on the Detachable luggage rack (Harley or Cobra) both brands recommend maximum 10lbs.
    In all of Gaylin Anderson trips he uses the Saddlemen BR3400 Sissy Bar Bag. Do you exceed the 10lbs recommended weight on the detachable luggage rack?

    please let know your thought?
    See you Down the road!!!
    Richard the Canadian Biker!!

  • nivaquine: June 08, 2021

    what is hydroxychloroquine 200 mg chloroquine phosphate tablets hydroxychloroquine usmle

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “I’m pretty pleased to discover this website. I want to to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every part of it and I have you bookmarked to see new information in your site.”
    נערות ליווי בצפון

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “May I simply say what a comfort to find someone who genuinely understands what they’re discussing on the web. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people ought to read this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you’re not more popular because you most certainly have the gift.”
    דירות דיסקרטיות בת’’א

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “Excellent blog post. I definitely love this website. Keep writing!
    "
    נערות ליווי באשקלון

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will always be interesting to read through articles from other authors and practice a little something from other web sites.”
    https://israelnightclub.com/שירותי-ליווי/

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it won’t fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you would have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could possibly fix if you weren’t too busy seeking attention.”
    נערות ליווי

  • Darrenroumn: June 06, 2021

    “This is the right webpage for anybody who hopes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for years. Excellent stuff, just great!”
    דירות דיסקרטיות באזור ירושלים

  • tadalafil daily online: June 05, 2021

    tadalafil powder suppliers tadalafil cost side effects of tadalafil

Leave a comment