Touring Tip: Packing Your Bike Properly for Touring

Written By: RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel

 

Before going on tour, make sure your motorcycle is loaded in a safe and secure manner. Here are our top 10 “Dos” and “Don’ts” for motorcycle packing:

Do: Pack heavier items low and as close as practical to the bike’s center of gravity.        
Don’t: Pack a lot of weight high and behind the rear axle.

Do: Load saddlebags and soft luggage with equal weight on each side.
Don’t: Load more weight on one side of the bike than the other. 

Do: Secure everything tightly to prevent them from becoming entangled in the chain or wheels. 
Don’t: Have any loose items flopping around in the breeze.

Do: Pack only what you definitely will need. A lighter and less bulky load is far better!
Don’t: Pack everything you might need on the trip.

Do: Place lighter items in a tankbag and/or in a topcase.
Don’t: Place loads on your front fender or forks, which adversely affects handling.

Do: Use nylon tie-down straps that can be locked in place and won’t stretch.
Don’t: Use bungee cords to secure exposed items.

Do: Weigh items, including the riders, riding gear and luggage to make sure that Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) isn’t exceeded.
Don’t: Exceed the GVWR found in the owner’s manual.

Do: Pack smaller items that require quick access (e.g., credit cards, drivers license, maps, etc) in easy to reach locations, like a tankbag.
Don’t: Store things you might need during the day at the bottom of saddlebags.

Do: Pack well ahead of your departure date, and do a test ride to make sure that all items are secured and the bike handles properly.
Don’t: Leave on your trip immediately after the bike is loaded.

Do: Check you load at every stop to make sure all items are still secured.
Don’t: Pack it and forget it.

Time invested in organizing your gear and packing your motorcycle properly will pay big dividends once you’re out on the road.