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Tips For Packing For A Motorcycle Trip

May. 24 2021 Travel Advice By Gina's Motorsports of Monee

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Before you can enjoy a motorcycle trip, you will need to pack supplies. Bringing the right items and using the right packing strategies will make the motorcycle ride much better, which is why we created the following guide to packing for a motorcycle trip. 

For more packing tips or to shop motorcycles for sale, contact Gina's Motorsports of Monee. Our dealership is located in Monee, Illinois. We also serve those in Chicago and Kankakee County, Illinois.

Determine Whether You Need Additional Storage

Some riders find that they need more storage space than their motorcycle offers. Fortunately, it's easy to upgrade a motorcycle with extra storage containers.

There are three common upgrade options: hard cases, soft luggage, and a tank bag. You can pick one or several, depending on your storage needs and your motorcycle's capacity for aftermarket accessories.

Hard Cases

  • Pros: best weather protection, more secure.
  • Cons: more expensive, adds more weight.

Soft Luggage

  • Pros: easier to access items inside, lighter, lower in cost.
  • Cons: less protection for the cargo.

Tank bag

  • Pros: ideal for storing small items that you might access during the ride, such as sunglasses or a cell phone.
  • Cons: offers a small amount of storage space.

Be Selective In What You Pack

It's easy to play the "what if I need this item" game and end up overpacking. Try to limit cargo as much as possible.

Start with a list of the essentials, such as a motorcycle toolkit and a first aid kit. Then, make a list of necessary bad weather gear, such as waterproof outerwear and heated items. Limit bringing much beyond this.

Think about ways to cut down on cargo weight. For example, if you are staying multiple nights somewhere, can you bring fewer garments and do a load of laundry at the destination?

Finally, resist bringing those "just in case" items. Odds are, you won't end up needing them. If you do, it's usually easy to find them at a nearby grocery store.

Pack Items Strategically

Place the heaviest items as low and as far forward as possible. Be sure to also balance weight from left to right. This will help keep the motorcycle more stable and easier to control.

Go For A Short Test Drive

Once you've packed everything, take a few minutes to ride around. Make sure everything is securely attached and won't fall off on the road.

It's also helpful to get a sense of your motorcycle's altered handling due to the extra weight. Figure out the new turning radius, stopping distance, and so on. If you are traveling with a passenger, be sure they join on the test drive since their added weight will affect the motorcycle's handling.

Want more motorcycle trip packing tips? Want to shop motorcycles for sale? Whatever you need, find it at Gina's Motorsports of Monee. Our dealership is based in Monee, Illinois, and we also serve those in Chicago and Kankakee County.