MOTORCYCLE TOURING 2-UP

I See bikes on the road today pulling a trailer, or with huge mounds of gear with a dozen bungee cords holding everything precariously in place. Now I'm not knocking the use of a trailer if that is the way you want to go. Personally I just don't like all that weight pushing me if I have to make an emergency stop. Also I think it takes away from some of the mobility and freedom I expect from my bike. As far as the bikes that have all that gear stacked up on the rear, I know it makes the bike top heavy and detracts from its handling. It just isn't necessary. My wife Hazel and I toured many miles over the years and had everything we needed neatly packed aboard. Our bike was a BMW R-75 equipped with a fairing, saddlebags, a scoot boot and the indispensable tank bag. All it takes is some planning and being very careful as to the equipment that you choose. Also you must plan for the number of days you plan to be on the road. As a general rule we liked to stop at a motel about every three days to really refresh and regroup.

Here is how we packed for a week to two week trip. Our tent was a three man mountain tent. It had plenty of room for the two of us yet rolled up into a very small bundle that could be packed in one of the saddle bags. We carried two sleeping bags rolled tightly, covered with plastic and bungeed, one to the top of each saddle bag. Also in the saddle bags there was room for a small hiker's single burner stove with fuel. Eating equipment similar to those Boy Scout units that all nest together. We carried enough freeze dried food for a couple of days. A hatchet. A hunting knife. A candle lantern with extra candles. In the fairing I carried small items that I might need to get to while riding. For example gloves and sun glasses. In the tank bag I carried a note pad and pen. Sun Block and first aid kit. Maps slid in the see through top folded so that I could see the area we were traversing. In the scoot boot we packed our changes of clothing, rain suits and personal items.

So you see, it is possible to travel safely, comfortably and neatly, instead of looking like a homeless couple that had everything we owned strapped to our backs. Happy touring.

Learn more about this author, Robert Livesay.
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