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[willyB]

The wife and I are taking a long trip (St. Louis to Yellowstone via Denver and Sturgis). We're leaving this Sunday (9/11 Never Forget!!) and will be returning 9/23.

I've been pulling together our gear that I am planning on packing into 2 saddlebags and a small/mid size Saddleman bag.

I am looking to see if I've missed anything.
* Clothes
* Leathers
* Rain gear
* Gloves
* Tire plug kit
* Very small air compressor (plugs into cig lighter)
* Pass code for alarm
* Extra key
* Flashlight
* First aide kit
* HOG card
* CCW
* Contacts (in case I break my glasses)
* Maps
* Quart of oil
* Bugslide windshield cleaner
* Octane booster in case I can't get good gas
* Tools (checked all nuts and bolts already to make sure i have the right stuff)
* Air pressure guage
* Duct and electrical tape
* Checked fluids and tire pressure

It's our first big ride on a bagger. Our old bike was a '03 Deuce and we are used to packing "really" light.

Thanks for the feedback! (I'll be posting pictures from the ride when we get back.)

[spydglide]

Doesn't really matter what bike you ride, you're always short of packing space.  I like a scarf for cold weather also.  Find a tough case for your eyeglasses to protect them in the saddlebag.  Gun & stuff.  Money.  Phone.  Sunscreen.  Forget the qt. of oil, takes too much room and you won't need it.  Readly available most anywhere if you do.  Ride safe.  spyder

[willyB]

Doesn't really matter what bike you ride, you're always short of packing space.  I like a scarf for cold weather also.  Find a tough case for your eyeglasses to protect them in the saddlebag.  Gun & stuff.  Money.  Phone.  Sunscreen.  Forget the qt. of oil, takes too much room and you won't need it.  Readly available most anywhere if you do.  Ride safe.  spyder

Ahhhh! Sunscreen and scarf.

I like the qt of oil as a cya. My buddy got stuck in Yellowstone a couple of years ago when a rock punctured his oil filter. Freaky but the nearest HD dealer would only come as close as the park entrance and he said a qt would have gotten him that far. Poor guy, it took almost 5 hours for somebody to haul him to the entrance.

Thanks,

[lammgrel]

a layer of warm clothes if you are going to do Yellowstone and the Black Hills in September, winter comes early here in WY, especially in the mountains, so do not be surprised if you see some snowfall.  Then again, you may luck out and get a beautiful indian summer!!

[sadunbar]

I'd add...

Sunscreen
Earplugs
Lens Cleaners
Wire ties
Extra bungie

[Screamin]

Camera and charger. Cell phone charger. Registration/insurance papers/contact list in your wallet. Hat. Multi-tool. Small spool of baling wire. Bike lock. Post card stamps. Gloves. Aloe. Meds. VISA/Master Card. Micro fiber cloth.

[Buy early]

Lemon Pledge wipes (great for windshield cleaning, bug removal & all around shineup), nylon seat cover (keeps the dew off), transition sunglasses, couple extra $100 bills stuffed into various crevices in the bike.

[CVOfan]

If you guys keep piling on, he's going to need to buy a tour pak!   

[mark]

x2......zip ties/wire tires.  I also take my owners manual.

[2harleys]

Come on guys. He is not hauling a fifth wheel behind his bike. How much can you expect him to pack into two saddlebags and a small to mid sized bag???

[CVOfan]

Forget the tour pak....we're going to need a trailer.   

[michaelbmenaker]

For what it's worth, here are my suggestions.

Strongly consider buying a large t-bag. The expandable one. Pack it unexpanded, dirty clothes take up more space than clean ones, you'll need the extra space on the way back.

I would ditch:
tire repair kit/compressor...get the HOG Roadside assistance. Great value for $20.
the quart of oil. You can always buy one along the way if you need it. You probably won't
Octane boost. The gas along the way will be fine. You aren't going to the 3rd World, just Wyoming.
Tools. Nothing is gonna' break. If it does, use your HOG Roadside assistance.
Electrical tape. See above.

I would add:
electric jacket liners for you both. Or long underwear. I live in Boulder. It was in the 50s and rainy today. Snow above 11,000'
A large trash bag to separate clean/dirty clothes
More warm clothes.

Don't forget:
Maps
Cell phone/charger
Turn the battery "upside down" in your spare key. It will save the battery and you can leave it in your saddle bags and still lock your bike
Camera
"ICE" (in case of emergency) numbers entered into your cell phone.

Next time, I predict you'll have added:
GPS
Lowers

Beautiful country, but beware the weather. You could see 50+ degree temperature swings in a single day.

[TwoToes]

Pack only half the clothes you will need. When you get half way into your trip, put the dirty clothes in a box and UPS it home (why carry dirty laundry on your bike). You will be buying new T-shirts along the way and you can stop at Wal-Mart and buy new/clean underware for the ride home.

[willyB]

Lemon Pledge wipes (great for windshield cleaning, bug removal & all around shineup), nylon seat cover (keeps the dew off), transition sunglasses, couple extra $100 bills stuffed into various crevices in the bike.

Hmmm, Lemon Pledge wipes for the windshield?? Do they work good and not damage it? Great idea if they work.

Thanks for all they replies. I've read all the way down to TwoToes reply from 1:53 AM today. I especially liked michaelbmenakers' statement of encouragement "nothing is gonna' break".

[spydglide]

I wouldn't be to quick to forego carrying your tire plug kit w/ air pump if you've already got them.  I had two flats last summer (didn't get to ride this summer   )  Extra layers of warm clothes was a great suggestion for this trip, but don't forget your raingear for layering in the cold.  spyder