What to carry on a solo trip...

[Xray28]

1) I'd prefer a backpack full of hundred dollar bills.
2) I like a small LED flashlight for those long lonely times in the dark.
3) A large heavy knife or a small hatchet (which can do a respectable job as a hammer).
4) "Zip ties" Bigger is better! I've seen some doozeys at Home Depot for securing insulation to heating ducting. You can always cut them shorter.
5) A tiny set of binoculars or a monocular is nice.
6) Gold Bond powder can help avoid and relieve the dredded "Monkey Butt" syndrome.
7) I've been considering a light slim laptop computer I could download my dig camera to it, load it with Streets & Trips, and a host of map programs, the CD manual for my bike, and a dozen good books. Lacking #1 I have been too cheep to go for this option as of yet. If I do I'll have to cobble together some power supply adapted to my bike.

[bikermeow]

Tyre repair kit, first aid kit, spare plugs, extra cargo straps, spare gloves (have you ever put on a wet pair when the rest of ya is dry?).

Cheers

Meow

[morrie]

Most of my riding is in mountains and I tend to just go as long as I can, so my right system case is always filled with three layers of warm clothing, including extra cloves and a hydrating vest and helmet liner. My right case holds a back pack with a Wal-Mart disassembled compressor as described above. Also one quart of oil, a kryptonite lock, a couple bottles of soda and some duct tape. If needed, I can remove the stuff from the pack and use it to carry extra on my back.

I have the factory tool kit under the seat, with added allen wrenches and a handy crescent wrench A better than factory tire patch kit is there as well, along with some nylon ties.

My top case holds an overnight kit with toiletries, extra contact lenses and solution, change of underweear, shirt and socks. I also have a small flashlight, stick-on flasher, a compact emergency thermal blanket and some camping-type toilet paper.

My tank bag holds maps, extra sun glasses and reading glasses, tire gauge, cell-phone charger and a few odds and ends.

The bike is always equipped this way, so I can just get on it and go. If I get stuck way out somewhere, I can hole up for the night with no problem. (In a motel. I'm not into sleeping on the ground and letting snakes crawl over me.)

If I were to go on a trip of a few days, I would put extra clothes and supplies in two compression bags mounted atop the system cases. Works for me.

[Lion_Lady]

I may end up riding to the AMA Women's Motorcycling Conference solo or with one or two others.

Am allowing 2 days for the ride. I've got BASIC mechanical skills and think I could plug a tire, change a bulb or fuse. As for other more 'serious' stuff... Guess I'm gonna have to learn some more of the basic troubleshooting, etc.

Pam

[wardieone]

With most of the newer bikes you can carry all the tools you want but usually its something you can fix easily or not. I would be very familiar with your tire repair kit. I prefer the kit that uses a gun for a tire plugger and I carry a sparrow air pump. The most important things you need are the credit card, the Motow (whatever towing service you choose) and the one thing you should never leave home without is your cell phone.
Wardieone

Also try and upgrade you skills each year through a progressive use of track days, track schools and erc's (experienced rider course).

[HiOSilver]

Here's one I hadn't seen before. http://www.speedwerks.com/catalog/c0m0b ... 6np0#_self
Anyone know anything about it?

[huffergasen]

Check out the 250 PSI Mini Air Compressor sold by Harbor Frieght. It weighs only 1.4 lbs and is small enough to carry in the space just under the tank that you access when removing the seat. HarborFreight.com
The cost is $9.99!

[Boxer]

Check out the 250 PSI Mini Air Compressor sold by Harbor Frieght. It weighs only 1.4 lbs and is small enough to carry in the space just under the tank that you access when removing the seat. HarborFreight.com
The cost is $9.99!

Best idea yet. I've been using my Wal-Mart special with the plastic case taken off and discarded. Condensed down to the bare essentials it also fits in that space, but if Harbor Freight has one made that is that small, then that's the way to go for sure. It's a simple device and no reason it should cost more than 10 bucks.

[wncbmw]

Rats! I have been trying to stay away from the new Harbor Freight store in Asheville. Now I might have to go check this thing out.

Can I get in and out with only the air compressor? I would guess not!

[Boxer]

Vann, give your son $10 with directions to the store, and tell him what to bring back. You should be safe.

[MikeCam]

If I gave my kid $10 bucks and directions, I'd get a $10 story of how we ended up with something new that wasn't on my list and how the store was moved, the tornados came, rain obscured the signs, they were closed when I got there, couldn't find it, and the cars out of gas.

[Boxer]

Yes, I understand that Mike, but Vann's kid is an athlete of the highest calibre. He's a team player. I don't know this for a fact, but I'd bet my left ...err...earlobe it's true.

I would bet also that Vann's son would not only bring back the appropriate piece of merchandise, but would have no excuse in the world for burning up all the gas in the car.

Vann? Are you there? Can we test this? Is there a way you can test this out for us? I would gladly give up the $10 to prove that there IS hope for mankind in the dependability of todays youth. Can we bet on this board? I'll put up $10 that says Vann's son...what is your kid's name Vann?...will do the right thing.

[towerworker]

Amazing!! (Well, not really I guess)

A guy would post a similar question and he will get maybe 1 page of replies.

Now when a lady does the same she gets 3 pages or more!

As it should be.

Wayne

[wncbmw]

How did this thread get turned around to my kids? And the answer would depend on which kid. One would mean well but get lost and never find Harbor Freight. The other would get the air compressor, put in behind the seat of his truck and lose it forever with the rest of his possesions back there.

Forget it, I will just go myself.

[GeoffJ]

I carry a half pint of Jack Daniels, condoms, Leatherman tool, cell phone, credit card and toothbrush. Anything more is superfluous.

[wncbmw]

Geoffj - you travel in style!

[DJ Downunder]

Tomorrow I'm heading off on a big three day ride...here's all I'm taking.

Spare oil and oil cap key.

Letterman..in case I get a nail in my tire...plyers to pull it out and screw driver (folds out) to screw a screw in the hole.

S/S screws.

Large cylinder...equal to three small ones...note normal small cylinder size in the pic.

That's about it for me....after all...it's a BMW...

DJ