Author Topic: touring must haves. (Read 5890 times)

flipbandit · « **on:** May 04, 2006, 01:06:59 PM »

What are your touring must haves?
Favorite size wrench?
Food?
Tire fix?
Map?
Mp3 player?
Basically anything in your luggage?
Including skid marked undies,
Hahaha

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2006, 01:19:26 PM »

CO2 tire repair kit
Coleman six can cooler
Jerky
Diet soda
ball peen hammer
ballbearings
Ruger New Model Blackhawk

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2006, 02:08:32 PM »

For a day tour, a map if I'm not very familiar with where I going, spare faceshield, tire pressure gauge, multi-tool, wet weather gear if there's ANY chance of rain, a bottle of water or sports drink. Usually have the digital camera & cell phone.

For a multi-day tour, all of the above, plus extra clothes and a pair of sandals or atheletic shoes for end of the day lounging in. Map(s) certainly, and rain gear is along, too because around here you can't trust tomorrow's forecast... even today's can be iffy at times. After my experience on my '04 summer trip, I carry a quality 10mm wrench - the one in the kit sucks. I'll also bring along a 3/8 drive ratchet, allen drives for popular bolts and my adjustable box wrench in case I need to do a chain adjustment or have some other large nut/bolt that needs wrenchin' that the tool kit might have trouble with.

solman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2006, 11:00:34 AM »

Patch kit, mp3 player, throttle lock, proper clothing, basic tools, water.

I didn't have the player and throttle lock on my last trip and regretted it big time. On the way back, my wrist was getting quite sore.

banditone1250s · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2007, 11:30:08 AM »

Here are some of mine!!!!

1.) tire repair kit (CO2)
2.) tool kit (with the popular size wrenches & allens)
3.) Maps
4.) a bottle of water (just in case)
5.) extra gloves (in case in gets warmer/hotter)
6.) extra jacket (same reason as above)
7.) clear face shield (for night riding)
8.) XM radio (for when the ride is slow and boring)
9.) and... last but not least; personal protection

Banditone1250s...

leedogg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2007, 07:43:03 PM »

where do y'all tote all this stuff?

I put on my helmet and my gloves and take off!

I need to get me a riding jacket...but I'll be honest- lately it has been shorts and a t-shirt some of the time. I am new to this- and I ride back roads- carefully- I still know I need to gear up. I normally wear my dickie work jeans. but even then I know if I ever dump it- it is gonna be bad. Hoping to buy some riding pants and jacket within the new few weeks.

Anyhow back on topic- My trips are usually an hour or less so I don't tote anything but my Cell Phone and wallet, as well as the tool kit that came with the bike. i would like to carry a little more- but if it don't fit under the seat- it can't go.

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2007, 09:24:17 PM »

Well, leedogg, this IS a touring thread.

So I guess people are assuming you're going for a long ride, likely measured in days, not minutes.
This also assumes you're packing some stuff in some form of luggage.

OTOH, you can put a few more tools and a tire plug kit under the seat of most Bandits. Underseat room may be at more of a premium with the waterpumper Bandits of all varieties.

leedogg · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2007, 09:57:48 PM »

Yeah I figured that- but I was truly interested in the type of Luggage used...and if the was everyday riding extra's that people were listing.

I am considering riding my bike to Louisianna next week for a class I have to take....just not sure if I can handle 9 hours of riding in 2 days. But 40+ mpg, on 87octane, sounds alot better than 16 mpg, on 93 octane, that my TA gets.

Sven · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2007, 11:30:41 PM »

Favorite size wrench? (Insert typical male genitalia reference here.)

All I need to grab-n-go is my CAMERA!

Red01 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2007, 01:07:19 AM »

Quote from: "leedogg"

Yeah I figured that- but I was truly interested in the type of Luggage used...and if the was everyday riding extra's that people were listing.

I am considering riding my bike to Louisianna next week for a class I have to take....just not sure if I can handle 9 hours of riding in 2 days. But 40+ mpg, on 87octane, sounds alot better than 16 mpg, on 93 octane, that my TA gets.

16mpg is pretty good for 400+ RWHP! That's about what my little pickup gets with its 195 Crank HP.

Luggage choices run the full spectrum here, depending on how much you wanna bring along, where you wanna put it and how much you want to spend. Tank bags, tail bags, saddle bags (hard or soft), top boxes and pack rack systems. All come in varying sizes to suit various wants. So far, haven't seen anyone here post up a milk crate bolted to a luggage rack, but that's been done before to other bikes, so I'm sure there's someone out there that's done it to a Bandit, too.

I've got a 10L or so tank bag, a 10L tail bag and a 45L pack rack system that I use in various configs depending on where I'm going and for how long - or if I want to take the bike to pick up more stuff than what'll fit under a bungee net.

leedogg · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2007, 01:17:54 AM »

Quote from: "Red01"

16mpg is pretty good for 400+ RWHP! That's about what my little pickup gets with its 195 Crank HP.

A 6 speed hot rod is awesome...I am running 3.90 gears and still run 80 at ~2200 rpm. It has gotten 18 mpg on the highway before in it's current configuration. Not bad for what it is. I have a Cavalier that gets 30...but it has no A/C....I'd rather spend the extra and drive the 'fun' car.:)

Anyway- Thanks for the info on your setup- I have seen the pics elsewhere of it with the back rack thing. I want some hard bags when they come available- Hopefully they'll hold a change of clothes and a shower bag. Been eyeing a low profile tank bag...but man I just hate the looks, but they do look handy.

Vidrazor · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2007, 11:23:14 AM »

I use a Cortech sport tailbag:
http://tinyurl.com/29ahsg

And in it I put:

a Sears toolkit

my GSF400 service manual

a Tourmaster rainsuit

whatever thermal protection and extra gloves I feel I may need for time riding

Dupont Teflon chain lube

two hand and one head-mounted flashlights

crushed can for the kickstand in dirt (try and find a can to crush when you're out somewhere where you actually need one!)

sunglasses

extra ear plugs

paper napkins

digital pocket camera

a netted bungee strap to put any additional crap ON TOP of the sportbag

and I'm sure I left some things out here. This tailbag rides with me for anything over a one hour ride. For overnight trips, I'll a pair of Cortech sport saddlebags for clothing and additional footwear:
http://tinyurl.com/36xf6k

I also ride with ATGATT.

I was planning to get some hard saddlebags for my next bike, but talking to a diehard tourer, he mentioned that the moment you drop your bike (and you WILL drop your bike), you'll have a busted case. Better to use soft bags, at least on the sides (he did have a Givi hard tail case). Made perfect sense to me. I'm going to go this route when I finally get my next bike.

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 07, 2007, 09:27:41 AM »

Quote from: "Vidrazor"

crushed can for the kickstand in dirt (try and find a can to crush when you're out somewhere where you actually need one!)

And if you DO find one, it'll be a situation where you can't park the bike on the sidestand to go pick it up and bring it back before the bike falls over.

pmackie · « **Reply #13 on:** June 07, 2007, 11:54:17 AM »

A couple of small things I always bring, (and used this last trip.)

Zip ties - useful for so many interim repairs
Safety Wire -
Tow Rope - 10' or so
Duct or Elect tape

It is amazing what you can put together on the side of the road with tape, safety wire and zip ties

Barbarian · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2007, 01:05:08 PM »

I managed to find a 333 mL water bottle that fits under my seat, which took some doing. Got a granola bar there too. That's just for emergencies though, since I'd rather stop and get a drink.
I've added some electrical tape and a bicycling wrench to my tool kit (the wrench is good for all the small bolts), and I need to add a tire patch kit under there as well.
Oh, I just added a thin pack of Wet Ones (always got 'em around for the Hordling's diapers).

My tail bag always has the small can of lube (the big one stays home) latex gloves, chewing gum, eyedrops, earplugs, pen and paper, swiss army knife, flashlight.

My pressure gauge is in my pocket.

Rain gear is weather-dependent, but it goes in the tail bag (on in the teeny Joe Rocket backpack).

And since I usually commute to work, the tail bag gets dress pants, shoes, and my lunch

:peeks at other lists:
You're not allowed to wear earphones in Quebec, so I never have my ipod with me.
And the sunglasses are given. They're prescription and I can't see without 'em!