How to pack for a motorcycle trip, Part One

[sejlefrew]

Haha i.just ride to class in sandals

[wojtekc27]

this was the first video i saw of you, cool vid man, thx for helping us

[6819rudy]

monter comme ça il iras très loins ha ha

[IIxSmgYxII]

my future cbr 125 looks exactly like this, sexy.

[moorebiker13]

why would you need a bicycle lock if your streetbike will lock by the ignitation?

[opmike343]

@moorebiker13

If someone wants your bike badly enough, they are going to take it. The idea is to make your bike as less appealing as possibly. This includes, but is not limited to, redundant locking mechanisms.

[moorebiker13]

why would u need a bike lock if your bike locks with the key?

[SuperbD2009]

Hello. I haven't bought a bike yet but I have a question regarding traveling. Is it safe having a gps device attached somewhere on your instrument gauge? I listen to my iPod quite al lot and I even have earphones plugged while driving. Is it safe to listen to music while riding a motorcycle? Sorry for my noob questions but I would like to know what your thoughts are.

[xtruck008]

You have some great videos and great tips, but what upset me is that you said the honda cbr is pretty much not suitable (in my words) for a long trip. The cbr is my favorite bike and i would like to go on a trip to canada (1600) miles, but now im doubting the cbr can take that.

[extramilebiketours]

More and more people are now touring on sports bikes. I tour on a ZX9R and as long as the rider is okay with using soft luggage and the hassle of loading and unloading it then there is no reason why you cannot tour (thousands of miles each trip) on a sports bike.

Cheers

Carl

[crazybubbles18]

Thank you for the video!! this helped alot!!

P.S.: I love your Honda :)

[AuthenticProductions]

Nice man..

Keep those videos coming..

I dont have a bike yet but I can def relate to all you are talking about in the video..

When r u coming down to tucson so we can colab on a video bro?

Yuri Machado

Authentic Productions

[blocka000]

Airhawk and Helibars were the two best comfort investments for touring but not overly obtrusive when i want to take the gear of and use it for spirited or track riding.

I also find stopping about every 200km for refuel is just enough to stretch and stop cramping.

Just finished watching all three of these videos, some great advice.

[billmaa]

@blocka000 I agree with you on the frequent stops, I've never had bum issues, but I hear the airhawks are great... I've been looking diligently for a set of helis for my ZX-12R. I appreciate the feedback

[1shadowfang8]

@billmaa Hello mr bilmaa

I want a ninja 250r for college... but I do not want to carry any protective gear t class... my biggest concern is the boots, would it be possible?

make a video if possible I want to go to school with regular clothing but yet wear all my safety gear.... oh boy....

[blocka000]

I've toured on my Blade and with a few mods and the right bags then it can be fun and comfortable for touring.

[billmaa]

@blocka000 You Sir, are a brave man..I applaud your endeavors..that would most likely kill me

[sniper11888]

jks good video

[sniper11888]

no prioiriity 1 porn mags.

[billmaa]

@sniper11888 That's funny right there

[crredmond1]

Great help.  I thought I had what all I needed for a 3 day trip and you found some more.

[billmaa]

@crredmond1 I'm glad this vid could help you out

-Billy

[ExtraSilver]

im doing a 700mile road trip over 5 days 4 nights on a yamaha YZF-R125 with 30L panniers and a 50L tail bag... hope this is enough storage lol..

[chrissmash]

Brilliant video, I have just passed my test in Northern Ireland and hope to tour next summer. Thanks! ps if you like touring check out Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor, brilliant show! Thanks for your videos.

[billmaa]

@chrissmash Thanks Chris, congrats on your test...I have both Long way round and down on DVD..=) but I appreciate your suggestion

[Poltergeyst]

you caught an orb on camera at 00:16 ! nice job (left side of his shirt beniece shoulder)

[SVlogger]

I'm thinking Tracy took your other owners manual and used the hidden $100 to buy beer!

[billmaa]

Lol, I wouldn't put it past him, I found it the other day...of course while lookin for something completely different!

[Chaos8749]

Love your videos! And I like that you reply on alot of comments:) You're lucky to have a RR! I hope i will afford one when i start working next year!

[billmaa]

Thanks man, I do my best to respond to almost every comment, to me it's just good manners...but sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed..She is my baby, I wish you the best on picking up up next season..

Billy

[TimTehPilot]

thank you for this video! i am doing a trip from PA to CA to move. thought id take the motorcycle. thank you!

[billmaa]

You're quite welcome, I hope your moving soon, not going to have much good weather left..haha,

Take care and good luck,

Billy

[Streetbikechamp]

Beautiful bike, and great video. Thanks

[billmaa]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment

[JustTheRoad]

Thanks Dude!! This Helped Me Alot, Im Glad You Tolded Me.

Ride Safe, Peace

[JustTheRoad]

Will a kawasaki ninja 250r go for about 250 miles straight?

[billmaa]

I'm not sure what you mean by that mate, do you mean without stopping for fuel?...if so, the 250 has a 4.8 US gallon tank and gets about 60 miles per gallon..if my math suits me right that's a hair over 280 miles..which is double what the distance my CBR will go with one tank of fuel..=)

Take care,

Billy

[DumbDuck44]

yes, unless the road has turns in it.

[billmaa]

A heavy throttle hand is a cruel mistress to MPG

[anipussirhc]

I tour about 10.000 km a year. I find a sport bike ( R6S ) Is best suited for west coast America ( US to Canada.) I use a cruiser for the east coast, and dual for Europe. Personally I would take your Interceptor every where.

[billmaa]

I can't argue that my friend..and I have taken my VFR everywhere =)

[AkornRider]

What kind of stuff do you carry with you for your daily, commute riding?

[billmaa]

That's a great question, I can't really say I take much..I have the bag on there more for versatility than anything..I like having the option to be able run to the grocery or pick up a movie on the way home from work..

[naitzirc]

Don't you get uncomfortable driving a sport bike long ??

i mean the most i know that have sport bikes have problems with their back... while i and the ones i know with touring does not have any problem at all

[billmaa]

That's not the bike I travel on..my "touring" bike is a Honda VFR..which is a sport bike, but with much more milder ergos..I've never had any comfort issues..My CBR would kill my back for sure on any trip more than a few hundred miles..Thanks for the comment,

Billy

[Andyattube]

Hey man, your CBR looks great.

[billmaa]

Thank you, even after five years of owning her, I still find her pretty...

[LITTLESTUNTS95]

nice yosimuri exhaust is it a full or slip on?

[billmaa]

I love that thing, it's the slip on..

[bmastamoneycash]

nah man, i got metal rods in my back...i'll never be able to get that back pack/tank bag off...........................­.........nah i'm just kidding...but now i feel like a dick if n e 1 really has rods in their back lol

[billmaa]

Haha, I think you're safe dude..

[matiks610]

Was hangin at a praty Saturday night and was shpwin a few guys vids on youtube. Showed them some of yours and they were diggin them. Oh and we polished off 2 cases of ice cold Yuengling Lager lol! While we were buying the second round of six packs I actually said "that guy billma on youtube loves this beer, and to think we are drowning ourselves with it lol"

[billmaa]

Man, I've always loved your comments bro, but that's just teasing me and that's just sinful...haha, I can't get that glorious beer which I call the 'ling..anywhere near Omaha..it's a damn shame..but still, that's a pretty funny comment..

[matiks610]

Hey I'm tryin to watch ashfoots latest vid here dangit. Of course you get a name drop. In it a second b4 my phone beeps letting me know you commented lol.

[billmaa]

I'm the same way dude, my phone alerts me when I get an email..the day after I post a new vid..it goes a little crazy..my friends are like "Crap Billy, psycho girlfriend?" and I respond.."Naw, that's YouTube"

[joewarcupinhull]

'you'll usally find then next to the firearms.' erm I don't know were u shop but in sport shops in the UK don't stock guns. Btw I can't wait for the vids of ur dog

[billmaa]

Over here in the states, Sporting good stores sell guns for hunting. If you want something a bit more serious you have to go a gun specialty store..more Cush vids in the not so distance future..

[GForceNinja]

Good to know - thanks

[billmaa]

Easy stuff, thanks for watching and commenting..

[Itsreload]

I didn't think of the priority levels. I now have a new outlook on packing. I was mostly thinking...what can I buy later, how much does it weigh. Then after the long desert trip I was thinking...I hope I don't break down here. There's nothing for miles. Where am I going to buy anything luckily I brought....onto part 2! Thanks for making the series!

[billmaa]

No problem dude, sorry I didn't have time get it done sooner.

[Truo621]

Thanks for this!

& another great vid Billy!

:D

[billmaa]

You're quite welcome friend

Thanks,

Billy

[danmoto73]

excellent video Billy, definately going in my favourites for when i might need to refer to it, very informative 5*

[mfc392]

5* great video

[billmaa]

Much appreciated

[KTMsmurf]

Brilliant!

I'm actually doing 438 mile round trip this weekend... to go to my service place and back. First service of the bike..

My gf is driving in a car along with me.. I've put a bottle of 1litre oil for the bike in the car just incase.. quite nervous for the trip.. dont know why.. excited too..

great vid!

[billmaa]

It'll be fun KTM..after it's over you'll have a great feeling of accomplishment..

Thanks for the comment,

Billy

[pulse0000]

Thanks Billmaa,very informative.Five stars

[billmaa]

Thank you,, posting up part two as I type this..

[billmaa]

No problem Cip,

I actually recorded this over two weeks ago, just never pulled it off my camera...I have to agree that money is a big deal as well..I get alot of PM's regarding what these type rides cost..I actually sat down and developed a "Billmaa" formula..depending on how long you ride per day, fuel mileage, lodging etc...I didn't think to put that formula in vid series but mebbe some other one..I wish you luck on whatever means you decide for you AZ trip

Take care my friend,

BIlly

[Thaibiker85]

Very nice vid Billy, can't wait to see the other 2.

[billmaa]

Thank you, I'll try to post the rest this weekend..

[matth1138]

So what's the definition of a "long" ride...more than 1k miles?

[billmaa]

That's a good question Matt..I'm by no means any kind of authority on that..but off the top of my head I would have to say that it varies from rider to rider..Take your max distance you can safely ride in a single day( about 700 miles for myself) .and if you're going further than that away from your house, I would classify that as a long ride..

Billy

[matth1138]

Gotcha, just planning for the ozark trip...about 400 miles there for me...

[1VanFlyheight1]

Nice man, very informative .... to bad my Mt. Washington trip is a no-go :(

[billmaa]

That's a bummer dude, there is always next year..

Thanks Joe

[1VanFlyheight1]

hehe hopefully next month! Just won't be riding up there with hundreds of motorcycles .... but I want to see if I can work it into this summer.

[BusasaurusRex]

Good vid, but you forgot one thing my friend. The Aerostich. =) haha!

[billmaa]

We get to the stich in part 19 of this series called "Priority eleveteen...stuff that you take that actually hinders you enjoying the ride" =)

[robshog]

Billy,

Very informative, like the idea of your lifesaver being inside the owners manual. Keep up the good work, look forward to the rest of this series. Your friend in the east.

Rob

[billmaa]

That is a trick we taught ourselves along time ago..I'll be posting at least one more this evening..

Take care,

Billy

[DashTube1]

Very nice Billy! this helped.

[billmaa]

No problem man

[theSMYRNAcowboy]

Very informative.  Some things you never think of. ( Like fuses.)

[billmaa]

Thank you, I needed to make an actual useful video since I've been just goofing off the last few hahah..

[xXCigarXx]

another great vid billy always wondered what stuff ya took with ya cant wait for the other vids have a good one stay safe

[billmaa]

Thank you....I'll be loading at least one more tonight..

[sekhmet1098]

Hey, I have that tank bag!! LOL, you stole it! :P Kidding.. it's probably in my garage somewhere. It's cool, though, but I can't use it anymore because a, I left the safety strap on my SuperHawk when I sold it (d'oh!) and my Ducati has a resin tank, so the magnetic tank bags are worthless for me now (double d'oh).

[billmaa]

Yup, same with my plastic cover on the CBR..thats a 919 only bag

[truered10]

Fantastic vid there Bill, got to agree with Tracy though, First Aid Kit, got to be priority 1! Man that CBR (Fireblade) looks awesome kitted up like that, she looks wicked man. Looking forward to the series.

[sekhmet1098]

I'm with Tracy and Truered on this... first aid kit is priority 1. Think about why we, in the military, have to carry first aid kits whenever we do field exercises (I don't know about the AF, but the Army has the new ones.. we can talk offline if you care about what's in them).. I think that mentality can definitely translate to motorcycling. But that's just my opinion..

[billmaa]

Thats 3 votes for priority one..=) I think I have to go with the consensus..none of that stuff would actually stay on the CBR..but it is pretty neat looking ..

Take care,

Billy

[SpacedTime]

I would say thata first aid kit is priority 2

[billmaa]

Me too, but I think we are getting outnumbered here :)

[KelsoFabulous]

The Chicken is MANDATORY equipment =P

[billmaa]

Heck yes!

[rkrayton2000]

first aid kit priority 1!!! Burned myself on the exhaust pipe on a road trip glad I had one. Never thought about fuses thanks!

[billmaa]

The debate rages on..I can see if you have a situation where you've actually needed it..that experience would lend itself to bumping up the priority..I've never had to use one..I'm still going with 1.5...(but I always carry one =)

[rkrayton2000]

and that's a good thing!! Alright 1.5 lol

[TonikTrip]

great info. thanks man

[billmaa]

My pleasure, thanks for watching

[sunnyjason]

I have the same tankbag, but it doesnt stick to my plastic tank cover.

[billmaa]

No it does not dude, that's why it was for demo purposes only..I use it only on my 919

[sunnyjason]

yea, I used it on my ninja 250.

[Bloodkraze]

Thanks for letting me know where you keep your money, buddy. :)

[billmaa]

That's only when I'm on the long trips..otherwise it's under my mattress...doh!

[8cuttlefish8]

That was excellent, i have written down everything and am making a list for the day when i go touring. Can't wait for the next vid :D.

[billmaa]

Thanks man, I will actually make this list available on my website someday..might even have to look at my own video to do it..=)

[8cuttlefish8]

Awesome!

[Iroquois14]

Great vid. Its good to see a very experienced rider giving these tips... I can rest assured knowing that if something goes wrong and I dont have the right provisions, I can blame Billy! lol

[billmaa]

Hey Iroquois, I haven't see ya in while...Thanks cool dude just blame me..=)

Thanks again,

Billy

[GSxxxRGirl]

Nice vid!

I'm adding this to my favs!

Bc I know that when I finally get to a big road trip, I'll watch this vid over 100 times before I go. lol :P

[billmaa]

Thanks Melanie,

I'm going to a remix version of these vids when I get my VFR back here in a few months..but these get the job done for now..=)

[ToastToGo]

Very informative video, I thoroughly enjoyed watching every bit of it. That tank bag is a great one. I actually just picked up the SAME one a few days ago! I took a video today and mentioned my tank bag and how I needed to do a review on it sometime. Hah, we think alike.

[billmaa]

Thanks Toast,

It's cool tank bag..it doesn't even work with my CBR because it's got the plastic cover..but on my 919 I use it all the time..

Take care,

Billy