Packing Right, Packing Light!

[county]

Well, never mind the lists.

Why don't you un-ass most everything you could buy on the road and see what happens?

Take a chance.  Be a risk taker.  Leave some of those socks at home.

[Playinthestreet]

Testicles, spectacles, wallet, watch.

[bubba zanetti]

I take old, nearly worn out socks and tshirts. I dispose of them on the way. Buy new from tourist traps if I am in need. I pack things like extra pants and sweaters and the like in vacuum bags. Kinda like giant zip locks. I also pack my tent in these bags. Works well.

You can also get by with one pair of 100% Merino wool socks. Hang em up at night and by morning they are dry and do not smell for some reason, and believe me ... my feet stink.

[Ant]

Testicles, spectacles, wallet, watch.

You take a watch!? I rely on the dashboard  

[RonC]

"When I talk about "7 days" worth of clothing I am of course referring to those most delicate of garments...my socks.  Shirts (upper

clothing) is second.  I pack 7 days worth of socks...they are always getting wet, etc.  I find it easy to wash them in the motel sink every other day but like to have lots in reserve.  It's old Army training.  Pants X2.  Shirts X4/5 (vary hot/cold stuff).  Undergarments...forgetaboutit.

But it's not just the clothing that "overpacks" me...it's the other necessary/unnecessary stuff.  What about that "tire repair" stuff that some riders seem to feel is important?  And what about that first aid kit?  Is this stuff worth packing...really?

What's important...REALLY and what's not?

...and don't trouble yourself about your gift starting this DD...it's been a long time comin' and needed to be addressed."

I've used my tool kit to fix a flopping mirror on my KLR and to tighten bolts that hold a RAM mount. I gave one of my fuses to a fellow on an Iron Butt Rally who needed it. I've plugged one tire. I've straightened and adjusted handlebars after a crash on a ZRX I used to have. That permitted me to get home. I used the duct tape on the fairing of the same ZRX after a low speed crash in Arkansas. It kept things together until I got back to Colorado. I used duct tape on my wife's mouth , but that didn't last or help.
I've used my emergency kit for a cut received on a trip and on a young fellow who crashed his bike on an all-day ride. The young man was wearing jeans and had road burn on his shins and knees. I used my water bottle with soap from the emergency kit to wash his injuries down; used alcohol swabs to really clean them out (while others held his arms so he couldn't slug me); used triple antibiotic and bandages from the kit. Turns out that while I was playing physician, 4 nurses were watching me and said nothing. At lunch, they told me that they would have jumped in if the injuries were very serious.

Ron

[RickC1957]

Hey Rick, when you stopped to gas up, did you find that you drew flies?

I'm kidding...

I only pack 3 days of underwear - the forth day is washer day - somewhere , anywhere... during a lunch/dinner break. I take extra nutrition like Optima diet shake in case I can't find decent food along the way or I need a quick leg.

I like the security of tools n flat repair (incl compressor). Recently I had a flat and it's importance was brought home.

Actually Jammin rinses things out in the sink and hangs them to dry....we did laundry once in 11 days...well KAOS968 (Andy) did our laundry...I live in my leathers...Kaos had these very cool micro fabric pants, weighed almost nothing folded into nothing too, I'm getting a set of those, expensive but very nice. I have used my puncture repair kit often...I still carry CO2 as back up, but the compressor is a god send...and cheap insurance $10....used it once already on the way back from Meat and Greet in PA. I have been riding for 37 years...my first trip was across Canada on a CB360, with a back pack....made it there and back Most people carry way too much unimportant stuff, clothing, ipods and other useless electronic crap (I'm guilty too) and not enough of the important stuff....spare rain gear, fuses, reflective tape...etc. I always have an A list, B list and C list when packing...A List always comes with me..no exceptions....B List....I can live without or buy on the road, take or leave, depending on my mood...C list...absolutely useless stuff....ipods, pdas, nick knacks...they never get taken.

[swordfish]

there is every thing for 10 days plus some room for a laptop and souvenirs.

[Dr Gil]

*snip*
I always have an A list, B list and C list when packing...A List always comes with me..no exceptions....B List....I can live without or buy on the road, take or leave, depending on my mood...C list...absolutely useless stuff....ipods, pdas, nick knacks...they never get taken.

I like the idea of A, B and C lists.  I'm thinking that my main "overpacking" problems probably stem from all the "emergency gear" I pack.  I need to prioritize my fears I think.  Really, what are the chances of me needing 1/2 the repair and emergency crap I pack?  Perhaps putting some odds on what I'm going to really need on any given trip and then packing in that prioritized order, until I feel comfortable with the load, is the way to go.  

But then there are those lovely "comfort" items...  

[Orson]

I am a notorious "overpacker."

I think I've seen pictures of your bike on a trip and it seems you don't come near some of the overpacking I've seen.

I've seen pictures with luggage sitting as high as the rider's helmet  

For me, the Prime Directive is strafing the twisties. Any excess luggage comes in direct conflict with the Prime Directive henceforth it must be banished.

My objective is to get down to a toothbrush and a credit card. I may not ever acheive that level of Zen...but it's something to shoot for  

[DBLXX]

I didn't take the time to read every post so this may have already been said but....being a 17 year associate of Marriott Hotels and now the Vice President:

85% of our hotels andf 75% of ALL hotels have washers and dryers available 24/7.

Also...I now find myself dropping off my clothing at the same day cleaners when I am staying overnight in the same place.

Cheap, easy and I pack SUPER LIGHT !!!

[MisterEd]

My vote would be to KEEP the Thermos of coffee and chuck everything else!  

I used to be a seriously awful overpacker - to the point where I had 8 or 9 days worth of FULL clothing changes and nearly no tools or emergency supplies on board.  

I don't bother with lists and such, I just sort of pack as the trip seems to dictate.  If I'm going to be "just plain on the road" with no specific destination in mind, I pack very lightly nowadays with just 2 or 3 sets of frilly underthings and maybe one extra pair of jeans and one semi-decent collared shirt so I can at least feel somewhat human at dinner after a shower.  Otherwise, I ride in the same grungy clothes pretty much every day and if needed I use a motel laundry after the first week or so to flush some of the scum out of my stuff.  I have several long sleeved T-Shirts that are perfectly clean now but have permanently stained cuffs and collars from constant exposure to road grime and sweat.

The only time I'll pack a bit more, actually, is if I'm taking a trip someplace for business.  For instance, I'll be headed down to Las Vegas again in April for a big convention and I'll need to look at least basically "office casual" presentable during the day each day.  So, for that trip I'll roll up a couple of pairs of Dockers and 3 or 4 semi-dressy shirts, stuff them in to a large plastic sack and they go all the way at the bottom of my duffle.

I guess the bottom line with me is that if it doesn't fit in my relatively small duffle or the tankbag, it doesn't go.  My saddlebags are reserved for emergency gear (First Aid kit, etc.) bike supplies (chain lube, windex, etc.) and tools.

[ChrisZRX]

Change of clothes for 7 days???  Okay, change of underwear and socks for 7 days if you're on a 7 day trip, but a change of clothes for 2 days, 3 days max is plenty.  You can always wash them in a creek, bathtub, or even stop at a laundry mat.

Yeah, and drop the thermos of coffee.    

[ChrisZRX]

First aid kit???  Bottle of asprin and duct tape.

Tools?  I add an extra 10mm and 8mm wrench, needle nose vise grips, and small cresent wrench to the tool kit.

Roadside emergency kit?  Cell phone and flashlight.