How to Pack Your Motorcycle
Let's go back to school for a moment... We'll be talking about Physics and Geometry:
You and your bike's Center of Gravity: an imaginary point in a body of matter where, for convenience in certain calculations, the total weight of the body may be thought to be concentrated. In a uniform gravitational field the center of gravity is identical to the center of mass, a term preferred by physicists. The two do not always coincide, however, which is why it's important to load up your motorcycle correctly.
That's where the Load Triangle comes in handy: defined as the triangle created by the bike's two axles and your head. Bike manufacturers know about this too -that's why you see the rider and engine (the heaviest things on the bike) are squarely within the triangle.
While packing your motorcycle, you'll definitely want to keep those two in mind. Put all your heaviest gear as close to the bottom of the triangle as you can. That way the additional weight will have the least effect on your bike's handling.
Got Bags?
If your bike came equipped with saddle bags, then I highly suggest getting liners for them -it makes it way easier to carry your stuff into the hotel or campsite.
If you don't have bags, you can get after-market hard or throw-over bags for your bike.
Either way, because they're close to the bottom of the load triangle, you'll want to put your heaviest items there. Keep in mind the side-to-side balance as well (think scales of justice type of thing). That'll keep it from affecting handling and also helps throw-over bags travel evenly on the bike.
Higher = Lighter
For those with a tour pack/trunk, a luggage rack or a large bag strapped to the sissy bar backrest, remember to keep on the light side when packing. Look back at that triangle -the location of that is way away from the center of gravity.
You can use it for those layers of your three-season jacket, rain jacket, map, gloves, goggles -in other words, things that you'll probably use often while you're actually riding.
My 2018 Heritage packed and ready to go to Babes Ride Out
Tanks a lot, bag
A popular place to keep an open map or written directions (large print of course). Even in the days with GPS & smart phones, Tank Bags are still pretty useful -an extra place to store gloves, goggles, water and snacks. And if your bike has auxiliary power, you can run wires to your tank bag to keep your phone and other stuff charged.
You might think that because it's within the Load Triangle you can load up a tank bag with heavy stuff... Yes and No. Too much weight in a tank bag will make your bike top heavy, so be reasonable.
Also, make sure you go for a ride with your tank bag before going on your long trip -see how you like riding with it and that you can still see your instruments.
Practice Makes Perfect
At least a week before your trip, do a test pack if you’re still in the “figure it out” phase with your bike. You might need to change things around two or three times before you get the balance you’re looking for.
If you have the saddlebag liners, I highly recommend putting those in your bags first, then stuff your stuff in them. That's because you'll most likely over pack your liners and then try to cram those into your saddlebags... Good Luck!
You can also try placing different things in different places to see if this helps you include more gear. If you took that pre-trip trip, refer to your notes on what you did and didn't need.
Last but not least: take the time to do a T-CLOCS Inspection on your bike!!
