--- title: Motorcycle Road Trip Tips You Can't Leave Home Without description: Tips for how and what to pack when you go on a long-distance ride and what riding gear you should have. image: https://info.southsideharley.com/hubfs/road%20trip%20blog%201.jpg --- [![](https://info.southsideharley.com/hubfs/southsideharley-logo-19.png)](https://info.southsideharley.com/Indianapolis-Southside-HD-Blog) [Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson](https://info.southsideharley.com/Indianapolis-Southside-HD-Blog)[(317) 885-5180](tel:3178855180) - Sunday 10am - 4pm - Monday CLOSED - Tuesday 10am - 6pm - Wednesday 10am - 6pm - Thursday 10am - 6pm - Friday 10am - 6pm - Saturday 10am - 5pm [![](https://d2bywgumb0o70j.cloudfront.net/2019/01/17/ba99717ab4ad8875d06b879011981715_b3474dbca77fa744.png)](https://info.southsideharley.com/Indianapolis-Southside-HD-Blog) [Home](https://info.southsideharley.com/Indianapolis-Southside-HD-Blog) [Motorcycles](https://southsideharley.com/all-inventory) [Financing](https://southsideharley.com/financing) [Learn to Ride](https://southsideharley.com/riding-academy-2) [Events and Promos](https://southsideharley.com/calendar) [Dealer Info](https://southsideharley.com/the-team) [Contact Us](https://southsideharley.com/hours-and-location) # Motorcycle Road Trip Tips You Can't Leave Home Without Posted by [Hannah Kirkland](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/author/hannah-kirkland) Aug 4, 2017 1:45:21 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) It’s summertime and the ridin’ is easy. If you’re going on a road trip or just headed out for a long weekend, then what and how to pack your bike is probably on your mind. [Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson](http://www.southsideharley.com/) wants to help you take the guesswork out of packing so that you can get to your destination easier and safer.  ![road trip blog 1.jpg](https://info.southsideharley.com/hubfs/road%20trip%20blog%201.jpg) **Weight**: You want your bike’s added weight to be as low as possible. If you are deciding whether or not to take something with you, think about cost. If it’s something affordable that will be available for purchase at your destination, then that is something to consider instead of bringing it with you. In addition to adding the least amount of weight possible, it is also important to keep your bike balanced. Small weight differences of 5-10 pounds on one side can make for an exhausting trip. Keep the added weight close to the bike’s center of gravity, which is low and toward the tank. Make sure you don’t block the airflow to the engine. You may need to adjust your tire’s air pressure depending on the amount of extra weight.   **What to Bring****:**![road trip blog 2.jpg](https://info.southsideharley.com/hubfs/road%20trip%20blog%202.jpg) Rolling clothes takes up less space than folding, and large zipper-lock bags work well when storing them. Zipper-lock bags can also be used for a number of other items such as toiletries, cash, credit cards, and tools. Try to bring tools that are multi-purpose as opposed to one-use items. Lighter is always better, so if you have access to a washer and/or dryer where you are staying, plan to use it and pack accordingly! Put your emergency items and other items that you may need to get to quickly in one saddlebag, and your overnight things in the other.    **Practice!** It’s also important to do a “dry run” before you begin your journey. Pack up everything as you would if you were leaving, but take a short ride (1-2 hours) and see if adjustments are needed. Southside H-D wants to make your summer trips as easy as possible, that’s why you can stop in 7 days a week and talk to our [Parts & Accessories](http://www.southsideharley.com/we-offer-a-great-variety-of--parts) department about the newest Harley-Davidson luggage for your bike. ![premium touring bag.jpg](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/premium%20touring%20bag.jpg?width=236&name=premium%20touring%20bag.jpg)      ![heritage softail leather touring bags.jpg](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/heritage%20softail%20leather%20touring%20bags.jpg?width=220&name=heritage%20softail%20leather%20touring%20bags.jpg)  ![imgres-1.jpg](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/imgres-1.jpg?width=236&height=214&name=imgres-1.jpg)   **Be Weather Aware:** Lastly, you may never know what kind of weather you will encounter if you’re on the road for a long period of time. [Southside H-D](http://www.southsideharley.com/) has all your rain wear and high-visibility needs. Come in and talk to anyone in our MotorClothes department who can supply you with knowledge to make the right riding gear purchases. [Harley-Davidson](http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home.html) has a [checklist](https://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/owners/plan-your-ride/road-trip-tips/checklist.html) of essentials and extras for long trips, as well. Regardless of your destination, Indy Southside has you covered. We hope these road trip tips get you roll. Ride on! Topics: [Riding Gear](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/riding-gear), [Road Trip](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/road-trip), [Packing](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/packing) ## Comments ## About This Blog For all Harley-Davidson motorcycle lovers. Subscribe to our blog to learn the best maintenance tips, Harley events going on in the Indianapolis area, best parts & accessories for your needs, and more! ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Riding Gear (7)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/riding-gear) - [Bags & Luggage (5)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/bags-luggage) - [Guest Posts (5)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/guest-posts) - [harley davidson (5)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/harley-davidson) - [Gift Ideas (4)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/gift-ideas) - [GPS, Audio & Communication (3)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/gps-audio-communication) - [Maintaining Your Bike (3)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/maintaining-your-bike) - [Rides (3)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/rides) - [Road Trip (3)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/road-trip) - [Seats (3)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/seats) - [Backrests & Racks (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/backrests-racks) - [Events (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/events) - [Indiana Riding (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/indiana-riding) - [Maintenance & Tires (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/maintenance-tires) - [Rider Safety Training (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/rider-safety-training) - [Service & Maintenance (2)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/service-maintenance) - [Bluetooth (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/bluetooth) - [Exhaust (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/exhaust) - [Financing (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/financing) - [Foot Controls (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/foot-controls) - [Handlebars, Controls & Grips (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/handlebars-controls-grips) - [Lighting (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/lighting) - [Manuals & Brochures (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/manuals-brochures) - [Motorcycle Routes (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/motorcycle-routes) - [Navigation (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/navigation) - [Packing (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/packing) - [Passenger (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/passenger) - [Screamin Eagle Performance (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/screamin-eagle-performance) - [Two Up Riding (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/two-up-riding) - [Wheels & Tires (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/wheels-tires) - [Windshields & Wind Protection (1)](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/topic/windshields-wind-protection) [see all](https://info.southsideharley.com/indianapolis-southside-hd-blog/harley-road-trip-tips#) [![Request a Service Appointment!](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hub/212897/file-1881734336.jpg?width=250&height=75&name=file-1881734336.jpg) ](http://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212897/3f89c97a-e9e9-4010-a5cc-583b4f842887) Indianapolis Southside Harley-Davidson, 4930 Southport Crossing Place, Indianapolis, IN 46237     [(317) 885-5180](tel:3178855180) [![](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social_icons/social_fb.png/thumb.png?t=1551728955314&width=18&height=18&name=thumb.png)](https://www.facebook.com/SouthsideHarley) [![](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social_icons/social_ig.png/thumb.png?t=1551728955318&width=18&height=18&name=thumb.png)](https://www.instagram.com/southsideharley/) [![](https://info.southsideharley.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social_icons/social_yt.png/thumb.png?t=1551728955322&width=18&height=18&name=thumb.png)](https://www.youtube.com/user/IndySouthsideHarley)