BurgMa's Packing List

I wish I knew how cold it will get; I have planned on taking some cold gear but I don't think I can fit everything on the Burgman...

Personal Items
Foam Earplugs (6 pair)
Gloves (regular and lined leather)

Jean Jacket
Socks (5)

Mesh Padded jacket
Boots

Mesh Padded pants
Wool sweater (1)

Fleece vest (1)
Jeans (1)

Long Johns top & bottom
Underwear

Long sleeve cotton shirt (2?)
Cotton shorts (2)

Cotton T-shirt (3)
Khakis (1)

Windbreaker top & pants
Waterproof top & pants (Banana suit)

Swimsuit
Dress pants & top

Waist pouch
Orange safety vest

Bandanna (3)
Flip-flops

Folding Hanging Kit Bag
Comb


Toothbrush with travel cover
Hair Brush

Toothpaste
Nail Clippers

Dental Floss
Nail File

Shampoo
Scissors

Hair Conditioner
Q-Tips

Deodorant
Baby Powder

Body Wash
Washcloth

Razors
Lotion

Sunscreen
Insect Repellant

Spare glasses
Eye drops

Medications / Vitamins
Eye Glass cleaner

Chapstick
Acetaminophen

Band-Aids / Gauze /Tape
Neosporin

Tweezers
Moleskin

Antiseptic wipes
Waterless hand cleanser




Motorcycle Travel Accessories
Spare Bungee Cords
Maps

Spare Bungee Net
GPS

Disk Lock
Spare Topcase Key

Chain and Padlock
Lanyard for maps

Bike Cover
Windex sheets

Spare Ignition Key
Tire Gauge

Leatherman Folding Tool
10' Mini Tape Measure

Vise Grips
Screwdriver w/ interchangeable bits

12 volt mini air compressor
Needle Nose Pliers

Tire Repair Kit
Duct Tape

Electrical Tape
Spare Fuses

Spare Bulbs





Batteries for camera, GPS, flashlights, palm
Flashlight (2)AA cells

Battery Chargers for phone, palm, GPS
Reading Light

Binoculars
Cell Phone

Camera
Travel Alarm Clock

Chapstick
Acetaminophen

PDA
Pre-printed Mailing labels & stamps

Pens / Marker
Tissues

Driver’s License & copy
Sunglasses

Insurance card & copy
Passport & copy

Registration & copy
Medical Insurance Info

Notepad
Laptop?

Compass
Travel Sewing kit

Latex gloves
AAA Travel card

Windex Sheets
Travel Umbrella




Sleeping Bag w/liner sheet
Paperback Book

Bath Towel
Insect Repellent

Plastic spoons
Water bottle

Garbage Bags
Plastic bowls (Rubbermaid –collapsible)

Soft cooler
Ziploc Bags

Sandwich Bags

Putting on the Givi

Sunday morning BeamerPop and I decided to tackle a job we had been putting off for quite a few weeks --putting the new Givi case with brake light on the Burgman. The reason for our delay was our disappointment with the directions - they were in translated English and were not thorough or instructive. Most of the instructions said the same thing..."Use part G & H to meet result shown in diagram N." Of course different parts and different diagrams each step. And the installation procedure requires drilling through the body of the vehicle, a little scary!!

If it wasn't for the How To post on the Burgman USA Forum, we would have been totally lost. We didn't do everything exactly right, but we were able to recover (or is it cover?) our mistakes and proceed. It took us almost the whole day, yet the result is worth it! The case is securely on and the lights work!!

And let me plug the Burgman forum again...they have been super helpful in advice for the trip.

Gear

Here are the packing accomodations:
CVStar will carry two dry float bags strapped to her passenger seat and/or luggage rack.
BurgMa has a trunk and will carry one dry float bag and a Givi top case.
BeamerPop has two side cases and a top case; he will also carry one dry float bag.

Now the question is what to put where.

On other shorter trips we have put our rain gear, bike covers, and maybe a jacket in the dry bag. I guess CVStar will put her clothes and personal items in one bag.

BurgMa will probably pack personal items in a duffle back in the trunk, and leave the top case empty for helmets (holds two full face). I think also in addition to the usual dry bag items, perhaps all the "cold weather" gear will go in here, and also maybe protective gear when not being worn.

BeamerPop will probably pack one side case with personal gear, and the other with infrequently used items such as first aid kit, maps; the top case will be reserved for helmet.

Packing space is pretty limited so what to bring is the next decision.

Route vs. time

Inspired by the Southern Living article about RT82 we began to plan our trip. I posted state maps on the office wall and used an orange marker to draw the route out and used a green marker to draw the route back.

We are trying to stay off interstates as much as possible, a plan more easily executed in the east and central parts of the USA and almost impossible from Phoenix to the Pacific coast. The original plan is to meet up in Augusta GA, and then travel together to Savannah GA in order to actually make this a 'coast to coast' trip. To be true to the RT 82 idea we would need to begin our trip in Brunswick GA but that is extra distance and we are having this struggle with miles and time.

After drawing a lot of lines on the map, I decided to enlist the help of our local AAA to see how they would plan our trip. The first time they did it on all interstates; my second request must have been clearer and they sent maps, books, and tripticks for a nice route out to SanDiego and back, almost all on backroads. It mostly follows along RT 82 until Plains TX , then heads on a more northern route to Phoenix, and intersate after that. The return route is more southern through El Paso, eventually meeting up with RT84 into Natchez MS where we catch the Natchez Trace back to Nashville.

It's a nice route and we are excited about it...until we start planning our daily mileage. To complete the trip as planned, we need to do about 300-350 miles per day...every day. On the bikes that means 6-7 hours of driving with stops every hour to massage the buttocks and get something to drink. Those are some full days with no allowance for anything. We all know that life does not work smoothly. We are going to have rain we can't ride through, one of us may get ill, and who know what else could happen. It also doesn't allow for any sightseeing or shopping. What kind of trip is that?? Apparently to some of our crew, it is all about the bike ride. I'm really okay with that, but I think we need a cushion just in case one day we are unable to get our sore bodies out of the hotel hot tub.

The route continues to be under discussion: Do we go all the way to San Diego or just to Phoenix? Should we reverse the route and do the western portion first and only do the eastern part (GA, AL) if we have time?

Thinking about a cross country trip

In 1972 my husband rode across country on a Honda 305 Dream with a college friend. It is unimaginable in this day and age that you would even try to cross the country on a bike this size. After years of forgoing motorcycle riding, my husband is back in the saddle again on a black BMW 1100RT. Not to be left behind, he bought me a Suzuki 650 Burgman after I successfully passed the Motorcycle Rider's Class and earned my license. Who knew there was another motorcycle enthusiast in the family; our daughter purchased a Yamaha V-star while in college in North Carolina.

In the early Spring, while thumbing through a Southern Living magazine, I saw an article about a couple who drove along RT 82 stopping in little towns. I told my husband that it would make a fun motorcycle trip, and after he traced RT 82 on a map to find that it went to Las Cruces, the cross country idea was concieved.

When to go? Our daughter was finishing massage therapy school in September and she wanted to join us. So September seemed like the right time - hopefully not too hot and not too cold!!

So the planning began.