Pack for a fly-and-ride

If you were packing for a hotel overnight F&R, what would you bring on the plane? It will be interesting to see how minimalist you folks are and what essentials are 'must have'.

The same things I'd ride and consider with my FJR or any other bike. Helmet, jacket, pants, and gloves.

Getting ready for a fly and ride myself in late July. The bike won't be mine, I'm picking it up somewhere out West for a buddy. The deal is still in the almost consummated stages so I'll keep the details on the down low for now.

It will be an Iron Butt kind of weekend and mentality for me. My plan is to step off the plane, meet and greet with the seller, get all paperwork in order, go over the bike and learn of any idiosyncrasies I need to know of then off I go. So when I throw my leg over this "new to my buddy" machine I'll have to be ready. I'm planning on flying with a carry on only to facilitate a quicker exit from the terminal in order to get the show on the road (how about that pun?). In my carry on will be my helmet, gloves, likely my riding pants (I'll wear my jacket to board the plane). I'll also have my general toiletries and medicines, along with two days change of riding clothes, consisting of the usual. I think I'll skip the tool kit and tire repair kit, as those might create some hassle at the gestapo checkpoints. Sure I could pack them in a checked bag, but that doesn't fit my plan to get the hell outta the terminal and on the road. I have road side assist via my insurance so I'll just roll with that in the unlikely event that situation arises. I plan to lay down about six to eight hours after departure from the airport, which will be around mid-day. Then the next two days will be full on 600-800 mile days.

I'm psyched and can't wait for the adventure! Plus, my buddy is getting a great bike and I'm looking forward to many, many more miles with him in the coming years! You might be asking, why isn't he going to get his own bike? Well, let's just say the timing doesn't work right now for him and I have no issues with making it happen. Not to mention, big rides like this are just what I do. I can't wait!!!!! If anyone else needs a fly and ride facilitator at some point just let me know.

FJRBandit said:

Getting ready for a fly and ride myself in late July. The bike won't be mine, I'm picking it up somewhere out West for a buddy. The deal is still in the almost consummated stages so I'll keep the details on the down low for now.
It will be an Iron Butt kind of weekend and mentality for me. My plan is to step off the plane, meet and greet with the seller, get all paperwork in order, go over the bike and learn of any idiosyncrasies I need to know of then off I go. So when I throw my leg over this "new to my buddy" machine I'll have to be ready. I'm planning on flying with a carry on only to facilitate a quicker exit from the terminal in order to get the show on the road (how about that pun?). In my carry on will be my helmet, gloves, likely my riding pants (I'll wear my jacket to board the plane). I'll also have my general toiletries and medicines, along with two days change of riding clothes, consisting of the usual. I think I'll skip the tool kit and tire repair kit, as those might create some hassle at the gestapo checkpoints. Sure I could pack them in a checked bag, but that doesn't fit my plan to get the hell outta the terminal and on the road. I have road side assist via my insurance so I'll just roll with that in the unlikely event that situation arises. I plan to lay down about six to eight hours after departure from the airport, which will be around mid-day. Then the next two days will be full on 600-800 mile days.

I'm psyched and can't wait for the adventure! Plus, my buddy is getting a great bike and I'm looking forward to many, many more miles with him in the coming years! You might be asking, why isn't he going to get his own bike? Well, let's just say the timing doesn't work right now for him and I have no issues with making it happen. Not to mention, big rides like this are just what I do. I can't wait!!!!! If anyone else needs a fly and ride facilitator at some point just let me know.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a good start-up business to me

Ahh, the iron butt link was appropriate. That never occurred to me as a model.

FJRbandit,

If you are bring electronics don't forget a charging solution.

Being all carry on presents its own challenges. No leatherman for you!

You might dismantle the secure cockpit door.

Good point ekiM! With my normal set up all of my electronics are based out of my tank bag. This makes my whole set up portable from bike to bike. However, it also requires the (semi) permanent Ram mounts I have on each of my bikes. I power the tank bag then distribute the power to the electronics from there via fuse block in the tank bag. Then I route my audio back from said electronics into the Mixit amp, also in the tank bag, then out to my ear buds. On this ride I will definitely need to be set up with GPS and with my radar detector. So that's something I'll need to work out. Thanks for the heads up! Looks like my tank bag and a couple of temp Ram mounts will be in my carry on as well!

I'd also suggest a small additional battery for charging USB based devices in case the new bike has no way to charge on the move.

FJRBandit said:

Good point ekiM! With my normal set up all of my electronics are based out of my tank bag. This makes my whole set up portable from bike to bike. However, it also requires the (semi) permanent Ram mounts I have on each of my bikes. I power the tank bag then distribute the power to the electronics from there via fuse block in the tank bag. Then I route my audio back from said electronics into the Mixit amp, also in the tank bag, then out to my ear buds. On this ride I will definitely need to be set up with GPS and with my radar detector. So that's something I'll need to work out. Thanks for the heads up! Looks like my tank bag and a couple of temp Ram mounts will be in my carry on as well!

Click to expand...

Why not use your tank Bag as your "Personal Item" You are usually entitled to one carry-on and one "Personal Item". Verify with the airline website what their max measurements for the "Personal Item are

Did a fly and ride last summer when I picked up my new [to me] '15A.

Wore Levi's with my m/c boots and riding jacket...got some strange looks there. Helmet with gloves carried in a helmet bag, first personal item. Medium size Ortlieb waterproof duffle with m/c pants, toiletries, etc., and rok straps to strap it down, second item. Trip home was almost 1800 miles so on the way to pick up the bike, I stopped at Wally World and picked up a Slime plug kit and bicycle tire pump.

Don't forget to give the bike a good walk-around to check fluids and tire pressures!

--G

Don't know about an overnight, but I'd likely just add a change of underwear and socks. I flew out to KC in the early morning hours with my gear in a duffel bag and wearing my jacket and boots. Met the owner at the airport, went to his house, then rode home to Dallas and was back in time for dinner.

bigjohnsd said:

FJRBandit said:

Good point ekiM! With my normal set up all of my electronics are based out of my tank bag. This makes my whole set up portable from bike to bike. However, it also requires the (semi) permanent Ram mounts I have on each of my bikes. I power the tank bag then distribute the power to the electronics from there via fuse block in the tank bag. Then I route my audio back from said electronics into the Mixit amp, also in the tank bag, then out to my ear buds. On this ride I will definitely need to be set up with GPS and with my radar detector. So that's something I'll need to work out. Thanks for the heads up! Looks like my tank bag and a couple of temp Ram mounts will be in my carry on as well!

Click to expand...

Why not use your tank Bag as your "Personal Item" You are usually entitled to one carry-on and one "Personal Item". Verify with the airline website what their max measurements for the "Personal Item are

Click to expand...

Yeah, the tank bag could be my "purse". I mean, I might just be feeling like a woman that day anyway, right? Or it could just be my man purse.

BTW Big John, I just saw the shitty post about your quick CFR trip. That sux dude! Hate that for ya. I was tracking you that morning on the Spot and saw the back tracking in progress and thought WTF??? Hate that I can't make it to Red Lodge this year, but it's definitely on my riding agenda next year if you do it again.

....and then to see 'fitter had a forest rat encounter. Is there a way to get the mods to just remove that nightmare of a thread altogether???

escapefjrtist said:

Did a fly and ride last summer when I picked up my new [to me] '15A.

Wore Levi's with my m/c boots and riding jacket...got some strange looks there. Helmet with gloves carried in a helmet bag, first personal item. Medium size Ortlieb waterproof duffle with m/c pants, toiletries, etc., and rok straps to strap it down, second item. Trip home was almost 1800 miles so on the way to pick up the bike, I stopped at Wally World and picked up a Slime plug kit and bicycle tire pump.

Don't forget to give the bike a good walk-around to check fluids and tire pressures!

--G

Click to expand...

G - I like the idea of using the Ortlieb as my carry on! and roger that on the walk around. The seller is a great guy and I have no doubts the bike will be in primo riding shape upon delivery.

Gurock said:

I'd also suggest a small additional battery for charging USB based devices in case the new bike has no way to charge on the move.

Click to expand...

+1 Gurrock! That item is always in the tank bag! I'm pretty sure this bike already has the necessary powerlets. That's something I'll double check with the seller about in the lead up to pick up. I'm telling man, this bike is super sweet and is set up to ride! This isn't some shell of an FJR I'm going to get. The new owner will likely not even be in the farkle market, this bike has it all!

----------------

A little more on this particular Fly and Ride - the funds were transmitted to the seller yesterday. My buddy is now the proud owner of a VERY sweet 08 FJR! So I'm buying my ticket to Denver today. When I get off the plane I'll be turning right around and headed towards the Plains! Some people dread that ride but I don't mind looking at wheat fields, cornfields and cow pastures all day, as long as I am jamming with my music and feeling the breeze of the open road in my face!

Thanks to ekiM for raising this topic and thanks to those chiming in. There have been many great points raised so far. I had given it a little bit of thought previously but really hadn't thought of it in the way of a BIG mileage ride, just more as a weekend ride. This post made me step back and really think about it. That's when I realized that I have to approach this just as I would an Iron Butt ride, this isn't a weekend jaunt around the familiar stomping grounds near home. As usual, preparation is the key.

and Gix - really, it's only three days, I can just turn both the socks and the undies inside out twice and be good to go!

FJRBandit said:

and Gix - really, it's only three days, I can just turn both the socks and the undies inside out twice and be good to go!

Click to expand...

It's called...recycling. Gotta love Fred.

We did a fly and rent for the Death Valley ride this year.We flew Southwest and they allow for 2 checked bags and 2 carry on items. The carry on items are limited to one for the overhead and one has to fit under the seat in front of you. We checked one large bag that carried all our riding gear. It is the largest bag, dimensional wise, allowed before paying an oversize fee. It is limited to 50 lbs. before paying an overweight fee. All the gear was 48 lbs., so we were at the size limit and just under the weight. We then used two carry on bags for our clothes and personal items. This worked great. Here is a picture of the large suit case:

Riding with the suitcase used as a checked bag might take some thought/planning.

I just got back from a fly and ride a few weeks ago. Unfortunately a pedestrian had run out in front of me on a very rainy afternoon and I had to slide out my 08 FJR to avoid him. After a little bit the insurance company declared the 08 a total loss and I found an 07 that had highway pegs, Cee Bailey touring screed, Givi V 47 and mount and police lights with sirens that only had 21,000 miles in Birmingham, AL. I bought it from a local cop who had installed the lights and sirens (he used it part time as a police escort bike) for $5,000.00. I ended up renting a car in Chicago on a Friday night and drove to Birmingham getting there on Saturday morning. I bought the bike and had the seller pick me up from the rental car return.

I rode from Birmingham to Cincinnati on Saturday, spent Sunday riding around the Cumberland Gap and went home on Monday. I brough my tank bag with it's usual stuff (extra battery, hex wrenches, pocket knife, screw drivers, Robo Grip, mesh and water proof gloves, riding jacket, kevlar jeans, extra change of clothes, rain suit, Olympia Mesh Jacket, I phone 6+, Sena 20s, credit cards and cash.

Everything went fine, I now have the new to me bike in Chicago and learned among other things how much I value my RDL seat as I left it home and did the trip on the stock seat. So after this if any of you hooligans are flying down the interstate at 120 MPH plus and see a silver FJR coming up from behind with lights and sirens, it's only me and I can be easily bribed!

My standard fare for fly and ride is to pack in a Dry Pak duffle. It includes the Rok Straps needed to tie it on the bike, and of course all the gear and a change of underwear.

Be sure to bring your wallet.

ekiM said:

Riding with the suitcase used as a checked bag might take some thought/planning.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I realize it's a whole different story if you are not flying both ways! You could always ship the suitcase home.

ekiM said:

Riding with the suitcase used as a checked bag might take some thought/planning.

Click to expand...

This is why I used a duffel bag. They compress nicely, and you can also pick up a cheap one at Walmart that you could throw away at your destination if need be.

As a curiosity how is this process? Fly in, meet seller, inspect bike etc. Say everything in order, then what? Seller signs the back of the title. What about registration and insurance? Do you have to go to the local DMV and get a temporary registration? Do you call your insurance company in advance? How does this go?

Luis