2021 TWO WHEELS ON TWO LANES TRIP TO MONTANA

THE WANDERER IS NEVER LOST… JUST LOOKING FOR ANOTHER WAY TO GO.

This year I will be heading up quickly to Riggins, Idaho so I can ride the mountain road over to Lolo, Montana. After that it is anyone’s guess as long as I end up in Cody, Wyoming on Saturday night. Sunday morning I head for Red Lodge and then up to the top of Beartooth Pass for my birthday lunch. Perhaps a couple of cold tacos, a root beer, and a couple of Hostess Cupcakes. Yeah – that’s how I roll.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT GEAR FOR A LONG TRIP ON A MOTORCYCLE…

… requires knowing that bike inside and out.

And how much room there is inside directly impacts how much room you will need outside the bike.

I use a motorcycle backpack and duffle top that sits right behind me on the back fender. They work as a backrest as well.

The challenge is to keep the motorcycle balanced, so we try to keep as much as possible in line with the frame.

I have two saddlebags that hold far more than I expected them to when I first got the bike.

These bags have doors that open out instead of from the top down and that presents some good aspects and some negative aspects as well.

What is good is that you can reach almost everything with the door down. The negative is that sometimes things can shift and fall out when you open the door.

Not a problem unless you are parked in mud.

Ya know.

My bike: 2008 Kawasaki Nomad 1600CC V-twin.

Last year’s trip: the Grand Tetons at my back.

As you can see, it is a big motorcycle. And notice the trunk on the back.

That is where I put my cameras. It is lined with two layers of bubble wrap to keep the vibrations down, and the camera bodies and lenses are also dampened with bubble wrap.

There is a lot of vibration on a motorcycle and I don’t want anything coming apart.

I have removed the passenger seat and replaced it with a luggage rack so my overnight bag sits there.

The clothing I am taking reflects the possible highly diverse weather I may face.

Warm weather:
One long-sleeved tee-shirts.
One long-sleeved “Fishing” shirt to prevent sunburn.
One short sleeve tee-shirt.
One button-down western shirt.
Motorcycle jeans (with Kevlar sewn in).
One pair of regular jeans for when I am washing the other pair.
One pair of swim trunks/shorts in case I need to wash both pairs of jeans at the same time..
Two pairs of warm weather socks.
Sneakers for wearing off bike.
Baseball cap and Harley Cowboy hat.

Cold weather:
One long sleeve wool sweater.
One pair of cold weather socks.
One cold-weather jacket.
One cold weather face mask.
One cold-weather Ascot for keeping the neck warm.
I use packing cubes to keep all of the stuff organized.

Riding gear:
One pair of riding gloves for warm weather.
One pair of riding gloves for cold weather.
One warm-weather riding jacket with kevlar.
Wolverine boots.
Rain gear and boot covers.
Neckerchief.
Full face helmet with a full visor to keep out the cold air and rain.
Three pairs of sunglasses: one pair is very dark.

Camera Gear:
Nikon D750
Nikon F5
Lenses: 24-120MM, 50MM 1.8, 180MM f2.8 (maybe)
Hasselblad with 50MM Planar
Small tripod.
Very small tripod for a selfie stick and video.
iPhone 7 for video.
Gimbel
Rode mic for iPhone.
Wind guard for Rode mic.
LUMIX DCS80 for video/stills
Tascam Audio Recorder for ambient sounds

Miscellaneous
Satellite Emergency Phone/Texting with GPS tracking
Battery jumper and USB charging battery unit.
2 very bright flashlights.
Assorted chargers and cords and such.
Pocket knife.
Waist knife.
Mini-camp chair.
Umbrella.
First Aid kit.
Mini road flares (2).
Two USB chargers for iPhones
Toiletries bag.
Bike cover.

Communications:
iPad with a USB keyboard.
MacBookPro 13″
iPhone Max

I also have a couple of waterproof bags in case it rains torrents. Fits all cameras and electronics.

That may seem like a lot, but I do indeed have space in both of my saddlebags for something I may need to purchase along the way. I also have to have room for water bottles and a small bottle of single malt.

Don’t judge.

Imagine if I was packing to go on a camping trip! I have two more packs that fit on top of the saddlebags for camping gear, but I would probably have to rethink a lot of above to get all the gear on. It ends up piling very high, being very heavy, and really worrying me when I leave the bike.

All the gear goes into saddlebags, the trunk, and the travel pack I have on the seat behind me. It is covered with a waterproof cover and is bungee-corded from both sides to hold it stable.

The camera gear is protected in the trunk as well. I have lined the trunk with bubble wrap to get rid of the vibration that can destroy gear.

I will show you some photos from the road once I get it squared away.

For the first time in five years, I will not be riding the Moki Dugway. I am going to miss it.

I will be posting a page per day, so stick around or bookmark this page.