Whats in the bags?

[OwenB]

Hey fellow riders,

I have a brand new to me 2007 Midnight Venture, only back and forth to work and quick trips so far, just filled up for the first time since I brought it home full. Mostly pleased so far, its a giant compared to any other Ive owned. We are gonna put about 500 miles on it this weekend and Ive never had so much storage. No camping, just 3 days of ride time, friends house etc.

So whats in your bags?

I havent really got anything organized in there, but have the stock tool kit- unlooked at yet, jackets, chaps, gloves, snacks, water, cleaning stuff, the highway pegs that just got here, uuhmmm- thats about it;)

[REDRIDER52]

rain suits small first aid kit

[pmj423]

I always carry extra glasses, bananas, bungi cords. a small blanket to stop and have a picnic lunch a couple bottles of water for the lady and diet dew for myself. I have a set of Allen wrenches and open end wrenches also.

[GolfVenture]

Just from memory some things I carry.

 

Jumper Cables

Extra Fuses

Duct Tape

Tarp to lay on to work on VR

Several latex gloves (Keeps hands from getting greasy)

Misc metric nuts and bolts that I've collected

Seafoam

Flares

1st Aid Kit

Extra Headlamp bulb

Blue Lock Tight

Extra plugs

Full set of allen wrenchs

41R-71 Relay (1st-Gen -Controls turn signal and I don’t think the engine will start when it goes out)

 

You might consider Concealed and Carry also.

1 more thing. A small box of tissue paper, just in case.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Golf&Venture
add info

[Marcarl]

Along with all that stuff, my wife says I have to carry a half roll of TP, just in case I should end up at FreeBird's MD, and you should know you can't go there without some of that stuff.

[BOO]

Just from memory some things I carry.

 

Jumper Cables

Extra Fuses

Duct Tape

Tarp to lay on to work on VR

Several latex gloves (Keeps hands from getting greasy)

Misc metric nuts and bolts that I've collected

Seafoam

Flares

1st Aid Kit

Extra Headlamp bulb

Blue Lock Tight

Extra plugs

Full set of allen wrenchs

41R-71 Relay (1st-Gen -Controls turn signal and I don’t think the engine will start when it goes out)

 

You might consider Concealed and Carry also.

 

1 more thing. A small box of tissue paper, just in case.

 

I hardly carry any of that stuff.

Fuses but just the ones that came with the bike.

Rain suit is a must.

Concealed Carry

The rest is all clothing and personal items.

These bikes are real reliable.

BOO

[rstacy]

Just from memory some things I carry.

 

Jumper Cables

Extra Fuses

Duct Tape

Tarp to lay on to work on VR

Several latex gloves (Keeps hands from getting greasy)

Misc metric nuts and bolts that I've collected

Seafoam

Flares

1st Aid Kit

Extra Headlamp bulb

Blue Lock Tight

Extra plugs

Full set of allen wrenchs

41R-71 Relay (1st-Gen -Controls turn signal and I don’t think the engine will start when it goes out)

 

You might consider Concealed and Carry also.

 

1 more thing. A small box of tissue paper, just in case.

 

WOW!!!

I sure feel like an idiot now. My bags are mostly empty!

[Yama Mama]

Portable air compressor, two rain suits,

tool bag, small hand sanitizer, small kleenex, pocket knife, doorags, small cooler, camera case, extra goggles, gloves in the winter, and fleece neck warmers in the winter.

Yama Mama

[GolfVenture]

I hardly carry any of that stuff.

Fuses but just the ones that came with the bike.

Rain suit is a must.

Concealed Carry

The rest is all clothing and personal items.

These bikes are real reliable.

BOO

 

Well I've only owned my VR for 1 1/2 years and before then it has been 27 years with out a bike and so guess I'm still back in the 1980s mentally in relations to m/c. I've not ridden long trips except for that I bought the 89 VR (27500 miles) 800 miles from home and rode it home. Since then I've taken a lot of short rides for a total of maybe 1500 miles. So far I've had 2 carb issues, the 41R71 Relay went out and blew a couple of fuses. Otherwise the 89 VR runs great. I've not resolved the 2nd carb issue yet, but I think and hope it will be a simple troubleshooting fix.

 

I also have a 91 VR with 7700 miles and I've only put 1200 miles on it. All I've done is synced the carbs, changed all the fluids. It seems to run great.

 

Hopefully with more miles my confidence will grow. Now I did meet a local VR owner who bought his 89VR new and now has about 80K + and he said that any thing that could go wrong has gone wrong with his. He has fixed and improved on all the repairs so it pretty much won't go bad in the next 100,000 miles. So I'm kind of crossing my fingers that I won't have the same problems, but if I do I know who get some advise including this group

 

Some thing I carry not only for myself but for others that I might run into that I could be of some assistance. Hopefully I'll lighten my load with more miles.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Golf&Venture
correction

[tz89]

You guys carry a spare of this $100 part?

 

41R-83350-71-00 FLASHER RELAY ASY

 

Has there been lots of stranded experiences?

[ragtop69gs]

jumper cables

Rain suit

cold weather gear

electrical repair kit with spare fuses and 1 relay

zip ties

blue thread locker

tool kit

1 pint apple pie (for medicinal purposes only)

3x5 american flag

speed loaders

pin savers

extra gloves, sunglasses, clear glasses

a couple rags

first aid kit

maps

[GolfVenture]

You guys carry a spare of this $100 part?

 

41R-83350-71-00 FLASHER RELAY ASY

 

Has there been lots of stranded experiences?

 

Yep, its on my list for MKII.

41R-71 Relay (1st-Gen -Controls turn signal and I don’t think the engine will start when it goes out)

 

If you watch ebay religiously you sometimes can find them for about $25.00 including shipping. Otherwise there out there for alot more.

[wes0778]

Most of what I carry has already been mentioned, but I think tire patch kit, Plexus and a microfiber towel has not been mentioned.

[Kirby]

Sometimes I think I have too much stuff in the bags!!

[MJ44]

camera, sunscreen, chapstick, ear plugs, extra sunglasses, water, rain suit, doo rag, owner's and insurance cards, roll of paper towel, window cleaner

 

If I'm on a trip - extra clothes

 

no parts because I wouldn't know how to fix anything

[reddevilmedic]

and....CLIF bars, 2 liters extra fuel (just in case someone else runs out too), knife, bottled water.

[Stache]

Left:

Thermal hood (includes neck warmer)

Pair of gloves (heavy or light, the other pair is being worn)

Changeover lens for my riding glasses (shaded or clear, the other is being worn)

Shorty helmet (in case of unexpected passenger)

Bottled water

Snack bars

 

Right:

Gerber tool.

Multitool socket/allenkey/wrench set

Flashlight

Booster cables

Set of fuses

zap straps

Litre oil

2 litre gas

first aid kit

Yamaha tool kit

 

Hideaway spot:

Spare Key

Emergency Cash

[djh3]

Mine varies with where/how far I'm going. Allways on the bike is rain gear (I do live in central Fl) bungee cords, spare fuses, short length of wire (emer repair) spare headlight bulb (its burried in the left bag somewhere) first aid kit small. I am thinking of adding a tire plug kit, oh and I got one of them C02 tire inflaters in there too ! Longer trips I add things spare glasses, snacks and the like. Jackets etc. I alos have a pen and paper in trunk for milage. Oh and a decnet working tire gauge.

[Dave77459]

For 500 miles in an entire weekend?

 

Cellphone

Credit Card

AAA Card -- free towing

AMA Card -- free towing

 

I do have a tiny tool set under my saddle bag mat, but if I am concerned about breaking down on what amounts to a "ride to lunch"-sized trip, I should be re-evaluating my maintenance and trip preparation procedure.

 

I'll take rain gear if rain seems very likely. I can't outride warm weather within 500 miles, and warm and wet isn't so horrible for an hour.

 

I guess if I am meeting friends, a clean shirt for him and her isn't out of the question.

 

Dave

[radian]

We've got right at 32,000 miles on my 2008 Venture.

I keep on the bike at all times:

A foam tire repair kit with compressed air,

Plexus, Microfiber towels,

rainsuit, (plus one for the wife added on trips)

rain booties,

padlock for extra security (key is always with me),

several different lengths of bungies,

both full and half gloves for me and my wife,

kickstand pad,

sunglasses over glasses for both of us,

some clip-on sunglasses for when we are riding INTO the sun and it's REALLY bright...,

rain cover for seat,

charger for cell phone, and adapter cord to AUX (we run Pandora for tunes),

our PGR windshield banner with small bungies in a ziploc bag,

small shammy (to help with morning dew on windshield and stuff)

several of those drink powders to add to water,

small first aid kit,

several hair pony tailers for wife,

sun block,

packets of hand wipes (never used any so far thought),

chap stick,

knife,

LED flashlight,

but then again, I also have one of those organizers that mounts to the top of the trunk...

 

I do have a question for those who have a CCW... how badly is one needed?

I've always wondered, and thought it'd be good to get, but in all my years of riding, I've never been in a situation where I wished I would have had one... and the money for both have been an issue for me... I can't even come up with the $300 for the tattoo I've wanted for years... lol

Edited April 25, 2012 by radian
appended

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I do have a question for those who have a CCW... how badly is one needed?

I've always wondered, and thought it'd be good to get, but in all my years of riding, I've never been in a situation where I wished I would have had one... and the money for both have been an issue for me... I can't even come up with the $300 for the tattoo I've wanted for years... lol

 

If you NEVER end up in a situation where you would need it.... It's not needed. Not that I go out looking for a situation to need it or have to use it, but I can't predict when I might need it. I'd sure rather have my CW with me than a tattoo if I should end up in one of those situations.

It's like my credit card.......I never leave home without it.

 

C.R.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Steel Horse Cowboy

[Bobby G]

Most of the above, plus:

 

~ needle nose pliers/wire strippers

~ basic toiletries (for the unexpected overnight stayovers)

~ 2 day supply of any meds you are currently on

~ small pouch of handi-wipes

~ sunscreen

~ can/bottle Koozie

~ GPS (I don't use the one on the phone)

[radian]

If you NEVER end up in a situation where you would need it.... It's not needed. Not that I go out looking for a situation to need it or have to use it, but I can't predict when I might need it. I'd sure rather have my CW with me than a tattoo if I should end up in one of those situations.

It's like my credit card.......I never leave home without it.

 

C.R.

 

Hmmmm... good point about the CCW and handgun as opposed to a tattoo...

Might just have to re-evaluate things there....

[Venturous Randy]

To add to the above;

well stocked tool bag

Spare TCI

small halon fire extingisher

 

RandyA

Edited April 26, 2012 by Venturous Randy

[BigDawg]

We've got right at 32,000 miles on my 2008 Venture.

I keep on the bike at all times:

A foam tire repair kit with compressed air,

Plexus, Microfiber towels,

rainsuit, (plus one for the wife added on trips)

rain booties,

padlock for extra security (key is always with me),

several different lengths of bungies,

both full and half gloves for me and my wife,

kickstand pad,

sunglasses over glasses for both of us,

some clip-on sunglasses for when we are riding INTO the sun and it's REALLY bright...,

rain cover for seat,

charger for cell phone, and adapter cord to AUX (we run Pandora for tunes),

our PGR windshield banner with small bungies in a ziploc bag,

small shammy (to help with morning dew on windshield and stuff)

several of those drink powders to add to water,

small first aid kit,

several hair pony tailers for wife,

sun block,

packets of hand wipes (never used any so far thought),

chap stick,

knife,

LED flashlight,

but then again, I also have one of those organizers that mounts to the top of the trunk...

 

I do have a question for those who have a CCW... how badly is one needed?

I've always wondered, and thought it'd be good to get, but in all my years of riding, I've never been in a situation where I wished I would have had one... and the money for both have been an issue for me... I can't even come up with the $300 for the tattoo I've wanted for years... lol

 

Radian,

what sort of organizer do you have on the trunk, and where did you get it? Seems like I could use the space if I had a good organizer.

Thanks for your service!

Semper Fi

BigDawg