How to safely load side loading luggage

Some motorcyclists claim (usually on the internet) that when you open a side loading case “everything falls out” or with a top loading case “everything you need settles to the bottom.”  Experienced and savvy motorcyclists know better.  If you cram a huge number of small, loose items in any case you will have problems –guaranteed.  Packing correctly is simple and will benefit users of side loading, top loading, or any type of luggage. I honed my packing skills from decades of mountaineering, backpacking, and adventure motorcycle touring,.

How to do it right.

(There's more to this than just lightly packing your motorbike...)

With inner bags made for the luggage, organize your gear for left/right sides (read on for explanation), load them, and you are done. 

Another way is to first organize your gear into nylon stuff sacks carried within the Mission Motos Helen TwoWheels range or camping stores. Always carry as little as possible. Put like items into different color/size sacks so you can easily identify what’s what…

Next, load the stuffed sacks into the main cavity of the case.  Put items often accessed during the ride (food, water, maps, rain gear, clean clothes, etc.) in the right-side case (and top case if you have one).  Put least-used items (camping gear, dirty clothes, tools & parts) into the left-side case.  The reason for right/left side organization will become obvious shortly. Put maps/guides into the right lid cavity. Pull the elastic retaining straps together and clip them at the center… 

NOTE: This can be done on or off the bike, but always put the bike on the center stand before

There, you are done!  Was that easy or what!  Now when you stop for water, look at a map, or have a snack, put the bike on the side stand and open the right case.  Nothing will fall out because the right case is pitched upward, the items are strapped in, and the lid cavity catches any loose items (observe the caribou lid lanyards that keep the lid from opening past 80 degrees creating a shelf).  The bike will be more stable on the side-stand while rummaging through the right-side case compared to the left-side case… 

If you need to access the left case, always put the bike on the center stand first.
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At the hotel or camp site, put the bike on the center stand and open the cases to unload your gear.  Nothing will fall out because items are strapped in.  Any loose items will drop into the lid cavity since the caribou lid lanyards keep the lid from opening past 80 degrees creating a shelf.

If you use my method of packing you will enjoy motorcycle travel more, your gear is better protected and will last longer, and your riding partners will greatly appreciate not having to sit in the hot sun in their riding gear while you attempt to fish something from all of the loose stuff crammed into your luggage.  And remember, weight is your enemy, always pack as light as possible.