What do you pack for a road trip?

Am currently planning a 5D4N road trip to Penang Island, Malaysia from Singapore. Will be the longest ride for me yet at just under 1,500km to and fro. Will be riding 2 up with my girlfriend.



Beyond the usual engine oil, oil filter change, and CVT inspection/servicing, what do you guys prepare pack for a trip like this? I was thinking of strapping 25L drybags to the pillion grab bars to have more space!

Some concerns I have would be that the roads leading up to Penang would be nitty gritty and filled with potholes, and that my Swing will bottom out as a result of 2 up riding.

Appreciate your thoughts and advice.

I would suggest loading up as if for the big trip then have a long day out with girlfriend to see how you, her and the bike cope for weight and comfort.
Even with the shocks wound up full you might find it bottoming out. We did so I replaced the rear shocks with Hagons, which cured the problem but they are a lot firmer riding solo on smooth tarmac.

For a trip of that magnitude be prepared. I have done several like this BUT w/o a passenger which makes it much easier. The Silver Wing is great for solo touring but not so much for 2 up IMHO. If you both are little it might be no problem but my wife and I are not!!! And her arthritis makes a scooter ride nearly impossible. That said, take it slow especially in the rough stuff (braking is the problem here). Plan fuel stops so they are no problem. Not sure how you will carry enough for two, but I take 5 days worth of clothes, a few tools and oil, phone charger etc. Take it easy and enjoy the ride!

steve_h80 wrote:

I would suggest loading up as if for the big trip then have a long day out with girlfriend to see how you, her and the bike cope for weight and comfort.
Even with the shocks wound up full you might find it bottoming out. We did so I replaced the rear shocks with Hagons, which cured the problem but they are a lot firmer riding solo on smooth tarmac.

Oh dear. My Swing has a pair of Hagon shocks; I'm not sure when it was fitted on.. but I already feel it bottoms out sometimes! Appreciate the piece of advice to load up on gear and see how the bike handles. Useful stuff.

GHM-PM wrote:

For a trip of that magnitude be prepared. I have done several like this BUT w/o a passenger which makes it much easier. The Silver Wing is great for solo touring but not so much for 2 up IMHO. If you both are little it might be no problem but my wife and I are not!!! And her arthritis makes a scooter ride nearly impossible.  That said, take it slow especially in the rough stuff (braking is the problem here). Plan fuel stops so they are no problem. Not sure how you will carry enough for two, but I take 5 days worth of clothes, a few tools and oil, phone charger etc.  Take it easy and enjoy the ride!

Unfortunately, my girlfriend and I veer towards the bigger side on the scale

I hear you on the braking part. I find that the Swing's brakes do become a little spongy when the road is a little wet. Thanks for your input!

When I had my Silver Wing, and the lardass Burgman 650 before that, I went on a few Euro trips with Mrs M riding pillion. These were the only times I ever needed to use a set of soft panniers/saddlebags for maxi touring. I used a tunnel bag back then too, but I got fed up clambering over it getting on and off and ditched it.

Riding two up on both maxi scooters wasn't a problem, they both had enough performance to handle European motorways/autobahns, although I can recall the Burgman becoming a bit twitchy going through rural Holland in crosswinds, and because it was a heavy lump not so good on bendy roads.

I always upped the tyre pressure and rear suspension settings to ones recommended for rider and passenger in the Owner’s Handbook.8

The Silver Wing however excelled as a two up touring scooter. Obviously the riding gear we wear in Western Europe differs from what in hotter and humid South East Asia, and travelling light is always a good policy.

The only advice I'd offer to anyone carrying their wife or girlfriend is their safety and comfort is paramount. Treat them to regular comfort breaks, decent meals and drinks, and when they're getting on and off the scooter, brace yourself for the change in weight as they clamber on and off. Also make sure there's no loose stone chippings under your boots where you might slip.

An intercom in both helmets is excellent for conversation too. We had an Interphone set up where we could chat, I'd get Derek the sat nav voice giving me instructions, and Mrs M could play music into her helmet speakers.