If you are tubeless on cast rims, take both. The plug will fill the hole, and the fix a flat will inflate you. Might be able to find some kind of trick compressed air can instead. Or better yet, a bycicle pump. Sucks, but airs up a tire in a pinch. They have the soft insulated bags for cold stuff. If you freeze your bottles, and keep them in one of those, your water should be cool all day.

PS: It's a good thing you got Michelins, wit hthe 77H weight rating, If you get many more suggestions for what to take, you're gonna be over weight!

Rain gear is not a bad idea I rode from Calif to Co and rode thru Nv, Utah and Wyoming in July great ride up but rain almost half the way home
Enjoy your trip Cody and Ride safe

I'd say take me but I'll be gone to MI around the same time, just not on my bike

If you're not the squirm-ish type then VikingWarhorse has a very cool web page
http://www.vikingwarhorse.webs.com/

If that isn't your thing then try
http://www.ironbutt.com/about/about.cfm

I pack as light as possible:
- Clothes: about two or three days worth (rolled up in trash bags I have standard leather bags). Your gonna have to stop at a laundry mat some time.
- Rain gear (can double to keep you warm)
- Leathers (jackets and chaps) roll them up and bungie them on
- Basic hygiene kit tooth brush + paste, deodorant, soap, shampoo (I pick them up as I go from the hotels)
- Tools: Road* kit and a set of metric and SAE allen keys, two adjustable wrenches, tire gauge and an LED light.
- Water or poweraid/gatoraid and snacks
- Keep a hidden stash of cash ($150 or so) and one emergency credit card on the bike (maybe under the seat under with the tools).
- Spare Key if you have one with the wife's stuff
- Sun block and small first aid kit
- Trash bags 1 or 2 of the 30 gal yard type for things that are bungied down (I roll them up with my lethers)
- Map or GPS (may be your cell phone)
- Keep a cell phone charged!!!
- Check in with someone each night at about the same time with your route for the next day . If they don't hear from you they know where to start looking. Some of the drop offs are pretty steep in the Rockies and if you can't get to a phone or have no service they at least have your last known route.

Trial run - pack your bike to see how much space you have left over or will be short! Helps figure out how to pack the bike too.


Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fix-a-flat, spare clutch cable and an AMA membership + everything else everyone said. Have a great ride!

Fix a flat will plug the hole provided it is not to big(you get a nail or something, don't remove the nail), and is a LOT easier than a patch, and much quicker too. However when you get to a shop to have it repaired, they will be cursing you.

I had a flat on the PA turnpike. Called AAA and said mile marker xxx heading west bound. 2 hours later I called back and asked where my tow was. They said they dispatched but the driver couldn't find me. I said I'm still here, and they said they'd send him again. Same thing. I called up again and same thing. about an hour later truck pulls up. I ask where the hell he's been, I've been sitting here for 5 hours. He said hte dumb b***** told him east bound, so he was on the other side of the turnpike. He was about as irritated as I was, but we got it worked out and I got to a service station.

Iron Butt Association can provide a LOT of good information. I did 2 runs last year and used their site for a lot of stuff. They're good guys.

Just FYI- Expect the unexpected. I went for a day ride and got stuck for 8 hours on the side of the road, no cell service and 70 miles from the nearest tow. Definitely bring emergency water and food. Tools too. If you've got tubeless tires, get a patch kit and CO2 inflaters. If you have tube tires, patching the tire does no good, and slime may or may not get you to the next town. It's not formulated for tubes and I've also heard it doesn't completely fill all tires. It also may leak as you go, so bring a means to inflate your tires. CO2 is the smallest but you may run out. I picked up a slime emergency pump at O'Riely's for $30 and it wires directly to the battery, or cigarette outlet or even alligator clips if necessary. I'd also recommend wiring up a cigaret outlet on your bike so you can charge you phone on the go. My phone died on me because I didn't have one. It would have also been nice to be able to listen go some music while I was waiting, which I could have done if I and the charger on the bike. For Tube tires, get "Roll-On" it's formulated for tube tires and way better than Slime. You put it in ahead of time and it not only seals punctures but balances your wheels too. ...But still carry an inflator. Another good tip is bring handy wipes. Like the names suggests, they come in handy in all sorts of situations and it's good to wipe the road grime off your face if you're far from a stop. Bring extra bungies and zip ties. Duct tap too... I prefer Gorilla Tape. Also, even if you don't plan to camp, you may want to bring wool type blanket that can double as a bedroll in a pinch. I almost had to spend the night on the roadside and it would have been nice to have something to lay on. Check your road side assistance plan for coverage details. It's best to know ahead of time. ...Ask me how I know.

I am jealous been thinking of a road trip for a while,sounds like you have plenty of tips,I wired a 3 port cigarette lighter inside my saddlebag also works great for charging phone,just used a 2-automotive wire disconnect behind bag so it still comes off easy,have a good time

Ride safe and enjoy....

Wow some of you guys carry alot of stuff. I have left Arizona and rode up through utah to wyoming to south dakota then back through wyoming to montana to idaho to washington to oregon to calif. 5000 miles in 3 weeks. I have gone up to South Dakota and come back through colorado and new mexico and every time I came through that way I got hit with rain.
One thing I have learned is to carry warm clothes as some of the areas even though it's summer can get cold so I take my leathers & a rain suit. Also if you have a custom air cleaner purchase the rain cover for it as you can get hit with a down pour. I have my cell phone & a credit card. I'm riding a R* for Gods sake why should I be worried? I change my oil before leaving and check air pressure and tire condition, from that point on I don't worry about it, we just ride. If I break I will call for a tow truck. As for water or what ever, I have to stop every 150 miles for gas I will get water or coffee there. I do have a cup holder and a steel thermos mug so I can drink coffee or what ever as I ride.

Here's another idea. If you have old clothes that your thinking are just about ready to throw away,pack those clothes to wear and throw them away when your done wearing them. By time you get back your bags will be about empty. Like someone else said there's a wally world almost everywhere so if you need something pick it up.

With all the cross country trips my wife and I have made we have only had one problem and that was in New Mexico and the bike had a custom air cleaner and we got caught in a major down pour and no where to find cover. The carb took in water and left us stranded. Other then that never had a problem or worried about anything other then gas. And speaking of gas be carefull as some areas like wyoming the gas stations are along ways apart, if your close to 1/4 fill up.
My .02