This post has been copied from my post on RiderzLaw.com

I have ridden the PCH trip from San Diego to Vancouver twice now and feel it’s about time I wrote up a report on the matter. Rather than writing about just one, or splitting them into separate stories, I’ll include some light details of each along with photographs. This first installment is about the preparation work that went into getting my bikes ready for the journey.

2011 Ride: 2005 Honda VTX1300s (solo)

2012 Ride: 1997 Honda VF750c (with passenger)

I always prep on the light side. Some people are very good at decking their bikes out with the best amenities around. You’ll find heated grips, full windscreen, maybe some type of media setup, GPS, expensive luggage setup, etc. etc. I’m nowhere near this level. In both instances I took bikes equipped for local rides and for less than $300 designed a cheap motorcycle touring setup ready for the 3500 mile journeys. If you’re on a budget, here’s the skinny on how to stretch your dollar to the limit.

Luggage:

Universal saddlebags from ebay.

• 2011 Ride: $42.99 5 piece bag set bought off ebay and built with leather remnants. Full set which included two bags for the back as well as a sissy bar/luggage rack bag.
• 2012 Ride: $76.29 bags bought off ebay and built with pleather like material. Too large for my bike but I made it work. 2011 setup was superior.

When I purchased my leather saddlebag set it was a 5 piece, but it seems most are now 7 pieces

Pillion Seat/Sissy bar/luggage rack.

• 2011 Ride: $120 off ebay
• 2012 Ride: $123 off ebay

Longevity tip: Wax your ebay sissy-bar set to resist rust

Accessories:

12 volt outlet.

• 2011 Ride: <$10 from Walmart
• 2012 Ride: <$10 from Walmart

12 volt power outlet is standard issue from Walmart. I hid mine in a tool compartment

Cell phone/gps/iPod mount.

• 2011 Ride: $17.40 x 2 from Amazon (Arkon SM432)
• 2012 Ride: Did not use them

If you want a HUD then opt-in on a handlebar mount for your gadgets

Comfort:

Windscreen.

• 2011 Ride: $66.45 off ebay (Generic Spitfire)
• 2012 Ride: $67.99 off ebay (Generic Spitfire)

This windscreen isn’t fantastic, but for a small price it does wonders

TOTAL

• 2011 Ride: $272.24
• 2012 Ride: $275.28

That’s it! Some people will find value in spending money on other stuff, but really this is about as much as you’ll need. Utilizing this setup I used bungees to tie my sleeping bag down to the luggage rack but that was about the long and short of it. Here are photos of my setups the day I began my rides.

2011 Setup: 2005 Honda VTX1300s Ready for touring

2012 Setup: 1997 Honda VF750c Ready for touring