Pulling Trailer with 82 Gold Wing GL1100 in South America
 

I've been looking around on HU for information on pulling trailers with motorcycles and have found very little information. I have to admit that I am a new member and am still finding my way around. I do have lots of questions, but I'm going to start by simply asking what you seasoned adventure motorcyclists have to say about two concepts.

1. Why not pull a trailer on a trip throughout South America? Seems all I see are bikes loaded to the gill which make them top heavy. Wouldn't distributing the weight by pulling a trailer make maneuvering better?

2. I am considering driving my current Honda Goldwing GL1100i and pulling a trailer throughout South America. The bike is in excellent condition with a little over 40,000 miles on it. I've had it a couple of years and have updated timing belts, tires, windshield, starter, and a few other things. I'm the third owner and as you can see from the photo, the bike is in good shape. I hear that you can get over 150,000 miles on these Gold Wings without any major work being done to them.

My plan is to mainly stay on tarmacs wherever possible, but I realize that some of the roads in SA are not quite what we think as being paved. My trip will be slow and thorough with lots of stops to document the people and scenery of South America. I hope to create documentaries on creative people along the way and carrying cameras, lighting, tripods and camping gear is the main reason for pulling a trailer.

Big question is, am I going to regret taking an older heavier (730 lb.) motorcycle with a trailer on this treck?

If I was bringing that much crap with me, I'd drive a car instead: far better security, and easier to park too.

I suggest you load up your GL and trailer (realistically, with as much as you're thinking of bringing along), then find some nice potholed back roads, construction zones, dirt forest roads during rainstorms, nameless tracks across expanses of desert, and other such. See if you can simulate sixteen thousand giant speed bumps while you're at it. Now ride around all day. Don't cheat. At the end of the day, park it in a bad neighborhood and try to figure out how you're going to find a hotel without turning your back on it. Think carefully about whether you'll be able to ride it up the steps to park it in the lobby when that's your only option.

How's that feel? If you like it, by all means go ahead--people ride all kinds of stuff to South America. They just make it work, and some of them seem to be having a good time doing it. Maybe you'll join them.

On the other hand, there's probably a reason virtually all of us decided not to do what you're thinking of doing. You can probably best understand the reasoning behind this if you repeat your experiment on a 650 single. Its advantages will be apparent right around the time you go vaulting gleefully through the first set of potholes, a big smile on your face--the very same potholes which wheel-trapped your GL or its trailer.

Or maybe you'll find you prefer the GL. More power to you.

Mark

I agree with Mark. A 4x4 SUV or Toyota pickup with shell would seem more useful. Air conditioned, easier to park, capable of carrying loads of expensive camera equipment, able to sleep in the back in a pinch.

I saw one Goldwing on my way to Panama and back. No trailer though. I imagine your bike and trailer would make it. It would take a beating and you would have to slow down and take the hundreds of topes (curb-like traffic calming speed bumps) with care.

Will you regret taking a Goldwing and trailer? Quite possibly. It makes me cringe just imagining what a thumping that bike and trailer would take. Or imagining myself towing that thing through rush hour traffic in the third world and how sad I would be not being able to split lanes and thread through traffic with the pizza delivery bikes. Or stuck behind a belching bus on a curvy mountain road in the rain. Or taking a wrong turn up a steep narrow cobblestone street in a village only to reach a dead end. I think I would be cursing a lot.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

It's that bad, eh? So the same would not be said if the trip was here in the U.S.? I do have to say that I've pulled this trailer down dirt roads, back woods roads for camping, and throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway here in North Carolina with no problems. In fact, it handled better then when I packed everything on the bike. Only thing I've noticed is in breaking power. It takes a bit longer to come to a stand still. No problem there. I compensate when following vehicles. I also don't have to worry about my stuff getting stolen because it is all under lock and key. Nothing packed on the outside where it can be easily stolen.

I just didn't know that the roads and hospitality of South America was so bad...

Thanks for the insight Mark.

While I think the "get a 4x4" thing is probbably posted by guys who've never towed with a bike (It's still a bike, 12 hour days and dirt and just the same except it uses more petrol) I'd have to agree with the idea of reducing the load. OK, with two dogs, the wife, BBQ, three days food to avoid wasteing time shopping etc. the outfit and trailer are a great way to see the UK. There is however no way to do this when riding a continent. You'll have to buy food and clothes at some point so why not start on day 1?. Places are cheap compared with the cost of getting there, so forget the huge tent and stove, stay in hotels.

The hassle as the guys above have guessed comes in the form of security (trailers are very much lusted after in poorer countries and impossible to secure) but also with the law. I don't know about South America, but even Spain and Italy have restrictions aimed at 50cc ice cream stands that will have uniformed thugs reaching for the rule book. Will the customs want the trailer to be registered?

Do your research and make sure there isn't a 50 kph speed limit and bans on the major highways.

Good Luck and Enjoy it.

Andy

It's not that it's so bad all the time: it's that so much of the good stuff is so far from the easy riding. You want 100% pavement? You can find it. You just won't see much.

I'll suggest again that you spend a day duplicating riding in difficult conditions. Maybe you've already done this (I don't think so, but maybe); it's different from taking a forest road for a bit in search of a camping spot. Really. Load that trailer and see what it's like.

What you say about security is evidence you're not really grasping the concept. That's ok. Read some blogs and trip reports and see what you think. Search out the ones written by people who traveled with Wings or HD's or other such. If they inspire you, hitch the trailer and hit the road.

Mark

PS: what threewheelbonnie says might be crucial: you can't normally temporarily import two vehicles into, for example, Mexico--subject to some obscure exclusions. That trailer might be considered a vehicle. Look into it.

Thanks Andy for considering my questions and for stating the obvious about the "get a 4x4" response. The reason I posted here is because my research into taking a trailer/bike combo on a tour of South America has turned up very little. I would love to follow/read about other bikers doing similar trips, but I just haven't found any. Maybe I need to post this in the South America forum and see what kind of response I get.

Mark, I would love to read the reports from Goldwingers! I just can't find any. Maybe you could direct me? I'm also a bit curious what experience you've had in South America. What ride did you take and when did you do this?

On another note. I'm not planning on taking the kitchen sink! My consideration is distributing the weight from the rear end of the bike which makes it less maneuverable, to the stability of a trailer. Yes, the trailer has two wheels but is not much wider then many of the bikes with panniers I see bikers using on these trips.

I also wonder what the percentage is of "off road" traveling will be on a SA tour? I don't plan on being 100 percent of the time on pavement. And I've read many posts indicating that the dual purpose bikes used on these continental trips don't actually see off road excursions as much as on tarmacs. Which makes me question the actual comfort of riding those 12 hour days on a dirt bike. Just wondering...

BTW, speaking of gas mileage. I get 42 mpg without the trailer and 40 mpg with the trailer attached and loaded.

Another BTW... I've got about $4,000 into the current setup which includes the bike and trailer. Buying a new adventure bike is going to cost me at least twice that amount. Is it worth it and will I be more comfortable at the end of long day riding? I'd love to hear back from people who have experienced both types of long distance riding.

Again, thanks for the feedback and have a great 2 wheel ride! Nothing like the open air ride on 2 wheels...

I took a quick look and didn't find trip reports by wingers in S.A. I've read at least one account and know of a book, but I'm not willing to put the energy into finding either. I've also read a few accounts of Harley riders in S.A.--they're easier to find, and approximately comparable in certain ways, not in others. I've never seen or heard of anyone with a trailer, but who knows?

The main point I'm trying to make is that you should find a way to check out the riding experience personally before committing too much. If you don't want to do that, don't. If you've already done it, fine. But there are limits to what you can learn by asking here, then telling responders why you don't think what they say applies.

I 've spent about 16 months riding in Central and South America--all countries, most more than once. YMMV.

Mark

I appreciate you taking the time to respond Mark. I hope we haven't gotten off to a rough start. I think your 16 month experience riding in Central and SA is very positive and informative. I am not saying that your responses do not apply. However, starting the responses by telling me to go with a four wheel vehicle is not very productive.

I did find that Emilio Scotto used the same Goldwing albiet 2 years older to set a world travel record. This brings some hope. As to pulling trailers, I've found a couple with a newer GW traveling throughout SA with a much larger trailer then the one I have. They have a YouTube video showing their trip.

I guess as this forum states, there is no specific motorcycle configuration to travel with. Thanks for your input and I apologize if I made you feel your responses do not apply.

Took the time to read your blog and see that you plan to head south and maybe move to Cuenca. It sounds like you have already committed to riding your Goldwing and are wondering about the trailer.

There is absolutely no reason you can't make it to Ecuador with that set up. I did a check and it is possible to transit with a trailer and have it attached to your temporary vehicle import permit. So no problem getting through borders.

Here's the thing. Because of steep import duties most Latin Americans ride 125cc with 250cc bikes being considered large and anything bigger being gawked at. You will stick out like a rich gringo. This may not bother you if you don't mind distancing yourself from the local peeps. But it sounds like you have an interest in filming documentaries of local artisans along the way. Cruising into a small village in the mountains with a Goldwing pulling a trailer will garner the same attention as a Lamborghini Countache in North Carolina.

People will assume you are rich and you will be charged accordingly. Many will want to know how much your bike cost and how fast it will go. You will not likely be waved through the many military roadblocks. Instead being pulled over and questioned out of curiosity.

I am just telling you this from my experiences back when I rode big expensive bikes in Latin America. These things may not bother you.

People think I'm nuts for riding a 250 dirt bike south. I ignore them. I suggest you do the same if you have your heart set on taking your bike and trailer to Ecuador. If it made sense where would the fun be?

Best,
John Downs

I spent the morning reading your great adventure throughout Central America this morning by following your sig. I can see now the benefit of riding a smaller bike. The thing I cringe at as you stated in your report is "riding a stock seat on a 250 thumper will give you an iron butt if you don't already have one". I have to say that I have a tiny flat butt with little meat and muscle on it so thinking of riding for months on end is something I really don't want to consider. I also like wearing a half helmet so I can hear my surroundings and I wonder what the constant loud noise from these small engines would be like. Please don't think I am negating your advice. I honestly believe that taking the trip on a smaller bike most definitely has its benefits.

I'll be 60 in October and have been diligently upgrading my house of 30+years to sell this summer so I can start on my second half of life adventure. If all goes well, I will be moving to SA before years end. I do love my old Goldwing and have a great desire to take it with me. That is why I am posting and researching here and on advrider. I see that you are planning a trip to South America this fall and hope that we can meet along the way. Please do stay in touch and I wish you the best on your journey throughout SA.

BTW, if all goes as planned, I'll have room for your tent in my trailer... ;-)

You'll have room for my bike in your trailer! And with your fabricating and artistic skills I can see a chaise attached to the top of the trailer so I can lounge and sip drinks while you tow me to Ecuador.

Or am I being too forward?

In all seriousness, although we are the same age, your needs are much different than mine. There is no perfect bike. I look forward to meeting you down the road. Best luck selling your house.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

No John, you are not being too forward. I can visualize you on top of the trailer with a sun roof laid back taking sips from a margarita with an orange slice on a skewer...

I've been around the block a few times. I don't think we are that much different. I'm not a carpenter but being a blacksmith for 25+ years has given me some mechanical skills, and a thick skin. Maybe not on my arse, but on my hands and figuring out how to tinker with stuff has been useful. I think we are both looking for the same things. Mostly enjoying the true beauty of what life has to offer...

to down the road my friend,
enrique vega

Winging it in South America
 

QuiQue, thanks for your Mayan calendar 2012 comments.

I can only speak from the experiences of riding a Honda NX400 Falcon (GREAT)

and an older Harley Sportster, in South America, I would not suggest

the Harley for South America - I would stick with a real overland tourer or a

duel purpose motorcycle.

1. The NX400 was larger than most of the locals bikes I encountered, but still blended in well and did not draw undue and unwanted attention. This might be your biggest headache - especially towing a trailer.

It is very comforting to know that South American Honda dealers stock all NX400 replacement parts on hand or have them available within a day or two. I doubt this would be true for Gold Wing parts.

2. If you want to do the high Andes and ride the route I recommended to you on the 2012 Mayan calendar thread - it would be my advice not to do it on the Honda Gold Wing towing a trailer. Even on our smaller NX400s we were often pressed up against cliff faces - facing oncoming traffic -while , horses, burros, mico buses and even small trucks occupied the width of the grave/dirt road.

3.A Canadian couple just rode from Canada to Buenos Aires, on their 2005 Gold Wing - 2 up without trailer and reported to me they had a great trip.

I do not know exactly what their route was, but if you PM me I will send you their e-mail address and you can query them directly - about your concerns. They are going to continue their journey later this year - all the way to Ushuaia.

4. I have often thought that motorcycles are worn - like clothing - and every rider feels more or less comfortable, depending on individual tastes - a Gold Wing can make it throughout South America (as proven by my parking clients) - it just depends on the route, your interest in traveling, and more importantly who you are and what you are about. My Spanish lady, started our South American journey on a Honda XR250 Tornado - but quickly traded up to a new NX400 Falcon. Keep in mind trading foreign registered motorcycles up or down is very tricky, if not impossible in South America.

5. I have watched in amazement as men and women fly into B A buy new Honda 125 cc motorcycles, tour Argentina ( and even beyond) for a month or two - sell, and then fly home with a pocket full of cash, completely satisfied with their tour. I guess it really isn't the size that counts.

Ride Hard, Ride Free

but more importantly be true to yourself.

xfiltrate

xfiltrate, I sent you a private message a couple of days ago and haven't heard back from you. If you didn't get it, let me know so I can figure out a way to send it again.

Thanks for your feedback. Brings hope that I may be okay driving my old Goldwing to South America. Maybe even pull the trailer. We will see...

Safety Aspect
 

I realize it's anecdotal but I've heard a number of stories about trailers causing accidents and I did come across an example on a gravel section (under repair) of the Alaska Highway. This fellow was towing with a Wing when the trailer began to fishtail in the gravel and pulled the bike down. He was fortunate to be lightly injured and to be reasonably close to a lodge when it happened.

Towing off pavement seems to have some issues.

I've never pulled a trailer but I had 2 Goldwings in my distant past. The first one I rode all over Mexico (where I live) and put about 150,000 miles on it. It was a big bike at the time but looks quite small now. It was a first year model, unfaired and with no luggage. I then had an Interstate which I didn't ride a lot but it was also a good bike. My brother rides a Goldwing in England and pulls a trailer with it. The roads there are pretty narrow and he says he doesn't even know it is there.
You can always unhitch the trailer leave it somewhere for a couple of hours, days, weeks and explore the country side.
If you make it to Mexico City, which I am sure many people will tell you to avoid like the plague because of the mad traffic, you are welcome to stay with us. We have had 2 couples visit us on Ural sidecar outfits which to me seem more of a challenge than a Goldwing pulling a trailer.
Good luck and travel safe.
Garry

Peter & Kay Forwood toured through all countries of the world on a Harley ElectraGlide (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/) and Sjaak Lucassen toured around the world on a Yamaha R1 (http://www.sjaaklucassen.nl/index.php?lang=en) because these were the bikes they liked.
Not the most obvious RTW bikes but they did it.

You will regret it! Did South America Nov and Dec of last year (on a BMW 1200 GSA) and I would say the following;
- if you are expecting only to ride on tramac you will have to leave a lot out. Many of the major routes through many countries (Peru, Bolivia, Columbia etc) have frequent and long stretches of unpaved road - at best that awful corrugated surface or gravel, or at worst sand!
- Even decent tarmac roads have surfaces and potholes like you wouldn't believe - potholes that will drop you if you hit them. Navigating such surfaces requires agility and max manoeuvrability. That idea that you could get that with a trailer behind you!!
Get yourself a decent mid size adventure bike and pack light

Thanks Brian for taking the time to reply. Seems there is much to consider for touring South America. On one hand, there is the idea of riding in comfort and packing in a secure locked trailer so nothing is left out for someone to consider taking, and then on the other hand, going light with little to carry and more dependent on staying in hostels and towns worrying about anything that is not secured in panniers. There's also the concern of riding on a loud hard seating bike that will get you around the potholes and rough roads. Lots to consider...

BTW, how was the ride on that big 1200 GS? Smooth or rough?

Riding a GoldWing in South America with a trailer
 

Qui Que

If riding your Goldwing through South America towing a trailer is your dream go for it. Everyone has advice, but the only choice that's right in the end is the one you make for yourself.

In '79 my wife and I rode our 1976 LTD Wing towing a 6ft x4ft trailer from Alaska to Brazil. We spent 3 years on the road and covered 200,000kms. That bike took us through rivers, deserts, mountains & non existent roads...and we carried the kitchen sink. In that time all we had happen was a hole in the oil filter and a burst airline. I patched the oil filter with a coke can and scrounged an aerial off a passing truck driver to fashion a new one. A GoldWing might not be everyone's idea of the way to do Sth America but I sure as heck couldn't fault the machine for comfort or reliability and we had the best experience of our lives.

If I had the time I could give you more details, but most of what you need to know you'll learn on the road. I'm currently riding my 1910 FN motorcycle from Nepal to Belgium. 10,000kms so far through India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania & now Hungary. Plenty of people said the FN wasn't built for this kind of travel either, but I'm having a ball proving them wrong and I'm only 69!

Men do not stop playing because they grow old, they grow old because they stop playing - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ron
Old Bloke on a Bike | Travels of an old guy on an old bike, from one side of the world to the other

Ron, you are one impressive old bloke! Thank you so much for giving me hope. I just browsed through your latest travel blog and have to say that I am blown away at what you are doing and the bike that you are doing it with!

I just know you are having the best time of your life and that you are someone all of us older geezers can look up to.

Thanks again for the encouraging words.

Big, big machine, QuiQue ...
 

Hello, I live in Argentina, your moto is very nice, and you can go for all the countries in South America without problems, but only in Highways, national routes, and not too much more. You cannot go to a lot of very nice places with that moto. Probably you can´t find motorcycle parts for your moto !!! I have a 1800 GL , I love it .... but I used it only in Europe, here I used GS ´BMWs, or RT .

Pulling trailer with Gold Wing in South America
 

See here's what I mean - everyone has an opinion. Maybe some people feel comfortable only riding Highways and National routes and that's okay, but to say someone else can't get to other nice places on a GoldWing is pure speculation. I remember parts of Central & Sth America being incredibly challenging but these also were often the most rewarding. Yes, there's gravel and corrugations and there's sand in many places, but your level of skill and confidence will dictate what you're comfortable doing and what you're not.

True, it's helpful to know spare parts might not be available, but you can have them sent DHL to any part of the world. If you get to know your bike, practice riding in all conditions with a trailer and learn a few useful mechanical skills before you leave, then there's a good chance you'll find the ride isn't as hard as you imagined. Being given advice can sometimes be a godsend, especially when it's given in the spirit of helping a fellow rider, but other times it's a pain in the butt because it just gets in the way of living our dreams.

QuiQue do your own thing and enjoy it. How does anyone know "you'll regret it" because they did? Lynne & I loved it and I'll bet there's plenty like us, so who gets to decide? Even if your trip through Sth America turns out to be not what you expected, it's been a life experience. Sadly there's not enough people having them these days. I didn't even pick up a map this trip til I hit Europe and now I spend too much time looking at the map instead of enjoying the scenery. My wife meanwhile is following me on buses, trains, & hitching rides from one country to another while many her age are playing lawn bowls. Nothing wrong with bowls, but it doesn't happen to ring her bell.

Ask yourself, will your experience be the same as the next guy even if you're on the same bike, on the same road, with the same colored tent? At the end of the day will you give a rusty nail if it is or it isn't? The best person to give you advice is yourself. Listen to your instinct and if it feels wrong it usually is. Otherwise just go for it.

1 + for the opinion here above (oldblokeonabike)
variety is the spice of live!

Good Luck and saludos.

I appreciate the feedback docrafita, but I'm wondering if you realize the difference between your 1800 GL and my 1100 GL. You have a much bigger goldwing my friend! One of the things I like about this older 1982 bike is that it is smaller and much lighter than the newer GoldWings. My biggest concern right now is the air suspension and am seriously considering replacing both front and back shocks with manual controlled shocks. The other thing is to put better tires on it. Maybe something between off-road and street tires?

I haven't done the research and will likely go to one of the Goldwing specific web sites to see what the classic goldwingers have to say about the subject. Anyone here with recommendations for shocks and tire mods for the Goldwing will be greatly appreciated.

In weighing all the different situations for this trip, and realizing that I have no desire to do "off-road" trailblazing, I've come to the conclusion that 90% of my biking experience will be on tarmacs and gravel roads. I believe that if I'm going to be on this bike for 6 months or more that it will be important to travel with as much comfort as possible.

Please realize this is an older Goldwing. One that does not have all the modern electronics and fancy looks. That is why I really like my 1982 Goldwing Interstate. Its solid, light for the power it has (1100cc) and proven as a low maintenance bike. I know parts will be virtually impossible to find, but that is nothing new because it is the same here in the states. Thats were the beauty of the Internet comes in. The key is prepping and knowing what the bike is and what it can do before taking this trip.

It's a mechanical love relationship that I have with my Baby Jane. I know her inside and out ;-)

For more then ten years I had a GoldWing GL1200. A nice bike that I also used on dirtroads. No heavy off-roading but it was doing fine.

After some other bikes like a Sportster and a BMW F650GS, I bought a GoldWing again. Now a GL1500/6 but after a year I sold it again. It was perfect on tarmac but for me it was to big to ride dirtroads. I'm sure some people will do it on a 1500/1800 but I'm not that good.

Now I bought a BMW R1100GS and I am very happy with it but I know that with a GL1200 (or a GL1100) you can do a lot more off the tarmac then on the bigger 1500 and 1800 Goldwings.

Wow Jan, I just went to your blog and toured all the bikes you've owned. I'm quite impressed! Of all the bikes you've owned, which would you say is your favorite for long tours? Which one is/was the most dependable?

trailer with 82 Gold Wing Gl1100 in South America
 

QuiQue - because our GoldWing had spoked wheels and not a comstar which I assume yours has, I spoked a Volkswagon rim for the rear wheel knowing I could pick up these anywhere in SA. My suggestion is stick with the tyres you have – our front tyre never gave us any trouble whatsoever. We had an onboard compressor that I fitted S&W rear air shocks to and also had air caps on the front forks, but this was in the early eighties and I’m sure there’s better gear available these days.
In response to the poster whose suggestion against taking an expensive bike & trailer because it leaves you vulnerable to thieves, is that in my experience of three years on the road was only a pair of sunglasses left on the bike seat one time disappeared. And yes people ask questions, “what’s the bike worth, how old are you, where are you from, where are you going, do you like our country” – that’s called curiosity.
I have to confess that as well as the kitchen sink (quite literally), we had a tank carrying 30 litres of water fitted under the trailer, along with a 12 volt refrigerator, and on top an EM500 Honda generator, 2 jerry cans with 40 litres of spare fuel, spare front & rear tyres, an awning that made our camper trailer into a 12ft x 9ft 2 roomed tent. The camper had a double bed always set up. I suspect many of you will think I was totally daft hauling bike and equipment that weighed all up ¾ ton, but we were planning on being on the road for years, rather than weeks, so comfort above all else was our criteria.
My point is, there is no right or wrong way to travel. I’m now on a much lighter bike, have a fraction of the gear, but it’s a totally different experience. It’s not half as comfortable for a start. I have fabulous memories of my GoldWing & trailer adventure all those years ago, including that we were the first motorcyclists to travel the newly opened Carraterra Austral in Chile. QuiQue, you sound like a guy who is well prepared and open to the challenge of whatever South America has to offer. Buena suerte amigo! :thumbup1:

Muchas gracias amigo! I love what you did on that trip. Sounds like you had one heck of a comfortable trip. I don't think I will go to that extent, but I'm feeling much better about the idea of taking the trailer now.

You mentioned you set up air shocks for your Goldwing. Mine have them built in stock, but I was under the impression that air shocks are not as good as having a manual adjuster. I've noticed that I must have a very slow air leak on my rear shocks because I have to add air every couple of weeks. It's not a real problem, but I was thinking that it may get worse as I travel on rough roads on a daily basis. I did buy a 12v portable air compressor that plugs into the lighter thinking it would be a valuable tool to have to keep the tires and shocks properly inflated. Do you have any recommendations on shocks? Maybe I'm okay with the ones I currently have?

I hope the BMW I have now is the most dependable :mchappy:
The BMW R60/5 was very dependable and so was my first GoldWing GL1200 Interstate. My second Harley-Davidson XLH883 Sportster was a very good bike and except for one electrical incident on a trip in Luxembourg, I was very happy with the BMW F650GS that I made some nice trips on.

My favourites for long tours are the GoldWings and BMW's because they are comfortable, reliable and can carry a lot of luggage in lockable panniers.

QuiQue

My compressor was one that fitted into the cigarette lighter also and it worked really well. Though given the fact your shocks are leaking, albeit slowly, I'd be inclined to change them now for the manually adjusted ones, especially as these may be difficult to locate once you leave the US.

Ron

Old Bloke on a Bike | Travels of an old guy on an old bike, from one side of the world to the other