If you’re new to the world of motorcycle touring, the idea of packing for a long ride might be daunting. But don’t worry — it’s not as hard as it seems. The main thing is to know what you’ll need and make sure you’ve got everything ready before you leave. So we’ve put together this checklist to help break down what goes into a successful motorcycle adventure trip:
A Map
Maps are essential to any successful motorcycle ride. They will help you find your way and also give you good ideas about places to stop and rest, eat, or sleep.
Maps can be used in different ways as well:
- If you’re lost, a map can show you where you are. Just look at the map and see if it looks familiar—or does it look like the place on the map? You may not know where exactly but at least now you have a direction of travel.
- If there are no roads or signs then use a compass! A compass is an instrument that helps locate north (the direction from which weather comes), south (the direction toward which plants grow) and east/west directions by using magnetic fields generated by Earth itself. It works no matter what your location is on Earth as long as there isn’t anything blocking its path such as metal objects etc…and best of all they’re cheap enough that anyone could afford one!
Battery Charger
A battery charger is a must-have for any motorcyclist. It’s small, portable and will give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to get back on the road if your bike ever dies in the middle of nowhere. Battery chargers can be purchased at any auto parts store and are relatively inexpensive.
You should use your battery charger every time you park your bike for an extended period of time (more than one day). It’ll help keep the battery from draining over time, which can lead to issues with starting up again later on down the road. If your battery dies while riding or parking overnight, it could take several hours to fully charge before being able to start up again—which can leave you stranded if there isn’t anyone around who has jumper cables or a similar item available!
It’s critical that bikers bring along a small plastic box to store their chargers in while traveling long distances so they don’t get lost or damaged during transit since they’re not waterproof like other items such as helmets or jackets tend to be
Tires
Motorcycle tires are the only thing between your bike and the road. They’re one of the most important pieces of equipment on your bike, and they account for more than 50% of your bike’s total weight. If you have a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, you’re going to have a bad time.
Tires are also one of the most expensive pieces of equipment on your motorcycle, so it’s worth taking some time to choose what kind will work best for you before buying them.
There are many different types available ranging from all-season street tires like those found on sport bikes to track racing slicks designed for maximum acceleration at high speeds while cornering (which means they won’t last long). You may also want something with higher mileage when touring because these will give better grip over long distances or reduce stress on other parts like suspension which can be damaged by poor traction conditions (e.g., potholes).
Tool Kit & First Aid Kit
- Tool kit. A good tool kit is one of the most essential items you can bring on a motorcycle tour. Tools can be used for everything from repairing a tire to tightening bolts on your bike’s bodywork, so make sure you include these items:
- Tire irons and spare inner tubes (don’t forget the valve caps!)
- Multi-tool with pliers, screwdrivers, and other necessary tools including hammer or mallet (make sure it has an adjustable wrench attachment)
- Adjustable wrench with ¼” socket size
- Cable ties (small and medium) to secure wiring harnesses or hoses in place if something comes loose during travel
- First Aid Kit. You should be carrying some basic items in your first aid kit at all times; this includes bandages for small cuts/scrapes as well as larger gauze pads for larger wounds like deep cuts that require more coverage than just a standard adhesive bandage will provide. To complete this list of essentials keep all your medications organized into labeled Ziploc bags so they won’t get mixed up with others!
Extra Fuel
Extra fuel is a necessary part of any motorcycle touring trip. It can be one of the heaviest items in your pack, so it’s important to pack it carefully and make sure you have enough room for everything else you need.
The most important thing about extra fuel is that you don’t run out! Riding with an empty tank can be dangerous – running out of gas can lead to engine damage or even a deadly accident on the road.
Putting extra fuel in your bike’s saddlebags or tank bags is also handy if you need to stop along the way and refuel on the road (which might not always be possible). It goes without saying that this has its benefits when traveling abroad as well – especially if there are no gas stations in sight, or if those available charge exorbitant prices for their services.
Your bike may only have limited capacity for carrying extra fuel, so make sure that whatever amount of storage space you decide on isn’t going to limit your other essentials like food and clothing (or even worse: leave them behind!).
Comfortable Riding Gear
- Pants and boots: You’ll be spending a lot of time in the saddle, so make sure your pants fit properly. They should allow you to move freely, and they should be sized so that they don’t chafe or bunch up at the knees. (And if possible, try them on before buying.)
- Jacket: You’ll also want a warm jacket for when it gets chilly out (or just as an extra layer). Being prepared for varying temperatures is key when riding across countries with different climates!
- Gloves: It’s important to have some kind of hand protection while you’re moving along at high speeds (and even standing still), and gloves will also help protect your hands from any debris you may encounter on your trip.
- Sunscreen: We know how much fun it is to take pictures of yourself in exotic locations, but think twice before snapping away if you’re going to be exposed directly to sunlight for long periods of time without any sunscreen protection on!
Sunglasses/Goggles & Earplugs
As you’re exploring your surroundings, you’ll want to protect your eyes from dust and debris. Motorcycle goggles are a great way to do this. They also protect against wind noise, which can be a problem for long-distance riders.
While there are many manufacturers and styles of motorcycle goggles and helmets that meet these needs, we recommend Shoei or Arai for their comfort and design quality.
If you plan on doing some traveling on the road, don’t forget to bring along a good map—it’s one of the most important tools in navigation! And if you’ve ever had trouble finding places while traveling (who hasn’t?), then we highly recommend using GPS technology as well; it’s worth it just so that everyone can get back home safely!
GPS Navigation System or Smartphone Mount
A GPS navigation system or smartphone mount is an essential item for motorcycle touring. GPS systems are great for long distance riding, and a smartphone mount works well for short distance riding. Make sure you have a mount that is compatible with your phone and be sure to bring along a charger for the battery life of your device! There are many different types of mounts available, including handlebar mounts, top tank mounts and more. Some can even double as dash cams! Consider purchasing one if you’re worried about getting into an accident while on the road! Many motorcycle GPS units also include dash cams so this option can save you money as well!
Spare Clutch Cable & Spark Plugs
- Spare clutch cable.
- Spare spark plugs. You don’t want to run out of gas and be stranded with a dead bike, but you also don’t want your engine to stop working because of bad spark plugs.
- Spare fuses/fuse kit (we use an Anderson PowerPulse Fuse Kit). A fuse going out can be dangerous for your bike and for you—it could lead to an electrical fire or other problems that can take days or weeks to fix if they happen far from home, which means not having a ride while they’re being repaired. That’s why it’s so important not just to have spares but also know how they work so that if something goes wrong with one there’s no panic involved when replacing it!
- Light bulbs: If any lights aren’t working then replace them immediately before hitting the road again so that other drivers aren’t blinded by bright lights shining directly into their eyes; otherwise someone might rear-end you without knowing what happened until it’s too late! It wouldn’t hurt either way though since these items are cheap anyway; just make sure everything works properly before heading out again tomorrow morning early in case anything else breaks down during overnight riding conditions (which tend toward colder temperatures) than normal daytime temperatures would create.”
Extra Light Bulbs, Fuses and Hefty Zip-Ties (or Duct Tape)
Electrical troubleshooting is one of the most common issues that can ruin your trip. The best way to avoid this? Bring extra light bulbs and fuses! When you’re on the road, it’s easy to forget about something like a blown bulb or burnt-out fuse. Make sure you have plenty of spares in case something goes wrong.
A good alternative to zip ties is duct tape (or any other kind of tape). Though it may seem a bit old-fashioned now, duct tape can still be useful for fixing leaks and making temporary repairs until you’re able to find a tool shop. You also might want some cables so that you don’t have to worry about losing signal or power when charging up your devices—which could happen if an animal chews through the wires!
Last but not least: don’t forget your tools! Having the right tools for your motorcycle will ensure that everything runs smoothly while touring around town (and even across countries). It’ll also save money since they won’t need replacing anytime soon compared with more expensive models from specialty stores sold at higher prices than those found at hardware stores typically found near gas stations (just make sure they’re compatible before purchasing anything!).
Take all the things.
There is a lot of debate about what to pack for a motorcycle tour. Some people pack light, bringing only the essentials, and some people go all-out with tons of extra clothing and gadgets. I’ve done both and found that neither method works as well as just taking everything you own.
You can’t predict what you’ll need. You might think it’s hot when you leave but then get stuck in a cold rainstorm later on, or vice versa: it could be raining when you start out but dry up later on in the day. It’s better to have more than enough than not enough—the worst thing that can happen is having to buy things while traveling locally rather than from home (which will cost more money).
Conclusion
The best part of riding is that you get to do it for yourself. But don’t worry—if you need help, there are plenty of other people out there who can lend a hand. Just remember that you never know when something might go wrong on the road, so be prepared and pack accordingly.
