So you’re thinking of a big trip? Here’s a list of motorcycle travel essentials to make your packing list shorter!
What to pack, how to pack it, what luggage can you use… Debates about packing are endless, and we’ve already written a post about it. Here, we compiled a list of motorcycle travel essentials to make your life easier!
Luggage Capacity
Whichever luggage you choose- soft, hard, DIY – you are guaranteed to fill it. If you don’t want to carry a lot of stuff, just get smaller luggage: this way, you will have to be minimalist about your packing.
Top tip: pack your luggage as if you were riding on a hot summer day. That way, you’ll be 100% full but when you actually start riding, the luggage will get smaller and lighter because you’ll be wearing all your gear.
Bedroom, Kitchen, Office
I carry two soft Mosko Moto panniers and a duffel bag. One of the panniers contain my bedroom (camping gear), one has my kitchen and pantry (cooking stove, a pot, a pan, some dishes, spices, and some food), and the duffel acts as my office: I keep my laptop, notebook, pens and SD cards there. And that’s pretty much all you need for a motorcycle trip, whether it’s a week or a year: if you’ve got your bedroom, kitchen, and office ready, you’re good to go!
Top tip: make sure you invest in good quality gear. It may seem expensive, but in the long run, it works out better: it packs small and light and lasts for years.
Tools and First Aid
Your toolkit, however basic, can save you from being stranded on the road, and there’s no need to stress the importance of a good first aid kit. Do a little research online: there are entire first aid kits available on Amazon and Ebay.
Even if you don’t like working on your bike, make sure you know the basics: oil changes, tire patches, chain lubrication and adjustment. This doesn’t sound like a lot, but maintaining your bike well will definitely pay off!
Top tip: if your stock toolkit doesn’t look like much, try forum message boards: there might be riders looking to sell their old tools, so you can get a quality toolkit for less!
Layers and Comfort Items
I get cold very quickly, so I carry more clothes than my partner. Some people just have to have a camping chair, a tiny espresso machine, or a hairdryer – and that’s OK. Pick one comfort item that you just can’t do without, pack it up, and don’t feel guilty about it!
Top tip: whatever your Comfort Item is, pack it somewhere where you will see it and use it constantly. If it ends up on the bottom of your panniers, re-think whether you actually need it!
What are your motorcycle travel essentials? Let us know in the comments below!