As I sit here thinking to myself what do I pack for a motorcycle trip, my last ride comes to mind.

What did I need that I forgot?

What did I bring that I never used or should have left at home?

What did I bring that I didn’t use, but would never leave home without it?

When we leave for vacation, the tendency is to pack everything just in case you might need it. On a motorcycle, this wisdom is failed before you leave your house. I always tell people, “lay out on your bed everything you want to bring, and then put half of it back”. Space and weight on a motorcycle are major considerations. Let’s talk a little about both.

Space

Those riders who ride Gold Wings brag about the travel storage their bike possesses. But without proper planning, they quickly find themselves strapping bags to their back seats also. There is an old saying; saddle bags won’t carry everything you want, but they will carry just about everything you will need.

Weight

First of all, you must consider your bike’s maximum gross weight. Refer to your owner’s manual for this number. Take your body weight and that of your passenger plus that of all the items you are bringing with you (clothes, tools, helmet, jacket, snacks, drinks, luggage bag, etc). Also add to this number any accessories you may have added to your bike. Now add in the weight of fuel and oil and you will have a more realistic number. Add this number to the weight of your empty weight bike and this total is the maximum gross weight. Never exceed the recommended maximum gross weight of your bike.

When packing your bike, always consider placement and the bike’s center of gravity. Strive to keep the bike balanced and the heavier items placed towards the lower parts of the bike. Keep the saddlebags as close to the same weight as possible. This will prevent you from leaning to one side as your go down the road. Never place too much weight on the back of the bike. This can make the front tire light and affect steering.

Finally when packing, don’t forget some of the time proven methods to keep clothes dry and minimum space used. The answer to this is simple: large heavy gauge zip-lock bags. This will allow you to press all the air out and keeps your clothes dry. You can also place your dirty/wet clothing in these to keep your clean clothes clean! Don’t pack too many clothes, you can normally find a washing machine sometime during your trip. Leave a little extra room for that t-shirt you buy also.

Here is a checklist that might help you: http://micapeak.com/checklists/mclist.html

Please consider going to this site and completing the emergency contact checklist and keeping that on your motorcycle/jacket/helmet. http://micapeak.com/tools/medform.html

The Long Trip List

Here’s a list of items (*) you might want to take with you when you’re planning a long trip.

Bungee cords Camera Cell Phone Dry Clothes Duct Tape First Aid Kit

Flashlight Flat Tire Kit or Fix-A-Flat (for motorcycles) Gloves (heavy and light)

Knife Maps/GPS Money Multi-Tool Tire Gauge Tools

Small Roll Toilet Paper Water Toiletries Soft Shoes Extra Oil

*Some of these items may not be required by everyone. Talk with other people in the group to share the responsibility of bringing those items.

Items that you should leave at home:

Expensive Jewelry Fashion Clothes over Safety Heavy Bulky Items

Items you can’t forget:

Medicines (prescription and over the counter) Emergency Contact Numbers

Reading & Sun Glasses Insurance Information (health and motorcycle) Camera

Phone Charger Motorcycle Owners Manual Bike Cleaning Kit

Snack Food Rain Gear Extra Cash and Credit Cards

Sun-Pass

When riding from Florida to northern destinations, remember to dress in layers. This allows you to add/remove clothing based on the current temperature. With multiple layers, you will stay much warmer when the mercury drops down. This works in the reverse as you return home. Modern fabric technology allows us to wear clothing that possesses little bulk but keeps us warm. Always pack your rain gear so you can get to it with minimal effort. You may be taking it on and off several times throughout the day.

Don’t wait until the last minute to pack. Now is the time to assemble what you plan on brining and see how it fits on your bike. Load your bike up the morning/afternoon before your departure. Take your bike out for a ride to see how it handles with all the extra weight. After returning, check to see if items shifted. The morning of departure is not the time to realize something is not right.

Being prepared takes work and time. Planning now will make your time on the bike more rewarding. Check your bike’s fluids, tire pressure, lights, fuses, brakes, etc.

Finally, let someone know your trip schedule and phone number of the hotels/resort you will be staying at. Get plenty of rest the night before the big departure date. Start your motorcycle vacation with a positive attitude and you will be ready for what is thrown your way. Make sure that you have “In Case of Emergency” or ICE number is programmed into your cell phone, just in case.

Ride safe,

Greg Mathes