Moto Packing List for Long Trips

Moto Packing List for Long Trips

I’ve been planning our 21-day Moto-tour for the last couple of months. This is my first long ride with my wife so I wanted to be prepared. It’s now 3 weeks away and time to have a complete packing list. I am going to follow a few tips that I’ve been hearing about, plus a few that are important to me. I’ll be packing for two, so packing efficiently and thoroughly is going is essential.

1. Try to pack as light as possible without leaving out necessary items
2. Do a test pack and lay everything out for a week. Walk by every day and see what you can remove to lighten the load. You’ll be amazed how well this trick works.
3. Rain gear and cold weather gear should always be included (it’s always good to be comfortable when riding)
4. Keep some spare space to allow for ‘extras’ along the way
5. Make sure the tool kit is up to date and is appropriate for the trip

I’ve added a couple of items that I want to ensure are on the list

1. Medical supplies (I am diabetic so this is a big one, but typical medical supplies are a good idea for anyone)
2. Hiking clothes and shoes (we plan on taking our time and not just blasting through nice spots)
3. Batter power! I have a laptop, iPhone, GPS, Bluetooth helmet communicators that need daily charging

 

Here is what it looks like on the bike. Everything included and more…

Below, I have gear and stuff for two. My wife is flying to Vegas, where I’ll pick her up and we’ll begin our moto tour. That means I’ll bring her stuff and most of her gear with me. I like it. I hope it means that I’ll have extra luggage space after she joins me and we begin our trip. Note: to tell you the truth, there isn’t much extra space as we start our trip. It’s amazing how much stuff you can decide to take with you on trips! I tend to travel fairly light, but even with that, there is always stuff that you’ll never use.
Storage Capacity: 2 Saddlebags with functional lowers, Tour Pak (2500 ci.), Harley prem. rack bag  (20.5 x 13 x 9.5)

Download the Excel Spreadsheet:    Packing List Touring Ride

I lay everything on the floor.

Top Right Quarter:

Black empty travel bag (never used this), blue handy bag with medical and other on hand items (I’ll list this below), bug spray, multi-tool, Orange hydration pack (2L capacity), rags, below the blue handy bag is a black plastic pouch with cold gear/liners, hiking shoes, black thermal shirt, black rain lowers, light gray jacket and tour pack rack bag (lockable).

Bottom Right Quarter:

Black with white lettering travel pouch with battery chargers, Ziplock bag with toilet paper and wet wipes, Light hats, camera, hand towels (we take one hand towel and one regular towel), 3 t-shirts, 1-long sleeve shirt, 1-flannel shirt, 1 waterproof shirt, small packs of Kleenex, paper maps, burn gel, other medical supplies and toiletries, extra contact lens, lip balm, laundry soap

Bottom Left Quarter:

Light riding jacket, riding pants, heavy riding jacket, swimming trunks, short pants, belt, glasses, emergency contact list, other clothes for wife (already packed in the black saddlebag)

Top Left Quarter:

Riding boots, heavy jacket, hiking sport shoes, chaps, heavy gloves, tennis shoes (too many shoes?), cold hats, socks, GoPro and accessories in black and red pouch, charging cables, binoculars, umbrella, short rope, light plastic pouch with rain gear (light weight), lite gloves

 

What goes in my upper area of my soft bag for daily use?  It’s the top area of my Harley rack bag and is a non-lockable area: extra gloves, lip balm, snacks, flashlight, neck cooling filled bandanas, gear cable lock, maps, extra GoPro batteries, sun glasses, rag to clean helmet shields, plastic cleaner spray one bungee cord.

Blue bag list: this bag contains items that should be handy, but not in the upper soft bag that is for daily / hourly items: Quick need medical supplies, burn patch and ointment, multi-tool, playing cards,

Tool Kit goes in bottom of left saddlebag: appropriate tools for Harley (torx, allen, a few wrenches, spark plug and screw drivers), tire repair kit and inflation canisters, adjustable wrench, pliers, plastic zip ties. Also included in the tools area are SAE jumper cable, wire, duct tape, electrical tape.

 

The stock Harley tool kit is augmented with a few extra tools to make it complete. It still packs very small and fits nicely in the extended bottom space of my saddlebag.

 

I add theTorx set, vice-grips, zip-ties, assorted wrenches, and a spark plug socket.

 

The complete set. Not really prepared for ANY emergency, but enough to get me back on the road to get help. You can’t see the wire, duct tape, etc. I pack that separately.

 

Tire tool kit included compressed air and I added the electronic air gauge. I hope that I’ll never need to use this, but nice to know I have it. The tire tool allows me to use a hand drill, plug, and compressed air to get me back on the road.

 

I am also attaching the check off spreadsheet that I use with the complete list. You can use and modify to suit your personal needs. I’d love to hear suggestions too.

Safe Travels!

Rod