LAB-99-What things should you pack for a long motorcycle trip/ride? | Plus Tips & Tricks

motorcycle trip packing overloaded safety artPodcast-There are so many things to think about before heading out for a long motorcycle trip.  It is important to pack key items, but not too many unnecessary items. And so, it becomes a delicate balance.  We all know how limited space can be when traveling on a motorcycle. That is also one of the reasons we love it so much. Pack what you can fit on your bike and ride into the sunset! Free your mind and soul!

This episode is spawned from an internet voicemail we received from audience member David Schwartz from Isreal. He is planning a long motorcycle ride here in the United States very soon and wanted to know what to pack. He wanted our thoughts, experience, and insight into packing for motorcycle trips and that's exactly what we give everyone in this podcast episode.

David Schwartz of Israel also mentioned how pleased he was with our Harley oil change and maintenance video. He has saved a ton of money doing his own oil changes and routine maintenance.

We dive deep into this topic and it will make you think for sure. You might even refine what you pack yourself. This episode was also a live broadcast and we had much input via audience participation over on our Live Page. We appreciate all the Patron Members of Law Abiding Biker™ Media in the live chat.

Being prepared for that long motorcycle trip is very important. We here at LAB Media have changed things throughout the years of riding from both good and bad experiences and we share it all with you. Not being properly prepared can make a trip miserable and take the fun out of it. What are you packing for your next motorcycle trip? Leave your thoughts and comments below this article.

Save this page, so you can use it as a reference in the future. We will be adding things over time and keep it up to date for you! It is completely free to you Bikaholics!

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List of Items to Pack for Your Motorcycle Trip:

  1. Full Face Helmet
    1. Helps reduce rider fatigue substantially
      1. Resource: https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/schuberthc3
      2. Keeps the sun from burning nose and face with tinted visor etc.
      3. Great for rain and cold weather
  2. Half or 3/4 helmet
    1. Make sure you have a protective face mask for rain or hail
      1. Rain hits your face like gravel
      2. Hail storm is even worse
      3. Have a good pair of riding goggles/glasses for these conditions
  3. Many bikers pack both a full face for the long day rides and a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet for shorter local rides
  4. Good riding glasses for wearing with 1/2 or 3/4 helmets
  5.  A good thick riding jacket
    1. Resource: https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/harleyilluminationjacket
    2. Best to be water proof or water resistant
    3. Zip out liners are great
    4. Vents on jacket for different conditions is also nice
    5. You may wear a leather jacket instead
      1. If you wear a leather jacket then definitely make sure you have great rain gear (covered below)
  6. Leather vest for warmer rides or light riding jacket
  7. Chaps
    1. Resource for packing chaps, so they don't take up much room
      1. Chap Pack
      2. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/chappack
  8. Good riding jeans or pants
  9. Riding gloves
  10. Good riding shirts
    1. Moisture wicking are great for hot days
  11. Sweatshirts and light jackets for layering (colder weather)
    1. Have several shirts to layer for cold weather riding
  12. Heated gear
    1. Resource for heated gear
      1. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/firstgear
    2. Heated vest liner
    3. Heated pants (or heated seat)
      1. Resource for heated seat
        1. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/harleyhammock
    4. Heated socks
    5. Heated gloves (or heated grips)
      1. Resource for installing heated grips on your Harley Davidson (you'll love them)
        1. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/harleyheatedgrips
  13. Good quality Motorcycle Specific Rain Gear (Don't buy cheap regular everyday rain gear or you'll pay)
    1. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/olympiaraingear
  14. Good quality Riding Travel Bag if no trunk
    1. Most sit over your passenger backrest and strap down
  15. Socks, underwear, shirts, pants, and shoes for around town if staying for several days at a location
    1. Resource for packing socks, shirt and underwear
      1. Clothes Pack
      2. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/clothespack
  16. Hats & beanies
    1. Stocking hats-beanie (for cold conditions)
    2. Baseball hats (if you wear them)
  17. Toiletries
    1. Things such as toothbrush, shave kit, deodorant, etc
      1. Small travel size items can be purchased to save space
  18. Medications
    1. Any medications you take
    2. Ibuprofen etc for those headaches
  19. Good quality sunblock & chapstick
    1. Spray on type is most convenient for bikers
      1. Quick and easy to apply at stops
    2. Face sunblock sticks are great too
    3. Put on multiple coats of sunblock throughout the day
  20. Allergy/Emergency
    1. EpiPen as an example
      1. Allergic to bee stings as an example
    2. Other riders in group should know where you keep it for emergency application
  21. A small tool kit to fix minor issues
  22. A few small rags for fuel spills on gas tank etc
  23. Any cleaners & rags to wipe bugs off windshield etc
  24. Tents, sleeping bag, pillow etc if not staying in hotels
  25. Smartphone & necessary chargers
    1. Law Abiding Biker App installed
      1. To listen to podcasts while riding
    2. Access to the Law Abiding Biker website
      1. To search for things should a question arise
  26. GPS devices or physical maps
    1. Maps loaded and ready to go
    2. Resource for Harley Boom Box Infotainment System and integrated GPS
      1. Complete Tutorial Series Here
      2. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/harleyboombox
  27. Extra bungee cords & motorcycle cargo type net
    1. For securing things to your motorcycle
    2. Extras, because they do break at times
  28. Emergency snacks & fluids
    1. In case long distance between food
    2. Or if you get held up in traffic jams or road closures
      1. I carry granola & almonds in saddlebag
      2. Several extra water bottles in saddlebags
  29. If riding in group
    1. Emergency contact number for spouses/family etc should something happens
  30. Any hotel confirmation or reservation info
    1. I keep it on my smartphone
  31. Possible Misc. Items
    1. Camera/still photography
    2. Video camera equipment
  32. Make sure you have a fresh oil change and safety maintenance has been done recently
    1. Get our #1 best selling Harley Davidson Routine Maintenance and Oil Change Tutorial Video

Quick Tip and Tricks:

  • Pack lighter:
    • You can pack lighter if you know where laundry services are at in a town you may be staying in
    • Schedule to clean or for someone to clean your laundry while passing through
    • You can pack much lighter this way and use clothes again
  • Souveniers & Purchased Items:
    • Remember that if you buy things on your trip to stop by UPS or USPS and have them shipped back home
    • They will be there when you return home
    • You don't have to pack them around this way and are not as limited on the amount of items you can purchase

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