Motorcycle Views

If you do much touring on your motorcycle, you'll need to get organized. Here are a few tips on packing your motorcycle for a trip. Use these tips in conjunction with the packing list provided on this site.

• Always work from a printed packing list that you can take with you. This site has a Motorcycle Packing List.


• Start planning what to take and do a trial run to pack your bike a week before you leave. That way you'll know what you can and cannot take.


• When packing your bags, remember to equalize the weight. Try to pack one bag with all the things you'll need to carry into the motel. The other bag will have items required later on.


• Be sure to pack things for both warm and cold weather. You never know when the weather may get cold and you'll need winter gloves and turtleneck shirts.


• If you're packing for a trip of a week or more, pack for only three days. On the third day, plan to do laundry at the motel. Put on swim trunks or a bathing suit and put all your clothes into the washer while you hangout at the pool. Then you're set for three more days. Be sure to pack clothes that don't require special handling so everything can be washed in one load. Don't forget to bring lots of quarters.


• Don't forget that UPS, Mail Boxes, Etc. and the US Postal Service exist. You can have additional clothes sent ahead or even dirty laundry sent home. Also, you don't need to pack everything you buy along the way. Have them mailed home.


• If your saddlebags are not waterproof, pack all items in plastic ziplock bags. T-shirts can be rolled up and placed in bags to save space. Pack your socks inside your sneakers. Think small for toiletries. Buy small bottles of shampoo, deodorant, powder, toothpaste, etc. Take very few cosmetics. Take a small hair dryer with a metal round brush that can act as a curling iron.


• Remember to bring things such as maps, cameras, cellphone, and money. Check the list at least three times.


• Take an empty bag to bring home dirty laundry. It also makes a great backrest for the ride back home.


• When you bungee items to your bike, remember this rule: Make sure your rain gear is on top.