Motorcycle Trip Packing List: What to Pack for a Weekend, a Week or Longer

A motorcycle trip packing list has six groups: riding gear for every weather on the route, a few clothes for off the bike, documents and money, navigation and power, a small tool and repair kit, and health and safety items.

Pack the riding gear and documents first. Then fill the space that's left, keeping weight low because most motorcycles aren't designed to carry much cargo.

This list is part of our motorcycle trip planning hub. Packing is step 9 in how to plan a motorcycle trip.

Key takeaways- Pack for the worst weather on the route. Long cold rides can cause chill, dehydration and fatigue.- Carry a rain suit made for riding. Those resist tearing apart and ballooning at speed.- Bring a paper map or saved offline maps as backup.- Load heavy items low and over or in front of the rear axle, with the saddlebags balanced.

The list at a glance

The quantities in this table are our planning suggestions.

Riding gear

Pick gear for the coldest and wettest day you might meet, then add vents for the hottest. A jacket, long pants, sturdy boots and gloves are worth wearing even in warm weather, because they help prevent dehydration and sun or wind burn.

• Helmet, plus a clear and a tinted visor or glasses
• Riding jacket and pants
• Boots
• Gloves (a summer pair and a warm or waterproof pair for longer trips)
• Rain suit designed for motorcycle riding, as the California DMV motorcycle handbook advises
• Thermal base layer and neck warmer for cold mornings
• Earplugs

If you need riding boots for the trip, Leather Collection motorcycle boots are hand-stitched cowhide in touring, racing and ankle styles, made to order.

Clothes for off the bike

Keep these light and quick-drying:

• Underwear and socks for each day up to a week
• Two or three shirts and one pair of pants or shorts
• A warm layer for evenings
• Light shoes or sandals, so you're not in riding boots all evening
• Sleepwear and swimwear if you'll use them

On trips of more than a week, plan laundry rather than packing more. See how to plan a long motorcycle trip.

Documents and money

• Driver's license with motorcycle endorsement
• Registration and proof of insurance. Check your coverage with your insurer before you ride
• Passport if riding into Canada; the border agency recommends one
• International Driving Permit for riding overseas; AAA issues them for $20
• National parks pass if the route crosses several parks; the non-resident pass covers passengers on two motorcycles
• Cards plus some cash
• Emergency contacts and medical information on paper

Navigation and power

• Phone with the route loaded
• Offline map areas covering the whole route. They only guide you inside the saved area, and they must be updated before they expire
• Paper map or a printed list of turns
• Phone mount and charging cable, plus a power bank
• Helmet communicator, if you use one

Not sure which map to carry? Read choosing a map for a motorcycle trip.

Tools and bike kit

Your daily pre-ride check covers tires, fluids, lights, chain or belt and controls, so pack what you need to do it on the road.

• The bike's own tool kit and owner's manual
• Tire pressure gauge
• Tire repair kit that suits your tires, plus a way to inflate
• Chain lube, if your bike has a chain
• Spare fuses and bulbs for your model
• Elastic cords or nets with more than one attachment point per side. Avoid rope, which stretches and lets loads shift
• Duct tape, zip ties, a multi-tool and a rag

Health and safety

The National Park Service's Ten Essentials make a good base for any trip that leaves towns behind. The list covers navigation, sun protection, extra clothing, a light, first aid, fire, a repair kit, food, water and emergency shelter.

• First aid kit. The Red Cross list includes dressings, adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, nonlatex gloves, an emergency blanket, a cold compress and tweezers. Scale it down for one or two riders.
• Personal medication
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Water, plus a way to treat it if you'll be far from towns
• An extra day of no-cook food
• Headlamp or small flashlight

Camping add-ons

Camping adds a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and cooking kit, which add a lot of bulk. Use our motorcycle camping checklist for that part.

Keep it light and balanced

Once everything is in a pile, take out what you won't use. Then load it:

• Keep the load as low as practical and over or in front of the rear axle.
• Balance the weight between the saddlebags.
• Keep hard or sharp items out of the tank bag, and make sure the bag doesn't interfere with the controls.
• Set tire pressure and suspension for the extra weight. Incorrect loading and tire pressure are common causes of wobble.

The loading method, step by step, is in how to pack a motorcycle for a trip. For bags and cases, see motorcycle touring gear and packing essentials.

Related guides

• Once the pile is ready, use our motorcycle touring packing zone plan to decide which bag each item goes in.
• Short on space for evening clothes? See how to fold a jacket for travel packing.

FAQ

What should I pack for a motorcycle trip? Start with riding gear for every weather on the route, documents and a way to navigate offline. Then add a small tool and first aid kit, and only as many clothes as you need for about a week.

What should I bring on a motorcycle trip? Beyond the basics, bring the items that are easy to forget: a rain suit made for riding, a tire pressure gauge, earplugs, a paper map, and an extra day of food. Before you leave, run the checks in motorcycle trip checklist: what to check before you leave.

For a shorter must-have list, see the motorcycle road trip essentials checklist.