Okay so real talk—planning a motorcycle road trip sounds sexy, right? Like, just you, your bike, the open road, and maybe a scenic overlook with a sandwich and the wind dramatically blowing your jacket like a movie poster. That’s the dream.
But here’s the thing no one tells you: if you don’t actually plan—like, prepare even just a little—you’ll end up halfway to Arizona with one sock, no sunscreen, and a phone at 3% while your map app reroutes you to a cow pasture.
I know this. I lived this.
So here’s what I wish someone had told me about planning a motorcycle road trip. With all the good, bad, weird, and peanut-butter-sandwich moments in between.
🧠 Step One: Prep Like You’re Not a Magician
Because “winging it” sounds cool until your chain breaks in the middle of Wyoming
Let’s get one thing out of the way: your motorcycle is your bestie. It’s your horse, your home, your therapist. So first things first—make sure it’s road-ready.
Here’s what I check (now… after learning the hard way):
- Tires – pressure, tread, any weird flat spots
- Chain – lubed and adjusted (not too tight, not too floppy—like life)
- Brakes – are they even working? Please tell me yes
- Oil & Fluids – you’d be surprised how many people forget this
- Lights & Signals – because being visible is kinda important
- Toolkit onboard? Check
- Zip ties in there too? Double check
I usually take mine for a quick shake-out ride with a loaded bag before the trip—just to see if anything rattles, wobbles, or straight-up falls off (RIP to my left-side mirror on that Oregon trip, you will be missed).
🧳 What to Pack: AKA The Part Where You Overthink Everything
Listen. You don’t need everything. You just need the right things.
(And also deodorant. Please don’t forget deodorant.)
Here’s the packing system that works for me, 87% of the time:
🎒 The Bare Necessities (the “please don’t sue me, Bear Grylls” list):
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Travel-sized shampoo + soap
- Deodorant (again. I’m begging you.)
- Meds + first aid kit
- Sunscreen + lip balm
- Baby wipes – for your face, your pits, your everything
- Toilet paper (you laugh now… just wait)
👕 Clothes to Keep You Sane-ish:
- 3 pairs of socks (merino wool is a GAME-CHANGER)
- 3 pairs of underwear (rotate & wash, my friend)
- 2 T-shirts
- 1 thermal layer (cold mornings are rude)
- 1 hoodie or light jacket
- 1 pair of pants (riding jeans or mesh pants)
- 1 “off-the-bike” outfit (even if it’s just for gas station fashion shows)
Pro tip: Pack it all in ziplock bags. Keeps stuff dry and you can squish out air like a wizard.
🧥 The Gear You Better Not Skimp On:
- Full-face helmet (I said what I said)
- Riding jacket with armor (mesh in summer, textile or leather in cooler temps)
- Riding gloves (bring an extra pair if it rains)
- Pants with protection—Kevlar-lined jeans work if you’re not full ADV
- Waterproof boots (yes, they matter—my soaked socks from Utah will back me up)
🔋 Tech + Tools (The “Oops I Forgot My Charger” Category)
- Phone charger AND a power bank
- USB adapter or 12V socket on your bike
- Earplugs (wind noise is not a joke)
- Paper map backup—yes, like it’s 1998
- Mini tire inflator or CO2 cartridges
- Tire repair kit (learn how to use it BEFORE you need it)
- Zip ties (again. Always.)
- Multitool (aka the “I’ll fix it with this… probably” device)
Wild story: I once used a multitool to prop open a carburetor butterfly valve because the throttle cable snapped. Did it work? Not really. But I felt like a genius.
🏕️ Optional But Awesome Stuff (aka the “comfort is king” zone)
- Lightweight tent
- Sleeping bag + mat
- Jetboil or camp stove (coffee on the road = magic)
- Snacks: trail mix, jerky, ramen, a sneaky chocolate bar
- Reusable water bottle (hydration > heroics)
True fact: I once rode 300 miles fueled entirely by beef jerky and lukewarm gas station coffee. Was it healthy? Absolutely not. Was I proud? Also no.
🛣️ The Itinerary That Isn’t Really an Itinerary
Okay, confession time: I’m not a big itinerary guy. I like “vibes-based routing”—which is a fancy way of saying I pick a direction and kind of go until I see something cool or I run out of gas.
But I do always plan these three things:
- Where I’m sleeping that night (or at least the general area)
- Gas stations along the route (because running out of gas in the desert is not romantic, it’s dumb)
- Weather (because nothing humbles you like hail at 65mph)
I use Rever or Scenic apps for routes sometimes, and I try to pick roads that are curvy, quiet, and not 18-wheeler highways of doom.
🙃 Random Tips I’ve Learned the Hard Way:
And Finally… Embrace the Chaos
Planning a motorcycle road trip isn’t about perfection. It’s about possibility, little thrill of the engine starting in the morning and gas station tacos at midnight. It’s forgetting your socks but making a new friend who happens to sell socks out of their van. (True story.)
You’ll pack too much or too little. Something will go sideways. That’s part of the fun.
Just go. Ride. See what happens.
And if you do forget something? Well, that’s what roadside general stores and gas station beef jerky are for.
🌐 Bonus Links You Might Love:
- RevZilla’s Packing Guide
- ADVrider forums – for stories that’ll make you feel brave, stupid, or both
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