Best Touring Gear for Long-Distance Motorcycle Rides……Okay. So. You ever ride for 7 hours straight and forget you have a butt?
Because I did. On my very first long-distance motorcycle trip from Denver to freaking Moab, I thought I was prepared. Keyword: thought. My gear? Let’s just say it was about as ready for the trip as my 2007 knees were for a CrossFit class. (Spoiler: They were not.)
So yeah, this post is about the best touring gear for long-distance motorcycle rides, but it’s also about mistakes. My mistakes. And how you can avoid them without looking like a newbie in front of your biker buddies or, you know, your future self when you’re limping into a gas station and asking if they sell extra padding for “personal areas.”
Let’s go. And not in a “Let’s dive in” way. Ew.
🏍️ The Bike May Be Sexy, But the Gear Is What Saves You
I mean, we all love our bikes, right? The chrome, the rumble, the way she looks under a stormy sky—chef’s kiss. But if your gear sucks, your trip will too. No way around it.
So here’s my battle-tested, sore-butt-certified list of what you actually need.
🥇 #1: The Seat Pad That Saved My Sanity
“You brought a gel pad?”
Yes, Brad. I did. Because I’m not 22 anymore and I like to feel things… like my own butt.
If you don’t have a good seat cushion—I mean one of those air or gel types—you’re gonna wish your bike came with a built-in chiropractor. I used the Airhawk R Cruiser after 300 miles in jeans that should’ve been burned, and it was a life changer.
Would recommend to anyone with a tailbone and regrets.
🧤 #2: Gloves That Don’t Make You Want to Throw Them Off a Cliff
I had this pair that looked cool but felt like a medieval punishment device. Zero airflow. Zero comfort. I was basically riding with leather toasters on my hands.
Then someone at a diner in Utah (named Larry, I think?) recommended Klim Induction Gloves. Mesh panels, decent armor, and my hands didn’t feel like boiled lobsters at the end of the ride.
Moral of the story: function > fashion. Unless you’re into hand sweat. Then live your truth.
🧥 #3: A Touring Jacket That Doesn’t Make You a Walking Sauna
Side rant: Why are half the jackets out there either built for Antarctica or a bikini contest?
What I ended up loving was the Rev’It! Sand 4 H2O jacket. Modular. Breathable. Feels like a spaceship suit but somehow still comfy. I rode through both drizzle and desert heat, and it handled both like a champ.
Did I still look like a bag of laundry when I took it off? Yes. But at least I was dry laundry.
🎒 #4: Luggage That Doesn’t Try to Yeet Itself Off Your Bike
If you’ve ever heard the sound of a side bag unlatching at 70mph, followed by your camping gear bouncing into the void, you know this one’s personal.
Go with hard panniers or high-quality soft bags like Mosko Moto’s Backcountry 35L. Yeah, they’re pricey. But so is replacing your sleeping bag in the middle of nowhere.
Also, always triple-check your straps. Even if you’re “sure” they’re tight. (Ask me how I know.)
👖 #5: Pants That Don’t Ride Up, Down, or Anywhere Weird
Nobody talks enough about good motorcycle pants. Like, you need armor and abrasion resistance, sure—but also: do they bunch up in weird places? Do they feel like a plastic bag in the sun?
I swear by the Klim Badlands Pro Pants, but I also keep a pair of comfy base layers (just regular athletic compression stuff) to wear underneath. Because sweaty thigh rash is not part of the freedom ride aesthetic.
🎧 #6: Helmet Comms That Don’t Make You Want to Punch a Bluetooth Speaker
I’ve tried cheap ones. Static-y, finicky, and one time the GPS told me to “turn right” after I already passed the turn. Cool, thanks.
Get a Cardo Packtalk Edge or a Sena 50S. Reliable, clear, and you can blast your road trip playlist like a boss. (Mine was 90% Tom Petty and 10% weird podcasts about haunted highways.)
⚡ Bonus: Random Stuff That You’ll Thank Yourself For Later
This is the “junk drawer” section of my bike setup. It’s chaotic. It’s weird. It’s essential.
- Baby wipes. Don’t ask. Just bring them.
- Zip ties + duct tape. Because something will fall off.
- USB battery pack. Phones die. Gas station chargers lie.
- Spare earplugs. Especially if your riding buddy snores like an idling semi.
- Tiny camping stove + coffee setup. For when you want to feel like a cowboy barista.
🛣️ My Messy Long Ride Packing Rule: “If You’re Debating It, You’ll Probably Need It.”
You don’t wanna be 400 miles from civilization wondering if you should’ve packed that extra pair of socks. (You should have. They’re small. Pack them.)
I keep a “maybe” bag when I’m prepping, and if something lands in there more than twice? It goes in the pack. Logic? Zero. But it works. https://bikelovezone.com/top-motorcycle-touring-gear/.
Real Talk: Don’t Let Your Gear Be the Reason You Hate the Trip
I mean it. You can have the best bike, best playlist, best weather—and still end up cranky, sore, and annoyed if your gear sucks.
Invest in the stuff that touches your body the most (helmet, jacket, seat, gloves). Everything else can be janky or improvised. But your comfort? That’s what keeps the road feeling like freedom, not punishment.
One Last Thing…about Best Touring Gear for Long-Distance Motorcycle Rides
If you’re prepping for a long motorcycle tour and don’t accidentally overthink every little item on your packing list, are you even doing it right?
And hey—if your gear doesn’t work out the first time, don’t sweat it. That’s how you figure out what actually matters. Sometimes you gotta learn mid-thunderstorm that your “waterproof” gloves were lying to you the whole time.
Been there. Soaked that.
Recommended Read:
“What I Learned After 5,000 Miles on a Motorcycle With My Dog” (It’s hilarious and weirdly emotional.)Also Funny:
Motorcycle Packing Fail Compilation (YouTube) — just to feel better about your own mess.
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