Best motorcycle road trip gear……Yeah, I’m starting with that. Let’s be real: packing for a motorcycle road trip isn’t just a checklist—it’s chaos waiting to happen if you’re not careful. Ask my left sock. He’s still missing.
The Time I Packed Everything Except My Brain
I once hit the road from Colorado Springs heading west toward the coast. Just me, my Kawasaki, and the kind of confidence that only comes from watching too many motorcycle YouTubers who made it look way too easy.
First night? I realized I forgot to pack deodorant, toothpaste, and extra underwear. But I did have three pairs of sunglasses, a toolkit I didn’t know how to use, and a jar of peanut butter with no spoon.
Classic.
Let’s Talk Gear – The Stuff You Actually Need
I’ve done enough “figure it out when you get there” rides to finally put together a solid packing list. Some of this stuff seems obvious. Some of it, not so much. All of it? Road-tested by someone who once used a sock as a towel (don’t ask).
🧳 Luggage That Won’t Betray You Mid-Turn
- Saddlebags (soft if you’re broke, hard if you’re bougie): Go for waterproof or regret it in Kansas rain.
- Tank bag: Mine’s magnetic with a clear top so I can throw in my phone or old-school map (because yes, I’ve had my GPS crash mid-ride).
- Tail bag or dry duffel: Just… don’t strap it down with bungee cords from your garage that are older than you. I watched mine fly off on I-70 like a sad little kite.
🧥 Riding Gear: Dress Like You Might Slide
I used to think I was invincible. Then I low-sided on gravel and realized jeans are not armor. So here’s what I rock now:
- Helmet: Full-face, DOT and Snell approved. I love the Shoei RF-1400—it’s comfy, quiet, and I don’t look like a bobblehead.
- Jacket: Textile or leather with armor. Bonus if it has vents and makes you look like a superhero.
- Gloves: Always. Even in summer. Trust me, sweaty hands are better than shredded palms.
- Pants: Kevlar-lined jeans or full-on armored pants if you’re doing big miles.
- Boots: Ankle support is your friend. Hiking boots kinda work, but moto-specific boots are built for real spills.
Weird Tip: Pack a bandana. You can use it as a neck warmer, face cover, towel, or emergency coffee filter (don’t ask).
🛠️ Tools & Emergency Stuff: Because Stuff Will Go Wrong
Let’s be real, your bike doesn’t care about your schedule. It will break down at the worst time.
What I carry:
- Basic toolkit (like, actually useful stuff—not just an Allen wrench and prayer)
- Tire repair kit + mini air compressor (mine plugs into the 12V socket—worth its weight in gold)
- Zip ties (seriously magical)
- Duct tape (don’t pretend you haven’t fixed something with it)
- Flashlight or headlamp (try fixing your chain at night with your phone in your mouth—go ahead)
Packing Tips That Don’t Suck (And Won’t Leave You Crying in a Tent)
🧼 Toiletries and Personal Stuff (a.k.a. Don’t Smell Like Regret)
Keep it simple. Travel-size everything. I use a hanging toiletry bag that folds up like a taco—super handy when campsite bathrooms look like crime scenes.
Stuff I never skip:
- Toothbrush + paste (you’d think this is obvious…)
- Face wipes (lifesaver on sweaty rides)
- Travel deodorant
- Sunscreen (you will get burnt through your visor)
- Advil or ibuprofen (for sore everything)
Pro tip: Baby powder in your boots. You’ll thank me.
🧦 Clothes: How Many T-Shirts Is Too Many?
If it doesn’t fit in a gallon zip-lock bag, it’s not coming.
Here’s my go-to formula:
- 2–3 riding shirts
- 1 hoodie or thermal
- 2 pairs of pants (one for off-bike stuff)
- 3–4 pairs of socks and underwear (MERINO WOOL IS KING)
- One pair of off-bike shoes (lightweight sneakers or sandals)
I wash stuff at campgrounds or gas stations—yep, I’ve done laundry in a sink with shampoo. Fancy, huh?
💤 Camping Gear (If You’re Into That Rugged “Sleeping with the Bugs” Vibe)
Not everyone’s a camper, but if you are:
- Lightweight tent (or a bivy if you hate space)
- Sleeping pad and bag (don’t cheap out here unless you like back pain)
- Headlamp (again—trust me)
- Jetboil or small stove (because lukewarm gas station burritos get old)
- Instant coffee (I will not function without it)
Random Extras I Always Pack (That Saved Me More Than Once)
- Phone mount: RAM mount, baby. Or your phone will go flying mid-ride like mine did once. R.I.P., Galaxy S8.
- Power bank: Especially if you’re camping or stopping at sketchy motels with only one outlet.
- Notebook + pen: For journaling, sketching, or writing down where you parked when your brain forgets.
- Earplugs: Wind noise is real, and I like my hearing.
- Snacks: Trail mix, jerky, and those weird fruit leather things? Lifesavers when you’re hangry.
Bonus Section: Things I Thought I Needed (But Totally Didn’t)
- A Bluetooth speaker (cute idea, annoying in practice)
- Fancy camping chair (sat on it once, left it at a truck stop)
- Multiple knives (why did I think I needed three??)
- 3 books (I read half of one)
If You’re Still With Me, Here’s What I Learned: best motorcycle road trip gear
- Less is more. You can always wash, buy, or swap something.
- If you pack it, you carry it—on your back, or your bike’s.
- You will forget something. Laugh about it later.
- There’s no perfect list—just figure out what you can’t live without.
- Memories > stuff.
Final Thoughts about best motorcycle road trip gear
Motorcycle road trips aren’t about being prepared like you’re heading into the apocalypse. It’s about finding that weird roadside attraction at 2 PM, realizing you forgot deodorant, and deciding that smelling a little “outdoorsy” isn’t the worst thing ever.
You’ll mess up. You’ll overpack or underpack or do both at once (don’t ask me how that’s possible—but I’ve done it). And still—it’ll be one of the best things you ever do.
Ride safe. Pack smart-ish. And don’t forget your damn underwear.
🌐 Recommended Links:
- RevZilla’s Motorcycle Packing Guide – for more practical nerdy info
- This guy’s blog where he rode from NYC to Patagonia on a 250cc – totally wild and inspiring
