THE List of What to Pack for Your Motorcycle Adventure

Head 'Em Up - Move 'Em Out

Hands down, there is no better way to experience this b-e-a-utiful country of ours than from the seat of a Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. (Or any motorcycle -I'm just a little biased!)

Sure there's riding to and from work, but now you've decided to take things a step further and have planned to take the show on the road. Most Excellent!

To help you prepare, I've put together this list plus a few tips I've learned the hard way.

Before you go:

• Any new gear or equipment (i.e. helmet, tank bag or seat) you'll want to try out at least one month before you go!! A few years back I bought a pair of new pig-skin gauntlet gloves just for my trip, and then about threw them away. Because I hadn't broken them in, with my hand on the throttle, it felt like someone was stabbing needles in-between my fingers. Wear or use your new stuff now -it won't be new when your trip comes, but it won't be a waste either since you'll have figured out if it'll work for you or not.

• If you’ve never taken a long trip on a bike before, see if you can take a small, one or two overnight trip on your bike before your big trip. Pack what you think you'll need and see how it all fits on your bike. Then when you get back, re-evaluate: did you use all that you packed? Why or why not? Was there anything you needed but didn't have? These are the questions to ask now!

• Whether or not you've had the chance to take that 'Pre-trip Trip', you should start packing two to three days out. Blocking time out to pack will make your trip sssooo much easier!! Plan what you'll wear before packing and use clothes that will work for several outfits. You never need to bring clothes for more than four days, even if you're riding for weeks -hotels often have laundry service or you can stop in at a coin-op laundry.

• Shoes take up space!! You'll definitely want something for off the bike though, so pack a comfy pair of tennis shoes and/or flats. You can also use them to pack your underwear or socks in, utilizing the space they take the best you can.

What to Pack:

1) While Riding:

• Helmet and glasses/goggles

• Rain Gear

• Chaps -temperature changes can happen quickly, especially if you're riding in the mountains!!

• Gloves for Summer & Rain, plus a Neck Gaiter or Bandana

• Jeans and a Long Sleeve Tee

• A Three-Season Riding Jacket -preferably with layers you can add or remove as necessary

• Over-the-Ankle Riding Boots

• Water & light snacks (protein bar, nut mix, etc.)

• Chap stick/lip balm, sunscreen and one of those 'quick cool' towels

• Maps of the areas you'll be riding in (cell towers are few & far between, especially if you're heading West, so you might not have a signal)

• A cell phone battery recharger

Not that you'll be wearing all of that while riding, but you'll want it close in case you need to grab and use it.

2) Packed on the Bike for At the Hotel/Campsite

• Not more than 3 pairs of jeans, tops/shirts, and socks -roll the jeans & shirts to save space, then secure with rubber bands before putting in zip lock bags or travel shrink bags

• 5 pairs of underwear (3 bras for the ladies)

• A Sweatshirt

• Synthetic long underwear/sweat pants

• Swimsuit

• 1 pair of Shorts

• Sneakers and/or flip-flops

• Toiletries - don't forget the nail trimmers, sunscreen and bug spray! Travel size shampoo, conditioner (or use the little bottles hotels put out for their guests, saving room), mouse, hair spray, body lotion, toothbrush and paste.

• Medications - for headache, muscle ache, allergy and any prescription meds

This is where planning ahead is key!! And if you're 'saving' outfits that you'll want to try out while on your trip, at the very least try them on before you go. I've pulled out an old outfit that I saw in the closet while packing, thinking it'd be nice to wear to dinner only to realize once we were at the hotel it didn't fit anymore!!

3) Bike Maintenance

• 8-in-1 Screwdriver & a Multi-Purpose Tool

• Cargo Net(s) and Bungee Cord(s)

• Tire Pressure Gauge (and Valve Stem Extension if needed). A compact air compressor comes in handy, but not absolutely necessary. 

• 1 Quart of Syn3 Motorcycle Lubricant or Genuine Motor Oil (depending on what you're running in your bike) and a Paper Funnel

• Touring Suspension Air Shock Pump (if equipped)

• Kick Stand Puck

• Travel size windshield cleaner, cleaning wax, a shop towel and two micro-fiber cleaning cloths

Unless you're a Motorcycle Mechanic, you probably won't need a set of tools with you. Even if you do wrench on bikes for a living, having Roadside Assistance  coverage through your Insurance Company or through H.O.G. is always a good idea -review your policy before you go and make sure you take any necessary documents with you.