How to pack for a motorcycle trip

Here is my impression of what you should bring.

Kit laid out

Like many adventurers, I'm really intent on keeping things light. Here's my kit laid out.

Luggage

I purchased used military surplus waterproof plastic cases originally designed to hold night vision goggles. They came with styrofoam inserts, which I threw

away. They each hold about 25 liters. Purchased for $25 each on St. Laurent street here in Montreal. One is used as a top case and the others as panniers. They are "permanently" mounted to GIVI motorcycle racks. I say "permanently" because you can remove the screws and get them off, but it's not convenient.

Camping

I'm planning on camping a lot. A friend of mine was very generous in offering a small tent that's great for traveling. I have a ThermaRest. My sister said I should just use a foam pad, but for a bit more space I was assured that I'd always be comfortable. My ThermaRest is cool because it looks like it was bought in the 80s (it must be my dad's), so the retro color and logo is pretty cool!

Packing List

• Wallet
• Drugs/pills
• Camelback
• Sunglasses
• Copy of useful numbers in case phone lost/stolen or broken
• Reading Material
• Pen and paper
• Shopping Bags (clothes & general storage)
• Visor/glasses cleaner
• Extra money/Credit card hidden on bike or money belt for emergency
• Copy credit-card/license/bike papers (reg, roadside, insurance, passport, birth cert)
• Pen-knife - Leather man
• Bottle of Red or poison of choice
• Diary

TOILETRIES & PERSONAL MAINTENANCE:

• Sunscreen & insect spray
• Toilet Paper
• Wet Ones/baby Wipes
• Pack towel
• Deodorant, toothbrush & paste
• Firstaid kit (just the basics, leave the bandages etc for the ambos, unless you know what your doing)
• Soap
• Shaving gear
• Foot spray
• Floss
• Condoms
• Chapstick
• Immodium
• Eyedrops

ADDITIONAL CLOTHING/GARMENTS:

• Wet weather gear
• Jacket and pants with liner
• Cold weather riding gloves
• Thermal under gloves
• Warm weather riding gloves
• Thermals & balaclava
• Light shoes
• Bandanna/riding scarf/neck warmer
• Sandals
• 3 T-shirts
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 hat
• 1 pair shorts
• 2 pairs pants (jeans, dress)
• 4 pairs underwear
• 5 pair socks
• Cycling shorts

NAVIGATION, SAFETY & SURVIVAL GEAR:

• Maps
• Manual compass + whistle (on chain off collar)
• Braided fishing line
• 5m Braided Cord (Also useful as clothes line)
• General Purpose (survival) Knife
• Space blanket

CAMPING

• Tent
• Thermarest
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping bag liner
• Folding seat (I actually didn’t pack this!)
• Headtorch (spare batteries)
• Cooker & fuel bottle + lighter
• Pot with lid
• Mug
• Spork, pot pliers, spatula
• Camp suds
• Water purification tablets
• Poop shovel
• Saw (I actually didn’t pack this!)

MOTORCYCLE

• Extra Fuel (1L), container, gives about 25km range
• Spare bike key (give spare to friend)
• Gear oil (for chain, key cylinder, pivots)
• Tubeless repair kit
• CO2 inflator
• Bike tool kit (included with the motorcycle)
• JB weld
• Extra bolts and nuts for luggage
• Rags
• Tire pressure gauge
• Disposable gloves, for working on bike
• Spare cargo restraints (Rok straps)
• Dry bags x2 for panniers
• Cable lock for coat, helmet, pants, topcase lock
• Rubber bands, Ty-Wraps (cable ties)

FOOD

• Cooking oil
• Aluminium Foil (you can cook/reheat almost anything if its wrapped in foil)
• Salt/pepper mini set (waterproof)

ELECTRONICS

• Inverter 120v

• Music Player (and charger cable & earplugs)
• Phone (charger and extra charging cable)

• Camera (and charger)
• Helmet cam
• Voice recorder and mic (and charging cable)
• 2 keychain cameras
• Laptop (and charger)