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Packing for a motorcycle trip is the most important task if you are planning to go on a long-distance or cross-country motorcycle tour. You must have the list of items ready at least a day before you leave on the motorcycle tour. Listing down the essential items you should carry in your motorcycle backpack is useful as it ensures that you do not forget anything.
What to carry in your motorcycle backpack depends on how long the motorcycle trip is. There are several essential items if you are going on a motorcycle tour longer than a day. Carrying essential items in your motorcycle backpack can save you from many troubles during the ride. Read this article to learn what essential items you should carry in your motorcycle backpack.
1. Essential Items You Should Carry in Your Motorcycle Backpack
1.1 Flashlight
Flashlights can be helpful especially if you are planning to go on a wilderness or motorcycle camping trip as most campgrounds and scenic regions lack lighting and electricity. It can also help you in the maintenance or repair process during the ride to carefully observe any issue with your motorcycle.
1.2 Mobile Phone Charger
The most essential item to carry in your motorcycle backpack is your mobile phone charger to keep your phone charged at all times. Mobile phones not only assist you throughout your ride, they keep you safe as well by keeping you connected with your family and friends throughout the ride. It can be a safety hazard if your mobile phone’s battery is dead during the ride. So, make sure you carry the mobile phone charger in your motorcycle backpack.
1.3 Power Bank
You may not have access to electricity at all times, especially when you are riding or camping. Most riders use their mobile phones to listen to music or for navigation during the ride which drains the battery faster. For such situations, you must also carry a power bank to charge your mobile phone during the ride or when the electricity is not available. However, make sure to charge the power bank as soon as you find a socket.
1.4 Water
Riding a motorcycle can dehydrate your body, especially during the day. If you are on a motorcycle tour, make sure you carry enough water bottles in your backpack to keep you hydrated for hours of continuous riding. camping enthusiasts should also consider carrying a portable water filter.
1.5 Extra Visors (Clear and Dark)
It is common to get your helmet visor scratched if you are on a motorcycle tour. The windy weather, dust and debris, and bugs in the air can damage your helmet visor. Therefore, if you are planning to go on longer rides, make sure you carry extra visors in your motorcycle backpacks. While storing them in your backpack, make sure you cover them properly and store them in a separate space or on top of other items to avoid scratches and damage.
Carrying both clear and dark visors is important if you ride during the night as well. A dark-tinted visor is good for riding in the sun. However, for better vision and safety, always wear a white visor in the dark.
1.6 Socks
If you do not want your socks to smell bad and your shoes to stink, you must also carry extra pairs of socks in your motorcycle backpack, especially if the weather is hot.
1.7 First Aid Kit
You must carry a first-aid kit in your motorcycle backpack to tackle any unfortunate event or emergency. You must be able to treat scratches and dress your wounds in case you fall off your motorcycle as a result of a motorcycle crash. Most of the time during a long-distance motorcycle tour or cross-country ride, you will not have access to medical services.
You should also carry medicines and painkillers in the first-aid box to treat headaches or nausea from continuous riding.
1.8 Tissues and Wet Wipes
Most of the time during a long-distance ride on highways and open roads, you may not have access to water to wash your hands and face. Therefore, you must carry tissues and wet wipes to keep your hands and face clean.
1.9 Snacks
You should carry dry eatables that are easy to carry and can survive longer without getting stale in your backpack. Things like packs of chips, biscuits, sandwiches, and nuts can survive for a longer period and can save you from a lack of nutrition and energy on long-distance rides.
1.10 Tools
If you are a newbie rider or do not know how to perform basic maintenance and repair tasks, going on a motorcycle tour on your own can be extremely challenging for you. There may arise several instances while you are on a motorcycle tour when you will need to perform basic repairs to get your motorcycle going as you may not find any mechanic shop nearby. To make sure you can fix a certain issue with your motorcycle, make sure to carry useful motorcycle repair tools, including an adjustable wrench, Allen keys, screwdriver, torque wrench, and pliers.
Another possible solution to get assistance in case your motorcycle has stopped working in the middle of a road due to some issues is through the roadside assistance card. Several companies are offering this service and you can avail them by calling their helpline number when in need.
1.11 Ziploc Bags
Ziploc bags are transparent lightweight bags to keep essential items separate to prevent them from mixing with other stuff. Ziploc bags also protect luggage from water damage. You must keep your documents, including your national identity card and your motorcycle registration safe in a ziploc bag. You can also use Ziploc bags to keep your used undergarments, performance wear, and dirty laundry from mixing them with clean clothes.
1.12 Microfiber Cloth
If it rains during the ride and your motorcycle gets wet, it can cause rusting of metal parts and can damage your motorcycle paint and chrome. To avoid rusting, make sure to keep your motorcycle dry with a microfiber cloth. You will also need a microfiber cloth to clean the dust on your motorcycle during the motorcycle trip.
1.13 Bug Spray/Mosquito Repellant
A bug spray will allow you to sleep peacefully while camping. Certain insects can cause skin rashes. So, make sure you find an insect/bug-free spot to install your camp. Also, you should carry a mosquito-repellent cream if you choose to go camping on a motorcycle tour.
1.14 Match Box/Lighter
If you are planning to go on a wilderness trip, do not forget to carry a matchbox or a lighter. Other than lighting up a cigarette, you may also need a lighter/matchbox to ignite a fire so you can cook while camping. It can also be used to burn a candle if you are camping somewhere dark.
1.15 Multi-Tool
A multi-tool is a must-have equipment when you are on a motorcycle trip. It has several tools folded into a single piece of equipment. A multi-tool is also compact and can save a lot of space in your motorcycle backpack so you can carry other useful items.
Also Read: Best Motorcycle Backpacks for Commuting
1.16 Extra Gloves
It is useful to carry extra gloves as they get sweaty and irritating if you wear them for a long while riding.
1.17 Rain Suit
You must also be prepared for unexpected rain if you are on a motorcycle tour. A rain suit is an essential item to always carry in your motorcycle luggage. It will not only keep you and your riding gear safe from rain but will also keep you safe from catching cold and flu. You may not be able to carry wet riding gear on a motorcycle and wash it for reusing.
1.18 Tow Straps
Another handy item that you must carry in your motorcycle backpack is tow straps. If you are on an adventure motorcycle tour, you are likely to get trapped in the mud. Also, you are likely to get stuck in the middle of a road due to some issue with your motorcycle. Oftentimes there is no mechanic shop available nearby. In such a situation, you may need someone to help you carry your motorcycle on a truck or trailer. To do it safely, you will need tow straps to secure your motorcycle in place.
1.19 Tire Puncture Kit
If you love to go on long-distance rides and motorcycle tours, you must learn how to fix a punctured tire. A flat tire is one of the most common issues with motorcycles, especially when you are on a motorcycle trip. Therefore, you must carry a tire puncture kit in your motorcycle backpack to avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere due to a flat tire.
1.20 Tire Pressure Gauge
Along with the tire puncture kit, carry a tire pressure gauge as well, so you can monitor the tire pressure to ensure that it is neither under-inflated nor over-inflated. It helps you keep the tire pressure at its optimal level and ensure a smooth and safe riding experience.
1.21 Bandana
During your trip when you are spending some time off your motorcycle. wearing a bandana may be a good fashion tip for you. You will not be able to carry a particular hairstyle when you wear a helmet for long. Therefore, wearing a bandana is a good option and it also gives you a cool motorcyclist look.
1.22 Sunblock
Using sunblock while going for a motorcycle ride keeps your skin safe from harmful sun radiation. Make sure to always carry a sunblock, especially when the weather is sunny as excessive sun exposure can cause several skin issues.
1.23 Towel
A towel is another essential item that you must carry while going on a motorcycle tour if you prefer personal hygiene. It can help you wipe your sweat and dry your skin after washing it. Keeping small towel handkerchiefs is also a good option as they are easy to carry in a motorcycle backpack.
1.24 Umbrella
A compact umbrella is another useful item to carry in your motorcycle backpack. It will not only help you during the ride but can be a handy piece of equipment if you want to go on a walk when it is raining.
1.25 Motorcycle Registration and Other Important Documents
You can also carry your motorcycle registration and other important documents in your motorcycle backpack but make sure to first put it inside a water-proof Ziplock bag and then in your luggage.
1.26 A Spare Home Key
Another essential item that you must carry in your motorcycle backpack is a spare home key. You can find yourself in a lot of trouble if you lose your only home key, especially when you are back home. You can also carry a spare motorcycle key just in case you lose it somewhere while touring.
1.27 Hand Sanitizer
A hand sanitizer can help you clean your hands while you are on a motorcycle tour, especially when clean water is not available.
1.28 Face Wash
A face wash can also help you stay clean and fresh. It is a useful item to carry in your backpack, especially when you are not staying in a hotel.
2. The Bottom Line
A motorcycle backpack is one of the most accessible and handy luggage options. It can help you carry essential items to carry on a motorcycle tour. If you are planning to go on a long-distance or cross-country ride, you must know what to carry in your motorcycle backpack to avoid any issues during the ride. There are a few essential things, including a tire pressure gauge, tire puncture kit, tools, first-aid kit, and rain suit that you must always carry in your motorcycle backpack.
You do not need to overstuff your motorcycle backpack if you are going on a motorcycle tour to avoid creating a mess. Viking Bags offers the best-quality and versatile luggage bag options to install on your motorcycle if you want to improve its storage capacity. You can install saddlebags, tank bags, tool bags, and motorcycle trunk bags. Viking Bags can also help you improve your riding experience and the comfort level of your motorcycle by offering sissy bars, backrests, fairings, crash bars, touring-oriented handlebars, and cushioned seats to install on your motorbike.
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