Warm weather is here and that means it's time for some long and exciting road trips. But before you set off, make sure you're prepared. If you've been on a long trip before, you know the importance of having an emergency kit.
Hi, everyone! Stephanie here, aka the Blonde Bandit.
Recently, I took a four-hour ride through the mountains of Little Switzerland, NC. That's not the longest trip I've ever taken solo, but I still packed some key items. During the journey a funny noise started coming from the chain of my motorcycle, a 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600 (get the nickname now?). I sprayed it with my emergency chain cleaner, and after inspecting my motorcycle, I noticed I was a little low on oil. So I topped that off too. Being prepared with the right essentials really saved me on that ride.
You may get into, or have already been in, a similar situation. There's limited storage space on motorcycles, especially since your saddlebags are already loaded with personal items. So here's the absolute essentials packing list.
Essential Motorcycle Packing List
Tire-repair kit & gauge
The gauge is a must to make sure you have the proper amount of air in your tires. The tire-repair kit comes in handy if you get a flat and need to get to the closest shop.
Emergency roadside kit
These kits are great to have on-hand in case you end up with a dead battery and need a quick jump to get going. Plus these roadside kits usually have first-aid items and flashlights, too.
Zip ties
When bolts rattle loose, minor accidents happen, and your fairing is flapping around, zip ties are a great quick fix. I also use them to secure my USB cable to the frame.
Bungee cords
You can never have enough bungee cords. I use them for extra support in holding my saddlebags, since I have the soft detachable kind.
Towels
It's always great to have a few towels on hand in case you need to clean your visor or wipe down your bike before you enter it into a show.
You can also pick up:
- Oil and filter
- Batteries
- Brake fluid
- Radiator fluid
- Brake-parts cleaner
- Tools (will vary depending on bike metric/SAE)
- Detail items
- USB cable
- Fuses
Whether it's a three-hour or 30-day road trip, it pays to be prepared.
Have any extra tips or motorcycle trip stories to share? Leave a comment below!
