10 Items You Cannot Forget on a Motorcycle Road Trip
Motorcycle road trips are fantastic—just you, some pals (or yourself if you plan to go alone), your motorcycle, and the roads—it’s perfect. The idea of going away on your motorcycle is thrilling for many, but it’s important that you pack all the goods you may need to ensure you have a successful trip, especially when space is so limited.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 essentials you need to bring with you on your next motorcycle road trip to ensure you have a great time.
Compact and portable tool kit
A tool kit is essential for any road tripper, you do not want to be stuck at the side of the road miles from home with no tools to fix a fairing that is hanging off.
Ensure you have a small set of spanners or sockets along with the various Allen keys, cable tyres, and other tools you may not need but will be thankful for if you find yourself in a position where they would come in useful.
Tyre repair kit
Every tyre is vulnerable to a cut or a puncture every once in a while; even the best tyres go through these issues and are at risk. The last thing you want is to suffer a puncture in the middle of nowhere with absolutely no way of repairing it and getting back on the road.
Bringing a tyre repair kit with you will be a lifesaver if you’re unlucky enough to suffer a puncture on the road. It will help you return to your journey instead of waiting for hours for help from an external source.
Portable air compressor
Once your flat tyre has been fixed, you’ll want to blow it up again, and if you don’t have a means of doing so, well, you may be screwed.
Having a portable air compressor with you along with a tyre repair kit will allow you to repair and refill your tyres, letting you get back to what’s important, riding your bike.
Riding kit – wet weather covers
There’s nothing like a bit of wet weather on a ride to really dampen your spirits (see what I did there?), so if you’re planning on going on longer trips, it’s probably a good idea to bring wet weather gear with you or at least some waterproofs. Assuming you are from the UK, the rain doesn’t care what month it is, how hot it is, or what you’re doing; if it wants to rain, it absolutely will.
Having waterproofs on hand can save you and your gear from getting absolutely drenched, especially if the following day is dry and you’re having to put on wet gear that hasn’t thawed out yet.
Electronic goods – Chargers, portable chargers, GPS, plug adapters if leaving the U.K
Technology is a major part of our lives these days, whether we like it or not, so if you’re planning to go away for a few days, it may be a good idea to bring with you some goods to make life a little easier, such as phone chargers, portable chargers to charge your devices while out and about, and any navigation devices such as GPS that may be required.
If you want to leave the UK and travel around central Europe, you will need to bring plug adapters and converters so you can use your devices.
Additional bike key
It’s probably not something you’ve thought about, but it could absolutely change your trip for the better if you’re unlucky enough to misplace your key or drop it down the drain.
Make sure to store it in a safe place, such as your wallet, on a chain around your neck, or in a place you absolutely know it won’t go missing. Try to avoid leaving it in luggage bags, panniers, or tank bags, as these could be misplaced.
Ear plugs
If you’re not using earplugs when riding, what are you doing? Seriously, look after your hearing and use some earplugs. Did you know that the wind noise from riding at 40 mph will exceed the noise of the engine and expose you to more than 90 decibels of noise?
Now imagine doing this for the entirety of your week away riding your motorcycle, or just in general if you are riding around. Over time, this can have a major effect on your hearing, and you may regret not using protection in the future. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Motorcycle Lock
Unfortunately, your motorcycle holiday means nothing to budding thieves, so it’s a great idea to bring some protection with you for your motorcycle to ensure it isn’t vulnerable when sat alone at night while you get your 40 winks.
A strong, solid lock and chain help to deter potential thieves and delay them enough that you can prevent a theft from happening.
Tank bags and other luggage carriers
The likelihood that you will want to carry lots of things with you when you go on your holiday is high, so it’s important to have the storage space to do so. Using saddle bags, a top box, and a tank bag can massively expand how much you can bring with you.
Tank bags are an excellent purchase and item to have with you; most have a see-through top, allowing you to have a map or mobile phone in view for navigation, alongside other easily accessible compartments to store items such as gloves and food.
Communication device
Using a Bluetooth communication system can allow you to remain in contact with other riders you are riding with and your pillion, if you are carrying one. This can help with navigation and knowing if other riders need to stop, plus with the ability to play music and listen to the radio together, you can have something to dance along to whilst out and about.