Long-Distance Motorcycle Road Trip: How to Prepare and What to Pack
Taking a motorcycle on a road trip is different than taking a car. Although you have to plan and prepare for both types of road trips, you have to prepare a little differently when taking a motorcycle long distance. With a motorcycle, you might not have a passenger reading a map to you, you can’t look up directions on the fly, and you can’t grab a bottle of water while you’re driving. You’ll need to prepare and learn what to pack your motorcycle for a long trip before embarking on your adventure.
What to bring on a motorcycle road trip:
When planning what to pack on your road trip, making sure you have enough storage space and all the motorcycle road trip essentials to be safe, comfortable, and entertained will ensure you’re all set to hit the open road!
Taking luggage on a motorcycle road trip
Luggage, such as saddlebags, are a great way to have motorcycle storage to hold your supplies such as motorcycle safety essentials and other equipment. When shopping for saddlebags, be sure it will fit on your bike properly. For a long road trip, we recommend upgrading to hard luggage for durability and protection from any bad weather.
If you have soft luggage, we do highly recommend getting waterproof saddlebag covers. These waterproof luggage covers will not only protect the bags themselves but also the contents inside them in the case of bad weather.
If you do decide against the saddlebags altogether and opt for a luggage rack, you can purchase a motorcycle cover to protect your luggage, and your bike in general, while you aren’t riding it.
Shop Luggage Essentials here:
Safety Essentials for a motorcycle road trip
Safety, as you know, is extremely important when doing any amount of riding on a motorcycle. On a long-distance motorcycle ride, you may need to take extra safety precautions. Here’s a list of what we recommend you take with you:
Helmet with Sun Shield: When talking about safety and motorcycles, the first thing that should always come to mind is wearing a helmet. If you aren’t sure what type of helmet you should get, read our "A Guide to Buying a New Helmet" blog. As you’ll read in there, a full helmet for street motorcycle riding is the best. You can also grab a helmet sun shield to help with the riding during the day.
Jacket: Jackets are easy to forget when you’re thinking safety on a motorcycle. However, jackets are significant in keeping your skin safe – not only from the sun but from the road if there were to be an accident. The Fly Off-Grid jacket checks all the boxes because it is windproof, waterproof, and breathable, has reflective panels, and removable shoulder/elbow/back armor.
First Aid Kit: First aid kits are essential for any ride or trip, but they are often forgotten about. Be sure to grab one or two for your long ride.
Bike Security: Whether you are sleeping overnight somewhere or just running into the gas station or rest stop, you want to be sure your bike and belongings are well secured. You can either get a motorcycle alarm system, a lock and chain, or both. Having motorcycle security is something you don’t want to forget. Check our blog on the Monimoto Motorcycle Security Tracker. This device is to be discretely placed on your bike so the thief doesn’t know about it. That way you can track your bike on your phone and help the police find it!
Tool Kit: Even if your bike came with a tool kit, we recommend you get an extra one or one that has a good number of tools. Check out this 17-Piece Tool Kit that will make sure you have the tools you need.
Flashlight: Packing a flashlight is essential, especially if you’re parked and looking for something in your bag or trying to fix something at night and need to be hands-free. This Risk Racing Flexit Solar Light allows you to be hands-free and is solar but also has the option to be recharged using USB.
GPS: To be safe in the sense of not getting lost, and also not messing around with your phone while driving, you can get motorcycle navigation systems that will guide you to your destination. You can also grab this Nelson-Rigg Journey Mate to hold onto your GPS.
Grab all of your Safety Necessities here:
How to stay comfortable on a long motorcycle ride
Being comfortable is important when you’re riding but it is essential when you’re riding long distances. Here are a few things you should have to make sure you’re more comfortable on your motorcycle road trip:
Seat Cushion: Getting yourself a nice seat cushion will help make the long-distance ride easier. The Airhawk Seat Cushion can adapt to the individual contours of the rider, and distribute weight in a way regular seats and pads can’t.
Backrest: Giving your back a rest with one of these multi-purpose backrests will let you ride for a while without breaks. And it even has luggage racks, so you can get two items you need in one!
Rain Gear: Be prepared for any weather, especially rain, with rain gear. Make sure you get yourself a rain jacket or a rain suit, so you can keep dry in case any showers pop up.
Sunglasses: If you skip the helmet sun shield, grab yourself a pair of sunglasses, so your eyes can be protected and comfortable during the day.
Gloves: Keep your hands out of the sun and comfortable by wearing gloves.
Hydro Pack: And finally, stay hydrated while riding (which will result in comfort all around) with a Hydro Pack.
Get all the best gear to stay comfortable:
Ways to stay entertained on a road trip or how to stay entertained on a road trip
Just like on any road trip, you’ll want to stay entertained. Since riding a motorcycle limits you a bit, here’s what you can do to enjoy your ride even more:
Sound System: Hogtunes is an industry leader for motorcycle audio systems. From Bluetooth music receivers to speaker kits, you’ll be able to listen to your favorite tunes or favorite podcast!
Communication System: One of the best ways to stay entertained on the road is by talking with your fellow riders and/or connecting to your phone’s Bluetooth for music or phone calls. Cardo Systems offers a wide variety of motorcycle communication systems.
Phone Mount: Don’t forget a phone mount, so you can be hands-free when needing to look at directions or answer a call.
USB Charger: You’ll likely need a USB charger to keep your electronics charged.
Check out our entertainment items here:
When planning your motorcycle long-distance road trip, be sure to check off all of these essentials to keep you safe and entertained. Don’t forget to stop frequently to fill your Hydro Pack up and rest up when you need it, but most of all, have fun!
