4 Packing Tips for Motorcycle Tours
I currently have three motorcycles in my garage—a Yamaha Ténéré 700, Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE, and Honda Trail 125. Each machine is an entirely different experience, yet I have completed overnight tours on all of them.
Click here to find my current luggage setup for each of these bikes. The great thing about the luggage you see is that it’s versatile enough to mix and match to meet the demands of any ride.
Depending on the motorcycle and the type and length of your journey, your luggage setup may vary from what you see here. No two motorcycle trips are exactly the same, but there are some commonalities. After years of RoadRUNNER tours, I have found these four considerations to be the most crucial when packing for a motorcycle trip.
1. Don’t Overpack
Do not pack too much. Carrying excessive luggage can not only become annoyingly cumbersome to load and unload each day, but it could even negatively affect your motorcycle’s handling. Pack for seven days at most, and plan to do laundry a few times during the trip if needed.
2. Choose Your Luggage Carefully
A tankbag or tailbag is a great option for storing small items you need to access often. Meanwhile, saddlebags are perfect for your clothes and other personal items you’ll need in the evenings. Remember that you’ll likely have to carry your luggage into a hotel each night, so choose bags with some kind of quick-mount system and carry handles. Finally, always leave extra room in your luggage. Even if you don’t pick up any souvenirs, you’ll be glad to not wrestle with overstuffed bags.
3. Organize Your Items with Packing Cubes
Dividing your things into smaller bags or packing cubes helps you stay organized while making finding whatever you may require faster. Choose light-colored bags, as they make it easier to discern their contents. Use one cube for your clothes and another for your tool kit, your toiletries, and any other item sets you want to keep together.
4. Use Waterproof Luggage
When selecting your luggage, keep in mind that you might be riding through varying weather conditions. Waterproof gear is always a good idea when traveling. The Nelson-Rigg gear I use is waterproof, so I don’t have to worry about the items inside getting wet. If your bags are permeable, you can protect their contents from rain with waterproof interior bags or a waterproof cover, which is what I do when using the SW-Motech Legends gear on the Triumph Scrambler.