Some "Must-Haves" To Take On A Road Trip?
Club Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,354
Likes: 2,274
From: Tampa Bay Area
I'm aligned with the basics, preparedness and "less is more" recommendations thus far.
Not concerned for 1,600 miles round-trip but for higher-mileage rides and/or anticipated dusty exposure I've carried a QT of oil (if I did not expect to have the time or be in the area to pick-up what I use) and a replacement air-filter.
Not concerned for 1,600 miles round-trip but for higher-mileage rides and/or anticipated dusty exposure I've carried a QT of oil (if I did not expect to have the time or be in the area to pick-up what I use) and a replacement air-filter.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
I'm in total agreement with the previous posts.
I remember talking with a local in AK when I rode there 26 years ago and he was laughing about how much "stuff" people (especially bikers) brought with them 'just in case" but almost never needed or used it!
I focus on what I my need on the road that may be difficult or impossible to buy.
The prescription glasses thing is for rea....trust me on this one! It happened to me on a Sturgis trip but thankfully my wife was flying out to meet me and she "convinced" the store where I got mine that it was an emergency situation and got me a new pair!
Prescription meds is even more important for some of us so be prepared and take more (in separate containers (if possible).
A spare key/fob (with extra FOB batteries) is darned good and IF you have and can store and secure one safely in your luggage do so because losing your key/fob (or having a dead FOB battery) can be catastrophic on a long trip!
,
The other (and last) thing that we need to keep secure is our wallet! I ALWAYS use a chain, belt attached wallet.
Most (if not all of us) carry our credit cards, D/L's bike registration & insurance docs and of course CASH in our wallet and losing it can prove to be a nightmare!
I try to keep at least one major credit card along with some cash inside a zippered pocket of my leather jacket at all times just in case.
I usually keep the major credit card that I use most either in the zippered outside pocket of my riding jacket (cloth, leather, mesh or rain) to provide east access so I don't have to be fa****g with my wallet and BTW I NEVER leave the jacket that I'm wearing on the bike or hanging on a chair when I'm in a restaurant or going to the restroom.
I remember talking with a local in AK when I rode there 26 years ago and he was laughing about how much "stuff" people (especially bikers) brought with them 'just in case" but almost never needed or used it!
I focus on what I my need on the road that may be difficult or impossible to buy.
The prescription glasses thing is for rea....trust me on this one! It happened to me on a Sturgis trip but thankfully my wife was flying out to meet me and she "convinced" the store where I got mine that it was an emergency situation and got me a new pair!
Prescription meds is even more important for some of us so be prepared and take more (in separate containers (if possible).
A spare key/fob (with extra FOB batteries) is darned good and IF you have and can store and secure one safely in your luggage do so because losing your key/fob (or having a dead FOB battery) can be catastrophic on a long trip!
,
The other (and last) thing that we need to keep secure is our wallet! I ALWAYS use a chain, belt attached wallet.
Most (if not all of us) carry our credit cards, D/L's bike registration & insurance docs and of course CASH in our wallet and losing it can prove to be a nightmare!
I try to keep at least one major credit card along with some cash inside a zippered pocket of my leather jacket at all times just in case.
I usually keep the major credit card that I use most either in the zippered outside pocket of my riding jacket (cloth, leather, mesh or rain) to provide east access so I don't have to be fa****g with my wallet and BTW I NEVER leave the jacket that I'm wearing on the bike or hanging on a chair when I'm in a restaurant or going to the restroom.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 21
Likes: 12
From: Bay Area Florida
Being big on preparedness, I much like some others have said, like to go over my bike, or whatever vehicle I'm taking beforehand and address concerns immediately in a pre-travel PM inspection. But a good pre trip inspection (something every driver honestly ought to be doing anyways) will also help minimize problems. Secondly, a solid and well laid out disaster preparedness plan for catastrophic and unforeseen issues is a great idea. Beyond that, a few basic hand tools, a tire plug kit, and you can do a fairly decent amount on your bike roadside. Basic tools means a small socket set, with a ratchet and some common size allen wrenches such as 3/16, 1/4, 1/8 that you'd likely need whilst on the road, and again, you can perform most tasks. For wrenches, really a decent 1/2" a 9/16" and if you need larger, the problem is definitely not a roadside fix. Outside of this, a simple set of fuses, and you should be set for most emergencies. Oh and a #2 phillips just in case you need to change a bulb.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 3,411
From: Idaho Panhandle
I'm in total agreement with the previous posts.
I remember talking with a local in AK when I rode there 26 years ago and he was laughing about how much "stuff" people (especially bikers) brought with them 'just in case" but almost never needed or used it!
I focus on what I my need on the road that may be difficult or impossible to buy.
The prescription glasses thing is for rea....trust me on this one! It happened to me on a Sturgis trip but thankfully my wife was flying out to meet me and she "convinced" the store where I got mine that it was an emergency situation and got me a new pair!
Prescription meds is even more important for some of us so be prepared and take more (in separate containers (if possible).
A spare key/fob (with extra FOB batteries) is darned good and IF you have and can store and secure one safely in your luggage do so because losing your key/fob (or having a dead FOB battery) can be catastrophic on a long trip!
,
The other (and last) thing that we need to keep secure is our wallet! I ALWAYS use a chain, belt attached wallet.
Most (if not all of us) carry our credit cards, D/L's bike registration & insurance docs and of course CASH in our wallet and losing it can prove to be a nightmare!
I try to keep at least one major credit card along with some cash inside a zippered pocket of my leather jacket at all times just in case.
I usually keep the major credit card that I use most either in the zippered outside pocket of my riding jacket (cloth, leather, mesh or rain) to provide east access so I don't have to be fa****g with my wallet and BTW I NEVER leave the jacket that I'm wearing on the bike or hanging on a chair when I'm in a restaurant or going to the restroom.
I remember talking with a local in AK when I rode there 26 years ago and he was laughing about how much "stuff" people (especially bikers) brought with them 'just in case" but almost never needed or used it!
I focus on what I my need on the road that may be difficult or impossible to buy.
The prescription glasses thing is for rea....trust me on this one! It happened to me on a Sturgis trip but thankfully my wife was flying out to meet me and she "convinced" the store where I got mine that it was an emergency situation and got me a new pair!
Prescription meds is even more important for some of us so be prepared and take more (in separate containers (if possible).
A spare key/fob (with extra FOB batteries) is darned good and IF you have and can store and secure one safely in your luggage do so because losing your key/fob (or having a dead FOB battery) can be catastrophic on a long trip!
,
The other (and last) thing that we need to keep secure is our wallet! I ALWAYS use a chain, belt attached wallet.
Most (if not all of us) carry our credit cards, D/L's bike registration & insurance docs and of course CASH in our wallet and losing it can prove to be a nightmare!
I try to keep at least one major credit card along with some cash inside a zippered pocket of my leather jacket at all times just in case.
I usually keep the major credit card that I use most either in the zippered outside pocket of my riding jacket (cloth, leather, mesh or rain) to provide east access so I don't have to be fa****g with my wallet and BTW I NEVER leave the jacket that I'm wearing on the bike or hanging on a chair when I'm in a restaurant or going to the restroom.
Spare Prescription glasses and meds is good preparation. I once left them on top of a gas pump and had to retract miles to get them.
i always carry a spare battery and a spare fob with no battery installed. It is in a secret pocket, secure if I ever loose my fob. Now, my main fob is on a shoelace around my neck. Always there, no chance of loosing it.
i hate sitting on my wallet, so my riding shirts have a breast pocket that buttons or zips shut. I keep a simple wallet. License, CWP, health card, insurance card, credit card, money and two phone numbers written on a piece of paper with the telephone number of my two most important people. Just in case I lose my phone and I am not quick to remember their numbers. There is a spare credit card.
You had a good and helpful response.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,563
Likes: 3,978
From: Virginia
Ive become less is more kind of rider during decades of cross country riding. First, I make sure my bike is as road worthy as possible before starting the trip to avoid issues such as bolts coming loose, tire issues etc.
my list is a decent tool kit, rain suit, cell phone and credit card.
my list is a decent tool kit, rain suit, cell phone and credit card.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 400
Likes: 572
From: New Durham NH
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 285
Likes: 201
From: California
Wild *** seat cushion.
3 pairs of gloves. Light motocross gloves, regular leather gloves, and insulated gauntlet's. I keep silk glove liners in the saddle bag all the time. Adds a lot of breathable warmth & minimal bulk.
Thermal underwear. I like the Heat Gear from Costco.
Neck gaiter, arm sleeves.
Call me an idiot, and you may already know this, but I recently learned if your battery dies, your bike stops running. You can jump start it, but the stator will not keep your bike running if your battery will not hold a charge. Motorcycles don't work like a car which will run off the alternator. I recently jump started my bike when it didn't have enough power to crank, expecting the battery was bad (it was just shy of 5 years old), took off down the road, and the bike shut off. I had to change the battery on the side of the road maybe 1/2 mile from the gas station. So buy good batteries & don't let them get too old. If you have to jump start it, let it run for a little while before you take off.
3 pairs of gloves. Light motocross gloves, regular leather gloves, and insulated gauntlet's. I keep silk glove liners in the saddle bag all the time. Adds a lot of breathable warmth & minimal bulk.
Thermal underwear. I like the Heat Gear from Costco.
Neck gaiter, arm sleeves.
Call me an idiot, and you may already know this, but I recently learned if your battery dies, your bike stops running. You can jump start it, but the stator will not keep your bike running if your battery will not hold a charge. Motorcycles don't work like a car which will run off the alternator. I recently jump started my bike when it didn't have enough power to crank, expecting the battery was bad (it was just shy of 5 years old), took off down the road, and the bike shut off. I had to change the battery on the side of the road maybe 1/2 mile from the gas station. So buy good batteries & don't let them get too old. If you have to jump start it, let it run for a little while before you take off.
Last edited by Bullwinkle58; Apr 4, 2026 at 09:34 AM.
