How to Pack for that Cross Country Road Trip

1. Gearing Up

Getting ready to go on that long cross-country ride that you have been planing for months, or even years, is a feeling that most of us look forward to. Whether is a ride across the state, across Canada into Alaska, or just a weekend camping trip, being prepared with the right equipment is paramount. Now, "minimalist" means different things to different people, but for our purposes we will focus on the minimum items that a rider might need and with the lowest weight possible. Craigslist, Amazon, Walmart, are all decent options for bargains. 

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2. Prepared Doesn't Mean Overloaded

Even for those riders that after years of experience can pack three weeks of gear into a 10lb bag, there was a time when "the necessary gear" nearly tipped over the motorcycle at a standstill. For new riders or those touring for the first time, packing usually results in the compromise game; what to take, what to leave, what do I need? 

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3. The Bike

Just like the rider, the bike needs a certain amount of gear along for the trip which will ensure both safety and security in the event of an emergency (flat tire, dead battery, etc). While many riders focus on the rider's gear, the motorcycle necessities tend to be considered second. The following items may help you decide what is best for you while keeping your overall weight down. 

1. Tire repair kit

How to fix a tire can vary from bike to bike (inner tube, tubeless?) For those of you running tires with inner tubes this is a far more tricky situation while on the road. The majority of the time this will require your bike to be hauled to a shop, however, if the leak is small and slow a can of slime on your bag will probably get you where you need to go. For those of us running tubeless tires, a repair kit, which can be purchased for around $6 is a must. Both the slime bottle and the tire repair kit will be around 250-300 grams. 

2. Air compressor/flashlight

They are loud! and most people dislike using them as your tire is inflated painfully slow. The units overheat, so many times you will stop about half way and to let the unit cool off before completely inflating the tire. Still, well worth it as you can fix and inflate a tire in far less time than help will reach you (while touring or camping). The weight of the unit is about 300 grams and will cost about $20-45. These also come with a built-in flashlight so no need to carry one. 

3. Pesticide sprayer hose

Carrying spare fuel is heavy and inconvenient. While you could buy spare gas containers that will hold a half to a full gallon of fuel, the weight added is often not worth it. Instead get a replacement hose for pesticide sprayers (or similar), about 3/4-inch in diameter and have the ability to siphon gas to or from your bike. Weight about 100 grams and $3-6.

4. Toolkit

The bike's toolkit is by far the heaviest item. It should contain the majority of the tools needed to work on your bike and should include zip ties, duct tape, and a shop rag. Most bikes nowadays come with a toolkit that is less than perfect. Most toolkits can be put together for about $40 if you are not too picky about tool brand. Weight should be no more than 2-lb depending on your bike. 

Total weight of your bike gear should be around 1,700 grams or about 4-lbs.

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4. The Rider

What the rider will need during a long trip will vastly vary depending on personal preferences, weather conditions, budgets, etc. There are plenty of good helmets that are heavy and plenty of light helmets that are just incredibly expensive. Experienced riders know what they like and what works for them. If you are unsure, here are some tips that might help you decide.

1. Mesh pants and jacket

Instead of wearing jeans and a leather jacket, consider something like the Bilt Blaze jacket and pants available at most motorcycle shops, Amazon, etc. Wear a tank top and underwear underneath and you'll be riding cool as air moves through the mesh while protecting you from sunburn. Keep your jeans clean for your after-riding time. Many people in our group on rides across the US became big fans of this set-up. Cost: $90-150 per set. 

2. Layers

Riding in the cold is no fun. Layering is key in order to ensure a productive day of riding. Your rain gear will double as cold-weather gear on top of your mesh jacket and pants. Throw in a light fleece which you probably have in your closet right now in between and you will be quite comfortable at 70 mph in 40 degrees (which turns out about 20 degrees with wind-chill conversion). Weight: 700 grams and $50-150 for a good set. 

3. Gloves

Even if you spend $400 on the best riding gloves, a good rain will get your hands both cold and wet. A good and cheap way to ensure you ride comfortably to your next stop to dry your gear is to have a few sets of mechanic rubber gloves (or medical exam gloves) to wear underneath your gloves. If you are not too worried about what people think about you, a set of black, over-sized chemical gloves, available at Home Depot or Lowe's, is a fantastic alternative. Some people just cannot be seen wearing that, but for those of us watching our budget, this is a must. Weight: 100 grams and $5-15. 

4. Shirts/socks/underwear

Forget the cotton Harley-Davidson T-shirts, the white cotton socks, and cotton boxers. Ride more comfortably by wearing polyester and spandex blends. Walmart is a great spot to find inexpensive clothes with this blend of material. A 5-day supply of shirts, socks, and underwear will probably cost around $45 and can be washed on the go and dried in just a couple of hours. Weight: 600 grams. 

5. Waterproof

Spend a little time with your gloves and boots to make them more resistant to water. Rub a candle over them and use a hair-dryer to make sure the wax gets in all the right spots. This will help with wind and water resistance. Cost is $2 and it weighs nothing.  

Anything else you carry with you is nice-to-have and that 6-lb leather jacket and chaps (while they look cool) tend to be more problems than they are worth in bad weather. 

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5. The Rest Of The Gear

So now you still have to pack your clothes for hanging around where you are going, perhaps a nice pair of pants and a shirt to take your wife to that nice restaurant at the water's edge. Although this might be unfeasible for most people, consider mailing those "nice-to-have" items ahead. For the rest of us, if we want it, we pack it. Assuming you are wearing that mesh jacket-pants combo which can be washed in a tub in the hotel and dried by the morning, you should only have to pack a pair of jeans, a light jacket, and a second pair of shoes/boots. If packed properly and the clothes are of the right material, the items suggested for the bike and rider should all fit in two saddlebags, leaving the top-case (if you have one) for niceties OR your camping gear if that is what you are doing. If you are willing to do some light work while on your trip by washing your poly/spandex blend underwear/shirt/socks as you go, the load in your bags should really stay to a minimum. 

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6. Learn And Repeat

You will learn a lot on your first touring trip. While items on this list might help, you might come up with your own suggestions to help others or even better alternatives. We, as riders, are constantly learning from one another. If you have an idea, try it out, and don't be discouraged by others who might "know best" but have mostly negative things to say about how YOU want to do it. 

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For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.