Packing For A Motorcycle Trip

Your motorcycle is many things: powerful, efficient, stylish, and an excellent expression of your taste and independence. What it isn’t, however, is roomy, and longer trips may become difficult due to the lack of cargo space. Luckily, we here at Road Track & Trail have some experience with the matter, so we’ve put together some tips for packing for a motorcycle trip. To learn more, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact our store in Big Bend, Wisconsin, today!

Do You Need More Storage?

Compact as most bikes are, there are exceptions to the low cargo space rule. Some motorcycles actually have more than enough storage for most trips, so first you’ll need to decide if your bike needs the extra help or not. 

The three most common upgrade options, if you need them, are:

• Hard cases, which are weather resistant and secure, but also expensive and heavy
• Soft luggage, which is easy to access, lightweight, and affordable, but offers less protection
• Tank bags, which are convenient and great for storing small items that you need to access, but don’t have much space

Pack Light

It’s easy to accidentally overpack, which can make a motorcycle ride both uncomfortable and unsafe. Try to cut down on your packing as much as possible. Start with essentials, like a toolkit and first aid kit. Then make a list of necessary bad weather gear like waterproof outerwear. You might also want some water and high-protein snacks, but otherwise should avoid packing more.

You’ll also want to minimize cargo weight. If possible, pack fewer changes of clothing and just do laundry wherever you’re staying.

It’s vital to avoid bringing “just in case” items (not emergency items, but extra chargers, batteries, etc). Even if you do need them, most can be acquired from local stores.

Pack Strategically

Think carefully about how your packing will impact your ride and the items you’re bringing. Heavier items should be as low in the storage and as far forward as possible to keep them stable and from crushing more delicate items. Try to balance the weight from right to left to avoid destabilizing the bike and making it harder to control.

Go For A Test Drive

You don’t necessarily need to take notes on a clipboard, but it can be a good idea to take your packed-up bike on a quick run to get a feel for how the cargo impacts handling, acceleration, deceleration, and turn radius. If you’ll have a passenger on the trip, bring them on the test drive for the most accurate representation. This is also a good opportunity to make sure your bags and belongings are securely attached and won’t fall off mid-ride.

Ready to hit the road? Contact us at Road Track & Trail for more packing tips, or to see the motorcycles we have for sale. We proudly serve the people of Milwaukee and Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois—let us serve you today!