Your Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: Get Ready for Your Next Adventure
Exploring the world from the saddle is an incredible pastime that we know all too well here at Republic Harley-Davidson, your The Woodlands Harley-Davidson dealer. As a team of riders, we understand the joys of venturing across state lines, testing our riding skills, taking in breathtaking landscapes, and making lasting memories. This experience has also taught us many valuable lessons about packing. We're excited to share those lessons with you in our ultimate road trip packing list that you can use to start planning your next adventure in the saddle.
First Things First: Realities and Considerations
Our packing list is a tool you can use and modify to your needs. Why is this important? Because every rider is unique and every trip is different. For example, what you pack is determined by how far you're traveling, your destination, how much your motorcycle can carry, and if you're riding solo or two-up. Of course, you can carry a lot more solo, but that may not be an option, so you might have to pack strategically with your passenger.
Preparing for the unexpected and unpredictable, like rapidly changing weather conditions and unfamiliar terrain, is also helpful. While you can check the weather forecast, meteorologists don't have a crystal ball, so it's essential to always be prepared. Perhaps even more importantly, know that you'll likely forget something. Sometimes, it's a toothbrush or deodorant; other times, it's rain gear. Hopefully, our list helps you remember the big things since a toothbrush is easily replaceable.
Personal Necessities: Clothing and Toiletries
Packing for yourself is the easiest part of the trip. You need enough clothes and toiletries for the length of your journey. Depending on your destination and the time of year, you can generally stick with the basics and pack t-shirts, shorts, pants, underwear, socks, non-riding shoes, and a hat for battling wild helmet hair. If you expect cooler temperatures, remember that you can layer and add a few long-sleeve shirts for the evenings or a lightweight jacket. If you're riding two-up and can't carry enough clothes for the entire trip, you can do laundry at the hotel or find laundromats along your route, helping you save room and giving you a break from the saddle.
Like clothing, toiletries are straightforward and include the basics plus a few additions. For example, you'll need your toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, and soap. You may also need a razor or shaving kit and any prescription medications you take. We recommend including a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, sunscreen, and even a few laundry pods in a plastic bag for when you need to wash clothes.
Riding Gear: From Head to Toe
While you may ride around The Woodlands in a t-shirt, jeans, and riding boots, we recommend setting off on your next adventure with the proper protective gear. This gear includes your helmet, a seasonal riding jacket, riding pants, gloves, and boots. You may also need to pack weather-related gear, depending on your destination. For example, if you're traveling to a warmer area, pack warmer weather gear for riding around once you arrive. Also, because the weather can rapidly change, don't forget to pack wet weather gear.
Along with the essential gear, keep in mind the type of eye protection you'll need. While sunglasses may be your go-to for everyday rides, they aren't safe to wear at night and don't offer the best visibility in overcast or hazy conditions. Be prepared by packing clear glasses or goggles, or have another type of eye protection for these situations.
With your riding gear and eye protection covered, next on the list is neck protection. It's easy to forget about it until you've been riding in the Texas sun for eight hours, and your neck is burned to a crisp and painful to move. Fortunately, it's easily fixed by packing a neck scarf, bandana, or gaiter to protect your neck from the glaring sun.
All the Electronics: Tech-Savvy Riders
Where would we be without our smartphones? Phones are our lifelines and another necessity for every adventure in the saddle. Fortunately, motorcycle manufacturers like Harley-Davidson recognize as much and equip their newer models with intuitive digital displays that offer seamless smartphone integration. This makes your smartphone another must-have for your next trip.
Along with your smartphone, you'll also need your charger and any other electronics that you might use on your journey. For example, you may need to work in the evenings, which requires your laptop or tablet and the accompanying charging cables and accessories. In addition, many riders travel with GoPros and digital cameras to document their journeys. If this is the case, your tech bag may include a GoPro stick, travel tripod, memory cards, adaptors, USB drives, and a removable hard drive to back up your photos and videos.
Bike Tools: Plan for the Unexpected
As you prepare for your next adventure, plan for the unexpected as best as possible. While you will often run into rapidly changing weather conditions and unfamiliar terrain, you may also experience a few issues with your bike that require a little know-how on the side of the road. Preparing for this is easy and starts by packing a few necessities, like a basic tool kit that works for your bike and includes screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, Allen and Torx wrenches, extra spark plugs, fuses, and cable ties. Also, consider packing jumper cables, a tire repair kit, a tire gauge, a spare bike key, and bungee cords.
The Necessary Extras
How many times have you left the house without your wallet? Whether it's a weekly occurrence or not, we'd be remiss if we didn't include the necessary extras, like your wallet, on our packing list for the ultimate motorcycle road trip. Unfortunately, the little things are easy to forget but often have the most impact. After all, realizing you forgot your wallet 200 miles away from home isn't a pleasant thought.
While you're making sure your wallet is in your pocket, go ahead and double-check the contents. For example, make sure your driver's license, health insurance, and debit and credit cards are not expired and are safely tucked away. Also, consider traveling with cash for instances when you can't or don't want to use your credit card. Finally, confirm your motorcycle insurance and registration are current and easily accessible.
Other necessary extras include water and snacks to make the ride more enjoyable. Reusable options like a Nalgene bottle, water bladder, or HydroFlask are excellent and can cut costs because they're easy to refill. As far as snacks, pack your favorites, but consider your riding plans and frequency of stops. If you plan to ride longer intervals between breaks, include a few protein bars to get you through.
Go Ahead, Start Packing
Are you ready for your next adventure? With our ultimate packing list, there's no question your next trip will get off to a great start. From clothes and toiletries to electronics, riding gear, and necessary extras like snacks, water, and your wallet, our packing list will help you make the most of your next adventure and return home to The Woodlands with more stories to share.