Touring essentials

[Marq]

Making plans for our first tour and giving though to what "must have" items I need to consider taking. All travel to date has been local so what experiances have you enountered that led to the list of items you would not leave home without?

Ride will be in late August, Northern CA lower OR (800 miles). More interested in ideas of items other than clothing/person items but all welcome.

[Britman]

Here's an old fix.

Make 2 piles. One of "stuff" to take. One of money to take.

Halve the pile of stuff and double the pile of money and GO RIDE.:D :biker:

http://motorcycles.about.com/library/blpaklist.htm

http://www.canyonchasers.net/reference/packing_list.php

[ccryder]

A toolkit.
Air compressor and tire plugs/ worms, tire gage
Rain gear
Spare fuses
HRC membership (free towing)
First aid kit
Honda Spray cleaner/ polish
Sunscreen
A new seat!

Oops, didn't someone already post this? Marq, do a search on touring essentials. If you can't find it I'll get list of what I carried on my 7k mile, 2 week jaunt in June.

Neil S.

[Ken]

Marq,

You don't mention how long you will be gone but depending on duration and climate, this checklist may be helpful.

http://kboyer.backpackit.com/pub/505900

[John-DownUnder]

This is from my old list - for 2-up, 3-week trips. Some items have dropped off the list lately and some (kidney belt) not ever needed.
Items are grouped by packed location:

Top Box
First aid kit, including any medicines
Small backpack
Wet weather gear (2 sets)
Gloves - wet/cold weather (3 sets)
Emergency ponchos (2)
Bum bag (if not in use)
Spare film & mail bags for posting film (days before electronic cameras)
Spare glasses & spare sunglasses
Sunglasses cases (2 empty)
Note book & pen
Cleaning gear bag: Detergent (in plastic bag), chamois, sponge, rags
Foam drink coolers (2) & water bottle
Thermal underwear: 2 skivvies, 2 pants, 1 shorts
Neck warmer
Toilet paper in plastic bag
Sandals x 2
Rain cover for seat
JM’s mobile phone & outer case
Tyre gauge
Breakfast cereal

Under seat
Tools (including extras)
Spare fuses
Spare ignition & topbox keys (hidden)

Bum bag (or belt) (packed in topbox when riding)
Spare change
Wallet (alternate)

Glove compartments (left & right)
Keys to topbox, panniers, disk lock
Rain cover radio control units
Spare change
House keys (locked in LHS pocket)
Screw driver for adjusting damping
Disc lock

Tank Bag
Sunglasses cleaning rag
Map & CB channel list in map pocket
Ear plugs (3 spare sets - prior to moulded plugs being available)
Fuel log book
Pen
2 caps
SO's purse: credit cards, drivers licence, mobile phone
Cell charger
Powerlet 12v extension plug
Small flash light
Muesli bars, apples
Headache tablets, antihistamines, lip balm, eye drops, asthma puffer
Sunscreen cream
Hair brush
MP3 player & remote, spare batteries
Multi tool
Camera & spare batteries
Side-stand foot plate
Swiss army knife
Maps, M/cycle Atlas, touring guides/booklets
Lighter/Matches

Saddlebags (left & right)
Clothes, shoes, toiletries (mine in one side; SO's in other side)
plus
Bike documents: ST1300 owner’s manual, service booklet, copies of rego/insurance papers, electrical diagram
Paperwork/receipts: accommodation, tickets
Diary print-out with phone numbers
Octopus straps
Extra tools: Duck tape, spanners, pliers, electrical tapes, screwdrivers, multimeter
Reading material & notes
Breakfast bowl & spoon

Wearing
Sunglasses (bi-focal)
Watch
Ear plugs (moulded)
Leather jacket & wallet
Leather pants
Spare pannier/seat key & whistle
Clothing (T-shirt, U/pants)
Gloves
Motorcycle boots & woollen socks
Camelback (water)
Kidney belt

Other
Driver’s Licence
Healthcare / Social security cards, cash & credit cards, business cards
Phone numbers in phone: Honda Rider Assist, Insurance company claim number, Banks’ lost credit card contact numbers
Honda Riders membership card & Roadside Assist card
Rubber bands (for tying sandles and other things together)

Sorry for any Aussie slang not explained. Hope this helps.
Cheers

[vintagemxr]

Making plans for our first tour and giving though to what "must have" items I need to consider taking. All travel to date has been local so what experiances have you enountered that led to the list of items you would not leave home without?

Ride will be in late August, Northern CA lower OR (800 miles). More interested in ideas of items other than clothing/person items but all welcome.


Ran across this site a few years ago. Lots of useful info there:

Motorcycle Touring for Beginners (http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/)

The most important thing to take with you is a spirit of fun and adventure.

[Mongo]

If moteling, wet weather riding gear, Xtra gloves, credit card, debit card, cash and a cell phone. If camping, Xtra gloves, credit card, debit card, cash and a cell phone,Tent, 2 of each therma rest, sleeping bag, air pillow. Undwerwear, tshirts, 1 pair dress (depends on evening adventures) clothes. After your first trip you can adjust to your personal needs. Most riders take to much the first time and are continually fighting the STUFF. Oh yeah toilett paper/baby wipes in a ziplock.