It’s debatable whether you truly need anything when riding a motorcycle. What’s necessary for one individual may be an unnecessary luxury item for another. However, if you’re organizing a vacation that will last longer than, say, a weekend, you need to prepare ahead and take certain potential scenarios into account. Does your motorbike have the same basic design as the Yamaha Bolt? Would you be traveling across several different climates? Will you be riding off-road, on pavement, or both? Will you be visiting any unfamiliar locations?
All of those questions should have an answer while you’re organizing your vacation. You’ll know exactly what to pack and what to leave behind based on the response you receive. For instance keep your camping supplies at home if you don’t intend to go camping. If your motorcycle is meant to be driven on highways and you have a big fuel tank you might not need an emergency fuel bottle. No matter how long your motorcycle trip is going to be you should definitely pack most if not all of the following goods.
Tank Bag
Tank bags are quite practical; however, because they are usually small, they cannot accommodate a lot of items. Their main purpose is to store items that you will need close at hand. Think of them as containers for your wallet, phone, small first aid kit, paper map, cloth for cleaning your seat or visor, and any other item you might need to reach quickly.
Magnetic tank bags are ideal for use with motorbike tanks that are composed of steel. You might want to consider getting a bag with a specific mount or straps if your gas tank is made of metal or plastic. Either way, if the bag is holding your stuff, make sure it has an easy-to-grasp fast-release mechanism so you can take it with you whenever you stop for a snack or a break.
GPS Navigation Unit
If you’re traveling somewhere you have never visited before or if you don’t know the route well you’ll probably require a GPS gadget. There are many substitutes on the market. The mobile wayfinding industry has advanced significantly since you had to print your own turn-by-turn directions from MapQuest. Gone are the days of having to rely only on low-cost, name-brand devices that are just as likely to get you lost, and in their place are high-end, Garmin full-color touch-screen displays.
The two best GPS manufacturers are Garmin and TomTom, but Beeline also provides a simple basic device that connects to your phone using Bluetooth. It links to the Beeline map, which functions as a stand-alone navigation software, and provides you with the essential information you need to focus on riding instead of constantly checking your phone. Triumph has teamed up with the firm to create their own branded versions, demonstrating how popular it has become. Additionally, a comparable gadget made by Royal Enfield is included as standard equipment with certain of their motorcycles.
Phone Holder
Additionally, the variety of digital map alternatives has advanced significantly, just like the GPS industry has. Apple offers its own mapping software, Google’s maps are always the best, and some motorcycle-focused applications, like Rever, now include navigation.
Basically, all you need is a handlebar mount and a sturdy, waterproof smartphone cover. Luckily for those of us who ride motorcycles, there are several alternatives available. Various styles are available to suit various uses. The top two are provided by Quad Lock and Rockford, respectively. To keep your phone camera from rattling apart, they provide a large selection of handlebar mounts, phone covers, universal clips, and even vibration dampeners.
Windshield
It’s wonderful that a windshield is often included with motorcycles. But what if there was none included with yours? Like you could do without any of these items, you can ride a motorbike without a windshield. So why not try to make your life simpler? They shield you from bugs, gravel, rain, and other debris as well as highway breezes. They’re also excellent for applying stickers to let others know where you’ve been.
You could be lucky enough that the manufacturer of your motorbike offers an OEM accessory shield specifically for you, depending on the year, make, and model of your bike. In such a scenario, installing and buying them is not too difficult. In other situations, it’s more difficult, and the aftermarket needs to step in. Businesses like Dart can frequently supply you with a bike-specific screen together with the required hardware, mounts, and installation instructions.
Heated Grips
Although they are a luxury, heated grips are unquestionably worthwhile investing in. Taking into account that there might be a 15-degree variation in temperature between moving at a pace and remaining still. Additionally, consider additional motorcycle travel options that might result in abrupt temperature changes, such height changes, sunsets, entering a forest, or even snowfall.
Many motorcycle manufacturers are aware that once heated grips are experienced, the need for them will never go away. For that reason, they frequently provide OEM upgrade options for particular models. As with many of these other accessories, though, you can always look to the aftermarket if your bike doesn’t come with a pair. Heated grips are among the many items of motorcycle-related gear made by a business called Oxford. Investing in heated grips might prove to be a prudent choice, particularly if you anticipate dealing with a variety of weather conditions during your journey.
Luggage
Using a backpack alone on a long-distance trip is the one sin you want to avoid. That’s highly restrictive as well as physically taxing on your back at the end of the day. Furthermore, you have a wide range of solutions to choose from if, unlike many models, your motorbike did not arrive with OEM baggage already attached.
You could choose an aftermarket setup, or you might have access to OEM systems. Whether to get soft or hard baggage is one decision you’ll need to make. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Hard casings are more easily destroyed by impacts but are also more tamper-proof. Additionally, soft casings may be simpler to steal from even though they can withstand blows more effectively. In most situations, there’s also the option to get a tail bag to finish the setup. Whichever solution you choose, though, you can be certain that your neck and back will appreciate not having to wear a bulky backpack after a hard day of riding.
USB Port
Our world is becoming more and more computerized and gadget-filled. Additionally, you will occasionally need to charge your phone even if all you have with you is it, especially in the event that you are utilizing the phone for GPS. Many modern bikes have USB ports pre-installed, if not straight from the factory then from the dealer. However, they’re usually located in awkward places, such beneath the seat or close to the battery. Unless you want to tuck the phone beneath the seat, that’s not the best place to put it.
Naturally, the handlebars, where your phone usually rests, are the ideal location. There are other possibilities as well, including merchants like Revzilla and sites like Amazon and eBay. Additionally, there are businesses like Daytona that focus on producing simple, motorcycle-specific USB connectors that appear to have been fitted straight out of the factory.
Tool Bag With Essentials
Even with a brand-new motorbike, there is a little possibility that something may go wrong. Even if it’s a small adjustment—like a loose bolt—it will be difficult to make in the middle of nowhere if you’re not equipped for it.
In actuality, not many of us are skilled mechanics. However, even humans are capable of doing simple tasks like zip-tying a wire together or tightening a screw. Therefore, it’s imperative that we always carry a basic toolkit in a handy little bag or roll. You’ll need a flashlight, pliers, screwdrivers, Allen keys, and, if you have the space, a set of wrenches. The sort of equipment you carry will depend on your experience level and judgment.
Tire Patch Kit
You should absolutely think about getting a tire patch kit in addition to a suitable emergency tool bag. Check the tires you have to see if they are tubeless or tubed. Luckily, all you’ll need to do if they’re tubeless is use the plugs that come with the box to seal the hole and a pump to add air (the pump may operate on the bike’s battery or an internal rechargeable battery). It can be quite intriguing to have to remove the wheel, remove the tire, replace the tube, and then reinstall the tire on the bike when you have a tubed tire.
Throttle Lock
Everyone has experienced wrist strain from lugging heavy loads over long distances on two wheels. There’s only so much throttle twisting you can do until exhaustion sets in and your wrist ache starts to take a mental toll. You’re in luck if your motorcycle has cruise control built in from the manufacturer. However, a lot of riders like to tour long distances on motorbikes without any technological features for aid.
Businesses such as Atlas have joined the market that was formerly dominated by inexpensive, difficult-to-adjust clip-on doohickeys or basic cramp buster clips that allowed your palm to assist with acceleration. With a single button press, Atlas’s ubiquitous, straightforward two-button system—which mounts next to the throttle—enables you to lock in the accelerator. All you have to do is hit the opposite button to release the throttle.
