Motorcycle Road Trip Tips | Harley-Davidson USA

Road Trip Tips

Sometimes it's more about what you leave behind than what you take.

Road Trip Tips

Sometimes it's more about what you leave behind than what you take.

What To Bring

Pack items that have more than one use. A multi-tool is handier than a basic pocket knife.
Pack all your cold weather and raingear no matter what time of year it is.
Lightweight synthetic clothing – such as T-shirts and underwear – can be washed in a hotel sink and dried overnight (cotton fabrics take too long to dry in this manner).
On long trips, consider bringing your rattiest underwear (or other clothing), then just throw it away when you're done with it!
Plastic bags make great boot liners if you forgot your gaiters. If you forgot your rain gloves, rubber dishwashing gloves make great, inexpensive substitutes.
A small towel can be wrapped around your neck during a rainstorm to keep water from running down your back – and doubles as a shop rag.

How To Pack

Don't fold your clothes – roll them. They take up less space that way.
Zipper-lock plastic bags of various sizes can be extremely useful for organizing items in saddlebags and duffle bags. They can make it easier to find and retrieve particular items without unpacking your entire motorcycle. Use the one-gallon size to pack one day's worth of clothes – jeans, undergarments, and shirt. This makes it easier to unpack just what you need.
When traveling with other riders, conserve space by comparing packing lists and eliminating duplicate items.
When traveling (two-up) with a partner, ask yourself questions such as: "Can we share a tube of toothpaste?" or "Can I get by using her shampoo for a week?"
Few things are as easy to pack as money or credit cards. If you're struggling with whether or not to bring a particular item, consider simply buying it on the road if you need it.

Getting Your Bike Ready

If you watch the ounces, the pounds will take care of themselves. When possible, lighter is better.
Check the cargo weight limits of your bike - as well as the bags and racks - and adjust tire pressure and suspension accordingly.
When loading your bike, keep as much weight as possible close to the bike's center of gravity. That means low and toward the tank, distributed evenly from side to side.

Before You Leave

Before you begin your trip, make sure to review all local motorcycle laws for the states you'll be traveling in. LEARN MORE
A day or two before you leave, do a dry run. Pack the bike and go for a short ride, then adjust the load as needed.
If you're camping, set up your tent once or twice before you leave (and don't forget to waterproof it). Practice setting it up in the dark.
With your bike loaded for your road trip, check your headlamp to make sure it’s properly aimed.

Packing Checklist

Clothing

Helmet
Rain jacket and pants
Rain gloves
Summer gloves
Winter gloves
Overboots or rain gaiters
Heated gloves
Hand warmer packets
Glove liners
Heated vest liner
Skullcap
Microfleece neck warmer
Balaclava
Fleece head wrap
T-shirts
Socks and underwear
Synthetic long underwear
Long-sleeved shirts
Turtleneck shirts
Extra jeans
Light jacket
Leather/cold-weather jacket
Chaps
Leather pants
Riding boots
Leather or denim vest
Bandanas - two (one for face; one for neck or forehead)
Sunglasses
Goggles/night eye protection
Change of shoes
Sock liners
Cooling neck wrap
Windbreaker or light jacket

Bike Maintenance

Tool kit
Replacement fuses
8-in-1 screwdriver
Spare spark plugs and plug wires
Genuine Harley-Davidson® Motorcycle Oil
Paper funnel
Small can of multi-purpose spray lubricant
Motorcycle jumper cables
Turn-signal and brake-light bulbs
Tire gauge
Bike cover
Harley™ Care Starter Kit (cleaning supplies)
Softcloth
Locking pliers
Needlenose pliers
Sidecutters
Clutch cable or clutch saver
Thread locking adhesive
Various nuts, bolts, washers
Torx and allen wrenches
Closed/open-end wrenches(standard and metric - bring only the ones common to your bike)
Basic socket set with one drive (bring only the ones common to your bike)

Personal

Basic toiletries
Emergency cash
Change for tolls (keep in easy-to-access place)
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Nail clippers
Handkerchief
Tweezers
Small package of tissue
Cotton or earplugs
Contact lens solution
Moisturizing eye drops
Fork and spoon in plastic wrapper
Traveler's roll of bathroom tissue
Moist towelettes/baby wipes

Emergency Items

Personal first-aid kit
List of emergency contact numbers (include doctor/medical professional)
List of current medications
List of medical conditions (include allergies)
Small waterproof flashlight
Spare key
Basic cold and headache medicine
Antihistamines
Insect bite stick
Utility light
Emergency blanket
Cellular phone and charger
Telephone calling card
Small candle
Waterproof matches and fire-starting kit
Duct tape
Electrical tape
Small amount of (baling) wire
Bottle of water
Energy food bars
Eyeglass repair kit

Miscellaneous

H.O.G.® Touring Handbook (available to H.O.G. members only)
H.O.G.® membership card (available to H.O.G. members only)
Bike registration and insurance info
Motorcycle owners or service manual
Motorcycle warranty card
Pen and small notebook
Kickstand board
Camera and film (or disposable camera)
Small sewing kit
Cargo net
Bungee cords (various lengths)
Swiss-style pocketknife or multi-tool
Tote sack
Two or three large trash bags
Small can opener
Bike lock
Extra zipper-lock bags
Small towel

Ride Planner

Plan your next trip

Part of the fun of riding is experiencing the unexpected… the sights, the sounds, the smells and the people you meet. But you need some kind of plan…right?

Ride Planner