What To Pack For A Touring Trip

Touring on your motorcycle is a freeing and rewarding experience, allowing you to travel to and through places you might never have visited in a car. You get to enjoy having the wind in your face and the sun at your back as you ride past glorious vistas. But no touring journey should start without a little prep work to prevent yourself from becoming lost or stranded.

At Bartels' Harley-Davidson® in Marina Del Rey, California, we’re pretty familiar with all the planning that goes into a good touring trip. Before you hop on your Harley motorcycle and head onto the freeway, make sure you follow this packing list so that you’re prepared for every eventuality on the road.

Maps

While it may seem counterintuitive to bring a paper map in the 21st century, you might be touring in an area that gets very poor reception, meaning that neither your phone nor your GPS will be able to tell you where you are and how to get out of there if you’re lost. Grabbing a paper map from a local gas station is a good way to keep yourself from getting too turned around when you can’t get any bars.

Phone

While it’s unlikely for anyone to forget their phone in this day and age since they’ve become such vital communication tools, we’ll remind you nevertheless to bring yours on your touring ride, along with a charger. You could get stranded or injured and need to call for help, so having your phone available is important. Plus, it doubles as a camera for capturing all those pretty vistas and cool road selfies -- while you’re stopped, of course!

Food & Water

Your bike doesn’t have a ton of room for supplies, but you should still have a little food and water on hand in case of emergencies. If you’re stranded miles from town, you’ll be grateful you thought to bring fuel and hydration. Carry a quart of water and some high-calorie, energy-dense foods like granola bars or jerky.

Spare Clothes

You should always be prepared for whatever the weather might bring. If you’re climbing into high altitudes, a lightweight fleece jacket under your riding jacket will keep your core warm. Having waterproof gear for wet weather is helpful, as is a change of shirt and socks in case you do get drenched. Wearing a riding suit will protect the clothes you have on in most conditions, so consider investing in one if you don’t already have one.

Repair & First-Aid Kits

As you ride, no matter how well you might have inspected your bike before you left, you might find you need to perform some minor repairs or adjustments on the road. A repair kit with plenty of wrenches, a multi-tool, screwdrivers and a flashlight will go a long way in an emergency.

By the same turn, you should carry a small first-aid kit with bandages, gauze, ointments, painkillers and other supplies to patch yourself up if you become injured.

Cash

Your debit and credit cards and even the payment apps on your phone will probably serve you for most things, but carrying emergency cash is always a good idea on any journey, just in case.

Paperwork

You should always carry your license and your bike’s registration papers as well as proof of insurance whenever you travel. If you get in an accident or are pulled over, these things will be necessary.

Need to get some service on your bike before you take off? Call our dealership to schedule a maintenance appointment. If you’re in the market for a great motorcycle, come down to our showroom to see what we have in stock. We carry a wide variety of new and used touring bikes, including Harley-Davidson® touring motorcycles. Bartels' Harley-Davidson® is located in Marina Del Rey, serving the greater Southern California region, including the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu.