by Craig O. Olsen
Originally Published in the IAMC Newsletter, April 2011
(Photos by Chuck Sheer)
On late February 26th IAMC held a Tech Day on how and what to pack for one day to multiday dual-sport rides. As our fearless leader, Ed, commented in his invitation to this event, “It’s pretty insane the amount of money and time you can invest in coming up with the perfect camping gear list. If you ask your fellow dual-sport riders what to pack for a ride and camp, you will get many different answers.”
If you are new to dual-sport riding, it can be confusing and frustrating to know what equipment you need and how to pack it for a camping ride. Even if you have been dual-sport riding for some time, it is frustrating when you left at home some crucial item that you now desperately need on the trail, but forgot to pack it. Then there are some who pack too much, making their ride unnecessarily difficult and cumbersome.
Ryan circulated a list at the Tech Day of the essential and extra items he relies upon for planning his rides. Per the request of many in attendance, it is reproduced here for your review.
Essentials:
- Agnes/Hammock/Cot Bivy/Tent
- Sleeping Bag Pillow/Clothing bag Stove & Fuel
- Spork & Pot Dehydrated food/MRE Water/Water Filter Lighter
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- Clothing
- Bicycle shorts & shirt
- Stocking cap
- Long john’s
- First Aid Kit SPOT Tracker
- Wallet
- Tire changing gear
- Tools
- Camera
- Jacket liner
- Maps & GPS
- MP3 Player & Headphones
Extras:
- Fuel Pack
- Gatorade
- Coffee/Tea/Sugar
- Mosquito Spray
- Sunscreen
- CamelBak
- Cool Vest
- Spare batteries Stool
- Saw
- Raingear
- Gerbing heated gear
- Flip Flops
- Fire starters
- Garbage Bags
- Snake bite kit
Following is a list I have used for several years for longer dual-sport rides of 2-3 week’s duration. I have found it useful for me. Obviously, I pare the list down for shorter rides.
Motorcycle Trip Packing List:
1. In Bike – Accessible
A. Tank Bag
- Wallet
- Driver’s License
- Cash / credit card(s)
- Medical insurance card
- Notebook, pen & calculator
- Extra gloves – summer & mid Balaclava
- Earplugs (extra sets)
- Maps (GPS mounted on bike) Glasses – sun & regular Insect repellant
- Air gage
- Camera
- Cell phone
- Hand-Wipes / hand sanitizer
- Flashlight / Headlamp
- Hat
- Small water bottle (optional)
B. Back Bag &/or Saddle Bags (Panniers)
- Rain gear (jacket, pants, gloves, boot covers)
- Winter gloves
- Fleece – sweater, jacket, & pants
- Electric vest
- Cooling hydration vest
- Plexiglas cleaning polish & towels
- 2-liter water system (CamelBak)
- Extra gas can*
- Tent, sleeping bag, water purification*
- Stove, fuel, food, cooking gear*
- First aid kit
- Bike lock & PacSafe (secure gear)
- Bike cover
- Tie down straps (Rok Straps)
- Bike repair tools (specific for bike)
- Walking / running shoes
- Documents
- AAA Card (other)
- Motorcycle Registration
- Proof of insurance
- Passport
2. Miscellaneous
- Additional bike key (hide on bike) Paperback book
- Extra reading glasses
- Cell phone charger
- Camera charger
- I Pod/MP3 player & charger Extra camera memory
- Extra AAA / AA batteries
- Bag for soiled clothing
- Satellite phone/SPOT Tracker
3. Toiletries
- Shaver / razor & extra blades
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush, paste, & floss Chap stick
- Cough drops
- Fingernail clippers
- Comb / brush
- Alarm clock
- Medications
- Ibuprofen
- Aspirin
- Imodium Prescription med’s Suntan lotion
- Eye drops
- Afrin nasal spray Etc.
4. Clothes
- Riding suit
- Riding boots
- Briefs – 2-6 pair**
- Socks – 2-6 pair**
- T-shirts – 2-4 short sleeve**
- T-shirts – 1-2 long sleeve**
- Pants / shorts – 2-4 pair**
- P.J.’s
- Swimsuit
- Running shorts, etc.
5. Tools (in addition to bike specific above)
- Tape – duct & electrical Solder – metal & plastic
- Tire pump
- Extra inner tube(s)
- Tire changing irons
- Wire – electrical & single gauge
- Extra fuses / bulbs (bike specific)
* Necessary for remote areas or if camping.
**Dependent on trip length & frequency of washing clothes.