By Mike Huber
It feels like the perfect time to do a write up on packing for a long-distance motorcycle trip. I left Sedona, Arizona, two weeks ago for a motorcycle journey to British Columbia on my BMW GS1200. I didn’t quite pack everything I own, but close to it. Having recently taken a hiatus from my day job there is no time frame for returning to Arizona other than when the weather changes in the Fall. With this being the case packing had to be tight, yet diverse enough for every possible type of weather that I may encounter.
My philosophy has always been less is better. This holds even more true when you have such minimal storage space on a motorcycle. There is no need to have every centimeter packed to the gills. Having a bit of remaining space allocated is important in the event you need to add gear or choose to pack sloppily after camping in the rain. That buffer space should be held sacred. So, here is everything I am bringing along this journey.
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- Kelty 1-person Tent
- Enu 2-person hammock (I like a larger hammock so I can wrap up if it’s cold)
- Big Agnes sleeping bag (15 degree rated)
- Laptop bag with chargers and backup portable battery
- Luci Llight
- Hiking boots
- Stool
- Cooking pot, cup, utensil, propane
- Towel
- Portable grill (for throwing a steak or freshly caught fish on top of some coals)
- 25ft of paracord (usually for additional hammock straps as needed)
- Day pack for hiking
- Tire repair kit
- Compressor
- Fishing gear
- Jumpmaster knife
- Hatchet
- Air mattress
- Air pillow
- Raingear (top and bottom)
- Leatherman
- SpotGen3 GPS (My Mom likes to know I made it to camp alive)
- Headlamp
- 3-liter expandable water blivit
- Swimsuit
- 2 pairs of pants
- 3 pairs of socks
- 3 pairs of underwear
- 3 t-shirts
- 1 pair of shorts
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Sweatshirt
- Baseball hat
- Riding jacket
- Lambykins
- Military side pack (for all fishing gear)
- Winter hat (my Mom knitted)
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Currently 10 days into this trip with 8 nights of camping in numerous weather conditions and I have remained quite comfortable. Another barometer of success is when someone walks by my campsite as I am laying in my hammock reading a book and they comment “WOW, you fit ALL that on your motorcycle?”
I just smile and reply with a “yup.” I am now in northern California and will start hitting possibly more wet and cold weather so I will see how my gear continues to stack up against the elements as I travel further north with no real itinerary. The main objective of this trip is to slow down, enjoy the moment, be present, and meet up with old and new friends along the ride.
Let me know if there is a piece of gear you feel I am missing or that you hold close during your long-distance motorcycle trips. I am always interested in improving my packing and living conditions while on the motorcycle.
Hey, a quick photo from this trip…there are two Joes, a deer, and two wild turkeys in the picture below.
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The pants take up a lot of space so I only bring two. One pair is my armored riding pants which never get packed. For my other pair, at an outdoor outfitters, either REI or EMS, I bought a pair of 3 in 1 pants. It is made of fairly rugged rip-stop nylon and functions as a full pair. Then you can zip off the bottoms and now you have a pair of shorts. There is also a mesh liner in the shorts so they also function as a bathing suit. (I just can’t go commando in a bathing suit). They are pretty light and pack small. They are easy to wash, dry quickly and are dressy enough for any place I would go. I’ll try to include a link of a pair so as to give you an idea. These are similar. I got a darker pair in case they got dirty and it hides the zippers better. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YDB36GG/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B08YDKSMHX&pd_rd_w=fEQQm&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=AYSD0V0S9N1WKTFERB27&pd_rd_wg=3H7Ig&pd_rd_r=86ff3c72-d894-4f1c-ab51-8039d277ce0f&s=apparel&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyOEJJUVg5RVNaT0tOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjcxNDA3MzUyTkk5WURTR0UxTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTYxOTEyM1NZQ0ZIM0xZNUs2SiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1&psc=1
Absolutely should do this. Multi use of everything is key! Thanks
Yoo-Hoo. You forgot the Yoo-Hoo. Sacrilege.
Lol!!!
It looks good to me,a cooler is essential for me, and I make hobo coffee,food may be the only thing missing,I suppose there are many options for that.
Sometimes I’ll bring an ice mule. Shorter trips
We just returned from a trip through Alaska, although in the relative comfort of a 1 ton truck with a pop-up camper in the bed. What we didn’t anticipate is how the gravel roads chew up tires. We got a cut in a tire that couldn’t be patched, but were fortunately able to find a spare in the next 100 miles to back up the one we used. You didn’t mention your tool kit, but sockets, hex and torx in sizes to fit every fastener on your bike are invaluable. We weren’t bothered too much by mosquitos, but enough that a small spray bottle of deet was invaluable. Good luck and safe travels.
Well….. bmw is down for 6 weeks so next article will be on adaptation. Lol. Thanks
Great article Mike, I really need this advice as I always pack way too much! I’m heading back to Alaska next summer so I really need to get in the mindset of taking less. I can’t swim and my hiking days are over, so that’s some extra space for me! I absolutely love following you and Bobbie’s adventures! I’m living my life through you all until I can get back out on the road! Safe travels.
Thanks Steve!!!