Motorcycle touring packing list
A complete, categorised checklist for a multi-day bike trip. Pack from this rather than from memory. It's how you avoid both forgetting essentials and hauling dead weight.
The goal of a packing list isn't to carry everything: it's to carry the right things and nothing more. Weight and bulk cost you handling, fuel range and comfort, so treat every item as earning its place on the bike.
Work through these categories and cut anything you can't justify. Adjust for your climate, your bike and whether you're camping or hoteling.
Documents & money
- Driving licence and international permit if required
- Bike registration and insurance documents
- Passport / ID and any route permits or NOCs
- Cash (small notes for remote areas) plus a card
- Photocopies or phone photos of every document, stored offline
- Emergency contact card in your jacket
Riding gear
- Helmet (plus a spare visor or anti-fog insert)
- Armoured jacket and trousers, or a one-piece suit
- Gloves: a warm pair and a lighter/waterproof pair
- Boots that cover the ankle
- Waterproofs / rain layer
- Base layers and a warm mid-layer for altitude and early starts
- Buff or neck tube, and earplugs
Tools & spares
- Bike-specific toolkit and a multi-tool
- Tyre repair kit and a way to inflate (pump or CO2)
- Chain lube and a rag (for chain-driven bikes)
- Spare levers, cables, fuses and bulbs as appropriate
- Zip ties, gaffer tape and a length of wire
- Spare fuel bottle for long fuel gaps
- Tow strap and jump/charge option
Electronics & navigation
- Phone with offline maps and your route downloaded
- Phone mount and hard-wired or USB charging on the bike
- Power bank
- Satellite messenger / communicator for remote routes
- Charging cables and a compact multi-plug/adapter
- Action camera and spare cards/batteries (optional)
First aid & health
- Compact first-aid kit
- Personal medication plus a few spare days' worth
- Sunscreen, lip balm and any altitude medication if advised
- Water and a way to purify or carry more on remote legs
- Hand sanitiser and basic hygiene kit
Camping, sleep & off-bike clothing
- Tent, sleeping bag and mat if camping
- Headtorch
- Off-bike clothes and something warm for the evening
- Lightweight shoes or sandals
- Dry bags / packing cubes to keep kit organised and waterproof
- Small quick-dry towel
Frequently asked questions
What should I pack for a motorcycle tour?
Pack by category: documents and money, protective riding gear, a tool and spares kit, electronics and offline navigation, a first-aid kit, and camping or off-bike clothing. Prioritise protective gear and documents, and cut anything you can't justify by weight.
How do I keep luggage light on a motorcycle trip?
Pack from a checklist, choose multi-use items, layer clothing instead of packing bulk, and question every item. Weight costs you handling, range and comfort, so experienced bikers carry the right things rather than everything.
What tools should I carry on a motorcycle tour?
Carry a bike-specific toolkit, a tyre repair kit and inflation, chain lube for chain-driven bikes, spare levers, cables, fuses and bulbs, plus zip ties, tape and wire for improvised fixes. Add a spare fuel bottle for long fuel gaps.
Plan it with Apex Rider
Apex Rider turns this planning into one offline-first app: download your whole tour so navigation works past the last cell tower, run pre-ride checks and a maintenance garage, and set up crash-detection SOS and live crew tracking for the road. Free to download on Google Play and the App Store.