What to Pack

What to pack in your backpack

Now you’ve arranged your trip abroad, it’s time to think about what you should pack to take with you.

Each destination will vary in temperature and duration of your trip, and you can’t take everything, so you’ll need to pack accordingly.

What you wear to ride in is always down to personal preference, it’s what you feel most comfortable and safe in. Riding abroad will test your ability of riding in a hotter climate, but that shouldn’t mean less protective clothing.

Not every country you ride through will require you to a helmet but we know it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Clothing checklist

Here’s a list of items that you may pack for your travel, as always it’s dependent on where you’re going, how long for and how much room you have…

• Protective jacket and trousers: You’ll be wearing these on a daily basis so make sure they are comfortable and breathable for your rides.
• Gloves – Pack multiple pairs of gloves, both protective and thermal styles to help protect your hands from any wind burn or sun burn.
• Motorcycle boots – It’s key to make sure your feet are well looked after on your trip, you’ll need to make sure they are comfortable and well protected.
• Base layers – Pack yourself some lightweight and breathable base layers to keep on underneath your
• Heated clothing – Temperatures can vary from country to country so it’s best to have some thermal vests, tops and trousers packed just in case.
• High Visibility clothing – It’s compulsory in many countries throughout the EU to carry some form of high visibility clothing when on your motorcycles. A jacket or a bib to wear over your biking gear will always come in handy and can be easily stored under your seat when it’s not needed.
• Casual – You won’t be spending every single moment on your bike so pack yourself some casual clothes (jeans, shirts and trainers) that are lightweight and comfortable for when you’re off exploring on foot.
• Other Essentials – Tea bags!

Check out this handy video on packing for your trip…

Motorcycle Storage Options

You’re not going to be able to get everything for your trip into one backpack so it’s always good to look at storage solutions to attach to your bike. Remember you’ll be wearing your rucksack all day, every day so it’s wise to think of other storage solutions when on the road.

Motorcycle Tail Bags are a brilliant invention creating a handy way to carry that little bit extra in a waterproof casing. These are designed for all types of bikes, not just your touring ones.

Now if you’re thinking of making touring a serious hobby then you’ll want to invest in panniers. Fitted exclusively to the side of your bike, they are easy and painless to fit but give you bundles of room to pack all the essentials for your trip.

Don’t forget to pack your essential paperwork for your travel too – it might feel like it’s taking up unnecessary room but they are crucial!

Paperwork:

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Insurance documents
• EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
• MOT certificate

Arctic Rider’s Advice

Gordon has his fair share of experience out on the open road with just his motorcycle for weeks on end. Here’s his advice for packing… 

Pack your gear, and then get rid of half of it – regardless of the size of your luggage space. The lighter your bike, the easier your ride will be.

Less is more on the bike.

Andrew Pain’s ‘Going Small’ is a great read if you are trying to cut down on what you need to take only essential tools that you will actually use on the trip.

Pack waterproofs, spare gloves, and plenty of socks.