Bandit's Tour Rider Essentials

If you are plan on taking a road trip this fall or winter here is a check-list of items that should help you on your trip.

Here are a few items you might want to consider including in your own personal moto-touring packing list:

1. Clear Contact paper or low-tack tape (great for protecting motorcycle bodywork from luggage straps and bungee cords)
2. Soft-hook tie-downs (great for creating bungee cord hooks)
3. Bungee cords
4. Siphon hose
5. Ziplock bags (thousands of uses—you can even drain gas into a bag from one bike's petcock, then pour it into another bike)
6. Zip-ties
7. Duct tape and electrical tape (wrap a small amount around each leg of the pliers in your bike's tool kit to save space)
8. Flat repair kit (tube or tubeless, depending on your machine)
9. CO2 cartridge tire inflators, or another type of inflation device
10. Chain master link
11. Handi-wipes
12. Cellphone / GPS Device
13. Bike Cover
14. Flashlight
15. Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
16. Tire pressure gauge
17. Shop rags
18. Extra fuses
19. Extra ignition key
20. Towel
21. Aspirin
22. Earplugs
23. Sunblock
24. Chapstick
25. $20 bill hidden on Bike
26. Up-to-date license and registration
27. Spare glasses
28. Spare dark or light faceshield
29. Bandana (protect your neck from cold or your mouth from dust; or, in hot weather, soak it in water and tie it around your neck)
30. Laundry detergent (powder)/clothespins (for washing out a shirt in your room)
31. Space blanket
32. Lighter
33. Rain-X (check your windshield manufacturer for use)
34. Faceshield cleaner
35. Water (one of those backpack hydration systems can be a lifesaver in hot weather)
36. U-lock/disc lock
37. Raingear (with glove and boot covers)
38. Walking shoes
39. Weather radio
40. Spare helmet hardware (plastic screws)
41. Garbage bags (for rainproofing your luggage or even as an extra windproof layer on you in extreme cold)
42. Telephone calling card
43. Camera
44. Emergency medical and contact info in wallet