What and how to pack on a road trip.

[NoshowJones]

I got this idea from a currently running thread asking what you would pack for Thailand. I have two leather saddlebags and a topbox on my PCX, I also have a reasonably big bag that I put on my passenger seat with which I use two long expanding straps with hooks attached, I then strap it around my topbox.

Apart from the usual toiletries, I have my tea bags, sugar, cup, cutlery and a small water boiler (you cannot buy them in Thailand, but can get them from Amazon or Ebay), and my Ipad. Not to forget the ample space under my seat.

What do you pack on your bike and how do you pack it when you go on road trips?

[Gweiloman]

Do you camp or stay at hotels / resorts/ B&B's?

[Shurup]

Really depends how long your trip is going to be.

For a day ride, I may not take anything with me or a small backpack at the very most and throw my phone, wallet, a bottle of water into it.

A few days ride, I still may be able to stuff all I need into the backpack, depends where I'm traveling to. Toiletries, a change of clothes, maybe an air compressor and tire plug kit, condoms. Also for overnight trips I carry a cable to lock my bike to some structure.

Longer trips - same as the above but more change clothes.

[canuckamuck]

Hot water and cups are difficult to find on the road?

Edited February 26, 2015 by canuckamuck

[cornishcarlos]

I have a small tank bag (Givi) for day trips. Fits sunglasses, camera, tyre plug kit, small water bottle etc.

For longer trips, I just bungee a small back pack on the pillion seat. Flip flops, t-shirts, shorts etc.

Travel light Travel safe...

[Gweiloman]

Really depends how long your trip is going to be.

For a day ride, I may not take anything with me or a small backpack at the very most and throw my phone, wallet, a bottle of water into it.

A few days ride, I still may be able to stuff all I need into the backpack, depends where I'm traveling to. Toiletries, a change of clothes, maybe an air compressor and tire plug kit, condoms. Also for overnight trips I carry a cable to lock my bike to some structure.

Longer trips - same as the above but more change clothes.

I will just buy condoms at the nearest 7-11 if needed.

Top of the list for me are cable ties. Also, lots of electrolytes and a cooler flask. Charging cables of course (for GPS, phone, intercom). iPad for booking on Agoda. Tissue paper, wet wipes. Plus all the other stuff you mentioned.

That's why I need the top box, panniers and tank bag.

[Shurup]

The local pencil sizes just don't fit on my 18" member.

Forgot to add, on my recent 7 days trip North I took a small toolbox, just in case.

I also carry a small towel in my pocket on any length trip, to wipe the bugs off the face shield.

[papa al]

One time I was caught out of town without my viagra.

Less fun.

Now I keep a bit of medication stashed in each of my vehicles, just in case.

& those little anti-diarrhea pills;

papa keep those handy.

Tubeless-tire plug kits can really save the day.

Local repair shops likely no hab.

Edited February 26, 2015 by papa al

[NoshowJones]

Do you camp or stay at hotels / resorts/ B&B's?

Yes, always. Hotels and B&Bs.

[NoshowJones]

Really depends how long your trip is going to be.

For a day ride, I may not take anything with me or a small backpack at the very most and throw my phone, wallet, a bottle of water into it.

A few days ride, I still may be able to stuff all I need into the backpack, depends where I'm traveling to. Toiletries, a change of clothes, maybe an air compressor and tire plug kit, condoms. Also for overnight trips I carry a cable to lock my bike to some structure.

Longer trips - same as the above but more change clothes.

Talking about two, three days, maybe longer.

[NoshowJones]

Hot water and cups are difficult to find on the road?

No problem, I have a flask, fill it with tea every morning before I leave home or hotel. Drink tea after about three hours, and in hotel at night, use my water boiler.

[NoshowJones]

The local pencil sizes just don't fit on my 18" member.

Forgot to add, on my recent 7 days trip North I took a small toolbox, just in case.

I also carry a small towel in my pocket on any length trip, to wipe the bugs off the face shield.

Your last sentence, so do I.

[NoshowJones]

Really depends how long your trip is going to be.

For a day ride, I may not take anything with me or a small backpack at the very most and throw my phone, wallet, a bottle of water into it.

A few days ride, I still may be able to stuff all I need into the backpack, depends where I'm traveling to. Toiletries, a change of clothes, maybe an air compressor and tire plug kit, condoms. Also for overnight trips I carry a cable to lock my bike to some structure.

Longer trips - same as the above but more change clothes.

I will just buy condoms at the nearest 7-11 if needed.

Top of the list for me are cable ties. Also, lots of electrolytes and a cooler flask. Charging cables of course (for GPS, phone, intercom). iPad for booking on Agoda. Tissue paper, wet wipes. Plus all the other stuff you mentioned.

That's why I need the top box, panniers and tank bag.

I have a wife at home, that does me. I have not got into the GPS yet, I need someone to teach me. my bike has a charger. pardon my ignorance, but what is electrolytes?

[papa al]

Gator-aid. 5 5 5

On road trips I just have the attendants at the fueling station clean my helmet/ visor.

Front fairing, headlights too.

That always do a swell job.

papa lazy.

Edited February 26, 2015 by papa al

[cornishcarlos]

Gator-aid. 5 5 5

On road trips I just have the attendants at the fueling station clean my helmet/ visor.

Front fairing, headlights too.

That always do a swell job.

papa lazy.

Clean your own visor, if you like it to stay see through

[Gweiloman]

Really depends how long your trip is going to be.

For a day ride, I may not take anything with me or a small backpack at the very most and throw my phone, wallet, a bottle of water into it.

A few days ride, I still may be able to stuff all I need into the backpack, depends where I'm traveling to. Toiletries, a change of clothes, maybe an air compressor and tire plug kit, condoms. Also for overnight trips I carry a cable to lock my bike to some structure.

Longer trips - same as the above but more change clothes.

I will just buy condoms at the nearest 7-11 if needed.

Top of the list for me are cable ties. Also, lots of electrolytes and a cooler flask. Charging cables of course (for GPS, phone, intercom). iPad for booking on Agoda. Tissue paper, wet wipes. Plus all the other stuff you mentioned.

That's why I need the top box, panniers and tank bag.

I have a wife at home, that does me. I have not got into the GPS yet, I need someone to teach me. my bike has a charger. pardon my ignorance, but what is electrolytes?

Like papa said, basically same stuff as gatorade. I hate getting cramps so I keep myself hydrated throughout by drinking lots (but not gatorade or sponsor stuff). I get the powdered stuff and mix up a liter of it in the morning and the flask keeps it cool the whole day long.

[NoshowJones]

Gator-aid. 5 5 5

On road trips I just have the attendants at the fueling station clean my helmet/ visor.

Front fairing, headlights too.

That always do a swell job.

papa lazy.

Clean your own visor, if you like it to stay see through

Yes, I use the stuff from the opticians that people use to clean their specs, does a great job.

[chudless]

A road trip on a PCX...good luck with that. Get at least a 400/500cc bike for any road trip.

[cornishcarlos]

A road trip on a PCX...good luck with that. Get at least a 400/500cc bike for any road trip.

Why ? You can road trip on a 50cc if you want... PCX is very comfortable, even with a passenger...

[ttakata]

If you ride normal hours and stick to main roads all you need is a phone and money.

In the past I had to push a DTX250 out of the jungle for over an hour since the clutch burnt out.

I have also ridden in remote places at 4AM.

So being more paranoid I carry lots of gear at all times.

Since I don't have a garage I keep washing gear and a bike pump w/gauge in my Givi box.

Under the seat is a bunch of stuff for convenience and tools that let me fix anything short of a frame or drivetrain failure.

Besides all of this, if I did a remote road trip I would carry a GPS, medical kit, and spare bottle of fuel.

[Carol Jadzia]

3 cameras and loads of associated cables. sat navs and other totally unnecessary electrical junk, loads of spare clothes that I probably won't need. Me Kettle and PG Tips. proper milk! and not to forget the Kitchen sink,

[guzzi850m2]

No tools expect what comes in the factory tool bag, don't even know what in the tool bag, crappy tools likely

Garmin Zumo 350 that is charged via the supplied mounting bracket, I fell lost without my GPS and this one is weather prof.

Small bag on pillion seat, under wear, socks, tooth brush, 1pair of extra jeans and 1 or 2 shirts and I am good to go.

No condoms, I am faithful to my wife, that the whole point of being married I think and she does as well.

I forgot to add: small can of Motol chain spray

Edited February 26, 2015 by guzzi850m2

[papa al]

A road trip on a PCX...good luck with that. Get at least a 400/500cc bike for any road trip.

Dang.

I guess the 9000km I recently rode thru Thailand and Laos on my 150cc was a big mistake.

What a fool...

I am.

Edited February 26, 2015 by papa al

[jdinasia]

Nobody mentioned tissue

[ozyjon]

Forget about bike tools and or bike maintenance,

think about human repairs, i carry mosquito

repellent and rubbing alcohol and 1 band aid,

just in case.

[dave_boo]

Let's see. Hundred baht notes stuck strategically for the "Police Benevolence Fund". My dinosaur GPS (will be upgraded shortly). Action cam. Motul chain lube. Sunglasses. Spare gloves. Tool kit (mostly the stock and a set of metric wrenches but also a small vise grip and some hex tools). Hydration pack. Electrolyte packets. Rox straps. Small first aid kit (to include superglue-works wonders for sealing a cut shut). Charging cables. Power banks. Shield cleaning kit. Spare shields. Rain coats (learned the hard way from the last group ride). Lots of socks. At least 1.5 changes per day of trip of underwear (even though you're not supposed to drink the water...). Enough clothes and deodorant not to offend people's sensibilities. A couple of compression shirts (mostly to keep my gut in so I am very sexy but also wearing them actually reduces the amount of discomfort I feel at the end of the day). Gold Bond style powder. Spare lighter as I've dropped the only one I've had before. Spare cigs as it sucks to get somewhere and not be able to spark up. A cheapo i-mobile phone for back-up (uses a DTAC rather than True just to be safe). And that's about it.

**edit**

I forgot that keep tissue and the Skolene (spelling? but it's the mosquito repellant found in 7-11) also.

Edited February 26, 2015 by dave_boo

[jdinasia]

My road trips are shorter than most other people's.

Under the seat I have insurance and passport. Extra pack of smokes. Rain gear. 1 bottle of tea. Tissue. A chamois.

The bike has the adapter for my iPhone (GPS)

I strap a bag to the pillion seat. In that bag are underwear, jeans shorts shirts and a dopp kit. I also have some Crocs in the outside pocket.

When I get a cargo box I will start carrying a notebook

[KunKen]

First Aid equipment. And mosquito repellent. One jeans ,bikini ,shorts,socks,toiletbaget and tissues .

Ipad I use to book my 3 to 5 stars hotel rooms with a bathtub.

[papa al]

Nobody mentioned tissue

See posts 6, 26 & 27.

Edited February 26, 2015 by papa al

[JonnyF]

I travel as light as possible (GPS, iPad, basic clothes). Part of the fun for me is getting away from all the sanitized, planned, contingency plan BS that my daily job necessitates, I know that sounds a bit "Wild Hogs" but in my defense there are no patches or Harleys involved...

If I forget something I stop at 711. A small tankbag and small rucksack is the most I would consider. I get the bike serviced or check it myself before I go and if anything goes wrong with the bike that a local cannot patch up (never has touch wood) then I'd flag down a pickup.

If I'd fitted panniers, bought toolkits, repair kits etc. for all the bikes I have toured on in Thailand I would probably be down 100k baht by now and had a load of hassle carrying stuff I never needed. That's a lot of journeys in Somchai's pickup (that I never needed).

I always have a bit of cash to ease my way out of a tight spot though, again never needed so far...

I totally understand the guys that prepare for every eventuality, but it's not for me