Realizing that you forgot something when you’re hundreds of miles from home can be extremely frustrating or downright dangerous (depending on what you forgot) so using a checklist before leaving for a trip can be really helpful. These are pretty general and every person will have different needs but these will at least be a good start. Download and edit them to fit your needs.
Packing Check List Printable PDF
Packing Check List editable Excel file
You’ll notice that I mention “kits” in the packing checklist. Below are lists of what I have in each kit (including links to most products). I managed to find little bags or cases for each kit but if you want to buy something look into packing cubes or search your local thrift store for camera bags etc. I remember trying to find instructions on how to build different kits for motorcycling when I was new to the hobby and what I found was that these kits will be different for every person and every bike. These kits are what has worked for me and will give you a good idea of what you need to start with but make sure to change your kits to fit your needs. ESPECIALLY the tool kit!
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Tool kit
Let’s start off with a video of all the things in here.
Smacase I found this on Amazon and it’s the perfect size for my needs. There are many other sizes available but make sure to go with one that has a zippered pocket in the lid….many of them just have an open pocket in the lid and anything you put in it will come out making it difficult to stay organized.
Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver I chose this because the shaft is interchangeable allowing me to have multiple tools with one handle. I have a stubby shaft, a long shaft, a flexible shaft, and a 1/4-inch drive shaft. Then I can put whatever tip I need on the end. This saves a ton of space while still carrying a lot of tools.
Metric allen bits for the screwdriver
Torx bits My bike has lots of Torx head bolts on it
Standard Allen bits My bike is metric but I like to have these just in case. Sometimes the aftermarket things added to bikes will have standard hardware or I might be with someone that needs standard tools. I generally carry tools for the group so I have more than I need.
Low profile ratchet This isn’t the exact one I have but I couldn’t remember where mine came from and this is the closest thing I could find online. Mine has a 6 inch handle and on one end it’s 1/4 inch drive and the other is 3/8 inch drive. Again…combining tools to save space.
6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, & 17 MM sockets. These are the most common sockets on bikes.
Gator Grip Socket Don’t knock it till you try it! This tool will fit almost any bolt/nut from 7-19mm or 1/4-3/4 inch and can sometimes grab onto rounded off bolts too. It’s saved my butt many times.
1/4 inch and 3/8 inch drive 6 inch extensions, 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch drive 3 inch extensions. Plus a 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and 1/4 to 3/8 adapter to allow for weird situations that require a mix of different sizes.
Gear Wrench flexhead ratcheting wrenches I managed to fit the entire set in my bag. Having the flex head can be really helpful and makes these multiple tools in one (vs having to carry straight and offset wrenches).
Wrench Inserts These awesome little tools turn a ratcheting wrench into a low profile ratchet. Sometimes it’s nice or even necessary to have two ratchets for a task so these tiny little pieces let me have that option without having to actually carry two ratchets.
Knipex Pliers WrenchThese are in my top 5 favorite tools. Between the two of them, there isn’t a bolt on a bike that you can’t grab onto. I use the big one for axle nuts all the time. They grip a million times better than normal adjustable wrenches. You have to remember though that, as with any adjustable wrench, they can slip and are more likely to round off a bolt head than a box end wrench or socket. I only carry the small one in this kit and the big one lives in my toolbox at home.
Motion Pro BeadPRO I don’t always bring this with me but when I don’t, I wish I did.
Battery Tender volt meter I made a plug for this that allows me to plug volt meter test leads into it and it makes a tiny volt meter….. it’s not perfect and it won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to use it but it’s helped me a couple of times. I’ll make a video explaining the modification and link it here.
Gerber Suspension multi-tool (update from the future: sadly these have been discontinued by Gerber so get one while you still can) I have many (read: too many) multi tools and I have always come back to the classic Gerber Suspension. It has every tool I want and they are so cheap! I’m gonna have to do a review on this tool one day cause I love it so much. Seriously there is no reason to have $120 dollar Leatherman in your tool kit……says the guy who carries a Benchmade in his cooking kit.
Streamlight Bandit headlamp This is hands down the best headlamp I have ever used. Rechargeable, compact, and bright. It’s a flood beam, so it’s not just an annoyingly bright spot. The flood beam pattern makes it really nice for walking around and doing things like cooking. Because the flood beam disperses the light so well you won’t completely blind everyone that looks at it. It has a headband or it can be clipped to the bill of a hat. I generally keep this in my tank bag while on a ride but when I get home it lives in my tool kit. I need to review this thing too.
JB Weld Steelstick Any brand of two part epoxy putty will do. You never know what you might need to fix. I’ve used this to fix clutch covers, plastic fairings, and even my boots once.
Gorilla tape mini I wrapped about 3 feet of the regular size around one of my wrenches and then I also carry a whole mini roll.
Self-fusing silicone tape This stuff is amazing. Any brand will do…they’re all the same. You just wrap it around whatever you’re fixing, stretching as you wrap, and it fuses to itself making a tight seal. I’ve used it to help someone with a popped power steering line once and it worked well enough to get them to a shop for real repairs. I’ve used it to fix a leaking coolant hose and one time a worn through battery cable. It’s not permanent (except for on wires… it’s better than electrical tape for that) and it won’t fix leaks in high pressure scenarios but it can do a lot and it’s gotten me home a few times so it’s earned a place in my tool kit.
Gear gremlin cable repair kit Nothing will put a stop to a ride faster than a busted clutch cable. Most people don’t have the space to carry an extra clutch cable with them so this little gem can be a godsend. As long as your cable housing is intact you just pull the old cable out and feed this one in the old housing. It isn’t a permanent repair but it will get you home. This is another one of those things I carry for other people. My bike doesn’t have any cables.
I also keep a little bag of spare bolts and screws in the kit. Whenever I do something to the bike that leaves me with bolts removed from the bike I toss them in the bag. Lastly, I just fill all the empty space left in my kit with Zip-ties , a little bit of bailing wire, a little bit of electrical wire, and nitrile gloves (these ones in particular are great).
Remember this kit is in addition to the stock tool kit that came with my bike.
C02 inflator I don’t really consider this part of my big tool kit because it’s always under my seat but I thought it deserved an honorable mention. I put a tire plug tool and plugs in the bag it came in.
Moto COOK Kit
Our Moto Cook Kit has everything you need to prep food on the road for one person. A collection of all of our individual cooking tools packaged up into a compact kit that’s ready to hit the road or trail. Get Yours!
Gear Repair kit
Lets start off with a video of all the things in here
Gear Aid sewing kit I’ve saved myself a few times with a quick sewing repair while on a trip. This kit is small and light and, as long as you take the time to learn to use it effectively, you’ll sure be glad you have it when you need.
Gear Aid Seam Grip field repair kit This is for fixing blown out seams on your tent, clothing, or soft luggage. it also includes two Tenacious Tape patches.
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape This stuff can be great to have for a quick repair to fabric until you can sew it. Duct tape out of your tool kit will work in a pinch as well.
Sea to Summit field repair buckle I’ve used 2 of these throughout my motorcycling career. Both times were to fix soft saddle bags and both times they ended up being permanent repairs. This one in particular is nice because the screw installation makes it quick. You can also scavenge buckles off of old bags destined for the trash….they can be a bit more time consuming to install but will work.
Super glue Cause….reasons.