Ghost's Touring Packing List


The following is a listing of all the junk I take along when I go on a motorcycle tour. The list is broken down by location on the bike, and also by sub-container or pocket. This may seem a bit anal-retentive, but running through the checklist goes a lot faster when it is based on location. Any special notes regarding the use or brand preference for an item appear in the Special Notes column.


 Touring Item

 

 Special Notes

 Outer Wear

   
  •  Jacket
   
    •  Wallet
   
    •  Lighter
   
    •  Jackknife
  Victorinox Swiss Army (there is no substitute).
    •  Mini-Mag Light
   
    •  Sunglasses
   
    •  Spare Keys
   
  •  Watch
   
  •  Chaps
   
  •  Boots
   

 Right Saddlebag

   
  •  Raingear
   
    •  Rainsuit Top
   
    •  Rainsuit Bottom
   
    •  Raingloves
   
  •  Cycle Cover
   
  •  Soft Lowers
  These are offered by HD and cover the engine guard. They protect well, especially in the wet and cold, and cram down to nothing when off.
  •  Motorcycling Wear
   
    •  Neck gaiter
   
    •  Summer Or Winter Gloves
  Pick one; you won't need both.
    •  Fall Gloves
   
    •  Capeliene Glove Liners
   
  •  Maintanance Items
   
    •  1 Qt. Mobil 1 15W-50
   
    •  Plexus/Rag
  This is what I use on the Cruiser's windshield.
    •  Tire Repair Kit
  A Tube-type kit with a pump that works off the engine's compression.
    •  Extra Passing Lamp
   
  •  Cable lock
  Used to lock the helmet to the Cruiser.
  •  4 Short Bungie Cords
 
  •  2 Luggage Straps
   
  •  First Aid Kit
   

 Left Saddlebag

   
  •  T-bag Roll
  All the "be a camper" gear goes here.
    •  Pot Set
   
      •  Salt/Pepper
   
      •  Pot holder
   
    •  Stove
  Inexpensive propane stove.
    •  Fork, Spoon in sleeve
   
    •  Dishtowel
   
    •  Scrubber
  Scotchbrite pad works well.
    •  Extra zip-lock bags
   
    •  Insect Repellent
   
    •  Flashlight
   
    •  Grill
  A little 12"x6" grill that folds flat.
    •  Propane (thin torch bottle)
  For me, the thin bottle packs easier.
    •  Torch Adapter
  You never know . . . .
  •  Collapsible Cooler
  Good for keeping food and drink cold until you can set up camp and eat.

 Large Oregon Research Bag

  Oregon Research is a maker of waterproof bags. Their "standard" series bags are an excellent value. They're not perfect, but after 300 miles of rain, one or two slightly damp spots on your sleeping bag is a victory, not a failure.
  •  Tent
  I use a Eureka! Backcountry 4. Get a four person tent, even if there are only one or two occupants. Aluminum poles are better than fiberglass. I like the Backcountry because it folds down to 6"x16".
  •  ThermaRest Pad/Chair
  Buy the pad, then buy the chair kit for the pad. Now you've got a cushy camp chair, and an excellent pad to put under your sleeping bag.
  •  Ground Tarp
  Always put a tarp under your tent.
  •  Fanny Pack
   

 Small Oregon Research Bag

   
  •  Sleeping Bag
  I like the bags with a linen or flannel interior lining.

 Newton Case

  Hey, I've got to be me . . . .
  •  Newton
   
  •  Passport
  A passport is like a driver's license on steroids. Even in Canada and Mexico, having one gives you a little added credibility.
  •  Zip-lock Bag
  . . . to put over the Newton Case when it rains.
  •  Canadian Insurance Card
  If you're doing Canada, have your insurance agent make one of these for you before you leave.

 T-Bag Pockets

   
  •  Right-Upper Pocket
   
    •  Aspirin
   
    •  Anti-Itch Cream
  Nobody likes mosquito bites.
    •  Blistex
   
    •  Sunblock
   
    •  Chapstick
   
  •  Right-Lower Pocket
   
    •  Clothesline
  Handy for drying clothes, towels, etc.
    •  Renewal Charger
  . . . to recharge the batteries in the Newton and the flashlight.
    •  Spare Batteries (4)
  Always carry spares.
    •  Newton Power Adapter
   
  •  Left-Upper Pocket
   
    •  Weather Radio
  $25 buys you weather reports almost anywhere.
    •  Camera
   
    •  Extra Film
   
    •  2 Small Garbage Bags
  Those plastic grocery bags are infinitely useful
  •  Left-Lower Pocket
   
    •  Medication
   
    •  Vitamins
   
    •  Checkbook
   

 T-Bag Main Bag

   
  •  Clothing
   
    •  Tennis Shoes
  I probably won't bring these this year.
    •  Socks
   
    •  Shorts
   
    •  Sweats
   
    •  Jeans
   
    •  Belt
   
    •  Underwear
   
    •  T shirts
   
    •  Long sleeve Shirts
  . . . for when it gets cold.
    •  Swimming Suit
   
    •  Long Johns
  . . . for when it gets colder. I use Capiliene long johns; because there's nothing warmer (that you don't plug in).
    •  Purple Camp Shirt
  Everybody has a favorite shirt for wearing when the evenings get chilly.
  •  Toilet Kit
   
    •  Soap
   
    •  Shampoo
   
    •  Toothbrush
   
    •  Toothpaste
   
    •  Hairbrush
   
    •  Deodorant
   
    •  Colonge/After Shave
  You never know when you'll run into a supermodel.
    •  Shaver Kit
   
  •  Newton Case & keyboard
   
    •  Pens
   
    •  Alligator Clips
  . . . for guerilla computing (oops).
    •  Line Splitter
   
    •  Phone Cord
   
  •  Miscellaneous
   
    •  Atlas
   
    •  Toilet Paper
   
    •  Towel
   
    •  Water Bota
   
  •  Reading Material
  During solo cruises, a good book is handy.
  •  Extra Garbage Bags
  . . . to line the T-Bag.
  •  Extra Large Zip-Locks
  . . . to line the T-bag pockets.