Toff's Top Packing Aide-Memoir

Before anyone writes in to tell me I've forgotten something important, this isn't a definitive packing list.

It's simply the aide-memoire I keep on my phone and refer to whenever I'm planning a trip. 

Over the years it's evolved through trial and error, occasional flashes of common sense and the odd spectacular own goal. I'm not suggesting you take everything on the list, or indeed anything on the list. What works for me may be entirely wrong for you, your motorcycle, your destination or your appetite for discomfort. The real value isn't necessarily in the items themselves but in the thought process. Every trip is different and deciding what not to pack is often harder than deciding what to take.

Hopefully it sparks a few ideas, a little debate and perhaps reminds you of something you'd otherwise have left sitting on the kitchen table. Oh, and before anyone points it out, this doesn't include what I'm wearing or what's permanently attached to the bike such as luggage, navigation equipment and other assorted bits and bobs.

Right then, kettle on, packing list out and enjoy.

• UK driving licence 
• International driving permit
• Bike ownership doc V5
• Insurance docs / green card/ 
• Global Rescue membership card
• Passport (+ spare) 
• Shipping docs  
• EHIC card or equivalent
• Wallet : cash, local currency 
• Flight / Ferry tickets (if needed)
• Notepad and pen (waterproof)
• Itinerary, key addresses / hotel booking
• 2 or 3 Pens + sharpy
• Paper maps 

Camping

• Tarp shelter and Goretex bivi bag (+ bungees, paracord, 4 pegs) or Small Tent 
• Sleeping bag + liner 
• Inflatable pillow (or use helmet bag stuffed with clothes) 
• Sleeping mat
• Large dry bag (for wet clothes)
• LED Head torch or hand torch + spare batteries

Cooking

• Cooking pot with lid
• 2 Lighters (bic) + spare box of matches
• Stove & fuel (multi fuel stove for longer trips) or (pocket rocket + gas cylinder for shorter trips) 
• Tin cup
• KFS (Knife Fork - large & small Spoon)  
• Condiments, spices
• Collapsible plate
• Washing up kit – (small scourer, washing up liquid, cloth)
• 1L Water bottle / 3L bladder
• Ortleib 4L water carrier

Back up Food (24 hrs)

• Cuppa soups 
• Rice, pasta or porridge
• Tin of tuna / sardines 
• Breakfast bars / snacks / nuts
• Brew kit, (tea bags, real coffee, sugar sachets)

Electricals bag

• Main phone (maybe even a spare)
• Power pack 
• Travel plug adapter
• 240v Extension lead (optional)
• Garmin In-reach (don’t forget the contract)
• Spare charging cables

Tools 

• Spare bike keys
• Bike lock 
• Bike cover 
• Tow rope (5m of dyneema rope) 
• Multi tool
• Quick Metal paste
• Tie wraps
• Duct tape
• Spare fastenings (bolts nuts to fit the bike)
• Tyre levers – integral axle bolt 
• ¼ drive T bar and sockets
• Adjustable spanner, assorted ring spanners to fit bike
• Spoke spanner
• Set of Allen keys
• Mole grips
• Spark plug removal tool
• Spare electrical cables, fuses, connectors, continuity tester 
• Puncture repair kit. (incl. large patches, spare valve stems) bicycle type pump 
• Chain cleaner + rags
• Extra 5L plastic fuel can
• Length of plastic tubing 

Bike spares for longer trip·

• Small bottle of DOT 4 brake fluid·  
• Small bottle of engine oil
• Spare clutch and throttle cables
• Spare inner tubes (or just front 21” as fit both wheels)
• Spare air filters (pre oiled)
• Spare oil filter + plug washers
• Spare fuel filters
• Spare (headlight, indicator) bulbs. – consider change to LED
• Spare brake pads - Front and rear
• Bike manual – electronic 

Small First Aid kit

• Prescription Medicines 
• Antihistamine
• Tiger balm
• Eye wash
• Pain killers, anti-inflammatory – Ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin
• Various dressings, Plasters, Antiseptic cream
• Medical tape / safety pins
• Latex gloves
• Steri strips – wound closure strips
• Medical super glue
• Sewing kit (for clothes repairs)
• Spare glasses (glasses cleaner)

Wash kit

• Bar of Soap in box
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shaving kit (gel, razor, cream) ...also my luxury item 
• Roll on deodorant
• Small travel towel
• Grooming kit (comb, small scissors, file, tweezers) 
• Shit bag (Toilet paper + trowel, hand sanitiser/wet wipes)
• Moisturiser 

Hot weather

• Sun glasses
• Sun screen
• Hat
• Summer gloves
• Mosquito head net 

Cold / Wet weather gear

• Goretex (waterproof) jacket and pants
• Beanie
• Warm gloves
• Thermal base layer top and bottom
• Winter buff
• Puffa (warm) jacket
• Thermos flask

Spare clothes bag

• Warm jacket / fleece / jumper
• Flip flops / sandals or trainers 
• 3 socks, 3 pants, 2 T-shirt’s
• 1 pair trousers
• 1 pair shorts

Luxury items

• Coffee pot (my favourite is a small Bialetti)
• Folding chair or stool 
• Book to read or swap 
• Pack of playing cards
• Folding saw
• Water purification / filter kit (for remote areas) 
• Harmonica to annoy your neighbours
• you name it .. !