Trip Essentials

This feature is for those that ride the distance. I will attempt to give the reader several lists of articles that I have found to be important on my peregrinations.

ESSENTIALS
These are things that are always on my bike and never removed, just added to.
1.) Have an extra set of bike keys hidden somewhere on your frame. I also carry an extra key for my chain lock and disk brake lock.
2.) Bungee cords, various sizes (18, 24, 32, 40, & 52 inches plus netting). You never have enough! Also nylon straps
3.) Rain Gear and rain cover gloves (sure do keep the leather ones dry and act as a great wind buffer in cold weather)
4.) Well equipped tool bag with extra spark plugs, bulbs, fuses, rags etc.
5.) Tire plug kit and air compressor
6.) Jumper cables
7.) Wind breaker, for temperature drops in the evenings
8.) Dark and clear goggles
9.) Highway safety flares- 30 minute burn time
10.) 3x3 piece of metal to stabilize the kick stand on soft ground or melting asphalt
12.) Eye drops. Sooner or later your going to get something in your eye.
13.) Cell phone & long distance card
14.) Towing package from auto club. I carry three. AAA, HOG, and AMA
15.) High visibility safety vest
16.) Misc stuff-waterless hand cleaner, reading glasses, extra contact lenses, ball cap
17.) Legal stuff-insurance card, copy of title/registration
18.) First aid kit
19.) Tire gauge
20.) Chain and disk lock
21.) Syphon hose and collapsible gas can

MECHANICAL
I add these things on longer trips.
1.) Factory manual
2.) Tire irons
3.) Inside tire patch kit, stiff wire brush, natural rubber inner tube
4.) Brake pads
5.) Tie downs
6.) Breaker bar & torque wrench
7.) More wrenches, sockets etc also misc screws, nuts, bolts
8.) Extra chain or emergency drive belt

CAMPING
1.) Tent with ground cover. I use those heavy duty blue plastic tarp's with grommets on the corners. Not only do they protect the floor of your tent from rips, they come in handy as an additional tent cover in really inclement weather.
2.) Extra heavy duty tent pegs. I learned my lesson in the Dakotas. The ground was petrified cow dung and broke every thing you tried to pound into it.
3.) Ax. Very good to pound in afore mention pegs and comes in handy for splitting kindling
4.) Collapsible 3 legged stool. Very nice when time to take boots off & sit by the fire
5.) Citronela candle, mosquito wheel, 100% DEET, head cover mosquito netting
6.) Air mattress with small compressor
7.) Sleeping bag with liner
8.) Air pillow or cover. Use your jacket in the cover to make big pillow
9.) Cooking and eating utensils along with can opener and cleaning sponges
10.) Dual fuel stove. That way you can use your gas to cook with
11.) Flashlight that fits on forehead. Great for setting up camp and reading.
12.) Lots and lots of self lighting matches and disposable lighters
13.) Camel Bac for potable water
14.) Emergency MRE Invaluable when restaurants are closed

MISCELLANEOUS
1.) Desert Dawgs. Fit on engine guards and block wind and rain
2.) Hippo Hands. Used on snowmobiles to keep hands warm in extreme conditions.
3.) Cameras, Hi-Liters, maps, magnifying glass
4.) Gravel guards on headlights
5.) Boating air horn to get cattle to move off road
6.) Night time reading materials

HOME FRONT
Make copies of all credit cards, legal papers, licenses, passports etc and leave it at home

LESSONS
I carry a couriers pouch over my shoulder to carry all the miscellaneous stuff that I need quick access to.
Stow everything in water proof kayaking or river rafting bags.
And remember the mantra "WAL-MART IS MY FRIEND, WAL-MART IS MY FRIEND

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