Touring: What To Bring

General Stuff

• Cash, traveller's cheques, and credit cards. In US$ if needed.
• Sun Glasses: If you need 'em, get prescription sun glasses--they're worth it!.
• Clear Glasses: For rainy day or night riding.
• Old pair of prescription glasses (in case you bust your current ones)
• Bandana and/or skull cap: Great for preventing "helmet itch". In hot weather, can be soaked in water to help you cool down.
• Rain Gear: If you're gone long enough, you're gonna get rained on.
• Maps
• Extra motorcycle key (keep it in a different place than the other key).
• Telephone Calling Card: Many phone booths will let you swipe your card to place a call. For booths that don't, many calling cards have a 1-800 you can call to bill your call to your card. No coins required!
• Passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card for any border crossings
• Suntan Lotion: Get the highest SPF rating. Apply frequently. I've tried many and have found that only "Coppertone Sport" won't burn if you get some in your eyes from sweating. This can be a real safety hazard! I once rode through Salt Lake City, Utah with one eye closed, the other barely open, and no place to pull over.
• First Aid Kit: Including band-aids, disinfectant, etc. Don't let a minor cut turn into a major problem by letting it get infected.
• Headache / hang-over medicine.
• Imodium AD: For "traveller's diarrhea". If you need it, you'll be glad you brought it.
• Toilet Paper: For unplanned road-side nature walks.
• Music tapes or CDs. For those riding deckers. Especially in the USA where good radio stations are uncommon.

In a Safe, Dry Place

• Extra cash, traveller's cheques, and credit card. In US$ if needed. Store in 2 places.
• The ownership and insurance for your motorcycle.
• Travel Medical Insurance
• HOG membership card

Clothing

• Short sleeve t-shirts (for warmer weather)
• Long sleeve shirts (for cooler weather)
• Jeans or other pants (at least one extra pair)
• Underwear & socks.
• Towel. I prefer a dark towel (mine's black) to hide any dirt. Also, you can strap it under your bungee cords and dry it out at 70mph in the morning. I guess you can still do that with a towel that's light pink with roses but somehow that just doesn't look right.
• Swim Suit.
• Shoes. Ain't no time for fashion. Something to wear other than your heavy (or wet) riding boots but still easy to pack. Runners are good.
• Sandals. For to/from the showers but not so good for the streets or woods.
• Zip-lock clear plastic bags: Clear plastic so you can see what's in 'em without opening. Put one day's clothing (one pair socks, underwear, t-shirt) in one bag, zip until almost closed, stand on it to get the air out, then completely zip it closed. There, you've got a really small, flat, water proof package. If you pack all your socks together, all your underwear together, etc you'll just have to open more bags to get dressed in the morning.
• Larger clear plastic bags: like those leaf / yard waste bags. Put the smaller bags and/or loose items in the larger bags and then into your saddle bag. Now you have only one bag to haul into your tent or motel room.

If You're Hoteling / Moteling

• Credit Card (with plenty of unused credit)

If You're Tenting

• Tent. Don't get one of those over-sized body bags intended for bicyclists. Get at least a two-man tent for you and your luggage. MEC (info) has some good ones
• Sleeping Bag
• Mattress or pad: This is essential. It really is the difference between a good and bad night's sleep. I like the Therm-a-Rest (get one at MEC or Le Baron). Besides keeping you comfier, it stops the ground from sucking the heat out of you.
• Flashlight. Don't forget to check the batteries.
• Bug Spray. Check that the can ain't almost empty
• Fire-Starter. I bring those solid fireplace starter cubes and a long nose BBQ ligher. Never had a problem starting a campfire.
• Folding chair: Get one that folds up long and narrow so it won't take much room on the bike. Better than kneeling around the campfire.
• Don't forget a towel (listed above). Unlike motels, campgrounds won't provide one.
• KOA (info) Map Book.