We've been asked so many times, "what should I pack?" that we finally decided to put something on the website. This list is intended to cover a rider for about three to five days on the road. Longer rides require appropriate adjustments in clothing etc (or plans to stop and do laundry). This list has also been created with over 50 years of combine road-trip experience.

While watching Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman circumnavigate the globe, [Long Way Round] we were shocked to learn that they broke the sub-frame on Ewan's GS1150 Adventure as a result of packing several cast-iron frying pans, among other unnecessary things. If only they had read the CanyonChaser packing list...

Most of us have variations on the stuff we find important and, of course, you may need to make tweaks based on your individual needs. The key is to try to narrow down what you take to what is most important to you. Less is more!

• On Your Person
  • Drivers License
  • Proof of insurance
• On the Motorcycle
  • Registration
  • Proof of Insurance
• Hidden on the motorcycle
  • Photo-copy of Drivers License
  • Photo-copy of registration
  • Photo-copy of insurance

While this much repetition in paperwork may seem silly, we've run into problems, more than once, where having adequate paperwork kept us out of trouble. Because of all the added complexity caused by Homeland Security ensuring that you have all your paperwork can make a huge difference. We've been caught without a current proof of insurance and without any proof of registration which almost resulted in an $800 fine (on Federal Land) and resulted in a 200 mile detour after we were forbidden to cross aforementioned federal lands. In other words, it pays to have multiple copies of your paperwork. We now have a zip-lock back duct-taped to the bottom of our seats, as well as a copy of our paperwork floating in a zip-lock bag under the seat so we always have at least two copies of everything and backups in case we loose a set or two.

We've been advised to even carry copies of our motorcycle titles were crossing borders. We didn't, but we did bring along our Passports, which made the border crossing into and particularly out of Canada surprisingly easy. Once the border guard saw the passport, they sighed relief, smiled and quickly waved us through.

• 1 pair Jeans (or just the pair you plan to wear and a pair packed away) and/or a pair of riding pants. (we love Carhartts)
• 1 pair Shorts (on the chance it might be warm enough).
• 1-2 pair padded cycling shorts - fantastic on high-mileage days! (no, you do not wear underwear underneath them)
• Always, always, always bring swim trunks.
• A couple of t-shirts.
  • On longer trips bring at least half as many t-shirts as days in your planned trip - 10-day trip, bring 5 t-shirts.
• 1-2 long sleeve shirts
• Socks and underwear (unless you plan to gross us out!)
  • We've had great results with boot-length socks that come up to your knees (very nice) and coolmax undies (again, very nice!)
• Long underwear any additional warmth that will fit under your motorcycle gear and on the bike in case you end up taking it off at some point.
• Eric likes to bring sweat pants or shorts in case he has to "go" in the middle of the night.
• Motorcycle gear! (Helmet, gloves, jacket, boots)
• Extra pair of motorcycle gloves and an extra pair of Sunglasses. You never know when you may loose a pair.
• Clear or yellow lense sunglasses.
• Clear helmet visor (usually packed in the tankbag).
• Rain jacket/pants/suit.
• Hat - one for shade and one for warmpth if it even looks like it may get even a little bit cold.
• Laundry bag or pillow case (Dave and Kris like to pack all their clothes in plastic shopping bags then put dirty clothes into its own plastic bag).
• Sneakers or other shoes/sandals -- it's a pain to have to slip on boots to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night!

• Cash (you never know when someone will not take magic-plastic).
• Credit Cards.
• A tiny bottle of lotion and a spf 15 lip moisturizer; Kris brings spf lotion.
• A small first aid kit.
• Flashlight or Headlamp.
• Camera, memory card(s)/film, digital batteries.
• Cell phone.
• We usually have a couple of motorcycle magazines (and I bring one or two books, since Dawn and Crystal like to read on the back of the bike).
• Other fun stuff like GPS, MP3 player, battery charger(s).
• Eric likes to bring a small pair of binoculars.
• Soap, shampoo/conditioner (or just soap).
• Toothbrush (Dave always forgets his!).
• Toothpaste and deodorant (PLEASE!).
• Any other cosmetic items you generally use (I like to have floss, nail clippers, and a brush or comb since my hair gets so gnarly on these trips).
• I also bring Tylenol (in case someone gives you a headache!) Also good after a really long day of riding.

• Small tool kit - or at the very least the tool kit that lives under the seat .
• Tiny Crescent Wrench - This usually lives in the tankbag and is great in case something like a mirror comes loose.
• A small tire repair kit, and some additional tools (Danny likes to bring Duct Tape).
• Leatherman (or similar multi-function tool that you can get at quickly).
• Extra bike key hidden somewhere safe.
• Extra fuses, electrical tape and a test light.
• Plexus - a clean faceshield is a happy faceshield.
• Chain lube (and use it every 500 miles or at the end of every day).
• Quick Wax or Quick Detailer (a quick detail in the morning is a great way to prevent scratches in your paint).
• Fuel Bottles (particularly if we are heading into remote places). We like MSR Fuel Bottles.

Even if you are planning on hoteling it the entire time, bringing some basic camping gear can save your bacon if you find yourself in a town where all the rooms are booked, or someplace remote enough that your only option is camping. As a result, its rare that we travel without some basic, basic camping kit.

• Tent or tarp and tent stakes (a small mallet generally comes in handy too).
• Sleeping bag (some of us also have an air mattress) Dave and Kris bring sheets (wimps).
• Camp pillow.
  • Kris carries the tent and one sleeping bag - Dave carries the air mattress and one sleeping bag - evenly sharing the load.

• Corkscrew (dolche vino!)
• Pocketknife

We'll continually add stuff to this list as we think of stuff, so you may want to check it out again sometime, just in case.

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