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In early May, I posed this question to our MTF members and received an overwhelming response. The lists of items ranged from the practical to the whimsical, the safety-minded to downright humorous. Here, then, is a summary of the things you told me you always carry on your motorcycle.

The really well-prepared:

Royce carries a long list of the usual long distance rider items, but he also has some good “planning ahead” types of items: Several squeeze bags for dirty clothing (squeeze out the air and they’re small). - Small bag of bungees, assorted lengths. - Dozen or so quart-size Ziploc bags. - Back brace (my back needs it about the fifth day out). - Two sets of polypropylene glove liners. - In the tankbag: - Spare ignition key. - Pencil sharpener. - Small notebook and pencil. - Pack of 3x5 cards. - Blue felt tip pen (for marking maps). - Book of military installations with overnight lodging. Royce (ROYCERAMSEY)

I always carry the usual stuff like tools and such, but I usually carry a few things (especially on longer trips) that may not be as common: Disposable earplugs, Small binoculars, a bottle of lens-cleaning fluid from Costco labeled for free refills - great for cleaning helmet visors and glasses, and like it says - free refills! Tony (ITSECURITY)

Duct tape, power bars, large folding knife, fuel filter, spark plugs, roll of shop towels, and a Partridge in a pear tree. John (Bigtxrider)

For extended trips I would add: -2 MSR fuel containers -bottle of premixed coolant/water -bottle of brake fluid and bleeder kit - You don't want to know what I drag around in my trailer.... ;) YAMAHAWG_RST

Well-prepared, with a sense of humor:

Playing it safe:

One thing that others might not think of... I have a state ID card (you can get one for $4.00 when you renew the driver's license) inside the ziplock bag with my bike papers.. USB Thumb drive with various things on it... MTF TA list, electronic shop manual for the bike, etc. John (maps8)

Flat fixing plugs and air compressor, also a credit card and extra key hidden on the bike. no money and no keys are NO fun!!!~! uncle jimmy (unclejimmy3)

I carry two 12v cigarette-lighter-plug extension cords, because you never know how far away the 12v source will be to run the 12v compressor after you have plugged the tire. I also carry a “Y” connector to run two 12v devices off one outlet. it doesn’t take up much room, and ya never know! One more thing, but only if camping: Jump-Start, to power the CPAP. Ray (skyking96w)

I always carry hard candy (diabetic). Max (maxbruce)

Clever:

I carry the usual spare tools, fuses, air compressor, duct tape, rescue tape and other items. However I have added a couple of items to my travel kit…. 1. 10 to 12 foot plastic coated steel cable with eyelets on each end for a combination lock. I use the cable to run thru my jacket sleeves and thru the full face helmet, around the handle bars and attached to other items I can’t lock up for those less secure areas. 2. A small electrical heating pad with timer and temperature settings for those sore neck and back muscles if needed, better than medicine… I can also lay items that I sink wash and drip dry… but still are damp …such as socks, riding under garments on a small towel on top of the heating pad and set it on high for a couple of hours with the timer. Not bad for cold feet too. 3. I also carry a Coleman camping retractable clothes line to hang items that I let drip-dry 4. And of course now “SPOT” Don (DonNorwood)

CHEAP shower curtain! Spread on ground to avoid losing parts & tools When necessary to get on the ground, use it to stay clean. Cover bike when you don't have the proper cover. Cut it up in pieces to line leaky boots. Wrap your self for additional warmth & dry. (when not riding) Coaster (WPACOAST)

One time, around dusk, my headlights went out in SE Ohio. I pulled off the interstate and into a Walmart parking lot. I had 3 headlamps and figured they all could not have gone out at once. Musta been a short or blown fuse. After 1 1/2 hours of changing and blowing fuses, I went back again into Walmart and bought two 12v. "shoplights" and duck taped them to the front of the bike. I plugged them in and rode home to Chicagoland. They didn't really light up the road, but they were enough and at least I was legal. I now carry one with me always. Ron (RonJS)

Velcro strips, some carry zip ties I carry velcro strips (I carry zip ties too). Lets you have more flexibility on what gets fastened and are reusable. I have little ones that tie cords out of the way (phone chargers, ipod chargers...) Bigger ones that tie up my rain gear or other extra gear into a small bundles and some that I bring along that I can cut to length as needed. Marcia (SOLARTJ)

Whimsical:

Though I'm not superstitious, or overly religious - a St. Christopher medallion/necklace given to me by my father. It's a reminder of him, my mentor, my best friend who I miss every day, and to return safely from my travels... Randy (texas_ace)

Some of the unique things I carry are a Mister Happy puppet from Aerostitch and a give away stuffed animal. Mr. Happy’s purpose is to put on a little skit brightening up a child’s day, with the usual ending being the stuffed animal is given away to the child who is having a more challenging day then we are. I also carry an envelope to collect information from the places and people in our journeys. Once the information makes it home, my wife and I make file folders and store the information for return visits, and disseminate to folks planning to visit where we have traveled. Critter Robert (MNcritter)

On long trips I carry a small angel which is embedded in clear plastic. It was given to me by "my" angel who helped at the scene when I had my accident. And then of course there is Moose. He travels with me all the time. He's my buddy. Why do I have Moose? To stop scaring little kids and old ladies. With Moose along they stay around to talk. Marsha (SOLARTJ)

My daughter gave me a little stuffed dog many years back and I always pack him. That dog has been in Alaska, Key West Florida, Nova Scotia and many places in between. Never complains to me about anything. A great little companion to travel with :>) Johnnie (JOHNNIEG2756)

Because I travel for work and get to use the scoot...I have a 5x7 framed picture of the family that always comes along. I also have a small broken piece of the windshield from my crash... a reminder to never do that again! Mike (bankshotVTX)

On long trips I place a picture of the Very Tolerant Cindy in either a baggie or laminated on the inside of my windscreen. Mike (GRIZZ117)

My lucky yellow chicken for the “Chicken Rally” Don (DonNorwood)

Doh! Why didn’t I think of this?:

I hate to start the second day with packing dirty clothes for the rest of the ride, so I often start in clothes that I don't wear anymore (I save old socks, etc for this too) and after I wear the old stuff I leave it in a trash can...not only am I not packing dirty laundry, but there is less stuff to pack and carry. Sonny (sonny17X)

Jimmy had the same idea: I always take the holiest underwear and sorriest socks. I have,,,,, rather than packing dirty underwear and socks back home, I toss them .... Uncle Jimmy (unclejimmy3)

A couple of small mesh stuff sacks to tie on the outside of my luggage to stow stuff I washed in the motel room that isn’t dry yet—my other pair of LDComfort shorts, riding socks, wicking T-shirt. Ray (skyking96w)

Small squirt bottle with soap/water for windshield. YAMAHAWG_RST

Thinking Ahead…(to the end of the day):

I went out and dug down into the recesses of the tour pack to see what strange things I would find. I carry a bartender’s tool it is a can/bottle opener and cork screw. Greg (fireman818)

A corkscrew! Bob (STBOBM)

Small can of Spam, Can of Vienna Sausages, Slim Jims, water. They travel well and do not need to be replaced but every few months; you could say they are my version of an MRE. Kent (KWMCB)

For those scary restroom moments:

I’m probably not the first, but maybe... disinfectant/anti-bacterial wipes for those public restroom moments that cannot be avoided. Jason (nankoweap)

I always carry a Freshette, I first got one for the golf course (Port a Pottie). But I come across some very funky washrooms every once in a while on my trips. Jo Miller (MILLJP)

Tucks Pads travel packets (see Ollie’s dissertation in the infamous Monkey Butt thread!). I actually don’t recall if he recommended something like this, but he should have. Ray (skyking96w)

There is a little bag in the trunk that always stays there that has a few feminine items in it [for my wife]. Jeff (jkelton9)

"Charmin dispenser" Todd (TXSTARRYDR)

Because getting the gear right isn’t always easy:

Back-A-Line belt for really long rides, because sometimes it’s your lower back, not your butt. Ray (skyking96w)

along with some of the "usual" stuff.....always an extra pair of glasses. Kelly (GTSCPE)

My left saddlebag always has raingear in it (we live in Washington), along with a bike cover and an extra fleece shirt for the wife. Jeff (jkelton9)

Neck scarf (seems to never get in the house); 2 pair of gloves (always losing one) I have 3 left handed ones in my top trunk now. (maxbruce)

Riding gear to be able to handle a sudden change in weather. YAMAHAWG_RST

Rain gear and Gerbings... we never leave home without them! Mark (camelmd)

How many times was “duct tape” listed?

To quote Jim (JICUSI): Have duct tape, will travel

And for the Peter Sellers fans among us:

For those who haven’t seen the movie or don’t remember the line: "Survival kit contents check. In them you'll find: one forty-five caliber automatic; two boxes of ammunition; four days' concentrated emergency rations; one drug issue containing antibiotics, morphine, vitamin pills, pep pills, sleeping pills, tranquilizer pills; one miniature combination Russian phrase book and Bible; one hundred dollars in rubles; one hundred dollars in gold; nine packs of chewing gum; one issue of prophylactics; three lipsticks; three pair of nylon stockings.

Shoot, a fella' could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff."

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