This is sort of my 'generic' checklist for trips on a motorcycle. Most of it is based on doing a trip without 'help' - meaning no tourguide, support vehicles, etc..and some items are optional based on weather and which bike I'm on.
It is changing slightly over time, and I've got to add some more items in for motorcycle camping trips, but I do indeed use this list to make sure I'm ready for a trip. Suggestions welcome.
For trips where I'm flying one way, or flying there and back, to ride a bike back or renting a bike, I bring my helmet in a helmet case, full gear (jacket, pants, gloves, boots, helmet, liners), carry on my helmet + small bag with laptop and tankbag if bringing a laptop, and usually wear my MC jacket onto the plane (mesh). My tailbag or backpack is then checked, unfortunately.
When riding the F650 or other bike with Givi or other saddlebags, I distrubute the content listed for tailbag between the saddlebags, and generally keep clothes in one, and the rest in the other (there isn't all that much weight in what I bring).
Some of the items I'm still working out the best location for, which does depend on the bike as well, and which tankbag and tail or saddlebags I use. I'm a little odd in that while it's convenient, and I could manipulate my iPhone if I stuff it in the map case of the tankbag, I refuse to keep the phone not on my immediate person, again..just in case..so I slip that inside an inside jacket pocket, at least where off-roading is involved. This is a trade-off - for road trips, I slip it into my tank bag with a clear cover on it or into a RAM mount to use for GPS.
Likewise, I keep my leatherman attached to my CamelBak in a clip-on pouch. Some other bits, like disc and bike lock, tire repair kit .go under the seat if I've got on bike/trunk/under seat storage space, and if I expect mostly to only lock up once I pull the bags off the bike.
Yeah - it looks like a lot, and it kind of is - some of it I ignore for different trips, while my bike tool kit and tank bag, CamelBak loadout pretty much stay constant, so it’s more of a sanity check than ‘packing it all from scratch’ in most cases..
Pay any pending bills or pre-pay any coming due - maybe you’ll have Internet, maybe not - just do it and be done with it.
Charge cell phone, battery packs, laptop as applicable
Make sure you have fresh batteries in any device with removables, e.g. mini flashlight in tank bag or tool kit
Inventory and replace/refill first aid kit supplies if nescessary
Locate and make copies of driver license, passport, medical insurance cards and birth certificate in advance (especially if going out of country..)
Put all credit cards and copies of medical, passport, birth ceritificate etc. into wallet, tank bag or money minder well in advance of trip to avoid ther ewhole - where the heck is it? fun before leaving on the trip..
Check fluids
oil
coolant
brake fluid - top off or replace if it’s due
Snug/check bolts
Engine mount bolts
tripe/forks/suspension
front and rear axles
Misc
clean, lube and adjust chain - check sprockets
check tire pressures
SV: 36F 39R for Contis
DRZ: 30F 32R for street MEFOs, air down at dirt to 16F/18R (get rimlocks if doing this..)
F650: 36F 38R on MEFOs
Garbage bags (3)
Packed inside garbage bags or inside a small dry sack (waterproof)
Laptop bag or sleeve - laptop inside
Laptop power cord
small retractable ethernet cable - never know when wifi is down somewhere and is small enough to pack
cell phone charger and cable
smokes, or e-cigarette supplies - liquid, atomizers, single battery charger and extra batteries
Apple watch cable or spare charger - can double as battery pack for shorter trips
2x - adjustable bungees
Moccasins or pair of light sneakers depending on destination
Inside another compression dry bag (which gets stowed in either the tail or saddle bag)
ldcomfort or similar underwear - preferably no seams in uncomfortable places
wicking socks or performance wool
convertible pants/shorts if appropriate - yeah, they’re funky, but they help and pack up light if going to warm places
swim suit depending on destination
1 pair of jeans
1-2x decent non-wrinkling shirts for non-riding wear - Columbia or other
2-3x underarmour type synthetic shirts for normal riding and lounging
Weather dependent - fleece or pullover (1)
Loose in tailbag or in outside pockets
Spare trash bag or ideally, compression sack for dirty clothes
2x garbage bags - yeah, good for bags, emergency poncho, wrapping non-waterproof things, ...
rain liners for motorcycle gear - pants and top
Weather dependent - thin performance thermals
Toiletries
small comb or folding brush
Toothpaste and toothbrush in travel tube
small bar of soap
razors (can use soap in lieu of shaving cream..)
deodorant
vitamins, any meds if taking prescriptions for anything
Optional - shaving cream, small cologne, etc.
CamelBaks are awesome, including for road-only rides. You can get them in sizes ranging from a water/fluid bladder only, to one that has some amount of storage room. Anywhere the potential for riding in hot weather exists, I fill it up with Gatorade or ice and water, and only put soft things inside for storage 'just in case.' I currently have a CamelBak clone made by Fox, and like it quite a bit. It’s sort of close to this one but cheaper than official CamelBaks.
(12) or so heavy-duty zip ties
Leatherman in a clip-on pouch
Pants rain liner (alternate packing position) or poncho
Rain gloves and glove liners
smokes or e-cig bits on lower pouch
tire pressure gauge
Tire pump
Tire repair kit (plugs or tube/patches depending on bike/tire/tube…)
helmet cable lock
Small tube of lens cleaner
2x small microfibers
tiny can of chain lube
Powerlet cable splitter if needed, otherwise power cables to run anything on bike and RAM mount, etc.
monocular
Knife (has to get checked if packed here and flying..)
First aid kit - making sure tylenol or ibuprofen, muscle relaxers and anti-diarhea tablets are filled up
Vitamins and meds - if any
lighter
smokes or e-cig supplies
Any printed stuff - guide or route maps, reservation printouts, ...
maps if any - worth having when going where cell service may not exist..
spare set of spark plugs
8mm and 10mm double-end box/open wrenches - rest in bike toolkit
Kickstand plate if needed (soft asphalt)
throttle rocker/crampbuster if you use one - can help on long trips
Sunblock
Checkbook (yeah - sometimes you get stuck and actually wind up having to use these things.. :-/ )
Medical insurance card or copy + prescription insurance card/copy
Small spool of stiff wire
Small pair of channel-looks
Tire tool kit
Spares for bike fuses if applicable
Spare master link if applicable to the bike
Small tube - JB weld
Sunglasses and/or glasses
spare bulbs - tail, turn, headlight
Spare set of earbuds or in-ear bluetooth headphones (I usually use a loose earplug and 1 in-ear earbud when riding longer-trips on-road)
Cold weather - balaclava
Optional: small or half a roll of TP in a sealed bag, squished - more if going to be away from civilization for several days potentially
riding pants
Riding jacket
Riding jacket thermal liner - bring if in doubt for night riding or surprise weather
Weather conditional - additional fleece or thermal vest
Reservation info - printed or on phone (note - may not have cell service for all destinations so yeah, I print anything other than flight res..)
Helmet in case
In wallet or tank bag
Relevant bike insurance and paperwork
medical insurance and prescription card or copies
emergency contact info and note of any medical conditions, if applicable
emergency cash
credit cards to be used for trip, or at least one for emergency use
house and bike keys
cell phone
motorycle jacket - wear on plane if need be
motorcycle boots - wear on plane, easier to pack sneakers if needed
Stuff regular riding gloves into helmet case
Dew rag and spare microfiber stashed in helment case
Normal earbuds or headphone stuffed in helmet case
Hidden pouch/money minder with some cash, passport and birth certificate + copies of each - yeah, you really do not want to be stopped by armed guards and handing them the real thing if it can be avoided.. :(