[This post is about a tour I did in September 2016]
For the past ten days, I’ve been on a motorcycle tour in the U.S., and it’s been fantastic! You can read about it on this blog.
In this article, for future reference, I describe in detail all the stuff I brought with me on my trip, and how much I spent while on the road.
Inventory
I’m impressed that, during warmer days, this is all I need to live for weeks…
- Motorcycle (2016 Triumph Bonneville T120)
- Saddlebags
- Duffle bag
- Cargo mesh
- Helmet
- Jacket
- Boots
- Neck warmer
- Sunglasses
- Ear plugs & container
- Watch
- Small notebook & pencil
- Wallet
- Passport
- Vehicle ownership & insurance
- Keys
- Chewing gum
- Clothes to ride in: jeans, t-shirt, socks, underpants
- Contact lenses
In the left saddle bag
Since the left saddle bag is on the same side of as the highway traffic when stopped, for safety, I keep stuff I need easy access to, but only occasionally.
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket & pants
- First aid kit (1 of 2)
In the right saddle bag
The right saddle bag is for stuff I often need easy access to.
- Maps & guides
- Phone (when charging)
- Camera: Canon EOS M
- iPad
- Chargers
- Spare ear plugs
- Earphones (never wear while riding, use ear plugs)
- Tool kit
- Bungee cords
In the duffle bag
I’m amazed at how much I could fit in that medium-sized duffle bag from MEC!
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Mattress
- Flashlight
- Swiss Army knife (in the outside pocket)
- Rope
- Duct tape
- Ziplock bags (large, freezer)
- Grocery bags (plastic, to wrap clothes in)
- Garbage bags (13-Gallon, to wrap the duffle bag in case of rain)
- Underpants (4)
- Undershirt (1)
- T-shirts and golf shirts (3)
- Extra pair of jeans (1)
- Socks (2 pairs)
- Fleece sweater
- Pyjamas
- Eye glasses
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shaving cream, razor, cleaning kit for contacts
- Towel, large
- Towel, small
- Cleaning towel
- First aid kit (2 of 2)
- Cleaner for motorcycle
- Microfibre cleaning cloths (2)
- Chain lubricant
- Tire pressure gauge
- Hand pump (for tires)
- Pencil sharpener (in the outside pocket)
- Prayer book
- Another book
In the tool kit
- Hex key set
- Screwdrivers: #2 Philips, ¼x4 Slot
- Adjustable wrench
- Needle-nose pliers
- Metric wrench set (8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 mm)
Items to remember to bring next time
- Walking or hiking shoes
- Flip-flop sandals
- Long-sleeved shirts
Items lost on this trip
- Sunglasses
- Camera lens cap
- Stock of spare earplugs
Budget
Here is a summary of (almost) all the expenses I incurred during this trip; I kept a ledger of the transactions; however, I did forget to ask for a receipt for some of them, so I did my best to record them from memory, and approximated their amounts. There may be a few other transactions missing.
I’m sure with better planning and budgeting, I could have dramatically reduced the total amount spent.
- Lodging: $443.85 (including hotel rooms, twice; camping the rest)
- Food: $311.27 (mostly fast food & snacks; restaurants on occasion)
- Fuel: $173.87 (not bad for almost 5,000 km)
- Souvenirs: $134.05
- Supplies: $132.47 (including a mattress, a good one)
- Utilities: $60.51 (cell phone, text, and data service while in the U.S.)
- Toll: $44.80 (including park entrance & parking fees)
- Fees: $15.96 (for the use of ATMs)
Total: $1316.78