Leave your troubles at home, pack up the fun in your motorbike luggage…

… And ride, ride, ride!

Heading out on a motorcycle tour is a great way to blow away the cobwebs, but there’s more to it than simply jumping on your bike and riding off into the sunset!

Before you even think about setting off, it’s vital to figure out just how you will take all the things you need. From clothes and toiletries to books and tools, in fact, everything but the kitchen sink may be required along the way. Check out our motorcycle packing list to make sure you don't forget anything. After all, you don’t want to get to your destination to find you have nothing to wear but your leathers!

So what is the best way to pack all your stuff and keep them everything and secure? Panniers are one of the most popular choices as they do not get in the way when riding and have a large

Types of motorcycle luggage

There are many types of motorcycle luggage available, each with pros and cons, so finding the one that suits you will ensure you remain comfortable on your bike and can take everything you need on your motorcycle tour.

You have a basic choice between soft and hard luggage, then many more variations within each category. Soft luggage is just that - a softer bag or pack made of fabric - whereas hard cases are more sturdy, like small suitcases.

Soft motorcycle luggage is great for those who can pack light or stick to fair-weather riding. They are also good if you have several motorcycles, as they are easier to fit to different models. Hard luggage is often bigger, so ideal if the missus, or you, need several pairs of shoes, other handbags, a bathroom full of toiletries…

There are many variations on soft and hard luggage - tank bags, panniers, tail packs, backpacks and so on, so think carefully about what will suit your lifestyle and your pocket

Panniers are one of the most popular options for those who go on many motorcycle tours, as they are fastened securely to each side of the bike. This means they do not get in the way of rider or pillion, but they must be packed carefully to ensure even weight distribution. Both soft and hard panniers are available, so check out each kind. Hard ones usually offer more room, but are a bit heavier. Those who do shorter trips as well as bigger tours might find soft panniers are more flexible and so better value for money.

Tank bags make the most of the unused area in front of the rider, and usually have strong magnets on the bottom to keep them fixed to the tank. These are great for smaller, softer items and care must be taken to ensure the tank bag does not restrict the arms when turning.

Tail packs sit on or under the pillion seat and also allow extra room on the bike to be put to good use when touring. Of course, this assumes you do not have a pillion sat on the seat! As with tank bags, pack wisely and do not put anything in tail packs that could slide around while riding as this can throw you off balance and on to the tarmac.

Back packs can be worn by a sole rider or you can get your pillion to wear one with all their stuff in. Again, these are great for shorter journeys but must be properly packed and fitted so they do not cause discomfort or become loose and make you wobble!

What to look for in motorbike luggage

When buying new motorcycle luggage it pays to think long and hard about how much you will need to carry and how often you will use the gear. This will help determine your budget and the size and type of luggage that will be best for you.

Whatever you choose, ensure it will keep everything inside dry and secure. It’s no good turning up to your lodgings to find that your pyjamas are soaked through and your toothbrush is lying at the side of the road many miles back!

Assess how much you can fit in the luggage and whether it has added security or extra storage options for longer journeys.

You will also need to make sure it will fit on your bike, or your body, properly, without getting in the way or throwing you off balance!