I have been talking with a couple of people lately about how we pack motorcycles. I’m not that experienced, but I have learned to travel light. On a sportsbike that is the real trick. Here is the little advice I have to offer.

I use Kriega luggage and absolutely love it. I usually use a US-10 as a tailback. In the winter it’ll fit a large 1-piece wet suit, underwear, spare t-shirts and extra thermals. It will also hold odds like chargers etc since it’s waterproof.

While I usually carry a laptop in my R-25 rucksack I try to avoid rucksacks on long journeys. If I need to take more stuff or fit a laptop on longer journeys then I also have a US-20. That really needs to sit on a tank on a sportsbike as the seats just aren’t big enough. It holds a ton though.

Tip: If you have a rear cowl (passenger seat cover) then swap it for the actual passenger seat if you still have it. Mine needs respraying from having a tail pack rub the paint over just a couple of days.

I will also have a tiny tank bag. It’s a Hein Gericke Streeline Tank Bag City (Page 240 of the online catalogue). It will hold cash, camera, visor cleaner, keys, beanie and the like. Quickly removable and won’t annoy me on the motorway thanks to the low profile.

I do have a Kreiga Tank and a US-5 but it’s a pain to remove when refuelling and not quick release at services (since I keep my money in it). I can leave the tailback on the bike as there is nothing of real value in it and it’s not full of easy to pick pockets (or just held with a magnet).

All in I try to wear stuff I can wear off the bike to require less packing. In the summer I’ll carry spare clothes since I don’t need to pack a rain suit. Packing just a couple of tools, wet weather gear, underwear and a couple of t-shirts makes traveling light simple.