A good tour starts with a good motorcycle trip packing list. Space on a bike is tight, and you usually only notice what is missing on a pass, in the rain or at a police check. Here you will find a checklist to tick off, the mandatory equipment for popular touring countries and tips on packing everything sensibly.
Checklist to tick off
Documents and money
Protective clothing
Tools and breakdown kit
Tech and navigation
Luggage and everyday items
Mandatory equipment by country
What you have to carry on a motorcycle differs from country to country. The key differences for popular destinations:
| Country | Mandatory for motorcyclists |
|---|---|
| Austria | First aid kit in dust-proof packaging. Hi-vis vest only for sidecars, trikes and quads. |
| Switzerland | No hi-vis vest or warning triangle required. Speed camera warnings in sat navs are illegal. |
| France | Carry a CE-marked hi-vis vest, reflective stickers on the helmet, CE-certified gloves. |
| Spain | Wear a hi-vis vest when you get off outside built-up areas after a breakdown or accident. Since 1 October 2026 gloves outside built-up areas and closed shoes. |
| Croatia | Hi-vis vest when leaving the bike outside built-up areas, a set of spare bulbs. |
| Hungary | Hi-vis vest for anyone getting off outside built-up areas after a breakdown or accident, including the pillion. |
| Slovenia | No hi-vis vest requirement for motorcyclists. |
| Czech Republic | No hi-vis vest requirement for motorcycles. |
| Denmark | Hi-vis vest, first aid kit and warning triangle not required. |
Our tip: a hi-vis vest and a small first aid kit weigh almost nothing. Always pack both and you are on the safe side in every country. All countries at a glance are in our comparison of motorcycle rules in Europe.
Packing properly: keep the bike rideable
- Heavy items low and forward: tools and liquids go deep into the side cases, not the top box. A heavy top box makes the rear top-heavy and the bike unstable at speed.
- Distribute evenly: both side cases should weigh about the same.
- Mind the payload: rider, pillion and luggage together must not exceed the permitted payload in your registration documents. With a pillion and full luggage you reach it quickly.
- Adjust suspension and tyre pressure: with luggage, increase the rear spring preload and set the tyre pressure to the manufacturer's value for a loaded bike.
- Keep essentials to hand: documents, phone, rain suit and hi-vis vest belong in the tank bag or a compartment you can reach without unloading.
- Test ride: ride once around the block with full luggage before the tour starts. You notice straight away if something wobbles or the bike feels odd.
Less is more
Most riders pack too much the first time. You can wash clothes almost anywhere on the way, and anything you are missing can be bought in any town. A good rule of thumb: clothes for three to four days plus technical underwear that dries overnight. Anything you didn't use on your last tour stays at home next time, except tools and first aid.
How to plan routes and stages is in our article on tour planning. For tours across the Alps, see our Alpine passes guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents do I need for a motorcycle trip in Europe?
Your driving licence and vehicle registration certificate in the original, plus an ID card or passport. A green insurance card and the European accident report form are not required in the EU but help after an accident.
Do I need a hi-vis vest on a motorcycle?
It depends on the country. In France you have to carry one, in Spain, Croatia and Hungary you have to wear it when you get off after a breakdown or accident outside built-up areas. In Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Denmark it is not required for motorcycles.
What belongs in a breakdown kit for a motorcycle tour?
The on-board tool kit, a tyre repair kit with CO2 cartridges or a compressor, cable ties, duct tape, spare fuses, a jump starter power bank and a first aid kit.
How should I distribute luggage on a motorcycle?
Heavy items low and close to the centre of gravity in the side cases, both sides equally heavy, only light items in the top box. Then adjust spring preload and tyre pressure.
Sources
- Mandatory equipment for motorcyclists in Europe (ÖAMTC, German)
- Motorcycle rules in Austria (ADAC, German)
Last checked: September 2026. The country details come from our country guides, which list the sources for each country.