Whether you’re thinking to take a motorcycle road trip around New Zealand or just ride where the road takes you, a bit of prep — even on spontaneous trips — can make the experience legendary.
Let’s get you set to soak in the stunning landscapes, open roads, and wild adventure with seven motorcycle trip essentials that will ensure your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
1. Gear Up for All-Weather Riding
Even in the summer, New Zealand’s weather can be shifty, to say the least. Especially if you’ll be riding near the coast, prepping for ALL possibilities will help prevent damp and cold from draining the fun out. The right wind and rain gear allows you to ride comfortably in almost all weather — though we’re partial to summer road trips for the best shot at glorious conditions.
Get Fitted With an All-Weather Riding Suit
You’ll want to be weather-proof, head to toe. You could make do with water-resistant clothing, but ventilated, fully waterproof textiles along with decent armour are your ultimate defence against sudden downpours and feeling like a drowned rat. Brands like Rukka, Oxford Products, and Klim make solid all-season gear. Bonus points if you invest in removable linings for when the sun shows up between fog and rain.
Even on sunny days, you’ll want warm, wind-resistant gloves. Wet, cold hands are a miserable distraction from sightseeing. Richa Arctic Gore-Tex Gloves are warm, waterproof, and offer excellent grip in dodgy conditions.
2. The Right Helmet Feels Like Luxury
Your helmet is legally required, but even if you opt for minimal coverage when riding short distances, you’ll want to take our advice and go all-in on a full-face helmet with a visor. Block out wind and ensure full, clear visibility and maximum protection. Choose a snug fit and opt for a removable or spare visor to beat foggy, misty conditions.
Additional comfort measures that really deliver are heated grips and a windshield. It may sound posh now, but depending on where your trip takes you, wind can wear you down and chill you to the bone in no time.
3. Ride With Tech
If you’ll be taking unfamiliar roads — which is probably half the fun — GPS is critical, and a solid mount or phone holder is essential. Here’s where upgrading to a quality, well-designed device is recommended over cheaper options. Features like vibration-dampening (especially for your smartphone) will make navigation easy and safe, rather than frustrating. Good products from Quad Lock or SP Connect are designed for motorcycle vibration and hold up on lengthy road trips.
While you’re tech shopping, add portable chargers or battery packs to the list. Keep at least one fully charged power bank in your waterproof kit to avoid getting lost or stranded somewhere in the Southern Alps (though it’s a beautiful place to lose yourself.)
4. Pack a Compact First-Aid Kit
It doesn’t have to be the ultimate first aid kit (try to avoid disaster zones), but a small, well-stocked first-aid kit should be in every rider’s bag. Sunburn, insect bites, scrapes, or headaches can all ruin a lovely day. Your handy kit should contain plasters, antiseptic wipes, painkillers, and something to cushion blisters in case your riding boots give you trouble.
No less important on a road trip is motorcycle first aid. Keep a basic toolkit for tyre repair, duct tape, a wrench, and zip ties. You may never need them, but you’ll feel like MacGyver if something in your bag of tricks patches up what rattled loose.
5. Comfort is Essential
Hours in the saddle take a toll. Your bike seat may feel comfy enough when close to home, but a gel seat cover can make or break a long ride. Various padding types are available, and your bottom will thank you for the extra consideration.
Earplugs are another overlooked comfort measure that deliver so much in a tiny package. Motorcycle-specific versions will let you hear critical sounds like sirens while dampening relentless wind so you don’t go mad — well worth a small investment.
6. Entertainment Essentials for Rest Stops
When checking into a cozy inn for the night, keep in mind that remote, out-of-the-way places are lovely during the day, but sometimes just crickets at night. Bring a small tablet or laptop so you can check in with friends, upload pictures, and unwind with movies or podcasts in the evening.
And since nightlife tends to wind down early in the remote spots you’ll be riding through, the top NZ online casinos in 2025 are available 24/7 and work brilliantly on mobile. Perhaps your next win could fund the ultimate motorcycle tour overseas!
Finally, wireless earbuds or headphones will let you discretely tune into your favourite playlist or podcast wherever you take a rest on the road. If you stay in busy, bustling tourist areas, you’ll appreciate noise cancellation as well.
7. Pack Light, Pack Smart
You know that space is limited on a bike, and perhaps you’ve agonised over which ‘essential’ items you really need. We recommend saddle bags and a good backpack that can hold a surprising amount of stuff. Road trip pros swear by packing cubes and rolled clothing to save space. Keep daily-use items in the saddle bag or top box and the items you reach for once or twice a day on your back.
Pro tip: a small travel pillow, travel towel, and even collapsible coffee cups are designed to pack down snugly. If you’ll be roughing it a bit, visit an outdoors outfitter or camping store for these space-saving items. Even if your accommodations are three- or four-star, having your favourite personal items with you will make the road feel more like home.
A Few Bonus Tips
- Plan to be flexible. Keep your schedule loose enough to make room for spontaneous detours, fascinating discoveries, or slow, lazy mornings.
- Fuel up often. Petrol stations can be few and far between in rural areas.
- Give your bike a daily once-over. Tyres, lights, oil — a quick look in the morning beats getting stuck later.
Hit the Road, Stay Adventurous
An epic motorcycle trip is made up of great people, sunsets so stunning you snap 20 photos, and the freedom of cruising from one adventure to the next.
Like with many other experiences, bringing useful gear, a few contingency plans, and extra comforts ensures you’ll savour all the best moments and not miss one minute of the ride.
So, complete your checklist and roll out. The road awaits, and you’ll be ready.
Article Last Updated: June 16, 2025.
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