So you’ve booked that beautiful Ducati Multistrada for a week on the West Coast, your airplane ticket is paid for, and now you just need to get your gear from wherever here is to there. This takes some simple planning and—unless you want checked bag fees—a willingness to play pack mule.

I have both the pleasure and the pain of a nine-to-five that requires very frequent travel, usually domestically and sometimes abroad. The pleasure part usually involves turning my free time on these business trips into motorcycle adventures. I’ve ridden a Kawasaki ZX-6R down the PCH, been a hooligan through parts of Chicago I shouldn’t have on a Ducati Scrambler 803, experienced the worst rain ever in Manchester, UK on a Triumph Street Triple RS, and ridden coast to coast twice in Scotland on BMWs.

For each of these trips, I’ve utilized the same method of getting my gear to and fro, and truth be told, it’s not too challenging.

My first recommendation is to invest in a good duffel, preferably one designed to take a beating. I opted for the ritzy Velomacchi Speedway Duffel and haven’t regretted it, but there are a lot of options out there; peruse the luggage section of any motorcycle gear website.

For shorter trips you may be able to get away with a larger backpack. If you’re bringing a duffel, make sure you have a way to tie it down to a bike, and test it at home first. Don’t wait until you’re picking up the bike to figure it out (trust me, you’ll thank yourself for that!). Now, you can pack all your clothes and essentials in a roller if you want, but make sure you’ve already arranged for bike pickup and drop-off that doesn’t require strapping the thing to the bike.

As you’re packing your gear, you'll likely discover that not all of it will fit in just your duffel or backpack, or even a duffel and backpack. Helmets take up a lot of space, as do jackets. Airlines will allow you to carry your helmet onboard as a second bag, and sometimes, they’ll let it go as a third. Flight attendants and gate agents seem to understand this is not a thing you want to risk checking.

Most airline policies regarding this state only two carry-ons. I do not endorse breaking this policy; do so at your own risk. I can only speak to my experiences. 

Consider wearing your jacket to save space in the bags, and store it in the overhead bin. Take the armor from your jacket and pants to consolidate space in the bags. Moto-specific pants don’t take up too much more space than normal pants, and gloves are small and easily accommodated. 

Last thing to consider is the weather at your destination; I’ve worn a 3-season suit through Heathrow because I would be gone for 10 days and underestimated my luggage space. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was allowed. Just be prepared to answer many questions and get a lot of stares. 

This is clearly not exhaustive, but it should provide a good starter guide. No two people pack the same, you’ll find what works for you, and what doesn’t.