5 Tips For Your Next Fly-and-Ride
So, you have a dream destination in mind for your next motorcycle adventure, but it’s too far to ride. Instead, you decide to hop on a plane, rent a bike at your destination, and spend a week exploring new roads before heading home, refreshed and high on life. If you haven’t yet tried a fly-and-ride trip, I highly recommend it.
As a motorcycle journalist, fly-and-ride trips are part of my job. Over the years, I’ve picked up plenty of tricks to make the process easier and have learned a few lessons the hard way. With these tips, you won’t have to repeat my beginner’s mistakes and can enjoy a fantastic ride.
For a full packing list, click here.
Pack Smart, Pack Light
Overpacking for a motorcycle tour is a serious mistake. Even when starting from home, too much luggage can make your bike heavy and cumbersome. When flying to your destination, extra gear adds hassle, especially when loading and unloading daily. Every time I’ve overpacked, I’ve realized I only used a fraction of what I brought. Stick to the essentials, and don’t hesitate to wash socks and underwear in the sink if needed.
Bring Carry-On Luggage Only
I always do everything possible to pack within my carry-on bags. After I checked a bag on a flight to the Azores, it got lost, and I arrived without any of my riding gear. It took over a month for the bag to be returned—but luckily, it did!
Scrambling to replace gear on the first day of a trip is stressful, especially if you have a group waiting on you. To avoid this, pack light and keep all essentials with you.
To the left of this page, you’ll see a full explosion from my recent trip to Mexico to test the 2025 Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT. I fit everything into a carry-on roller bag and a duffel backpack. I left these two bags at the start/end locations and packed only what I needed into a small tote for daily riding, distributing items between my saddlebags each morning.
Pro Tip: Wear your riding jacket onto the plane to save space in your luggage.
Always Keep Your Helmet With You
If you need to check a bag, that’s fine—but keep critical items with you at all times. This includes electronics, essential riding gear (helmet, knee braces), a spare outfit, and toiletries.
Your helmet is the most important item to carry on. Riding in a gross borrowed helmet isn’t ideal, and baggage handlers aren’t gentle—helmets can be damaged even if they look fine externally. Always place your helmet in a soft sack before storing it in your carry-on to prevent scratches.
Helmets will fit best in the overhead compartment when on their side. Keep this in mind when packing your bag. You will also want to remove your communication device, if you have one.
Know Your Motorcycle Luggage Situation
Every rental bike has a different luggage setup. Touring bikes typically come with hard cases, while small dual-sports might not have any storage. Before you pack, confirm what luggage (if any) is provided. You may need to bring your own saddlebags, tankbag, or just packing cubes to organize hard cases efficiently.
Remember Tools and Other Items
Don’t forget the small but crucial extras for a rental bike: a battery tender lead for charging, a GPS or phone mount, and basic tool and tire repair kits. If you’re not checking a bag, be mindful of carry-on restrictions—multi-tools, blades, and sharp tools over seven inches (like screwdrivers) are prohibited.
By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for a smooth fly-and-ride adventure. Happy travels!