I just went on a two-week camping trip around New England.  I was traveling on a budget because right now I have more time than money, so I decided to camp instead of staying in hotels.  I don’t have saddlebags, a custom seat, a sissy bar, or a windshield, only an Army surplus duffle bag to store everything I need to live indefinitely.  I would suggest all of these amenities to anyone with the cash, but it’s a good feeling to know that I can keep everything I need to live indefinitely on my back.  I rode 2200 miles on my ’97 Honda Nighthawk, and learned a lot along the way.  I talked to a few people along the way, and they were mostly amazed that I can keep everything I need in my duffle, and a few asked for some advice on how they could do the same.  The supplies I carry have been finely tuned after several similar trips through over a dozen states and after thousands of miles on the road.  I figured I would inventory everything I brought with me so that you may learn from my experience.  I encourage anyone with the time (and a little money) to do this.  It is liberating.

Bring 3 days worth of clothes (including what you’re wearing.)  Every 2 or three days you can stop at a laundry mat and do your laundry.  Many campsites also have washers and dryers.  I brought:
3 Jeans
3 T-Shirts
4 pairs of socks (in case it rains, you have a spare)
3 boxers (it is more comfortable not to wear any on a long ride, but good for sleeping.  Another note about underwear: It takes about 3-5 hours longer to dry out after it rains if you wear any, and in the mean time it looks like you pissed yourself.)
1 heavy sweatshirt
Raingear (separate pants and jacket.  The kind I have and like most is just a thin nylon shell.  Space is a major issue and these fold down nicely, and when layered with the sweatshirt it keeps you warm when it’s not raining.  Do not bring your leather jacket unless you plan on wearing it all the time, even on hot, beautiful sunny days, because it takes up too much room to pack away.)
1 Pair of Doc Martin steel toed boots waterproofed with Camp-Dry.  (It’s so nice to see the rain bead on them instead of soak them.  Camp-Dry makes separate products for suede and everything else, so get the right kind for your boots, mine are suede.  While we’re on the topic of Camp-Dry, waterproof everything you can: your tent, sleeping bag, duffle, etc. and do it in advance, it takes 2 days to set.)
1 Towel
1 belt

Toothbrush
Sample size toothpaste
Sample size shampoo and conditioner
Disposable razor or two and sample size shaving cream
Sample size deodorant
Hairbrush
Extra contacts, solution, and case, if you’re near blind like me (they make these single use disposable packs of solution – highly recommended)
Pills – a couple Tylenol, Tums, vitamins, and plenty of any personal prescription
Band-aids – 3 each of various sizes
Travel size antibacterial moist towelettes – great for washing hands, face, silverware, etc.
Sunscreen with a high SPF – you may be in the sun for 8-12 hours per day
I brought a few extra hair ties because I have long hair

Small Tent (Mine is an 8lb, 3 person dome tent, price at Wal-Mart - $30
Compact sleeping bag
Maps – both a regional, or US map for the big picture and a state map for every state you’re going through, good to find twisty secondary roads and state parks.
2 flashlights (how do you change the batteries in one at night without a second?  I have one traditional incandescent and another with a florescent tube, great for ambient light in your tent.)
Disposable cameras with flash
Deck of cards – great for making friends
A book to read
Several large and small zip lock bags – keep everything that is sensitive to water in these, and bring spares
A few garbage bags – good for waterproofing clothes and keeping dirty and clean separate
3 water resistant stuff bags – one for your stuff, one for your sleeping bag, one for your clothes
A bottle of your favorite liquor and a mixer – great for making friends.  Offer the people at the next campsite a drink and get to know them.  You will meet the most interesting people this way.  Also, your generosity will often be repaid.  One guy gave me as much firewood as I needed because I offered him a drink.  Disregard campsite rules about drinking.  No one cares as long as you don’t get unruly.  Hard liquor is best because it takes up a lot less space than beer or wine, and a cold bottle of soda from a convenience store chills it nicely.
If you smoke, bring plenty of cigarettes with you, unless you are going through a state with low taxes.  Smokes are cheap in some states and pricey in others.  Example - $2.50/pack in New Hampshire, $4.50/pack in Maine.
Some additional entertainment – I was going to the beach, so I brought a kite, one that doesn’t have poles, and folds up into a small 3” by 5” bag.  Use your imagination.
Zippo lighter – Zippos are best for lighting campfires
Backup for fire – book of matches in a zip-lock bag
Bungees and cargo net (you should already have these)
Toolkit for bike (you should already have this)
Swiss Army knife – mine has scissors, pliers, can opener, and screwdrivers. Keep this handy
Chain lube – I suggest the spray in a can, it doesn’t leak
Pen in your pocket
Lifesavers – they quench your thirst when you don’t feel like carrying a bottle around
A bottle or two of water
Fork and spoon
Riding gloves – I suggest ones with a gauntlet
Plenty of cash – my budget was $40 per day - $20 for the campsite and firewood, $10 for food and drink, and $10 gas to go 250 miles, plenty of distance if you stop to enjoy the sights.

National and State parks cost about $12 per night and private campgrounds cost about $18.  How do you eat for $10 per day?  I usually got some fresh fruit from a supermarket for breakfast - $1.50.  Lunch at a fast food restaurant: 3 items from the $.99 menu and water - $3.  Can of Chef Boyardee or soup and some cheese crackers for dinner - $3.  2 litre of soda to drink with dinner - $1.25.  That’s how you eat for $10 per day.  This will get boring after a while, so maybe you should budget $45 per day and go out to eat every other night.  The can of Chef Boyardee can be cooked and eaten in the can by the fire, open it and set it by the fire.  Use your riding gloves as oven mitts and stir frequently.  Leave the paper on the can, it insulates it, and if it burns, it’s too close to the fire, you don’t want soot on the can.

All of this weighs about 50 lbs and fits in an Army duffle measuring 3’ by 21” (laying flat.)  These are the bare essentials, but it’s everything you need to live simply, indefinitely, seeing the world from your iron steed.