A large part of your enjoyment of motorcycle riding depends upon preparation. Such preparation includes checking your bike and dealing with any small repairs while you’re still in the driveway.
Good preparation also includes having the right tools handy to manage routine and emergency on-road repairs.
Chances are the toolkit that came with your motorcycle contains only a few basic hand tools designed to handle simple tasks. And I bet they’re not high-quality tools, either.
That’s why most motorcycle riders supplement their stock toolkit with a carefully selected collection of dependable, well-made tools.
Even if you don’t ride too far or too often, it is comforting to know you have good tools at your disposal if you need them.
And because my mechanical and electrical troubleshooting capabilities are limited, besides carrying useful hand tools, I also carry my…
- Cell phone…
- Credit card…
- Insurance company’s emergency service number…
- American Motorcyclist Association roadside service number…
So, if I can’t handle motorcycle repairs myself or overcome an on-road emergency, I know I can contact someone who can.
Depending upon your own cycle-repair capabilities and how prepared you want to be when it comes to handling on-road maintenance…
Here’s a list of compact, high-quality hand tools, spares and equipment to have with you to deal with most motorcycle repairs and quick fixes…
- Allen wrenches — all sizes specific to your bike…
- Combination wrenches — all sizes to fit your bike’s nuts and bolt…
- Crescent wrench — 6-inch…
- Small ball-peen hammer — shorten the handle for easy packing…
- Leatherman tool or Swiss Army Knife…
- Multi-meter — to troubleshoot electrical problems…
- Multi-tool — to work on a variety of screws, nuts and bolts…
- Needle-nose pliers — 6-inch…
- Slip-joint pliers — 6-inch…
- Vise-grip locking pliers — 7-inch…
- Compact socket set containing all sockets specific to your bike…
- Spark plug socket…
- Gasoline siphon tube — 6-feet, clear plastic…
- Duct tape — 10- to 15-foot-long roll…
- Electrical tape — 10- to 15-foot-long roll…
- Tape measure — 24 inches…
- Tie wraps/zip ties/cable-ties — about 20 in different lengths and sizes…
- Tire puncture-repair kit…
- Tire pressure gauge…
- Air pump — small hand-operated…
- Air pump — small electric, attaches to your bike’s battery…
- Fuses — two of each size your bike uses…
- Headlight, tail light and turn signal spare bulbs…
- Brake lever and clutch lever spares…
- Oil filter wrench — for long trips…
- Chain repair kit — for long trips…
- Your bike’s original tools — especially those specific to your bike…
- Tool bag to hold everything…
- Your bike’s owner’s manual…
Here’s another important “accessory” to have on your bike…
Your knowledge of your motorcycle and your ingenuity are just as important as the tools and spare parts you carry. So you’re really doing yourself a favor by becoming as familiar as possible with your bike’s workings before you go riding — especially if you’re planning a long trip.
Having the right motorcycle tools handy and knowing how to use them will increase your peace of mind when traveling and make motorcycle riding all the more enjoyable.
Ride safe.