Essential Tools to Carry on a Motorcycle
If you ride a motorcycle, there is a good chance that you will have some sort of mechanical issues. If you are riding a brand new bike, while not as common, it does still happen. If you are riding an older bike, it is a guarantee. There is an old saying (and it fits motorcycles perfectly) “it isn’t if it happens, it is when it happens”. It is much better to be prepared instead of stranded on the side of a road.
Motorcycles don’t require a great deal of tools. Of course if you are going to switch out engines or rebuild a transmission, then you will need more tools, if it is a minor repair, a small set of tools will suffice. There are some tools that serve several functions (thus reducing the number you need to carry).
Along that line of thought, for extremely simple repairs a multi tool is indispensable. It can fix many minor problems but it does none of them really well. To be honest, if you are stranded on the side of the road in the rain, do you really care if it is fixed exactly right? Or do you just want to make it back home (or your destination) where you can make the proper repairs.There are two tools that are indispensable no matter what kind of motorcycle you ride. These are a crescent (adjustable) wrench and a Phillips (cross) head screw driver. With these 2 tools you can tighten almost any bolt that may come loose or change out a part and remove screws (most are of the cross head design). In a perfect world, this may not be needed but halfway through a trip, when you find out that the bulb that is your brake/tail light is burnt out, you will need the screwdriver to take the lens off to get to the bulb.
Different manufactures may use different types of bolts so you will need to be familiar with your particular bike.
It is a running joke that if you own a metric bike (the generic name for Japanese motorcycles) you can take it apart with 2 10 mm wrenches and a Phillips screwdriver. This is actually more true than most people realize.
The list of tools can go on and on, this is why people have garages full of tools to work on motorcycles, we are discussing the ones that are necessary to have with you on the bike to make emergency repairs.
If you have room, a socket set will help immensely. If you don’t, find out what size bolts are most common on your motorcycle and carry those size open end wrenches. These wrenches are the type that are “U” shaped at one end and circular at the other. The inside of the circle will have teeth to grab the bolt at any angle. This becomes important if the bolt is in an inconvenient place (which is almost always the case). You may only be able to turn the bolt a fraction of a turn at a time. With teeth all the way around the inside of the circle, you will get a grip each time.
A set of pliers with wire striping capabilities is also important. You never know when a wire may break and you will lose your electronics. If you can strip the insulation off and twist the wire back together, you are back on the road.
Along those same lines, a simple roll of electrician’s tape will help out. Since it is tape, it is a good idea to place the roll inside a plastic bag so that it won’t get wet. Tape that doesn't stick doesn't really serve it’s purpose.
While the essential tools will be listed in the summary, there is another item that is a must for every motorcycle rider. It is simple, not really a tool, but serves as many purposes as the famous duct tape. It is zip ties. They come in every color and size. Color is not important. Size is. It takes almost no room to put them in a small bag (or even a coat pocket). Keep several sizes, they can be used to fix anything from a fuel line that has come off to temporarily replacing a bolt (only until the correct repair can be made).
In summary, the essential tools to carry are a multi tool. Screwdrivers, especially a Phillips (cross head) as well as a standard (blade style). A crescent wrench (or 2) and if you have room, box wrenches (or open end wrenches) that fit the bolts of your bike. Pliers that have the capability to cut and strip wires as well as electrical tape. Last but not least, zip ties.
It may seem like a lot but when you have these tools laid out, you will find that they take up very little room. They can make or break an otherwise wonderful ride.
One last thing to have is a flashlight. The style is up to you but a good choice is an LED light. They are brighter and don’t use as much battery power. If you get the type that are on a head band you won’t have to worry about holding the light and making the repair. Where ever you look, the light will follow.
If you take these common sense precautions, and the unthinkable (a break down) occurs, you will be overjoyed that you have the tools to get back on your motorcycle instead of calling a friend with a truck or a trailer. This is not intended to replace all the tools needed to work on a motorcycle. It is simply an emergency kit similar to what you may keep in the trunk of your car in the winter.A simple precaution that will give you peace of mind as well as safety. Broken down on the side of the road is no place for a motorcycle.
For safety’s sake, remember, roadside repairs are not permanent. You will have to make the repairs in the correct manner as soon as you get home. These tools and the repairs serve only to get you to a place to properly fix your beloved ride. Enjoy the road, even if you run into a little bump in your travels.
