Building Your Motorcycle Toolkit
Any motorcycle enthusiast will tell you that riding is about more than just getting on the bike and packing in the miles. Once you have a bike, you’ll probably want to become involved in every aspect of ownership, including maintenance. But the only way to perform proper maintenance is to have the right tools to help you out. That’s why North County Indian Motorcycle® has provided you with a guide to building your motorcycle toolkit, including some essential supplies.
For additional tips, or if you have more questions about motorcycle maintenance, stop by our location in San Marcos, California, serving San Diego and Oceanside, for a chat with one of our experienced staff members. You can also ask to see our motorcycles for sale.
Set Realistic Expectations
Firstly, your toolkit should reflect your abilities. You don’t want to buy tools to solve a problem that you don’t know how to solve, or would better be fixed by a professional. When choosing your tools, ask yourself the following questions:
- What repairs can you perform right now?
- What repairs can you learn in the future?
- Which tools will need to fit in your saddlebag and which ones will need to be stored in the garage?
These questions should guide your purchases so you’re toolkit is most helpful to you.
Picking the Right Tools
Now, onto the tools. Keeping the questions in mind, check out the tools we’ve listed below. These are some of the essentials, although you might want to buy some tools before others.
Fold-Up Allen Wrench
A fold-up Allen wrench gives you a variety of wrench sizes in a more compact container. Double-check that yours will work for your motorcycle before hitting the road with it.
Flat-Head Screwdriver
Try to get something thin and narrow, so you can take it on the road. Otherwise, get one that’s going to be compatible with as much of your motorcycle as possible. There are even types of screwdrivers with magnets on the end, which can help pick up any fasteners that fall.
Pliers
Pliers are a great tool to help keep a grip on the small items you’re working with. This is especially true on wet and cold days, when you’ll likely not be as dextrous as normal.
Multipurpose Pocket Knife
You might already have one of these in your pocket, but any form of multipurpose pocket knife can be used to solve problems in a pinch. Even outside of your motorcycle, you might find this tool incredibly handy.
Flashlight
A flashlight is another great tool that can help you with more than just motorcycle repairs, but it can definitely help you see into some of the areas of your bike covered in shadow. This will make it easier to spot problems and implement solutions.
The Backup Plan
Of course, no matter how skilled or prepared you are, you’ll eventually run into a problem that requires a backup plan. Sometimes, you might need to load up your bike onto a trailer and haul it to the mechanic.
If you find yourself stopped on the side of the road with no way to get going again, you’ll want a number you can call to help you out. If you already have roadside service set up for another vehicle, you can probably just get your motorcycle added to the same plan. If not, you should probably consider getting roadside assistance. It’s relatively inexpensive and can be the ultimate lifeline when you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere.
The right maintenance plan also includes a trusted service department that you can take your motorcycle to for regular checkups and emergency repairs. To that end, stop by your trusted Indian Motorcycle® dealer, North County Indian Motorcycle®. We’ll pair you with one of our experienced technicians so every time you need to hand your bike over for work, you can rest assured knowing it’s in good hands. We welcome all motorcycle enthusiasts from San Marcos, San Diego, and Oceanside, California, so visit us today!