Your Essential Motorcycle Toolkit

Even with the highest quality motorcycle, you might run into a maintenance issue in the road. Emergency issues never happen at convenient times, so that means you need to be prepared to fix your bike in the middle of your ride. When that happens, you need your essential motorcycle toolkit! We’ve compiled a list of the most important tools you need to have on hand when it’s time to fix your bike. For all of your motorcycle needs, call North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos, California. We are happy to help all those in San Diego and Oceanside too!

Assess Your Ability

Before you pack any tools at all, think about your own skill level and knowledge. If you have no idea how to use a fold-up allen wrench, you probably don’t need to bring it along. If your familiarity with tools isn’t where you want it to be, spend some time building up those skills in the comfort of your garage. Practice maintenance tasks that you could encounter on the road at home to build your skillset!

Picking the Tools

The tools you bring with you will also depend on how much space you have available. If you are transporting your motorcycle in a truck, you’ll have plenty of room to pack everything you could possibly need. On the other hand, if it’s just you and your bike, your space will be much more limited and you’ll need to be selective. If you are riding with a group, see what they are bringing so you can save space on your motorcycle. You won’t need to pack the exact same items as long as you’re going to be together the whole time.

Packing the Toolkit

Every motorcycle is unique, so the tools you bring with you are also unique. Below, we gathered the most versatile and common items you should add to your toolkit.

 Fold-Up Allen Wrench

Use a fold-up allen wrench to remove or tighten the fasteners on your bike. These come in all sizes, so make sure to check that it corresponds with the given size on your machine’s parts. Nobody wants to be on the road by themselves and realize that their trusty wrench is too big or too small to use.

Flat Head Screwdriver

You should try to find a flat head screwdriver that is as thin and narrow as possible. This will give you the best chance at maneuvering around in tight areas. If possible, find one that has a magnet on one end. This will become super useful if any fasteners drop and are hard to find.

Pliers

Pliers will improve your grip and allow you to straighten, loosen, or tighten parts and fasteners. This is especially helpful on cold or wet days where your hands may be shaking or slippery, making it difficult to get a grip on anything.

Multipurpose Pocket Knife

This tool is a combination of many resources in one compact item. It takes up very little space but allows you to accomplish a variety of tasks. Always be prepared with your trust pocketknife!

Flashlight

Your motorcycle is full of nooks and crannies that aren’t always easy to see. A flashlight will improve visibility, which is especially important when working on your bike at night.

Battery Cables

Battery cables are a great solution to many common battery problems. They are lightweight and can be rolled up tight. This means they don’t take up too much space. These tools are really lifesavers!

Spare Fuses

As long as you have the right sizes, fuses are easy to replace. Check your owner’s manual for the specs and stock up on these items.

We hope this guide helps you put together the perfect motorcycle toolkit. If you have any questions, contact North County Indian Motorcycle® in San Marcos, California. We proudly serve San Diego and Oceanside too. We can’t wait to help you find your dream bike for your next adventure!