Motorcycling is like any other sport in the sense that there are certain tools and accessories that come with the territory. Whether we're talking protection from a helmet or gas to make your bike go, there are some things that are mandatory. There's also a stack of other items that may not be obligatory, but can sure make a motorcyclist's life easier. Some are obvious while others may have never crossed your mind. You'll need some or all of these at some point though.
1. Air compressor
There's nothing worse than finding one of your tires is so flat you can't even ride it to the gas station to fill it up. In that instance you either have to truck or push a heavy-ass bike down the road.
While a giant stand-alone unit may be necessary for a paint shop, your local parts house has several alteratives that are more than sufficient for filling your tires and blowing the excess water out of the nooks and crannies of your bike after a wash. Whether it's an intermediate example with wheels or an even smaller version, either is sufficient.
Trust us, you'll be thankful the first time you're greeted with flat tires to find an instant fix is waiting underneath your workbench.
Harbor Freight 8 Gallon Air Compressor
$119.99
harborfreight.com
2. Motorcycle Fluids
This may seem like a given, but we've seen far too many people committing fouls in this department. Really people, motorcycles are different than cars and should be treated so. Always use motorcycle-specific oil and filters along with cleaning solutions and chain lube. In many cases household products like Simple Green and mild degreasers are safe across the board, but some harsh products can damage your fairings and even your tires.
Unique products like spray polish and other bike-specific cleaning products go a long way in giving your bike a nice shine and good paint protection.
amsoil.com
knfilters.com
3. Race Stands
Forget trying to balance your bike on the front tire and side stand as you grease the chain or pull a wheel off. Give in already and get a pair of front and rear race stands.
From tire changes and chain maintenance to fork replacement and longtime storage, race stands are your friend. Make sure when purchasing race stands that they have the ability to hoist a bike by the swingarm spools and can lift the front by the steering stem in the event the forks need to be removed.
Pit Bull Race stands
From $134.95
pit-bull.com
4. Ramp And Tie-Downs
At some point or another you'll need to load your bike into a truck or trailer, even if you don't own either. But in the event you're left stranded on the roadside it's nice to know you have some tie-downs and a ramp to get your bike home and out of harm's way.
You can always borrow a truck or trailer, but try loading your bike on the roadside by dead lifting it and you'll quickly understand the importance of a ramp. If you doubt this, just hit YouTube with, "motorcycle loading fail," and see what comes up.
Ready Ramp
$269.95
readyramp.com
Tie Downs
From $28.95
flyracing.com
5. Lock
A proper security device is money well spent. They're good for securing your bike while it's parked at work or school, but even when home it's important to keep it safe and secure. After all, how many times have you forgotten to close the garage door on the weekends? Without a lock, your bike is easy pickings.
Bully Locks
From $21.95
bullylocks.com